Thread: FS: S&W Victory Revolver 38/200 on B/C endorsement

In good used condition, has early pachmayr’s fitted.

Serial number dates it from 1943, uses 38/200 (or 38S&W in some circles)ammo, $350 plus shipping using firearms dealers network.

pm incoming

pm incoming

These came from the factory in 38 spl too, the bore is tighter and cylinders are reamed to take the longer cartridge. These pistols are designed to take the slightly higher pressure (14,500 psi vs 17,500 psi) so I suspect the blowing up of them is more due to poor hand loads. Just reaming out the cylinder in a 38/200 to fit 38 spl will result in loss of accuracy as the bullet bounces down the barrel on it’s way out!

Originally Posted by muzza

so many of these have had the chambers bored for 38 Special - which makes them a wee bit prone to bursting upon firing ....... its not nice ......

This one looks like a nice one though. Good luck with the sale

I know of a factory 38spl one of these. It was ex US Military Police. The owner would not sell, it was in pristine cond.

I have two of these and they’re great fun. I want to fit similar grips to my late model S&W.. did you fit these grips and was there any modification required?

Originally Posted by private joker

These came from the factory in 38 spl too, the bore is tighter and cylinders are reamed to take the longer cartridge. These pistols are designed to take the slightly higher pressure (14,500 psi vs 17,500 psi) so I suspect the blowing up of them is more due to poor hand loads. Just reaming out the cylinder in a 38/200 to fit 38 spl will result in loss of accuracy as the bullet bounces down the barrel on it’s way out!

Correct these are S&W Military & Police later renamed the Model 10 chambered in 38 S&W for the British, the groove diameter is .358" while the 38 Special is .357"
No problem reaming them to .38 Special, Only way they will blowup is idiots trying to "magnumize" them.

The case diameter of .38 S&W is wider than that of .38 Special. The bullet diameter is .361/.362, but cast bullets sized .359 shoot well enough in both of mine.
If a .38 S&W cylinder has been reamed to .38 Special, an noticeable extra step or ridge will be visible. Long term, firing and resizing brass in the cylinders is probably not good for brass life and potential splitting.
There is no guarantee that these rechambered specials are particularly accurate or not. But were only done to make them saleable on the postwar US surplus market which had no need for British .38/200 revolvers, and probably not intended to be marksman capable devices anyway.
The majority of these Model 10’s in NZ are .38 S&W.
The V suffix was not added to the serial numbers until after 1million, though unsure if the ‘Victory’ model moniker came about because of this serial prefix or wether it was the reason for it.

These grips didn’t require any modification and are a very snug fit. It does make the pistol feel very comfortable as opposed to the wood grips.

Originally Posted by -BW-

I have two of these and they’re great fun. I want to fit similar grips to my late model S&W.. did you fit these grips and was there any modification required?