Hi all,
My apologies if this has been covered, but I could not find much information on this in my searches.
I would like a model 10. The question is how do the new ones really stack up against those from a few years ago? Specifically, I've seen some police trade ins online in the $300 range, compared to a new one in the $600 range. Here's the rub, though, I really want one with the bluing complete, so if I bought an old one, I would send it to Smith to have them reblue it. I am not really concerned that doing so would hurt the "antique" value of the gun, I simply want one to shoot. So, having it reblued puts it at about the same cost of a new one.
So, that's really the question. A new one vs a reblued police trade in. The only reason I haven't just bought one online is that I would hate to get one that doesn't lock up tight or is off timing, etc.
I appreciate any thoughts or ideas you have. I have several new SW revolvers and a few older ones as well, but all the older ones I purchased in person. I have read there were 6 MILLION model 10s produced, I cannot believe I am having a hard time finding one in person
Here is a suggestion for you. Go to GunBroker and pull up S&W Model 10 and restrict your search to your State. Then look at the listings close to where you live so you can go take a look prior to bidding.
If the seller is a gun store, then you should be able to look at it and maybe even save shipping cost along with FFL cost. You will have to pay sales tax.
Look for a seller with lots of positive feedback on GunBroker.
Centerfire Systems has police trade-in 10's at $299.00 right now. I personally would prefer an older 10, especially a police gun, for a few reasons....
--The used cop gun might very well be pre-lock. The subject of lock vs no lock has been discussed ad infinitum; my preference is no lock.
--There's something about a used gun which has more character than a new one. Especially a police trade-in. Who knows what sort of action it may have seen?
--The action on a used gun is likely going to be smoother than a new one.
--A police trade-in, even with the wear and the dings, scratches, etc, has quite possibly seen regular maintenance.
--In one case, I bought a police model 64 which had a sticky action; it had been made in 1994; I sent it to Smith at their expense and they repaired it for FREE and sent it back to me.
Someone else may have completely different opinions about my bullet points (pun absolutely intended). This is just my take on your question. Good luck!!
I would also go with the police trade-in as you would probably get one that has seen little range time, little street time, a discounted price and maybe pre-lock. The only downside is getting the doughnut glaze out of the grips...
I agree with the above that stated keep your eye out for a good used for a good used priced one locally that you can check out the finish condition. I figure a police trade in would have more wear than one that sat in someone's safe most of the time. But finding one under $400 might be a bit difficult also.
I believe I would go for a good used one over a $600 new gun. I bought two S&W M&P revolvers for $400 each that are IMO in very good condition. The M&P is basically just a pre model 10. I said "basically" not always an exact duplicate.
I also think some of the Centerfire model 10 for sale have the interlock.
Police trade - ins as a rule are only finished challenged.All department armorer's would have kept these mechanically fit.
Also where are you located? Gun shows and Pawn Shops are a good place to start. I bought 3 in past 3 years. $280, $275, and $300 in order of how they appear. The last one is like new!
I don't know where you are but if it is a "free state try this. Take $300, go to the next gun show, walk around and ask the dozen guys toting a model 10 "How much you looking to get out of that?" Whatever they answer, pull out the 3 Benjamins (gripping them tightly in your fingers). Most they can say is "no." Pay no attention to any other comments. Here is the last gun (about a year ago) bought that way: Model 15, about 90%+ mechanically perfect, trigger smoothed out professionally. Saw the 'ol boy toting it 10 am, he wanted $400, I offered $300. About lunchtime he found me and I had to give $325. My current favorite shooter. Joe
Also where are you located? Gun shows and Pawn Shops are a good place to start. I bought 3 in past 3 years. $280, $275, and $300 in order of how they appear. The last one is like new!
In the winchester area.Nice collection of trade ins you scored!
In the winchester area.Nice collection of trade ins you scored!
Winchester TN?
Not trade ins. Bought a many stainless trades but never a blued gun sight un seen. The middle gun is an old TN Highway Patrol Mod 10. But I bought it at a gun show last fall. The first was private sale the last was a pawnshop find.
Personally, I wouldn't have a problem buying a "turn-in" from someone like Centerfire. As others have said; it's most likely got some holster wear, but very lightly used otherwise. FWIW, most of the LGS's that I've seen in my area are just peddling the same "police turn-ins". They just picked them up wholesale to move at the shows.
Last edited by springer99; 03-27-2017 at 05:53 PM.
If you get an option of choosing the features you desire on any used surplus firearm, then I say, go for it. If what is shipped just happens to be "the next junker in the box", then you might want to reconsider. While customer reviews have to be taken with a grain of salt, there's one over at Centerfire Systems that is quite disheartening.
All things considered, I think I'd contemplate buying new. I'm ambivalent about the lock. I simply don't use 'em. I think they do uglify the outside a tad, but not a deal breaker.
So, at this point, in this thread, and all things being equal, I'll have to be the sole dissenter. Buy new and don't look back!
