I never, ever thought I'd be posting this question, but here goes.

I was taught how to handle a pistol in the Air Force in the 1980's. After returning from SE Asia, in fear for my family's safety while I was in a secure complex twenty-five miles away,I bought a new S&W Model 10-6 and taught my wife how to shoot. We put about ten rounds through the weapon them put it away. It has not been fired since 1972.

Some years later, no longer in the Air Force, I bought a very nice model 67-1 from a client who owned a gun shop. That was 1980 and I thought I might do some shooting and I liked the 67. It did not come in a box, but by serial number it was made in 1977-78 and was/is exceptionally clean. I have never fired this pistol.

Now, with circumstances in the world as they are, I have decided to do some target work and probably will take formal training en route to a concealed carry permit. (Here in Maine, I do not need a permit to carry concealed, but I WILL have training and a permit if I decide to actually carry.).

I have been very tempted to buy a smaller semi-auto as a carry-able weapon. I have recently fired a Walther PPK at the range and really, REALLY liked the way it fit, balanced and shot. Maybe I'll end up with one, one day.

But in the interim, I am going to be doing a fair amount of shooting and will "do the dance with the girl I brung". The question for all of you is: Which girl should I do the dance with?

Do I shoot the Model 10, which has a known history of ten or so rounds? (I still have the two boxes of Remington swc that I bought with the pistol, and I have the empty cases still in the box).

Or do I shoot the Model 67 which is possibly more "used" than the Model 10? I guess I am speaking from the standpoint of potential investment value. I KNOW the Model 10 is as near new as they come, but I also know the Model 10 is not unique. I love the heft and feel of the Model 10, but my interest over the next few months will be to learn more about the handling of a pistol and the general improvement of my accuracy with it. I bought neither pistol as a financial investment and only history moving forward has raised the possibility of either one appreciating instead of depreciating, if largely left alone. Comments?

Shoot and become proficient with both. Same goes for any other gun you may run across.

Yeah, balance out the wear between the two of them. They've been shot. You could put 10,000 rounds through each with little appreciable wear as long as you take care of them. Or just pick which ever one you prefer. If I had to choose I'd go for the 67. But I promise you I would shoot the **** out of both of them.

For right now decide which one feels the best to you. Which one points the best for you. Shoot that gun a lot. It would help to get some coaching from someone with the qualifications to actually teach you. Look at some holsters and find one that is comfortable and lets you keep the gun out of sight when needed. That's the gun to carry for now. As/if you get into shooting you can try other guns and holsters.

Your story is my cousins story also. He bought two guns at the Aviano base in 1973, put a box of ammo through each, and never touched them again until I suggested he bring them during a visit a few months ago.

I stripped them down and cleaned them up, before we took them to the range. The RSO told him that they had appreciated 10x what he paid new. He was happy about that, and then our party of four each put a box of fifty rounds through both guns. Now my cousin and his wife joined a range where they live, and are enjoying a new hobby, using their now valuable guns.

I guess the moral to his story was that he bought those particular guns because he liked them, so why not be the one to enjoy shooting them.

Congratulations on having two nice Smiths. I have a 10-2 in nickel and a 67 as well. Shoot the dickens out of both of them. There are two of you correct? You will never wear either of these out. You will be passing them on to your kids and grandkids. Enjoy both of them and get completely comfortable with them.

When I first started shooting and carrying I had one gun. Over the years I have accumulated some more guns. I shoot many different guns when I go to the range. But I always take and shoot my carry gun. I start the session with my carry gun.

Carrying a concealed gun means knowing the gun, by that you develop muscle memory, your grip, the operation controls,
finger placement, sight picture become automatic.

Shoot a lot, have fun.

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Carpriver.

They have different sights, so become proficient with both.
If you decide to carry, I'd go with the 67 as to not wear the blue on the 10.
That's just me.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

The stainless M-67 will fare better in real world carry. But clean it as you would the blue gun and don't go to the coast and get either wet with salt spray. Even salt air plays heck with gun finishes. But stainless fares a LOT better than does blue or nickel.

Also, the M-67's adj. sights can be set for the particular load you favor.

