S/W Victory 38 special

rong

July 11, 2015 17:12

I was shooting the above revolver
yesterday when there was a loud report
and heavier than normal recoil.
I stopped, checked the barrel for obstructions.
None,so I finished the cylinder off.
I had a heck of a time ejecting the spent
shells to the point of tapping the rod with
a piece of wood. One cylinder(and I should have
marked it) still have the bullet nose lodged in it.
I had a difficult time tapping the bullet out.
I shoot 158gr Laser Cast LSWC over 4 grs Unique
with cci primers.
I'm concerned now that these loads are too strong
for this old gun and I might have badly weakened
a chamber.
I'm concerned ,even worried about shooting this
gun again.
Any comments?...Ron

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  rong

  July 11, 2015 17:12

  Hello,
  Hopefully somebody can give me some info
  on a trade I just made.
  I traded my SR9c +400 rounds of reloads for a
  Smith and Wesson 5 screw victory model.
  The Serial# is V 648139. The barrel is 4" long
  and the gun seems to be nickel plated,but I see
  Markings that look worn but the plating is shiny new.
  Also I see markings that might help identification.
  Just forward of the hammer on the frame above
  the recoil shield is the letter P.
  Underneath the ejector rod is the letter N .
  I see the letter S on the crane next
  to the hinge (cylinder open).
  The nickle is starting to flake next to the screw
  at the base of the hammer.There's a lot of tool
  marks that weren't buffed out very well before it
  was plated.
  Question is: What do I have and was it worth the SR9c +400 rds
  of my handloads.If it were up to me I'd say it's only a shooter.
  Thanks Ron

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  rufe-snow

  July 11, 2015 18:16

  The Victory models were Parkerized. The plating on yours isn't factory original.
  
  My experience both as a collector, and in business. Is that military guns that have been substantially altered. After leaving the factory/arsenal, have no collectors demand/value.
  
  
  I'm not familiar with the S & W SR9? But if it was in good shape? And your ammo was VG quality? You came out on the short end of the deal, unfortunately.

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  nmyers

  July 11, 2015 18:19

  The S&W Victory model was ordered by the US War Department (1942-1945). It had a matte finish & was either blued or parkerized. Most had a 4" barrel. Most had US PROPERTY & an inspectors mark, but it sounds like Bubba may have held it a little too close to the grinder before he plated it. This gun was replaced by a variant with a hammer block safety; yours should be carried with an empty chamber under the hammer.
  
  With no photo of either gun, it would be impossible to give an opinion of the fairness of the trade.
  
  Neal

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  rong

  July 12, 2015 00:40

  Thanks, I kind of thought I just had
  a shiny shooter.The lock up is very tight
  and the trigger in D/A is great and superb
  in S/A. I'll just have to tell mumma,I've got to
  go out and buy a Shield.
  Thanks again.
  Ron

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