Yup. It happened. That special time in every 3rd gen fan's life... when that big, stainless 10mm with a wannabe Sig decocker becomes a reality.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/705079013

I was kinda looking for a 4566.

Then I started thinking it might be cool to put 1076 grips on it.

Then started thinking it might be cool to just get a 1076.

So that's what I did. This one was priced better than most of the other ones currently on GB. And it has the FBI palm swell grips. And it has the front strap checkering.

I talked to the seller... he confirmed the decocker is functional. I asked about the two "dots" that indicate recall work was done... he didn't see any. But honestly, neither of us really knew what we were looking for, so we'll see.

Magazines both have yellow followers, and overall, it looks like it's in pretty good shape. I figure it was a decent buy for a 1076.

Anyway, will update when I get the thing. I'm kind of excited.

You got a beauty! Congrats.

If it doesn't have the recall done I would suggest you call to get it done.

Mine was already done when I got it. They changed the side plate that is integral with the cross pins. Mine has a lock ring on the pin to keep the plate from moving and causing the decocker to fail to operate properly.

Thanks for the info. Smith will still do the work, as far as you know?

Funny how you opened the thread about "special time in a 3rd Gen fan's life... etc etc big stainless 10mm"

It must be odd or non-typical that the first center fire S&W pistol that I ever handled, fired or owned was a 1006. So before my 5906's or my 52's or my 39's or any of my PC guns... it was the big 1006 that was absolutely my first experience with any semi-auto Smith & Wesson, save for a six inch 422 that my buddy purchased in early 1991, which I popped a few shots from way back when it was new.

Enjoy yours, I think you got a lot of gun for relatively low money in that buy.

Thank you, sir. It really is a cool looking gun. Especially with decocker and the grips.

Good pic of punch marks here - http://smith-wessonforum.com/138788273-post347.html

That's interesting. I guess, at one time, the Smith 10mms were kind of center-stage in the world of handgun development. In a way, they kind of paved the way for some of the other 3rd gens. So maybe it's just timing.

But thanks for the kind words. Yeah, I figure I did all right at that price. I was scoping a nice 4566 for significantly less... but I figure now was the time if I ever wanted to go 10mm.

Perfect. Thanks for this. I will check it when I get it.

I told the guy to look under the decocker lever for two marks. So I'm thinking he would seen those if they were there. My guess is, probably not updated.

I believe they will, it's a safety function issue.

Gotcha. I will get definitely get in touch with them if it doesn't have the divots.

I jumped on one last January at my LGS for $550, extra mag and no marks or scratches at all on it, 100%. Nice 3rd gen.

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That's a hell of a deal. Congrats.

Congrats,thanks for the link that's a sweet looking stainless 10 mm.

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Thank you, sir. Should ship out Monday. I'm excited.

Update:

So the seller put the wrong address on the Fedex shipment... now it's back to the seller... then (hopefully) back out to my FFL.

Sigh.

If you ever decide you still want a 4566 I have one I could part with. It has both the curved and straight grips.

Nice 1076. I got mine a few years ago, and it started my DA/SA interest and collecting. Smiths of course but Sigs and Berettas also.

My 1076 dosen't have punch marks but it was documented by Smith as recall work done. You can call and they'll check their serial number list.

Thanks. I might take you up on that, at some point. I should probably unload a few first though.

That's good to know. I was kinda bummed I'd have to wait another few weeks to get the gun running (which still might be the case) but it's good to know there's at least a chance they can look it up.

Thanks.

Right now, the thing is in Memphis... on its way back to Indiana... from Northern Kentucky. Go figure. I wish there was a face palm emoji...

I should get it by the middle of next week.

1076!! My first Smith & Wesson 3rd generation was a 1006, I really liked that gun a lot. But I like the 1076 even better!

This one is a former Kentucky State Police weapon, with a record of saving the officer's life. It's such a pleasure to shoot as well!

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... the runaround....

patience friend

I'm keepin it together... I promise...

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Initial impressions: The gun exudes "industrial strength." It just seems like a machine, in every respect. This is the gun that should have been in Terminator.

The decocker works smoothly. The trigger is excellent. Very smooth in DA, fairly light in SA. The palm swell grips feel nice. Rounds cycle smoothly and consistently.

