S&W Model 14 from accurate to inaccurate
 

Hi all,

I'm considering buying an used Model 14-4 and I fired some test shots with it at the range. Strangely enough, the first 5 shots were fairly close together (say maximum 2 inches at 25 yards), but from then on, the 20 following shots were spread much further apart. I didn't have a bench rest or anything, so I shot with both hands rested on the table. Any idea what could cause this inconsistency? The barrel wasn't even warm- let alone hot - and the sights did not move, as far as I could tell.

I tried two series of loads, one homemade 38 WC, hollow base 148 grain and one factury load Fiocchi with the same bullet.

I'm tempted to buy the gun, because it looks good, with almost no damage to the blue finish and a very crips trigger, but I don't want a lemon that is inaccurate...

First off, 2 inches at 25 yards in the first group is pretty danged good!!! Tough act to follow.

How big was the second group?

If it is a good deal, snap it up.

Don't allow your beginner's luck to cloud this purchase.

If the WC was leading the barrel, your accuracy will go to heck.

Second group was about 12 inches wide.

I checked the barrel after some 25 shots, and didn't notice any apparent leading.

Model 14-2's are great shooters. Chalk it up as most likely to be operator's error.

Bit the bullet today and reserved the Model 14. I first shot it again at the range, with some factory ammo from Fiocchi, and the results were very satisfying. It has serial number 90K5997, so I presume it was made in the early eighties.

Now starts the long, winding road to a license: I need to get a form from my MD, testifying that I'm not a raving madman, a written consent from my wife that she agrees with the purchase, do a theoretical exam at the local police station, fill out a long form, prove that I have no criminal record, and wait about three months. The idea behind this whole charade is to disencourage people like me to own guns. Bad luck, I'm hard to disencourage... but what a sad country this is.

Do you also have to belong to a shooting club?

I enjoyed going to the flea markets in Belgium when I was stationed in Europe.