S&W Model 23 info wanted...

[makarov]

Was at a small shop recently on a trip to visit my sister. There were quite a few S&W's that someone was selling on consignment. The prices seemed pretty high, but one gun really caught my eye. I did not have long to look at it, my wife and 2 year old were waiting in the car... It was a model 23. It is an N-frame right. Can someone give me more background on this model? The tag said it was a .38. I didn't take it out of the cabinet, just looked at it. It came with box etc... Price? I searched Gunsamerica and there are no other model 23's listed.

 

[glockten]

AKA .38-44 Outdoorsman, .38 Special, adjustable sights, blued. Made 1930-67; renamed Mdl. 23 after 1958.

44 refers to the frame size.

 

[Radicalcleric]

Ditto above. This was the target version of the .38 Heavy Duty that S&W brought out to utilize high-velocity .38 Special ammunition that the cops wanted. This was a precursor to the .357 Magnum. In production until about 1966 or so, but sales fell off badly after the Magnum was introduced.

Very nice pistols, but somewhat limited in usefulness unless you really want a very heavy .38 Special. I have seen them sell for $300-$500 depending on barrel length, condition, etc. I am not looking for one, but they are nice guns and if I saw one at $250 I would grab it. More than that and I would have to want it more than I do right now. How much do you want it?