If you intend to send it to S&W for a refinish, they will go through the gun and repair it as needed. So, finding a perfect mechanical gun shouldn't be an issue. If you buy from a reputable dealer on line, they will stand behind what they sell. Most are checked for function before leaving the stores.
FYI, most ex-police guns are heavy barrel. If you want the tapered barrel, might have to look elsewhere. I have have both and just can't decide
That said, I have a police trade-in HB (dash 10) that had significant holster wear (touched up with cold blue) and it is among the most accurate Smiths I own off sand bags on the bench. The trigger is very, very smooth. Notice I didn't say "like butter" which apparently ruffles some folks' feathers...oops!
FYI, most ex-police guns are heavy barrel. If you want the tapered barrel, might have to look elsewhere. I have have both and just can't decide
That said, I have a police trade-in HB (dash 10) that had significant holster wear (touched up with cold blue) and it is among the most accurate Smiths I own off sand bags on the bench. The trigger is very, very smooth. Notice I didn't say "like butter" which apparently ruffles some folks' feathers...oops!
Then maybe try saying... "Cant believe its not butter "...
FYI, most ex-police guns are heavy barrel. If you want the tapered barrel, might have to look elsewhere. I have have both and just can't decide
That said, I have a police trade-in HB (dash 10) that had significant holster wear (touched up with cold blue) and it is among the most accurate Smiths I own off sand bags on the bench. The trigger is very, very smooth. Notice I didn't say "like butter" which apparently ruffles some folks' feathers...oops!
I'd take the old service revolver over a new Model 10, if for the price alone. You could buy a couple of old Model 10's for the price of a new one. I'm also partial to the older guns. A police surplus 10-5 was one of my first guns, and after 25 years with me it's still running great.
At the last few gun shows I've been to there were lots of older 10's and 64's. The 10's, mostly -8 and -10 along with a fair number of -7's, usually go for around $299. One guy was selling them for $189. They were cosmetically challenged, but had good bores and locked up tight.
Look at it this way, for what a new Model 10 costs you can buy an old Model 10 4" plus a Model 64 2". In fact it's such a great deal I may do just that at the next gun show.
Both will hold up to more than youll shoot. Older ones typically have the actions smoothed out from use.
I would buy the older one and forget about rebluing. Instead I'd spend that money on ammo. Besides, the blue is complete, it's just a little worn on the muzzle and cylinder. Sometimes barely any wear
this is my fav pd gun. picked it up at a lgs. to me it oozed history. not a lot of finish left on it. its a four screw,pd marked. a fantastic shooter. had to clean it up a bit ,but for $269.00 i have no complaints......stocks are numbered to the gun. i keep a set of pacs on it for carry,originals for the pictures......
I gave my M10, pencil barrel, to my daughter. Great gun that she shoots well. I have a M64 (2") and a M15(4") and love these K frames. If I come across a hvy barrel 4 " (or better yet 3") M10, I plan on snapping it up
Honestly to reblue a gun you are going to use or carry makes very little sense as you are just going to put wear on it over time and sooner or later end up with a blue worn gun anyway. The blue is a lot more durable than it is given credit for, but a pretty gun that is used doesn't continue to look that way very long. Even routine cleaning will rub blue thin eventually.
Here are the Model 10's I have acquired off GunBroker over the last two years.
Starting at the top left is a Factory nickel 10-5 From the Quinnett County, Geogia P.D. I paid $222.00
Top right is a Model 10 No Dash snubbie engraved on the back strap with P.D. Montgomery (Alabama). I paid the most for it at $408.00 since it is a 4 screw no dash with the police markings and a rack number. Also a snubbie will bring more at auction.
Below it is a blued Model 10-5 which came from Maryland, but I do not know whether it was a police trade-in. I paid $331.00 for it and the bluing is in almost perfect condition.
The bottom revolver is a Model 10-5 and also from Quinnett County, Georgia Police Department. It has a 5" barrel and is the most cosmetically challenged. I do believe it might of been a confiscated gun from a suicide. There was a lot of rust on the right side that looked to of come from blood and may of been a suicide gun. I paid $185.00 for it and a lot of elbow grease.
The Model 10-6 heavy barrel came from the Mobile, Alabama P.D. SWAT. I paid $271.56 for it.
All of these revolvers are in good mechanical condition and the trigger pulls in both single and double action are very nice. I know no particularly reason for it, but the 10-5's seem to be a tad better with the trigger pulls over their brethren.
Thanks for all the suggestions and great information. I am leaning towards the trade in route and love the idea of checking gun broker for local ones near me.
Thanks again, this was very helpful.
Also, for those who were curious, I am in Raleigh, NC. There's a few good LGS around here.
I think that you made a wise decision. If you decide to send it to S&W for a refurbish, I think that you will still be ahead of the game rather than investing in the current model.
FYI, this is a model 10-6 that I had S&W refurbish recently.
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Police trade in model 10 vs a new one
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