The gun has a loose fit overall. Generous slide play. Magazine rattles. Barrel hood moves slightly when you push on it (both my 4516s do this; they are still very accurate). Personally, this does not bother me. I've not found slide/frame fit to affect my accuracy when shooting.

As for the question of recall work...

No dots/dimples under the decocker. I will be calling Smith tomorrow to see if they can tell if the work has been done. Is the sideplate the part that gets replaced for the recall? I've seen pictures of 1076 slideplates with a black plastic reinforcement. I haven't taken the grip off, but, I don't think mine has this plastic piece.

Anyway, I will update once I talk to Smith. Man, I don't want to put this thing in the mail again. sigh.

To my knowledge, yes. There should also be a sideplate retaining ring on the right side of the grip which can be seen with the grips on.

Hmm. Actually I do see little ring on the right side of the grip, on the end of sideplate pin. Definitely not present on my other 3rd gens.

I was referring to the black plastic piece, as seen on this sideplate:



Mine doesn't have that. Instead, there's a metal outcropping on the sideplate that indexes against the inside of the grip (as seen in the third pic I posted).

Maybe the one I have is the "updated" one?

My 1076 has been serviced under the recall and has this type of sideplate.

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. Then it's likely mine hasn't had it done--unless the sideplate isn't the defining factor.

Nice guy. Said he couldn't for sure verify the work had been done, without the "snake bites." So... I've got a shipping label. Estimated turnaround: 3 - 4 weeks.

Sigh. Being responsible is no fun.

I will say, Smith's customer service lives up to the reputation. Very friendly and accommodating. And free. Honestly, I would have no issue paying for the work--not like I'm the original owner. But good that they stand by their product.

Now I've got to go check mine and see if it's been repaired. Being an ex-State Police weapon, I'm guessing it was done though.

Yeah, I'd be curious to hear what kind of a slideplate yours has.

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Same here.

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1076 disassembled

(-03a)

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Waiting for the break of day

Looks like a clean 1076 that should serve you well for many years. I've owned a couple 1076s, and some other S&W 10MMs. "Industrial strength" is an apt description for these guns. They are very robust and reliable. This, without extra heavy recoil springs, dual recoil springs, buffers, etc., as suggested for some other 10MMs. I only have one S&W 10MM left, a 1026 purchased LNIB several years ago. Nothing breaks, always works. Enjoy that new 1076.

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Thanks. Yeah, mine definitely lacks the plastic spacer on the sideplate. It just has a little "bubble" of metal which I think is supposed to fill the gap between the grip and the sideplate. But I can see the sideplate move... slightly... when I depress the decocker. Will be sending it back today.

Mine also says "1076" on the top/inside of the slide. And it has the rounded cut in the breechface. Also has yellow-follower mags. So I'd guess it's an earlier gun.

Fine looking 1026. Yeah, I'm very happy with the condition of this one. Just a few very minor scratches in the stainless. Nothing that detracts from the appearance too much. Feels good, all around. Looking forward to getting it back from Smith, so I can start putting it through its paces.

Good riddance, my friend. May your journey be swift, and your operation be successful.

They said 3 - 4 weeks. I'll report back when I get it.

Is this what you're looking for? The two dimples are there, but very shallow and hard to see without good lighting. And the lever has to be pulled down. This phone won't let me add another picture for some reason.

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Thanks, I appreciate the picture. Yeah, looks like yours has the plastic piece on the sideplate--mine does not. I'm pretty sure that's what gets changed for the recall work.

We'll see...

It took a lot of restraint not to shoot it. But I'm glad I sent it in. Clock's ticking...

Following to see how long it takes to get yours back. I just picked up a couple 10mm's in an auction, so I'll have to see if they've been to S&W for the recall or not once I get them, or at least the 1076. Got a 1076 and a 1086 and 10 mags...

Lord give me patience, but give it to me now.

They said 3 - 4 weeks. Based on what I've read, that seems pretty accurate.

Congrats on your 10s. 1086 must be a pretty rare bird. The DAOs are nice. Only experience i have was with a 5946... excellent DAO pull.

Don't hold me to this... it's a theory... but if yours does not have the black plastic piece on the sideplate assembly (under the left grip) it probably hasn't had the recall work done. I think that's the part they replace under the recall.

So I had an early Bday present yesterday: my 1076 came back from Smith:

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Turnaround was almost exactly a month, from send off to pick up. Not bad. No charge. And, as expected, they replaced the sideplate with the plastic reinforced part:

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You can see the extra layer of black plastic between the grip and the frame. If you scroll up and look at some of my earlier posts, you can see a "before" picture--it didn't have that before. The two dots were also placed under the decocker.

