Shooting Masters,,357 and 38 calibers
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This is my 1st to find in 357.I got to look up the numbers on how many,but I seen people asking close to $5000 for the 44 special.The 357 SM looks pretty damn good.It has a small hole in the frame on the front grip where it looks like someone put some kinda grip extension on it,other then that it looks every bit a 95%,but he wants to say it's 98%,,no matter sense they don't have boxes anyway.
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78 Posts
chevis,
I have a Shooting Master 38 that is probably an 85% gun. I've been collecting older revolver for awhile and have some nice old guns (Colts and Smiths) in near new condition. The Shooting Master even in its lack of perfect condition is still the finest revolver that I've ever handled. Whatever you do buy one that you can shoot. It will be the biggest treat that you've ever had in the gun world.
Tom
I have a Shooting Master 38 that is probably an 85% gun. I've been collecting older revolver for awhile and have some nice old guns (Colts and Smiths) in near new condition. The Shooting Master even in its lack of perfect condition is still the finest revolver that I've ever handled. Whatever you do buy one that you can shoot. It will be the biggest treat that you've ever had in the gun world.
Tom
Are the 2 SMs in ORIGINAL shape;stocks,sights, finish etc.?
If they are,the one at $995 is a fairly good deal-if you are a shooter and reloader. It will handle any .38 Special load listed in reptuable manuals,including the old pre war 38/44 high speeds,that equal,or surpass the 158 gr. loads in .357 Magnum that MOST large ammo firms are producing today(due to fear of litigation).I love my .38 Special SM,and its a 95% grade "shooter",all original.
As much as I would like a .44 Special SM,Majic,I am pretty happy with my 2 Triple Lock Targets and a 2nd Model .44 Special Target. Don't load em' as stiff as I would an SM, or my fixed sighted .44 Spec. NS,and I have a reblued N.S. Target,an early one that was converted to handle .44 Special from .44 Russian. I am afraid even if I could afford a .44 Special SM,even in 98% shape,or better,I just couldn't resist having a "a pre war shoot off" with my S&Ws as mentioned above.
Actually,having the desire to shoot(regularly) every gun I buy,has kept me from buying many "mint" examples that I know would quickly loose their "virginity value"!
Bud
If they are,the one at $995 is a fairly good deal-if you are a shooter and reloader. It will handle any .38 Special load listed in reptuable manuals,including the old pre war 38/44 high speeds,that equal,or surpass the 158 gr. loads in .357 Magnum that MOST large ammo firms are producing today(due to fear of litigation).I love my .38 Special SM,and its a 95% grade "shooter",all original.
As much as I would like a .44 Special SM,Majic,I am pretty happy with my 2 Triple Lock Targets and a 2nd Model .44 Special Target. Don't load em' as stiff as I would an SM, or my fixed sighted .44 Spec. NS,and I have a reblued N.S. Target,an early one that was converted to handle .44 Special from .44 Russian. I am afraid even if I could afford a .44 Special SM,even in 98% shape,or better,I just couldn't resist having a "a pre war shoot off" with my S&Ws as mentioned above.
Actually,having the desire to shoot(regularly) every gun I buy,has kept me from buying many "mint" examples that I know would quickly loose their "virginity value"!
Bud
I bought a 38 Shooting Master about a month ago, and posted pics on the forum. It is just a hair under perfecto in condition. I never thought I would find one like that. No box or papers. But I will give up the box, and papers for one in this shape. Boxes turn up now, and then.
Those prices sound OK to me. Get on the auction sites, and do a search for Shooting Masters, and see how many you come up with.
If you don't buy these, try not to hold your breath until you see a couple more, or even one.
Good luck, Chevis.
Those prices sound OK to me. Get on the auction sites, and do a search for Shooting Masters, and see how many you come up with.
If you don't buy these, try not to hold your breath until you see a couple more, or even one.
Good luck, Chevis.
They're both in original condition...I did look at the ones on GB and the 45 lc is priced at $5000 and the 38 is suppose to be mint and priced at $2295..Found another on Gunsamerica but no pics and he's in Hawaii.He wants $1500 for a 38.Tonight I'm gonna check my bible and see what Wilson has to say about them.....