I suggest using the 67 for training and target work since it has an adjustable sight. K frame 38/357's are excellent shooters and you have two fine examples. For many of us, these are our highest round count guns, and for good reason.

The value of a 10-4 well shot but not abused is perhaps $100 less than the same revolver with only 10 shots through it. Will that extra hundred in your estate make up for the pleasures lost?

You have a nice pair of S&W revolvers, and they're in a frame size that many of us find ideal. If you're thinking about a smaller handgun for discreet carry, I would suggest a J-frame .38 for the economy of using the same ammo, and because it is a favorite choice of those who have a lot of experience, including many of the retired law enforcement folks on this forum.

Both of them deserve the right to be shot, a lot.

I like your training plan.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Quite frankly, I don't know if I will EVER actually carry, either open or concealed. But I have been thinking about it. Here in Maine it appears that most common crimes are committed by people involved either with drugs or domestic violence issues. Either group can cause problems in public places. I am most concerned about the potential for threats launched by either someone "off his meds", or someone who is just a druggie.

Accordingly, IF and WHEN I decide to carry, I have been thinking about a revolver. Either the Model 10-6 or the Model 67-1 are really too big for concealed carry. I have wondered about a J-frame revolver in .38, as that is a caliber that I have on-going use for. I also like the fact that among all handguns, the S&W revolver is what I am most familiar with. I also own a Colt .32 Police Positive that was my grandfather's gun. It's in very nice, old condition and I have shot it, but the 6" barrel limits its usefulness as a concealed carry weapon and the .32 caliber chambering limits it from an ammunition availability standpoint, so i think the Colt will just be in the safe.

I have put some rounds through a Walther PPK and I want to try a Sig P232. I know they are both .380's but I felt very, very comfortable handling the Walther and think it would be very easy to become very quick and accurate with that weapons as a concealed carry gun. I have thought about a S&W SD9, but poly frames make me itch for some reason. Maybe I'm too old: I don't even own a cell phone!

For now I think I'm going to shoot the stainless. I had a local gun shop give me a free estimate of value and the owner salivated over the Model 10. It's really, really clean with only ten rounds through it. I think I'll save it for further thought.

The M 67 is a tack driver. Excellent gun to target shoot with. Don't worry about the "value" of the M 10. SW made a few gazillions of them.

I much prefer the Sig 232 to the Walther. The Sig is a precision 380. Of course these days both the Walther and Sig are BIG and heavy compared to the new plastic 380's.

The older Walthers were Walthers then SW took them over and I do not think they are the same,

You are correct the M 10 and 67 are pretty large for concealed carry, a snubby would be better or a nice 380 or 9mm.

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Still Running Against the Wind

If you're considering carry, can you visit a range which rents guns to try several different ones? Many choices, but the one which fits your hand is a strong contender.

Have carried several, including a PPK/S, but the Sig 938 is (for me) a better choice - roughly same dimensions, but the Sig is a modern weapon closely patterned on the 1911. More pleasant to shoot than the PPK (locked breech vs blowback), far better sights (three dot tritium) and a 9x19 vice a .380. The 232 lies somewhere between the others for me - easier to shoot than the PPK/S, but the heel mag release is a serious drawback to my training with a frame-mounted mag release. Weight favors the 938 (16 oz) vs the 232 (18.5) and the PPK/S (23.5).

Accuracy (for me) is basically a wash inside 10 yards, although the 938 points better than the others. Reliability is also a wash - I'm comfortable with all of them. The PPK/S will bite if grasped high; the 232 less so, and haven't experienced that with the 938. No manual safety on the 232 (although that hasn't bothered revolvers owners much). I find the 938 trigger much preferable, but as a SA, it should be.

In all, the 938 gets the nod for me, but any works fine. Build quality favors the PPK/S (a '60s West German import), but the 232 is a near second. The 938 is built with a plastic (!) trigger, but the aftermarket replacement is a far better build (stainless steel) and was worth the upgrade. (Notably, Sig sells a cast aluminum replacement on their website.)

FWIW.

Shoot and carry them both for sure. While both cool guns and in excellent shape, neither is worth a bounty or likely to show wear from use if taken care of. Realistically though, as other posters have stated, if you're interested in ccw'ing you might want to check into something smaller/lighter like a S&W Airweight.