Shooting Impressions

Very, very impressed. Loved the way it shot. Zero malfunctions in 150 rounds.

The gun is very precise--groups super tight if you do your part. This is about 50 rounds. Once I had it dialed in, they were pretty much going through the same hole...

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...albeit slightly left of POA. It needs new sites (has dead nightsights). But I'm very happy with the gun's accuracy potential.

I shot two loads through it:

Freedom Munitions 180gr FMJ

Sig Elite Performance FMJ (I tossed the box. But I think it was 180gr too?)

The Freedom stuff felt pretty mild. More mild than a 45. Pretty much like a .40, I'd guess. But the Sig stuff... whew. I definitely felt like I was shooting something "magnum worthy." Most power I've ever experienced in a handgun. By quite a margin.

The more powerful stuff was a bit more difficult to control. Accuracy suffered slightly. But not much. I ran through a few mags of the hot stuff with rapid fire double taps... the old war horse never missed a step.

And still...

I don't think the Sig stuff is as hot as some of stuff Underwood and Buffalo Bore make. I don't wanna break my gun (or my hand)... but I'm intrigued

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The trigger is very good. I shot almost all SA this time, but the DA is a great too. Considering I just bought a LNIB 4566 (1998 production), so far, I can honestly say I like the 1076 better. Better accuracy overall and felt more comfortable to shoot.

I know they say the late production MIM trigger/hammer parts are smoother (and they are). But I kind of like of the 10's trigger better. The FBI palm swell grips are also an improvement (in my opinion) over the straight backstrap grips.

Another thing...

This gun ejects casings like it hates brass. I turned around and all the brass was against the back wall of the range. Is that normal? Should I be using a stronger recoil spring? Different springs for different loads, perhaps? Don't want to beat up the frame...

The spring I used is pretty much brand new: it's the spring from the 4566 I just got (new, aside from the few rounds I put through it last week). 4566/1076 take the same spring, according to Wolff's site. So I figured I could be sure this one was still good to go.

In conclusion...

I really freakin dig it. Haven't been this excited about a gun in a while. The look, the feel, how it shoots. It has this heavy-duty, minimalist presence to it that's just... cool. Not that looks really matter, but to my eye, it's one of the best-looking guns I own.

Best birthday present (to self) that I've had in a long time.

They can probably be re-lamped by Trijicon for $57.

Happy Birthday! Sometimes the best birthday gifts are the one we get ourselves.

That Wolff 17# spring is too light, IMO. I use a 22# in both my 1076 & 1006. (Also in my 4586 as I have it setup to shoot 45 Super)

Odd fact, that S&W recoil spring (#895240000) is listed in over two dozen pistols, from 4006 to 1076. S&W got good mileage from that spring.

While the 4566 slide/barrel weighs less than the 1076 slide/barrel (my 4586 weighs 18.0oz -vs- my 1076 at 19.0oz) the 10mm out powers it. I'd suggest a 20# at least.

I use the same spring for all my (hand)loads, even in the 4586. No need for a different spring unless you go to powder puff loads.

In reality, even with heavy springs the brass is still gonna fly from your 10mm but they'll help a little.

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Waiting for the break of day

Yeah, I'd heard they offered that service. Not a bad deal. But man, I don't wanna put this thing in the mail again. Thanks.

Great. Thanks a lot. I'm ordering a #20 and a #22 right now.

Subjectively, the Sig ammo felt like it was "overpowering" the gun slightly. The Freedom Munitions, on the other hand, felt just fine with the spring as it was. But it was still launching brass with the weaker stuff... so... I'd guess there's still more than enough power there to cycle a #20 or #22 spring.

One thing I forgot to mention, if you didn't know it already, is that increasing the mainspring's weight will also slow the initial movement of the slide.

I forgot that I have a Wolff 23# mainspring in my 1076 when I posted earlier. I kept with a 20# (standard weight) in my 1006.

Upping the mainspring weight & going to a small radius firing pin stop are tricks used in setting up a 1911 to shoot 45 Super.

The only downside in the S&W 3rd Gens is it slightly increases the SA trigger pull weight (but not in the 1911s).

Just another option.

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Waiting for the break of day