After seeing many threads here on the classic Model 10, I have decided that I need one, just one...

So, if you were going to purchase just one model 10, which version would you pursue, meaning of all of the myriad changes and modifications of this particular gun over the years, which would you consider to be the epitome? Shall I look at something that is a pre-Model 10, or a post-1957 numbered gun?

I think I am in love with the pencil barrel look... But like any love, I could certainly be persuaded elsewhere, especially after I start handling them...

Fortunately, here in Ohio these guns show up regularly on gun show tables and usually in quite good condition. Also, they seem to show up here on this forum at what I would consider to be reasonable prices. Please feel free to link me to one that you consider to be a particularly good deal/example.

Thank you

Victory Model. The classic look, and a lot of history behind it. Should be able to get a nice one for 200-350.

I like the predecessor to the Model 10, the Military & Police with the 4-inch standard barrel, square butt, and half-moon front sight best of all.

Much like the one in the photo I use for my avatar.

I love #10's. That said, I sold the 2" at the bottom of the photo and replaced it with a 3" HB, RB, #64. The 4" RB in the photo was my woods gun for many years until I got a #25-5 .45 Colt. I feel the 4" RB #10 carried a bit easier than the 4" HB though the HB pointed more naturally.

That is why I compromised and got a 3", HB, RB #64, LOL!! I like this configuration best of all, and suggest you try it.

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It depends what you want and by that I mean the roots of the model 10 or the last before they dropped the pinned barrel. If you want the roots of the Model 10 buy as late as you can get and get one the last 5 screw model which is a M&P made before 1955. Or if you want a gun marked as a model 10 buy any model up to the Model 10-8 made before 1982 and after 1957. You also have to decide if you want the thin barrel or the heavy barrel.

I also forgot to mention if you want a shooter grade or a mint collector grade. If you want a shooter grade buy as clean and mechanically sound example as you can find and shoot it and enjoy it. if you want a collector piece pay more for a mint copy and try to get one with numbered to the gun grips, box, paperwork, and tools.

My Dad's Model 10 with tapered 6 inch barrel that I inherited and I put smooth presentation grips on it.

I have several but, if I could only keep one M&P, it would be a 4" standard (tapered) barrel 10-5 made between 1962 (when the sight width increased from 1/10" to 1/8") and 1968 when the diamond grips were discontinued.



Russ

I agree with those posters who recommend a standard barreled 4" M&P. This one is a "Pre-Model 10" from 1948. You should be able to find something like this for less than $400. You won't regret any of the options recommended so far.
Good Luck & enjoy!

Jerry

Please don't get me started. Well okay, one.
DW

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"NUTS"

I really like the 4" Tapered Barrel, Round Butt patterns and like my friend Bryan, my favorites are the pre-war and early post war models with the rounded front sights....



Here's a couple that see regular range use....



Then again, this pre-war 4" M&P Target from the 1930's is pretty cool too....



Drew

That is too crazy. My Victory Model gets stored in a Crown Royal bag. Great minds think alike I guess. Made my day knowing I am not the only one...

I only buy the hooch for the bags....



It's a rule in my gun room. New Gun? New Bottle.

It's really good when I pick up a 6 1/2" or 8" gun.... then I get the 1.75 Liter bottle for the really big bags....

Hello

Bloody h$%l this is a difficult question LOL. Let's see, of the entire two S&W Revolvers I own both one is a M&P and the other a Model 10. Both are knackered, being very much "shooters" and not collectors pieces, but I love them both.

My first is a newer one, a Model 10-5 from circa 1966/1967, it has the standard 4" barrel, square butt, with diamond Magna stocks.

The other is a WWII .380" calibre British version of the "Victory Model".

So, the other M&P/Model 10 revolvers I'd love to have.

1. .38 Special cal. U.S. version of the Victory Model. Simply because my Dad went through three of them as a gunner in a TBM Avenger during the War.

2. "Pre-War" (1920's-30's) standard M&P with 5" barrel, square butt.

3. Post-War Transitional "Pre-Model 10" 4" barrel and Sqaure butt.


Thanks
Mark

Now we are even more similar, I had to go take a pic of mine with the bag, I get back, and I see you got the pet hair on the bag just like mine..... WOW, Now about buying it just for the bags.... I doubt the stuff gets poured down the drain..

BTW, I only go for the big bags

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Oh, boy! Another excuse to look at M&Ps and M10s...

The classic M&P...4" pencil barrel


Two favorites...10-5, 5" and a 10-8, 3" HB


A NIB 10-7, 5"...


A 5" late 20's-era M&P with Pachmayr adapter


Pristine, unfired (I think) 6" transition:


99% or so 4" HB Metropolitan .38...OOPS! How'd that one squeeze in?

