My First Revolver

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armed_librarian

New member
I went to the range today with a friend with the intent of putting a few rounds through a revolver he owns and potentially buying. Well a couple hours later and I now own a S&W Model 67 38 special. I've only been shooting for maybe two years now and all that as been with semi auto handguns and rifles. I can count on one hand how many times I've fired a revolver and pretty happy I finally own one.

Does anyone have an input, advice, or anything else that a first time revolver owner might need to know? Care or maintenance that might be different from other gun styles, any particular style of grip or stance to consider, anything along those lines? Being new to this I want to make sure I cover my bases.

One last thing. I paid $200 with 50 rounds of ammo. I don't think it has been fired much, but it does have some scuff marks. Looks as though it didn't spend much time in a case. I have polished it since I took the picture and the grime seen near the hammer came right off. Not too concerned with value. I bought it cause it shot well for me and I've wanted one, but I've still gotta ask. How did I do?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1382471680.952871.jpg
 
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bedbugbilly

New member
Congrats! You did well! Revolvers are like dogs though . . . just one gets lonely . . . . you have to have more than one so they have somebody to play with!

Sounds like you've discoveed the fun of wheel guns - you're going to have lots of fun with that Smith! :)
 
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Buzzcook

New member
$200? Your friend must like you a lot.

What you have is the stainless version of the Model 15 which is in turn the adjustable site version of the Model 10.

The secret isn't really a secret, it's trigger control. Pulling the trigger a lot will help.
 
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armed_librarian

New member
I have a HK USPc that's DA/SA. I've spent quite a bit of range time firing round after round in double action only (using the decocker to drop the hammer after every round) since I carry it on a daily basis with the hammer down. I have a feeling I'm going to be happy I spent some time doing this. The trigger on the Smith is so much smoother than the DA pull on the USP. Not to mention the SA pull on the Smith which is almost a surprise every time.
 
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DaleA

New member
I usually tell new shooters to join a league at their gun range. Most ranges have them and you’ll meet interesting people, shoot on a regular basis and have a spur to improve your shooting as well as an objective measurement of your skill.

The only down side is the price of ammunition now days might be prohibitive or the rare (very rare) chance that the league you join might be populated with jerks. the solution there is easy, find another league.

Almost always you’ll be able to pick up some tips about shooting and just share a good time with others that enjoy the same thing you do.
 
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Crazy88Fingers

New member
The only revolver warnings I can think of are...

1. Keep your fingers behind the front face of the cylinder. A lot of nasty stuff comes shooting out of that cylinder gap and if your finger is in the wrong place you'll know real quick.

2. Don't swing the cylinder open or shut. Use your fingers to open and close it. You don't have to baby it, but don't abuse it either.

Aside from that there isn't much to know. Clean the bore and chambers regularly. Don't forget to get under the ejector star. Make sure the ejector rod isn't coming loose (it's left hand threaded) and pop the side plate off once every thirty years or so for routine cleaning. :)

Finally: $200 for a functioning Smith with a pinned barrel sounds too good to be true. Are you sure it isn't haunted or something? :sly:
 
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Colt46

New member
Fantastic gun

Wasn't called the 'Combat Masterpiece' for nothing.
My buddy has the blued version(m-15) that I've been trying to pry outta him for years.
$200? Did you hold a loaded gun to his head during the transaction;)
 
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armed_librarian

New member
Dale, I had considered a league but unfortunately the two ranges close to me currently don't have anything going on. There is a gun club about an hour away from me that I had looked into, but between work and my college classes, I just don't have the time.

Haunted? I sure do hope not. Nah, he said it's been sitting in his safe for so long it hasn't seen the light of day in years. And he knows I'm not gonna turn around and try and make a profit off of him.
 
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DaleA

New member
Too bad about no organized competition nearby.

In my day a lot of colleges had rifle and pistol teams and they were not limited to just the ROTC students, anybody could join.
 
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amd6547

New member
I have the blued Model 15 version...it is one of the finest revolvers made for self defense.
I can't seem to miss with it.
 
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Sevens

New member
Add me to the list-- you got a fantastic price on what amounts to a painfully awesome revolver! List the first 3 digits of the serial number and we can likely get you the year it was born.

Since you are not a new shooter, simply new to revolvers, here's the best tip I can come up with: learn to handload!

Back in the day, the .38 Special was -the- most popular centerfire caliber on the planet. Ammo was made by the metric tonnage and prices were low. Sometime between the 80's and 90's, the 9mm pushed it aside as the "most popular" and these days, .38 Special ammo isn't as low in cost as, well, it "oughta be."

.38 Special, is, in my opinion, the single BEST cartridge for a brand new handloader, bar none, and for many, many reasons.

It's the best one out there to learn on for handloading and it can really save you a heap of dough. And you might find yourself a phenomenal new hobby along the way.

The title of this thread may be "My First Revolver", but you HAVE to know that it may just as well say... "the first of many!" :D
 
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aarondhgraham

New member
You got a great deal,,,

Your Model 67 is the stainless steel version of the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece,,,
Many people consider the Combat Masterpiece to be the finest .38 Special revolver ever made.

I own a 15 and a 67 like yours,,,
It's an extremely functional handgun,,,
With just the most basic of care it will last forever.

Now get yourself a nice range holster for it,,,
JanesHolster-LR.jpg

And get thee to the shooting range. ;)

Aarond

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armed_librarian

New member
Sevens, reloading is something I've been thinking about getting into. I shoot a lot of .308 and it gets expensive. This revolver will give me a good reasons to finally buy a press.

My model 67 does not have the dash following the 67 and the serial number is 3K6xxxx.
 
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