38 Special Victory Model

[bucnball]

Just for the sake of information, when in the course of WWII was the V model introduced ? (I know I can purchase an excellent reference book about S&W pistols that is recently published but I have a UTILITY BILL that is substantial) They were produced in considerable numbers , I'm told. Is their quality good or just good enough for to perform for war standards ? 

[i1afli]

1942 I believe. They are the pre-model 10 and are great shooters. ..their quality is good. 

Edited January 14, 2017 by i1afli

[TNWNGR]

http://worldwar2headquarters.com/HTML/museums/tennesse-military/smith-wesson-victory.html

The S&W Victory Model was for all intent and purposes a S&W Military & Police (M&P) revolver w/o the highly polished and deep blued steel finish. Initially though some did have the beautiful finish of the pre-WWII S&W revolvers. Those made for Great Britain and Commonwealth troops were chambered in .38/200 or sometimes referred to as .380/200. This was little more then the .38 S&W round with a .200 grain soft lead bullet which was actually pretty effective.

The .S&W Victory in .38 Special was widely issued to U.S. Civilian Guards at strategic sites, military personnel and Allied troops. Both the .38/200 and .38 Special S&W Victories went though a production modification and later incorporated refit of earlier production items to incorporate a hammer drop device later introduced to post WWII S&W revolvers. The S&W Victory in .38 Special is not rated for use with +p ammunition.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[hipower]

12 hours ago, bucnball said:

Just for the sake of information, when in the course of WWII was the V model introduced ? (I know I can purchase an excellent reference book about S&W pistols that is recently published but I have a UTILITY BILL that is substantial) They were produced in considerable numbers , I'm told. Is their quality good or just good enough for to perform for war standards ? 

Is it a new S&W "Bible"? I have the third edition and although lots of info, it's a bit out of date.

[TrickyNicky]

Mine has a few slight issues, but none stem from it being what it is. Mine was reamed out for .38 special and so it bulges cases when they've been fired. For the same reason I only shoot very low powered rounds through it despite being given a bill of clean health by a very competent smith. 

It has a slightly kinked ejection rod too, not enough to really hinder function, just enough to feel when the kink rolls around when cycling the action. 

 

Someone at some point had a new front sight installed, and while it looks a bit funny it does it's job fine. The nickle refinish is scratched up and doesn't look so hot.

All THAT aside, I still enjoy owning and shooting it, though I shoot it very rarely. It is one of my favorites for dry fire practice ,has a nice trigger.

[TNWNGR]

6 hours ago, TrickyNicky said:

Mine has a few slight issues, but none stem from it being what it is. Mine was reamed out for .38 special and so it bulges cases when they've been fired. For the same reason I only shoot very low powered rounds through it despite being given a bill of clean health by a very competent smith. 

It has a slightly kinked ejection rod too, not enough to really hinder function, just enough to feel when the kink rolls around when cycling the action. 

 

Someone at some point had a new front sight installed, and while it looks a bit funny it does it's job fine. The nickle refinish is scratched up and doesn't look so hot.

All THAT aside, I still enjoy owning and shooting it, though I shoot it very rarely. It is one of my favorites for dry fire practice ,has a nice trigger.

You should consider picking up a used cylinder for it .

[TrickyNicky]

Just now, TNWNGR said:

You should consider picking up a used cylinder for it .

 

I actually have, or getting a model 10 cylinder to keep it .38 special. It was part of the plan, but fell way, waaaaay off the back burner with other projects.