10 vs 13

[tcc]

What is the difference between a model 10 HB and a model 13 when both are in a 4" barrel with square butt? I know some folks really like the tapered or pencil barrel of the older K frame 38's but if that's not an issue, why wouldn't you buy the 13 with the added ability to shoot the occasional .357?

Love to hear some opinions on this...and thanks.

TC

[Black_Sheep]

As you already stated, the only difference is one is .38 Special and the other is .357 Mag, it is nice to have the option to shoot both .38's and .357's...

[PH-2]

Yep, the 13 is a stronger gun. I understand it has to do with the heat treated steel used in producing magnum-rated guns.

Mike

[Ashlander]

It also seems that there are a lot more 10s around than 13s, so that would seem to be a plus -- they just don't make K-frame magnums anymore.

[Black Knight]

Before law enforcement agencies went to semi-auto pistols a good many required their personnel to carry 38 Special firearms. Some were so anal that they would not allow 357s loaded with 38 Special ammo. The model 10 was one of the most issued revolvers for law enforcement and private security. When I worked private security the company required 38 Special ammo. I started out with a Colt Python in 357 loaded with 38 Special+P but there were many officers who carried model 10s, Colt Official Police, or Colt Police Positive Specials, all in 38 Special. When I left that company I was working a federal contract and carried a model 10-8 as required by contract.

[weyerbacher]

I'd say the reason is cost. I got a sweet 10-6 4 inch at a local Gander Mountain for $216 OTD. It has a sweet action, and for that price, I can live with it only shooting 38 Spl.

I've never seen a Model 13 or 65 for that price. Oh, and this model 10 is as accurate as all hell with UMC 125 grain JHPs.

[Josh M.]

I prefer 10's usually.
If you don't know the history of the gun - it's easier for people to abuse the 13's - lots of 10's that I've had showed holster wear, and had prob only fired a few hunderd rounds of .38's.

.38's will do anything that I want a K frame to do.

IMHO - It's harder to wear out an m10 than an m13. - JM.

[ibewbull]

S&W model 10-6 in 357 magnum

10-6 in .357 magnum.

There was one for sale just a month ago . I couldn't buy it

[sunday bill]

If you have a purpose in mind that doesn't include maneaters, mulies, or motor blocks, either might serve.

If, however, you like a firearm to be steeped in anything other than fairly recent history.....the choice narrows quickly, doesn't it?

Your call.

[18DAI]

I think the deciding factors in purchasing either one, is personal preference and what are you going to do with it?

Punching paper, competition, home defense and carry for self defense, I think you are well served by either the 10 or the 13.

Being older and getting lazier, I like my model 10's because its nice to not have to scrub carbon rings out of a cylinder after a day at the range.

For serious purpose on or off duty, I prefer my 3" 13's ability to fire 357 magnums. Not that I take advantage of that in EVERY situation, but it is nice to have the option. There is nothing wrong with 38 +P either and any model 10 will handle its use just fine. BUT the 357 is still a better choice out of a 3" tube - IF you can handle the flash/blast AND still get fast accurate hits. Everyones preference and ability will differ.

I have the best of both worlds in my NYSP 10-6 357, so I don't have to choose. Regards 18DAI

[stantheman86]

It's mostly about cost and economy..........if a LE Agency or Security company needs .38 Special revolvers to issue, S&W offers (offered?) the 10 as the basic model of service revolver, along with the 64.

No need to pay for the extra heat treating of the 13 or 65 when you just need basic .38 Special revolvers. When you're talking taxpayer dollars for a PD, or profit margins for a security company, the extra $50-100 per revolver adds up when you're buying hundreds or thousands of them

To further muddy the waters, I have seen special US govt. and foreign contract Model 13's chambered for .38 Special.......

On the flip side of the coin, Ruger never offered a "less heat treated" .38 Special vs. .357 revolver, they simply took their .357 Service and Speed Sixes and bored the chambers for .38, upon request for these guns by a buyer. It probably would have ended up costing Ruger more to make a special .38 with less heat treating, since they weren't set up for this like S&W is.

[tripledipper]

I just traded my only .357, a 66-1, in a deal to get a mint 17-3. I have plenty of J & K .38sp models and never shoot 357's anyway or for that matter even +p's. Leaning more and more toward low recoil revolvers.

[pennlineman]

I like them both. 99% of what I shoot is .38. In that aspect the model fulfils most of my needs. However, it never hurts to have the .357 capability when needed. Thankfully I don't have to chose just one and have 2 model 13's and several 10's. If I could keep just one I'd picke a 13.