Postwar M&P Snub (long action)

[DCW]

After weeks of watching this gun listed and relisted on Gunbroker without a bid (or with only lowball bids), I finally took pity on the pathetic little orphan and vowed to give it a good home.

M&P, Postwar Transitional (long action and prewar/wartime hammer), serial number S868055. Shipped January 1947. All numbers match, including the sharp-shoulder diamond magnas.







When I collected it from my receiving FFL today, I found that it had a snaggy action that made me wonder if I had bought a gun with internal damage. But it turned out the lockwork was completely dry, and simple sliding friction was keeping the trigger from returning completely. I disassembled the gun to make sure it was as clean as could be, lubed everything, and reassembled it. The action is now smooth and catchless. Timing is fine. There is no push-off or endshake problem, and other characteristics are within tolerance. Finish is about 97% (a little blue is missing on the high edges). After a little catch up cleaning on barrel and cylinder, bore and chambers are shiny and spotless. Stocks are fine but for some shallow chips and splinters. When I tried to shoot it earlier, I was distracted by the trigger rebound problem and didn't really pay attention to where I was hitting. But looking at the target later, it appears the gun was shooting to point of aim.

I've been thinking for some time that I wanted a postwar S-prefix M&P, but it never occurred to me I might end up with one with a short barrel. So far I like it a lot.

[DCW]

Oops, off by two years! Will a mod please move this thread over to the postwar forum? Then you can delete this post. Many thanks.

One of these days i will get the organizational principles here settled correctly in my mind.

But until then ...

[RdrBill]

David.
Nice snubbie.
I once had the 4 inch, 5 inch, and 6 inch of the S series post war M&P. All were nice nice guns. Fixed sights are not my thing and I sold them as a package to the gent that was my sponsor into the S&WCA. It was after I had joined the association, it was not a bribe.
I did keep the Model 15 with that short barrel. I like the little bugger. Most of the 1947-1957 guns have great appeal to me.
Bill@Yuma

[Bob K]

Dave, I wish I could find a nice old snubby like that. The cartridge is the .38 Spl., isn't it? The .38 S&W threw me for a loop! Bob

[WendyZXZ]

Very nice!

[DCW]

The cartridge is the .38 Spl., isn't it? The .38 S&W threw me for a loop! Bob

You bet. On a short tube like that the chambering label gets so truncated you can barely understand it: 38S.&W.SPC.CTG. Try to say that 10 times fast, or even read it fast once!

I found a K-frame T-grip adapter in my parts box that mostly fits, and I put it on the gun. Not only does it now feel a whole lot better in my hand, it gave me an excuse to take another picture.



I may be able to go back to the range and shoot this one tomorrow. If so, a range report is coming.

[Bob K]

Good man! You're going to shoot it. Never understood why anyone would buy a gun .....to look at!!!! ('course I never claimed to be a collecter.) Bob

[DCW]

RANGE REPORT.

And here's how it performs at close distances (seven yards)



Center hold, Weaver stance. I had done some sighting shots on another target before banging away at this one, and I thought I had determined that the gun shot pretty close to point of aim. This group makes it look as though it hits about an inch high and an inch left at 20 feet or so, but my eye may have been misled by the center design of this target, which is different from the ones I usually shoot.

I'll keep working with the gun. I have historically had some problems getting used to short barrels, but I would like to work with this one. I may never get good, but I can get better.

I won't show you the 15-yard target, which is WAY looser than you would get just doubling the dimensions of this group.

[Hunter]

That is very nice David.

[Catdad]

That is one fine looking snub nose, I'd like to find one from that era in a round butt.