V-Model S&W M&P/Hand Ejector Revolvers
I've had a couple of these fine revolvers and they were entirely satisfactory, within their inherent limitations.
Montgomery-Ward department store in Fort Worth had a BUNCH of 'em for sale in the early 1960s. They were the British Service revolvers, with barrels cut to about 3.5 inches and a rather nicely-done new front sight base with ramp sight installed. They'd had a reamer run into the chamber so they would accept .38 Spl ctg. New, checked, stocks were installed, and left side of frame was pantograph engraved, "
Converted by Cogswell & Harrison, London." Lanyard swivel remained. Mine was fairly accurate with 158 LRN factory loads. The cases looked rather odd, sort of a semi-bottleneck effect, but not so expanded near the base, where the case web kept it to more-or-less normal .38 Spl configuration. About one in 15 cases would show a minor split on first firing. The others could only be reloaded once or twice before giving up.
With all respect to
Mike Irwin, I would have no fear whatever shooting such a converted piece, with non-Plus P ammo.
The unaltered five-inch version was an excellent, even more accurate revolver. Shot the factory 148 gr. .38 S&W ctgs just about to point of aim, regardless of the fact that the Brits fed it with the .380 2Z round. This was loaded with a 173 gr. FMJ bullet with a long, nearly conical RN shape.
THAT was their replacement for the .380/200 lead round. I presume it was to comply with the "Rules of War" limiting lead bullets for military use.
For the $150 price tag, the SOG offering is an excellent buy. They clearly state that the caliber is .38 S&W. This is not a bad little cartridge, and, in such a strong revolver, can be VASTLY improved by handloading.
My son loaded a bunch of these with .38 Spl HBWC, with the hollow end forward, over a healthy charge of Unique. They were nicely accurate out to about 25 yards. He also fused some of the old 200 gr. blunt RN bullets, to make up some more powerful loads. I'd hesitate to give the exact powder charge data here, without some STRONG cautions. Most .38 S&W data in the loading manuals is pretty conservative. The majority of revolvers so chambered were of break-top design and I fear some of Elder Son's loads would have done most of those older pieces no good at all.
I've also worked with some Webley and Enfield revolvers. While I'm not about to give up my Colt autos and such, I was impressed with their accuracy and reliability. Any GOOD quality .38 S&W revolver would serve well for defense in the hands of a decent shooter. Accuracy is very good and recoil is moderate. Factory LRN ammo is common, and odd lots of Brit Service .380/2Z and FN commercial FMJ ammo show up from time to time.
There--More than you ever wanted to know about the topic.
Best,
Johnny