S&W Model 14 Proves a 1950s Target Revolver Still Wins Matches
A reader-owned Smith & Wesson Model 14 in .38 Special is going back to competition. The six-inch K-38 descendant, built for bullseye shooting, is being fed wadcutter reloads and run through the CMP Service Revolver course of fire. Its owner reports that the gun's accuracy is good enough that the limiting factor is the shooter, not the hardware. The Model 14 traces directly to the K-38 target guns Smith & Wesson made when wheelguns still dominated the centerfire bullseye line.
Key Details
The gun carries a 6-inch barrel with click-adjustable rear sights for windage and elevation. The front sight is a large, squared-off blade with sharp edges, paired with a rear sight that lines up cleanly against it. The hammer is the wider-spur target style, and the stocks are oversized, which matters for shooters with larger hands. The single-action trigger breaks at about 2.5 lb., with a crisp release and no stacking. Double action is smooth and free of stops. The owner bought 500 wadcutter projectiles and found that lead bullets must not be pushed too fast or they leave lead in the bore.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
If you shoot CMP Service Revolver, this is a reminder that a well-kept older target revolver still competes. You don't need a new gun to run the 50-yard slow fire and 25-yard timed and rapid fire strings. The Model 14 pattern is a credible option for anyone who wants a wheelgun that handles like a target instrument rather than a snub or a duty sidearm. Watch the sight picture and the load. Hot .38 Special rounds and lead wadcutters are not the same animal, and pushing light lead bullets too hard will foul the bore and degrade your groups. Clean between sessions and check the bore before you shoot a match.
DownRange Analysis
The K-38 and Model 14 lineage is a reminder that American bullseye shooting was built on revolvers, not semi-autos, for decades. Target wheelguns from that era now trade at a premium because the quality of their sights and actions is hard to replicate at the price. For a shooter trying to get into CMP competition on a budget, a used Model 14 with intact adjustable sights is worth more than a fresh budget auto. Inspect the cylinder gap, the crane, and the sight screws before you buy, and confirm the barrel is not shot out. Then load wadcutters at moderate velocity, run the course, and let the groups tell you what the gun can do.
