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Smith & Wesson Heavy Duty

dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,178 ✭✭✭
edited January 2017 in Ask the Experts
I just bought what I presume is a 38/44 Heavy Duty - 5" barrel with "half moon" front sight, 5 screws and the grips are numbered to the frame. Single line "Made in USA" and the serial number is S65952. Can anyone help with a DOM?

I plan on reloading and not pushing it, but I'd like to approximate something of a stout 38 Special with a 158 or even 200 grain RN or SWC. Any suggestions?
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Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My favorite load in 38 Special is a 158 gr cast with 3 grains of Bullseye - not hot, but enough. W231 is what I use now because I have lots of it.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_.38/44
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,890 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    According to SCSW, it was made 1946-1947.

    Charlie's load sounds good to me: accurate with moderate recoil, assuming you checked it over & consider it safe.

    Neal
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  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What pistol powder do you have on hand?
    What is the maximum load for that powder in your book?
    Go.
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  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,256 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The original load was advertised at 1125 fps with a 158 grain lead bullet, per article in 2007 Gun Digest. There are many loads in the reloading manuals for .38 Special +P at 900+ fps.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello I have on like yours serial # S70505 mine has a one line marking "
    MADE IN USA ADDRESS ON The left side of the frame in front & above the trigger
    THE Barrel itself also has on the left side a one line role stamp starting about one inch in front of barrel forcing cone that reads " 38 s&w special ctg Mine has non factory grips is it possible you could post a picture here on this site of your grips Thanks Karl AKA PERRY SHOOTER
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,178 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
    What pistol powder do you have on hand?
    What is the maximum load for that powder in your book?
    Go.


    Makes sense - Handload Data on line lists a boatload, even some described as "Heavy Duty 38/44" - now there's a hint.

    My Speer #3 book lists 12.0 of 2400 for 1,111 fps with a 146 LHP. In Speer #7 Dean Grennell lists a 160 JSP using 11.0 of 2400 for 1,110 fps. A little more modern book (Hornady #3) shows HS6 giving about 1,050 fps with a 158 LSW. Most of the new manuals are putting 158s around 900 fps.

    The old Speers were tested out of a K38 - probably OK for me in the heavier N frame.
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,178 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    Hello I have on like yours serial # S70505 mine has a one line marking "
    MADE IN USA ADDRESS ON The left side of the frame in front & above the trigger
    THE Barrel itself also has on the left side a one line role stamp starting about one inch in front of barrel forcing cone that reads " 38 s&w special ctg Mine has non factory grips is it possible you could post a picture here on this site of your grips Thanks Karl AKA PERRY SHOOTER


    Hi -

    I can e-mail photos, don't know how to post pictures directly. FWIW, this HD is exactly the same as what I have and about 200 serial numbers later:

    http://www.GunBroker.com/item/613104446

    I can e-mail photos of mine if you'd like.
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