3" model 10 police trade-ins at buds

[wheelgun28]

On another forum some one said that these were shipped to the US with the firing pins removed. Buds hired gunsmiths to install new pins. I checked mine and the pin does look new!

 

[Butchbird]

I got one of the 3" Mod 10's and one of the round butt 4" guns from Bud's -- I did notice both of them appear to have new firing pins -- Don't know if that means anything -- Just an obversation

 

[k22fan]

Hello all. I just joined and this is my first post. I too have been tempted by these guns as I currently have no revolvers. I though would really like to wait for those 66's that are on the way from Australia. So, besides the price, what other reason is there to pick one of these up instead of a .357? I just don't want to regret getting one instead of the 66.

I don't intend to throw a wet blanket over this thread, but I chose a 4" 66 that I believe was traded in by South Australia. It doesn't have the collector's appeal of these 3" 10s, but I'd recommend it over a 3" 10 since your purchase will be your only revolver and you can afford a 66.

 

[M3Stuart]

Hey K22, just curious; where did you locate that model 66?

Thanks!

 

[sheriffoconee]

Google came up with this
Smith&Wesson Model 66 Austrailian Police Trade In

 

[k22fan]

Hey K22, just curious; where did you locate that model 66?

Thanks!

It was in a LGS. Their buyers said they ordered it from Lew Horton who provided no information on where it came from. So far as I know, the only way to learn if it's from Australia is to ask S&W. If I recall correctly, a previous poster to this thread wrote that the Australian trade ins are in plain brown boxes with red cable locks and that matches how my 66-7 was packaged. In earlier threads the forum's Australian members wrote that all their 66 and 10 trade ins were in the USA. They also wrote that their 66s varied in vintage and that the newest ones were never issued. Mine looks unissued and only fired a few shots. The near new condition of my 66-7 along with its lock up and timing is what tempted me into buying it. Technically it's too new to be in this 1961-1980 forum, but you asked.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

Yes all the South Australian revolvers have now bee returned to the US (that are all M66s) I believe the Victorian transition is still ongoing so not all of the M10s may have left yet.

I would speculate that the "VPA" on the matrix stickers you are seeing on some of your revolvers *could* stand for "Victoria Police Armoury". The Armoury is the central location for the state that issues and maintains firearms and other implements of restraint. They also store spare/excess weapons. Those Martix stickers allow the item to be scanned and where is it being sent to be updated electronically for the service's records. This process would not be maintained at station level, that is a Sgt's role to undertake inspection of appointments on issue to a member.

Andy

 

[peabody]

wow !!! i missed out !!!

dang it !!

somebody pm me if buds gets any more 3 inch !!!

i'll sure buy one !!!

peabody

 

[peabody]

If the guns arrive in a brown cardboard box with a red lock they are direct re imports from Australia. Local dealer just had the S&W rep in the store and he said many more are coming.

i sure hope so !!! i want a 3'' bad !!

lol

peabody