Check this out. My first old S&W. I've purchased 4 new S&W revolvers within the last 10 years, and 3 of them had to go back to the factory immediately for quality control issues or trigger malfunctions. I'd post here for advice in those situations, and roughly 50% of the responses would state "don't buy new ones, look around and find an old one." It always sounded like good advice, and I've finally heeded it.

This is my Model 10-5. It was originally purchased on December 27th, 1966 right here in my home town of Houston at a store called Grant Ilseng Sporting Goods Co., Inc. I've never heard of that retailer before, but apparently they were right downtown. The revolver was purchased by a Lt. Col of the Houston Police Department for $56.01. Amazing.

The seller told me that it had never been fired. I'd believe it. The cylinder has scratches from lying in a drawer that was opened a few times, but there is no holster wear. The cylinder wear ring was very light. It's much more pronounced now that I have it, as I have dry fired the snot out of it since I got it at 4pm today.

I took it to the range and burned about 120 rounds through it. I was greatly impressed. It made a very nice 3" ragged hole at 7 yards. I can't wait to really get the hang of this thing. I was able to put holes just about right where I wanted them. .38 special is so nice and light, I love it.

I got raped on the price. I'm not well versed on S&W values, but I recently searched for a pre-lock 19 and was surprised at the high prices that a like-new sample would demand. I didn't know that Model 10s were much cheaper, and I assumed that because it's in such good condition and is so old, it would reasonably cost a lot as well. I learned when I got home that I overpaid dramatically for this one. However, I'll chalk that up as a lesson learned. It's a little easier to stomach my mistake because I really like it a lot.

I have questions for you guys. Firstly, I've about worn the skin off my trigger finger with this target trigger. It's sharp! Can anything be done about that?

Secondly, when I carry this, should I carry high pressure ammunition? Can I shoot a few cylinders of +P and carry it with +P? I won't shoot a steady diet of it, but can it handle a few cylinders full?

Hopefully this will be the first of many new old Smiths.

It will handle a limited diet of +P just fine. Operative word being limited. Nice shooter. The 2" square butts have an interesting symmetry to them. I have a 2" Model 15 SB police surplus gun that I really like.

That Model 10 can take all the +P you can afford to buy! +P IS NOT high-pressure ammunition! Forget all the BS you see about +P .38 Special, it is simply not true. Read this thread: Buffalo Bore and Undewood .38 Special +P if you want to know the truth.

Hand-loaders were shooting loads coming very close to .357 Magnum pressures for many years with no ill effects to either the guns or shooters. Some loads listed in the Speer Manual #8 as standard pressure loads actually get into .357 Magnum pressure levels, and every time this is mentioned many people insist they have been using that manual with no problems. The next version of the Model 10 after your -5 is the 10-6 which was chambered for both .38 Special and .357 Magnum with no change except the charge hole depth! The Model 10-6 .357 was later re-numbered as the model 13 with no other changes than the model number!

If you want to shoot only standard pressure .38 Special in your gun because of the cost factor that makes sense, but don't worry about +P because of pressures, it is less than a non-issue!

A good analogy is your car. You will cause less wear to your car driving no faster than 55 MPH all the time instead of 70 MPH, but would you even consider doing this? Exactly the same with +P .38 Special.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

The trigger is a standard trigger
of its day with sharp serrations that can
wear on the trigger finger.

Shoot less, get a soft thimble-like
finger cover or
take the edges off the serrations with
a Dremel. The latter suggestion was a
common practice back in the day. Often
just breaking the sharp edges is enough.

S&W finally introduced as standard
smooth triggers in the early 1980s,
the then new Model 586 being among
the first, I believe.

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Ubi Est Mea

My thoughts:

1. What a LOVELY gun! Don't kick yourself over the $. I would overpay for a LNIB every day of the week. If you're happy or even simply satisfied with your gun, that's all that counts.

2. Yes, you can use what passes for +P today without concern.

3. Your gun has sat in a drawer for decades. Rather than 'dry-firing the snot' out of your gun, something I won't do, learn how to lightly lubricate your gun, or ask how here on the forum.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

The finger grooves shouldn't be a big problem. I bet if you shoot it a lot you will develop calluses on your trigger finger and not even notice it.

It's your gun but I would not take any nice S&W and "dry fire the snot out of it" Puts senseless wear on it. But that's just my opinion and others will be sure to chime in and differ.

:O.P.,

You did not overpay for your gun. You just brought it to soon.

I picked one up in March. No box but excellent condition. Perfectly in time and great trigger. Ran 50 yard Qual course with it. The grooves on my trigger are not aggressive.

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Don’t worry about the money. Like they say, you paid too soon not too much! Many prefer a round butt, but I much prefer the square butt.

