Smith & Wesson Model 20

thumb|right|450px|Smith & Wesson Model 20 - .38/44
The Smith & Wesson Model 20 was a revolver chambered for .38/44, a more powerful version of the .38 Special (and the predecessor to the .357 Magnum round) designed on the large N-frame. At the time of its introduction the large frame was commonly referred to as the "44 frame" - hence the cartridge being designated 38/44. This meant the cartridge should only be fired in the 44-framed "Heavy Duty". It was in production between 1930 and 1966. It is commonly mistaken for a Model 10 in movies and television shows, however, the Model 20's frame is quite a bit larger and it features an ejector rod shroud. Before Smith & Wesson went to numbering its different models in 1957, the Model 20 was named the "Heavy Duty" model. This hard-shooting hybrid came about, indirectly, due to Prohibition, and the corresponding rise of organized crime. With the stock market crash in 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression, the United States found itself dealing with a modern version of 19th century outlaws. Only the 20th century outlaws embraced modern technology such as the automobile, modern body armor and automatic weapons. American law enforcement quickly realized that .38 Special revolver, which fired a 158-grain, round-nose bullet with an average muzzle velocity of 755 FPS was no match for the bank robbers/motor bandits wearing “bullet-proof” vests and driving steel-bodied cars. Answering the calls for greater stopping power, Smith & Wesson responded with what could be called the .38 Special +P/+P+ of its day, an amped-up .38 Spl. that fired a 158-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1175 FPS and 460 feet-pounds muzzle energy; enough to punch through both sides of an automobile. Other .38/44 high velocity bullet weights were soon commercially offered.
The .38/44 Heavy Duty was the only S&W revolver rated to fire the new loads. It was introduced in 1930 with a fixed sight, 5-inch barrel, blued or nickeled finish, and walnut stocks, though 4- and 6½-inch barrel lengths were eventually offered. A .38/44 Outdoorsman, sporting target sights and a 6½-inch barrel, was brought out in 1931. Production of the .38/44 Heavy Duty was halted in 1941, due to the demands of World War II, but resumed in 1946. It became the Model of 1950 four years later, the Model 20 in 1957 and was finally discontinued in 1966, with a total post-war production of 20,604 revolvers. By the mid-60s the ,357 Magnum revolver had become readily available to shooters and could fire all types of 38 Special loads as well as magnums. The need for a heavy .38 Special revolver had passed. For many years after the model was discontinued, it wasn't uncommon to find the large revolvers for sale at very reasonable prices. That is not the case anymore. The various 38/44 Smith & Wesson revolvers are now popular collector handguns. Shooter grade models can command prices north of $700, while excellent grade units will often sell for around $1,200 and over, depending on the market. 
==Specifications==
(1930-1966)
* Type: Revolver
* Caliber(s): .38/44
* Weight: 40 oz (1.1 kg)
* Length: 9.25" (w/ 4" barrel)
* Barrel length(s): 4", 5", 6.5" (100mm, 125mm, 170mm)
* Capacity: 6-round cylinder
* Fire Modes: SA/DA
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The Smith & Wesson Model 20 was can be seen in the following films and video games:
===Film===
Title 	Actor 	Character 	Note	Date
In the Heat of the Night	Rod Steiger 	Chief Bill Gillepsie 	 	1967
The Devil's Brigade 	Tom Stern 	Captain Cardwell 	 	1968
Cherry, Harry & Raquel! 	Charles Napier 	Harry 	 	1969
Billy Jack 	Kenneth Tobey 	Deputy Mike 	 	1971
Billy Jack 	David Roya 	Bernard Posey 	 	1971
The Getaway 	John Bryson 	The Accountant 	 	1972
Detroit 9000 	Ron Mcllwan 	Sam Orr 	 	1973
Dillinger 	 	The Mason City Police Officers	 	1973
Electra Glide in Blue 	Billy Green Bush	Deputy Zipper Davis 	 	1973
The Stone Killer 	David Moody 	Gus Lipper 	 	1973
The Stone Killer 	 	LAPD officer 	 	1973
Melvin Purvis G-MAN 	 	Tupelo police 	 	1974
===Video Games===
Game Title 	Appears as 	Mods	Notation	Release Date
Max Payne 3	".38 Revolver"	 	 	2012
=See Also=
* Smith & Wesson - A list of all firearms manufactured by Smith & Wesson.
Smith & Wesson Model 020
Category:Revolver