S&W Victory model

[hundy]

I was able to acquire a S&W Victory model handgun. It is chambered in 38 S&W, so from what I read it was probably a Lend-Lease handgun and sent to Britian or one of the ANZAC's. Although, I do not know for sure, I base this on the caliber. A lot of US versions were 38 special and the 38 S&W was sent to our allies.

I was wondering can you use 38 special in the handgun? They do fit the chamber. I did read that the bullet is a slightly larger diameter in 38S&W. I .360 (38S&W) .358 (38spec). I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this.

Thank you,

Jay

[risingsun212]

38 special is too long for the cylinder.

[THBailey]

38 S&W is shorter and fatter than 38 SPL and the bullets are different sizes. For more detail: https://trueshotammo.com/38-sw-vs-38...al-comparison/

[Wyatt Burp]

I think the gun Oswald used to kill that policeman before getting caught used a Victory Model .38 S&W converted to .38 Special. I recall seeing these converted guns later in my dad?s old gun magazine surplus ads. I always assumed they weren?t that accurate since the bores were slightly larger as mentioned above. except up close like Oswald was.

[hundy]

38 special is too long for the cylinder.

I actually thought that same thing when I picked it up. Amazingly, they fit and are not too long. I put some in out of curiosity, they did not protrude out the end of the cylinder at all.

I found some 38 S&W for sale on one site that will deliver to me, so I bought one box as they were expensive. I figure another box in the future and that is plenty to reload for the one revolver.

Thank you,

Jay

[highpower]

If .38 Specials fit, the cylinder has probably already been reamed out. You can shoot them in it, but the case will be buldged. Not really a problem if you don’t plan to reload.

[morrcarr67]

I was able to acquire a S&W Victory model handgun. It is chambered in 38 S&W, so from what I read it was probably a Lend-Lease handgun and sent to Britian or one of the ANZAC's. Although, I do not know for sure, I base this on the caliber. A lot of US versions were 38 special and the 38 S&W was sent to our allies.

I was wondering can you use 38 special in the handgun? They do fit the chamber. I did read that the bullet is a slightly larger diameter in 38S&W. I .360 (38S&W) .358 (38spec). I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this.

Thank you,

Jay

[63 tango]

Not trying to steal the thread but I got this one about a month ago, Its not military marked. Its a 38 special.

[hundy]

Sorry, here are some pics of the S&W Victory model I was able to acquire. I did plan on posting pictures originally, but on that day the simple post itself took forever. This site was so slow that day. Even today it took me 12 minutes to load these pictures up, the upload screen keep timing out.
This site has been very slow lately.

[denpython]

Looks to be in nice shape. I will keep an eye out at the range for spent 38 s&w brass.

[pitfighter]

It's relatively easy to figure out which nation was issued your Victory model.

See the "D (arrow) D" - that's the Australian marking.
English proofs are below and to the left.


Mine is an Aussie one.
There's some old S&W .38 there, too.


They are cool revolvers, and will always be collectable IMO.

[Sauermonkey]

re

Not trying to steal the thread but I got this one about a month ago, Its not military marked. Its a 38 special.

Nice Revolver but it looks pre-war does it have a V prefix in the serial number?
The finish on yours appears to be blued the correct finish for a US Military contract Victory in .38 special would be a dull phosphate finish known as black magic like in the photo

[63 tango]

Nice Revolver but it looks pre-war does it have a V prefix in the serial number?
The finish on yours appears to be blued the correct finish for a US Military contract Victory in .38 special would be a dull phosphate finish known as black magic like in the photo




[ATTACH]1193959[/ATTACH]

Yes it does have a V prefix

[Sauermonkey]

re

Yes it does have a V prefix

Very nice looks like it will be a good shooter also The US Navy was the biggest end user of the .38 special Victorys and they had added a hammer block safety later in production after a sailor dropped one and had accidental discharge.

[ojisan]

Great info, jump to 1941 section for Victory stuff.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/287974-pre-victory-victory-model-timeline.html