New Acquisition: S&W Victory Model .38 Special!

[imarangemaster]

Many here that frequent the M1 Carbine forum know that my dad used an Inland M1 Carbine on Iwo Jima in 1945. He was with the advance party of the 142 Army Garrison force, and landed on the island on D-Day +5. He was there the night of "the Big Banzai Charge".

Something I never mentioned before (mainly because this is an M1 carbine forum) is that he also carried a S&W Victory Model .38 Special. As a senior NCO, he had access to a 1911A1, but said he couldn't hit anything with the 45. He like the 38 revolver though, and felt he could hit what he aimed at with it. I know he used the carbine the night of the Banzai charge (he said it never let him down), but I don't know if he also used the revolver.

Today I finally I am acquiring a 4" martial marked Victory Model, .38 Special like my dad carried. I won it on Gunbroker, and can't wait to get it. This will go with my Inland and all my dad's WW2 stuff to honor him, my uncles, and all of that greatest generation.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

I too have trouble hitting with the .45, seems to be a common complaint. It takes practice. The revolver on the other hand I can DA correctly and hit what I want. We'll be watching for pics and range report...

[imarangemaster]

I had originally posted this on the M1 Carbine forum, as part of a discussion about what my dad carried along with his M1 carbine on Iwo Jima. I was finally (and correctly so) locked, as it drifted too far from the Carbine appropriate topic. There are some good pictures and information there.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=59526

A Smith and Wesson collector contacted me and pointed out that the cylinder had been replaced, possibly with a non-Victory cylinder. I was aware of it, because the seller clearly stated it in the auction. I wasn't worried, though, as I was a police and military armorer. I planned on checking headspace and lock up prior to shooting it. I can also pick up a Victory cylinder for it, if I need to. I have an original lanyard ring on the way as we speak.

[imarangemaster]

Some photos from the auction:











The old girl isn't "Collector grade" by any means, but for $300, I am not complaining - especially if it still shoots! LOL. I like military weapons with honest wear that show real usage. It is part of their History, and says to me..."Been there, done that!"

[CINDERS]

Nice patina, whilst I had a few mags from a 45ACP 1911 I never did much good with it but went well with my S&W 357 Mags L framed one for service shoots the other for action match I could also occasionally hit the target with my Ruger Super Redhawk 44 Mag with factory ammo but what the heck it was just a fun gun only shot H/G's for 2 years then the political sphere within the club manifested itself and I pulled the pin along with my to be wife.

Sorry for a hijack but here is a story ~ My wife was junior state champion at air pistol infact she is a very accomplished shooter as I never run in a straight line! anyway my wife was shooting air pistol at a club shoot I had shot the usual crud as I liked to watch the pellets flight with the resultant useless score. Anyway this new member and just joining the committee (I was on it as well) came up to my fiance and said that her score would be invalidated.
She turned to him after her shot inquiring why this was so to which he replied that her stretch fit jeans were supporting her so before he could go any further she retorted well what do you want me to do take them off, she would have done that.
He went bright red and walked away when I was told I said thank goodness I was not in earshot or his ears would have been at the 10M target he was such a tosser that it spurred our decision to quit the club it was sad really as I liked doing the plates and the moover

[imarangemaster]

I feel your pain! I shot Cowboy Action Shooting for over 20 years (SASS), and even was a staff writer for their Cowboy Chronicle magazine. When I started, it was people who enjoyed honoring the Old West and shooting vintage firearms and replicas. It was fun. About 10 years ago, it started to change: Titanium firing pins, short stoke kits for lever rifles, mouse f@rt weak loads for the guns and leather gear that was never seen in the 19th Century. It turned into IPSC with cowboy boots. I loaded my cartridges with the original black powder, and was told I shot too slow and made too much smoke. They stuck me at the end of the shooting order, so I wouldn't offend people with my smoke! That was the last straw, and I quit. When I started in 1994, the rule book was a 4"x5" pamphlet with about three dozen pages. When I quit, there were about 6 or 8 massive three ring binders of rules.

Anyway, back on topic. I would love to have a two gun match where i could shoot my Inland and the Victory Model! Even a WW2 pistol match, to shoot it. That would be fun!

[browningautorifle]

I'd have loved to find one of these when I collected US military. I had to settle for a 5" 38 S&W model. I never like the 5" barrel as much...

[Brian Dick]

I have a Canadian owned S&W .38-200 with a 5" barrel. It's not real pretty but is somewhat rare as only 1500 were procured by Canada according to Stamps' book.

[Eaglelord17]

I don't know really anything about these revolvers, but I do like .38 Special.

In regards to having a good club, that is a must. I know my current club they basically leave you alone if you want to be left alone (range hours are 8 am in the morning to 10 pm, no booking etc.). I do sometimes miss the club I belonged to in Halifax as even though it had a very political side (those long range target shooters are a exceptionally political bunch!), we had a small group of about 12 of us who liked to play around (safely) and have a good time.

I remember we did this small range match which consisted of 10rds shotgun at 10 clays, 10rds rimfire at 50m, 10rds pistol at 25m, and 10rds rifle at 100m. The only rules were that you had to use iron sighted rifles, and the caliber had to be larger than a .223 for the rifle (which the long range crowd threw up a stink at as what would happen before that match, is they would show up to a competition even though they didn't participate in any of the practices or shooting sections, win the match with some fancy scoped rifle, then leave. Most them didn't even own iron sighted rifles). If you didn't have a pistol you could borrow someone elses. I think I came third (blew any chance of winning at the shotgun as I only got 3 out of 10 clays), and it was a good day. It also shows who is actually a better shooter as you can be great at one thing and absolutely terrible at another discipline.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Wish the other thread had been moved rather than closed.
Thanks for reviving it here.
Here is another.
Navy marked with dated Boyt holster, S&W letter and accoutrements .