I got some new 45 lc brass and bullets today so I'm gonna do a bitta reloading for my 45 Anaconda to shoot tomorrow.I am like a kid wanting to shoot when I go...and I always bring along my 38 OMT,,,,along with two other guns.I play in threes usually.
Joe
I got some new 45 lc brass and bullets today so I'm gonna do a bitta reloading for my 45 Anaconda to shoot tomorrow.I am like a kid wanting to shoot when I go...and I always bring along my 38 OMT,,,,along with two other guns.I play in threes usually.
Joe
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I presently own both the .38 and .357 SM . If you've got a chance to buy either at a reasonable price , go for it . There isn't a better constructed revolver . When you consider the skilled craftsmen required to manufacture these , it's a work of art . How many SM's show up for sale in a given year ??
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chevis; that fine SM that Guy pictured is wearing the extra cost "fleur de leis" medallion stocks. Fleur de Leis were standard on the earliest N.S. Targets w/o medallions,then medallions,and finally the standard checkered stocks,sometime in the late 1920's(S.M. came out in 1932)
Bud
Bud
Ouch,,that's an expensive hole.It only looks like less then 1/4 inch.That is why when I restore my Mustangs I never do anything that can't be reversed..sure like to see the guy who wanted a grip (whatever) and show him how much it cost someone
Thanks
Joe
Thanks
Joe
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78 Posts
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..sure like to see the guy who wanted a grip (whatever) and show him how much it cost someone
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But think what maybe he won because he installed that grip adapter,,,one of the reasons I like the old classic revolvers,,,,think of the stories they could tell,,,maybe the guy won at Camp Perry,,,that is what the Shooting Masters were made for.
Tom
..sure like to see the guy who wanted a grip (whatever) and show him how much it cost someone
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But think what maybe he won because he installed that grip adapter,,,one of the reasons I like the old classic revolvers,,,,think of the stories they could tell,,,maybe the guy won at Camp Perry,,,that is what the Shooting Masters were made for.
Tom
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Thanks for the kind words . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
[ QUOTE ]
chevis; that fine SM that Guy pictured is wearing the extra cost "fleur de leis" medallion stocks. Fleur de Leis were standard on the earliest N.S. Targets w/o medallions,then medallions,and finally the standard checkered stocks,sometime in the late 1920's(S.M. came out in 1932)
Bud
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When my uncle bought this .357 about 30 yrs ago , it had faux stag plastic grips . Very tacky ! He threw them away . After giving up on finding factory std grips ( checkered walnut as Bud mentions) , he asked our stock man at that time to construct some replacements . We had a single NS Target fleur de leis panel in the "junk" box . Gave our man the panel for a guide and after a year or three (good stock men are slooooow) they were done . They are very nice though , but not original Colt . I bought the gun from him about 15 yrs ago and never felt the need to replace them .
[ QUOTE ]
chevis; that fine SM that Guy pictured is wearing the extra cost "fleur de leis" medallion stocks. Fleur de Leis were standard on the earliest N.S. Targets w/o medallions,then medallions,and finally the standard checkered stocks,sometime in the late 1920's(S.M. came out in 1932)
Bud
[/ QUOTE ]
When my uncle bought this .357 about 30 yrs ago , it had faux stag plastic grips . Very tacky ! He threw them away . After giving up on finding factory std grips ( checkered walnut as Bud mentions) , he asked our stock man at that time to construct some replacements . We had a single NS Target fleur de leis panel in the "junk" box . Gave our man the panel for a guide and after a year or three (good stock men are slooooow) they were done . They are very nice though , but not original Colt . I bought the gun from him about 15 yrs ago and never felt the need to replace them .
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1,216 Posts
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I presently own both the .38 and .357 SM. If you've got a chance to buy either at a reasonable price, go for it. There isn't a better constructed revolver.
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I'm a huge fan of the Shooting Master but it falls short of a Smith Triple Lock Target on design and construction.
I presently own both the .38 and .357 SM. If you've got a chance to buy either at a reasonable price, go for it. There isn't a better constructed revolver.
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I'm a huge fan of the Shooting Master but it falls short of a Smith Triple Lock Target on design and construction.
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