Yuppers and here's the Hair Dispenser....



Brighton-Pierce's Buxton Kaitie Belle.... "Miss Kate" to her friends....

I think we have officially hi-jacked the thread, my sincere apologies. Here is my hair shedder. No dog sheds like a GSD. This was back in her thinner days...

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Beautiful animal... I'm always finding yellow hairs in my otherwise-OK photos!
Bob

Now we get to fight over which dog he was talking about!

Getting back to the thread, if it wasn't an M&P Victory, for me, it would be a Joe Friday special, a pre-10 2" snubby. A K-frame snubby is a beautiful thing IMHO. These will probably run more than a Victory model though.

Hoo boy this one's a toughie, for me number one would be a post war to 1955 era five inch. Number two would be a pre war 1905 4th in four inch and last but not least, any number marked ten up till they removed the barrel pin. I think you need at least three!

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Stay safe people!

Love those RB K's too!!

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Here's a 6", shipped July 1948:

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Fantastic looking Model 10 and a great photo

Fyimo, thanks!

It's the only 6" M&P I have. The s/n puts it fairly late in the S series... S 999,839. If I'm not mistaken the S series were shared by a few different models.

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

All these photos and suggestions and no nickel? Whats up with that?


Old


Older


Oldest


Good luck in your decision

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Pace

Now this is what I consider to be the epitome of the 38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver. This picture is to me the classically beautiful revolver. Thank you for posting it. And thank you to all of you for posting the photos that you have, for it gives me something to learn from when it comes to the many versions of this classic.

I do appreciate all of the good suggestions here. One thing I have quickly found out about this site is that all of you make me reevaluate so many of the guns I cast my eye over at the many gun shows I attend. With these photos now in mind, I will have a much better idea of what to look for. I sincerely doubt I will find as beautiful a revolver as the one pictured here, but I do hope to find one similar to some of the other very nice ones posted here.

I'm not much of a believer in safe queen-type guns. If I was so fortunate to stumble upon a unfired, new in the box model of a particular desirable pistol, I would probably purchase it for the investment value, but generally I shoot everything I own.

That said, if any of you would like to sell one of these beautiful examples of the Model 10, I have cash...!

!967:Begain "D"serial prefix at D1,this mdl.10-5 that i have is D3,also it is new in box.
Dick

I think there are two nice Model 10's for sale here on the forum.

Look for threads by Robbt.

My 1973-1974 vintage 10-5 that I recently aquired:

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otis

This ones not to shabby.
DW

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"NUTS"

OK, "RANGERONE", you asked for it; here's another 5" classic:

Quit torturing me...
I am using the previous one as my new desktop photo... It replaced Ronald Reagan...

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Benefactor Member, NRA

Another 10-7, NIB.

I don't know if it's the best but it's up there. This 10-7 has a sweet, sweet trigger. It's an abnormally good shooter. I guess it's just broken in.

Nice banana prop. Love it.

I kinda like this 1947 Long Action 5" I found this year. A lot.

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S&WCA #2018

I kinda like this 5 inch Transitional

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Sure you did

LOVE those 5" revolvers... Two examples of the sexiest, best-balanced .38s ever made.
Bob

My favorite, is my little round butt snubby. A pre-model 10, 4 screw.

Rod

You might not just buy one you know. I felt I needed one and bought a non-pinned snub, then found a 5 screw snub and bought that. I found a heavy barrel and then needed a thin one as well.
Fortunately I busy again with othe models.

Pre Model 10, 1962

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Yes, I know, like so many other things in this hobby, the occasional fabulous deal cannot be passed up...

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Benefactor Member, NRA

One of my favorites with a Myres holster-an early post-war 5" M&P.


Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

1920, if I remember correctly.

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I like mine short. 6263XX, about 1933.
Someday I'm gonna take a better photo of my old M&P favorite, without the reflections.

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Mitch
SWCA 2438

There are a thousand different answers as to which is the best representative of the M10 line. So many variations were offered. Really, any of them is an instant classic. Look around and pick the one you like best.


This is my Sunday-go-to-meeting M10.





But I like this simple 4" version, too.

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No life story has happy end.

Only one I own anymore. 4 screw '58

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SOS USA

Was the round front sight used as late as 1958?

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No life story has happy end.

Sorry...Quick check of S&N book says probably '56 C382xxx

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SOS USA

I'm partial to my 5 screw, 5 inch barreled M&P from 1947.

Im going with this 4" 1947 single line 5 screw..
But I havent met a model 10 I didnt like....Cheers

Gotta love how the older cylinders taper at the front.