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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Handguns

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CptCurl
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Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24)
#192381 - 24/10/11 01:58 AM

I just thought I might post a couple of photos of this fine classic revolver:

In my opinion, the Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) may be the most special of all post-war S&W revolvers. I have no letter for this one, but by the number it should date to 1955. The non-relieved target stocks are not numbered. Whether they are original to the pistol I don't know. In any event, I sure like them.

I have owned quite a few M29's and several M629's. I never liked firing full-blown .44 Mag. loads in them. I have always backed my loads down to .44 Spl. ballistics. I think a hard-cast 240 grain Keith semi-wadcutter launched at .44 Spl. velocity is going to do all that's necessary from a handgun. That being said, there's no better revolver for launching such a load than the S&W Model of 1950 Target.

Curl

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DarylS
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: CptCurl]
#192384 - 24/10/11 03:45 AM

Nice shape, Curl!

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Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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9.3x57
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: DarylS]
#192392 - 24/10/11 07:16 AM

Oh, Curl, that's a dandy!

The 1926 Target and 1950's are my favorites of all Smith's I've never owned.

I grew up reading of Elmer Keith and Bob Hagel writing about their 1950 Targets and Bob Hagel's especially got my attention. This is, IMO, one of the best HANDguns ever made. I have no interest in the current crop of hand cannons {.480, .500, etc}.

My son and I, years ago, got to spend a day with Bob Hagel over in Salmon, hearing him tell of his hunting days and the days with Elmer and such.

I badly wanted a 1950 Target till about ten years ago Smith released the Model 29-9 "Heritage". I bought one. It is more like the 1926 Wolf & Klar than the ribbed barrel 1950, but handles superbly, much better IMO than any 29 4 or 6 inch bbl gun before it. In addition, it has the Endurance Package common to modern 29's and can take full power loads tho I use 18.5 grains 2400 in the 29-9...which is identical to the performance of the same load as used in Bob's 1950 with balloon-head .44 Specials.

Thanks for posting. Your 1950 is one of the great wheelguns of all time.

A few pics of my similar 29-9.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Edited by CptCurl (23/12/11 03:20 AM)

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CptCurl
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: 9.3x57]
#192403 - 24/10/11 09:31 AM

Daryl and Rod, thanks for your comments.

I'm ashamed to say it, but I bought another 1950 Target at auction this past week. I don't have it in hand yet, but I'm feeling somewhat of a hog about them just now. Rod your 29-9 is a nice choice. I wonder why S&W didn't go ahead and put a thin rib down the top of the barrel? It then would almost be a dead ringer for the 1950 Target.

I have a 29-2 with a 6" barrel in nickel that is my "everyday" shooter N frame S&W. I shoot .44 Spl. equivalent loads in it and need to assemble some now. I've been cranking out .45ACP on my Dillon, but have just about finished with those for a while. I'll move on to .44's next.

Another N frame I like is my Model 27-2 with 5" barrel. It's the second I've owned in that configuration. The first was back in about 1973. I think a 27 with the 5" barrel is the cat's pajamas of a .357 Mag. Maybe I'll throw up a few photos of it before long.

Curl

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9.3x57
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: CptCurl]
#192411 - 24/10/11 01:26 PM

Quote:

Rod your 29-9 is a nice choice. I wonder why S&W didn't go ahead and put a thin rib down the top of the barrel? It then would almost be a dead ringer for the 1950 Target.

Well, I'm guessing cost...

...but...

The configuration as it is is about identical to the old 1926 Hand Ejector {Wolf & Klar} contract. It is very light for a steel frame full-size gun.

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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MacNaughton360
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: CptCurl]
#193820 - 15/11/11 12:48 PM

[image]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh68/MacNaughton360/012.jpg[image]
[image]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh68/MacNaughton360/015.jpg[image]
[image]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh68/MacNaughton360/013.jpg[image]
[image]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh68/MacNaughton360/012.jpg[image]
Here are some photos of my .44 Special mutt.
It came to me in the early 1980's as a 5-screw Chrome-plated Hiway Patrolman .357 Magnum.
It looked like the bumper on a '69 Ford LTD.
1950 Target .44's were scarce and I wanted one, so being a machinist at the time I doctored the .357 into what you see today. I first had it stripped in a plating shop. Then I bored and chambered the cylinder to .44 Special on a lathe where I worked. The flat in front of the rear sight was grooved in a vertical mill with a single-point fly cutter to match the rib on the new barrel and rear sight from a Model 29. The barrel was found in the white in a cigar box in a shop in New Mexico. I sent the complete assembly home with a friend who did bluing, and the result is as you see it. It hasn't the pedigree of Curl's piece but I have shot thousands of rounds through it, even killing a whitetail doe with it last Saturday in the back yard.

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MacNaughton360
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: MacNaughton360]
#193821 - 15/11/11 12:51 PM

Obviously I must have misread the instructions for posting photos.
Help?

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9.3x57
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: MacNaughton360]
#193822 - 15/11/11 01:03 PM

Quote:

Here are some photos of my .44 Special mutt.
It came to me in the early 1980's as a 5-screw Chrome-plated Hiway Patrolman .357 Magnum.
It looked like the bumper on a '69 Ford LTD.
1950 Target .44's were scarce and I wanted one, so being a machinist at the time I doctored the .357 into what you see today. I first had it stripped in a plating shop. Then I bored and chambered the cylinder to .44 Special on a lathe where I worked. The flat in front of the rear sight was grooved in a vertical mill with a single-point fly cutter to match the rib on the new barrel and rear sight from a Model 29. The barrel was found in the white in a cigar box in a shop in New Mexico. I sent the complete assembly home with a friend who did bluing, and the result is as you see it. It hasn't the pedigree of Curl's piece but I have shot thousands of rounds through it, even killing a whitetail doe with it last Saturday in the back yard.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Edited by CptCurl (23/12/11 03:21 AM)

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MacNaughton360
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: 9.3x57]
#193836 - 16/11/11 01:43 AM

Thank you, 9.3 for reposting the photos.
What did I do wrong?

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9.3x57
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: MacNaughton360]
#193848 - 16/11/11 06:04 AM

At the end, [/image], not [image].

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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DarylS
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: 9.3x57]
#193857 - 16/11/11 08:45 AM

Ohhh MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Edited by CptCurl (23/12/11 03:22 AM)

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MacNaughton360
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: DarylS]
#193869 - 16/11/11 11:06 AM

Here's a photo of the top strap. Thanks for the photo posting lesson.

Edited by CptCurl (23/12/11 03:23 AM)

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CptCurl
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Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...

Re: Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target (pre-24) [Re: MacNaughton360]
#197581 - 23/12/11 02:35 AM

Under a new thread I have just posted a link to a collection of articles about the .44 S&W Spl. dating back to 1953. Really fabulous information. I'll post the link here also.

.44 S&W Special Articles

Curl

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RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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