A 3 screw, 4 screw, 5 screw, all Sq Butt. Yes, the "old" ones are really great.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I like this needed advice.

Thanks for all of the advice. I will try not to dry-fire it any more. I'm not doing it for any reason other than I like to, but I don't want to add needless wear. I'll find something else to fidget with. I think I will pull the trigger out and hit it lightly with some sandpaper. I'm used to the smooth triggers on my more modern Smiths, and I prefer them. I can't wait to add more oldies to my collection. I'll see you guys again when I do! It probably won't be long. My uncle as a 5" 10-5 that I've been trying to get from him. I think we're close to a deal! I'll post pics when I get it. It looks even better than this one!

Have a good one guys.

Shoot all the +P u want. I have been for years. Simple cure for trigger situation is to shoot more and develop callous. Or buy a Tyler trigger shoe when you buy your Tyler T grip. Which looks perfect on any K frame.

10-5 snubbies are great discreet carry self-defense guns. They will take any .38 special ammo with no problem. This one is mine, vintage of December 1977.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Nice snubby. I carry a 12-2 most of the time, like yours only an aluminum frame, not steel. Mine's in carry shape, yours is pretty special. Shoot the snot out of it, that's what they're for. Model 10s are pretty hard to wear out.

If you like classic get you one of these for Sunday carry. It's got it's Sunday shoes on too.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

When you get your uncles gun just do a little dollar cost averaging like you would with stocks. Makes overpaying for the 2” a little more palatable

I might be wrong but If you sand the trigger face you might have to hit it with some cold blue to prevent rusting. That’s what my gunsmith did when removing the serrations on some of my triggers.

Holy Moly. That looks like it was made yesterday. What a beauty.

Oh yeah! I want one of those next. There's something positively aesthetic about the proportions with those sights. I gotta have one.

Hey, we don't know that he paid too much. There are plenty of people that think that more than $175.99 is way too much. :-)

Personally, I wouldn't smooth the trigger. Shooting these guns doesn't devalue these guns very much, but altering them does.

Always wanted one of these, every one I find is priced crazy!

As others have said, don’t sweat the price. I’ve gotten some guns at bargain prices and paid top-dollar for others. In the long run it doesn’t matter in the slightest.

Congratulations! And since we’re sharing our 10-5 photos, here’s mine (from 1966).

Ahhhhhh......at one time I had so many of those......

Yes. Don't shoot 20 cylinders-ful at any single range session.

Or you can replace the trigger.

Your call.

I don't see the need for anything besides standard .38 Special loads but YMMV as always.


============================

Customized M 64, including a replacement barrel for the 4" HB, among other things. You can alter the gun to suit your taste.




Standard, old M10 snubby.

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Come and take it!!

On dry firing: I know some folks are concerned with wear on the gun, but if it's a carry gun not a collector then feel free to dry fire all you wish. There are medium frame S&Ws out there that have been around since the early 1900s that are still in great condition. Chances are slim you will wear it out! Dry firing can teach you trigger control and trigger discipline. You can pick up snap caps off the interwebs if you are concerned about the firing pin.

Great find btw....

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Even older, even crankier....

OP you feel like you overpaid for your new mod 10 but you haven't disclosed the price. Maybe you don't want to. Just curious as to what you did pay.

I've got a similar 2" 10-5 Square Butt. It has some German Proof marks on it.

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Remember -- in this forum or any other, half the advice you get is pure nonsense; the rest is highly questionable...

Enjoy your relatively-new 10-5!

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Pisgah

Here's my absolutely NIB 2" 10-5, circa 1977, found in a pawn shop last year. They're out there.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

Which is your's?

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Ubi Est Mea

I bought a snubby Model 10 from a fellow forum member here. It's a round butt which was what I was looking for. I paid a lot for it, I think, but it was exactly what I was looking for, great condition, and I'm happy to own it. That's more important than the money, as long as you can afford it. I have other S&W revolvers that I got super great deals on, looking back. It all evens out over time. Life is short and you can't take it with you. Great gun! Enjoy it!

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'Merica!

iI cannot find a model 10 snubby at a decent price around here. I'll just have to be satisfied with my 64 snubby. I do not think a reasonable amount of dry firing will hurt a Smith. Buy I would use snap caps. Definitely do not recommend trigger shoes. When my PD carried revolvers trigger shoes were banned.

I sometimes use light leather gloves when shooting a lot of rounds. Protects the finger.

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Kevin in Oregon

If you didn't feel like you got ripped off, it's good buy. That's a piece that will be around for a loooooong time.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Congrautlations! Like everyone else's thoughts, youll rarely if ever regret spending more on a gun you love. Enjoy!