Need help on model 10/13/15 choice!!! Please help!

[kbm6893]

Condition
Model 10(cop badge unknown) clean Nickle gun, clean og wood grips, barrel has a dark line in one of the barrel grooves. Not sure if that is fine or not. Bull barrel 4 "

Model 13- some holster wear on the barrel, normal cylinder line around the rear of the cylinder, grips in good shape, barrel is clean. 4" bull barrel

Model 15 clean gun besides some wear on the front left of the barrel( almost looks like when you peel a sticker off and the goo is there still, but smooth. I'm guessing that is nickel holster wear. Very clean barrel. 4" standard barrel( not sure if they made any other barrel options in this model)

This gun will be used as a range gun, shooting around 200-500 rounds of 38s a month. Just looking for a gun to have some fun with on the weekend. I would like the option to shoot 357 but is not make or break as long as the gun can shoot hot rounds of 38s. Would be nice to have 357 for home defense, but again not make or break.

Most people who have a .357 load it with .38's for target and home defense. A .357 fired indoors would be vicious with the blast and flash. I fired one outside once and it felt like an icepick in the ear.

$600 will get you a near new Model 10, and not one of the newer ones with the lock and the MIM parts. And while they will shoot +P all day long, I can't imagine why you would shoot +P for range fun. Maybe a cylinder or two of the carry of home defense ammo every now and then is all. Aside from the cost of 200-500 rounds a month of +P (couple hundred bucks of ammo, at least), why do it to punch a hole in paper? I reload my own .38 ammo, and it would cost me almost nothing extra (couple tenths of a grain of powder), I don't load to +P levels. Doesn't seem to be a point to it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

DAO was getting to be fairly common in the 80s before the switch to autos..... IIRC were't all NYC revolvers DOA???????

Is the 13 a 3" or 4" barrel.........

I've had a DOA 3" 65 (stainless 13) since about 1986/7 one of my favorite revolvers.... generally carry it with +P .38s. but switch to .357 if woods bumming with it.......

The 65 was my every day carry for about 4 years..... until I switched to a 3913 (9mm auto).

 

[murphydog]

Of the three you mention and the stated condition, the model 15 is the best value. If there is any chance you will use different ammo velocities and bullet weights you will appreciate the adjustable rear sight, trust me . A steel K frame .38 will handle all the +P your wallet can handle, no concerns at all there.

The model 13 (which you seem to lean toward due to the .357 chambering) may be at a good price if the shop throws in the SA/DA conversion. You will not use it much with full .357 loads.

As stated above, you also have the option of waiting or looking elsewhere. Lots of clear photos, a good description, response to questions and good feedback from online sellers are key should you look there.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[amd6547]

I'm going to vote Model 15. I've had Model 10, Model 19, and 686...yet my Model 15, which started me on the S&W quest, is still my favorite. For range work, you can't beat the 15. I just can't seem to miss with mine.
...And for home defense, I'm comfortable with the Model 15 loaded with good ammo. Mine is loaded with short barrel Gold Dot 135gn right now.

The 13 is an attractive option...I like the 357 a lot. But the 38spl can do just about anything you need it to, from light wadcutters to +P hard cast swc's.

If you are willing to order, Allen's Armory has both 15's and 13's, former correctional guns.

 

[jimmyj]

Model 13 and Model 65:
Everything you need in a revolver and nothing more.
Buy the Model 13

 

[Inusuit]

I have bought several firearms on internet auction sites. Check feedback on the seller and the number of sales. Fuzzy pictures and incomplete descriptions are a red flag. But where I live, good used revolvers of any maker are very scarce, so the internet or the for sale section of this forum are the only options. I think the prices for the 10 and the 13 are on the high end. But that's just me.

I'd probably opt for the 15 for the price and adjustable sights which are just as durable but more versatile than fixed sights. I have a several .357 revolvers, but shoot and carry .38 plus P in them and practice with standard .38 ammo.

 

[Jim Watson]

I want adjustable sights for the proverbial "range gun." Not saying THIS M15 is the gun for you, but I like the type.
In fact, I just got a text from the gunsmith that my M67 was ready with smoothed DA, fibre optic front sight, and Weigand "barn door" rear sight.
I foolishly sold an M15 and an M19 and had another M19 stolen.
I won't part with this one.

I will be "range gunning" to see if I do better at IDPA Rev. with K, L, N, or E/I (Colt). Or if I can tell a difference at all.

 

[crsides]

13 13 13 13 13 13

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM! I too, don't think that there is anything spectacular on the list. Better guns w/ good prices come along. I have bought Smiths as old as the 60's on G.B. and never had any issues. Look at pics, ask seller questions, or even call seller.
I did pick up a 13-2 at Sept. gun show. My 1st 13. Shoots like a dream!
$475 OTD. Wasn't looking for 1, but I bought it! Bob

 

[Road Rat]

I have five Model 10's and I bought them all on-line; mostly from Bud's Gun Shop (he is currently out of police trade-ins). I never paid more than $350 for any of them.

I also have a 19-2 which I paid a bit more for. I bought it at a local gun show.

IF the shop will throw in the return to single-action and maybe eat the sales taxes(?) I would go with the Model 13. I like BLUE revolvers!!

Enjoy the search......it is almost half the fun of the chase!!

 

[shotgun693]

As much as people talk about how the .38 will do everything you need it to, there would not be .357 if that was true. I was in several gunfights at work and I can tell you that the .357 is the gun you want if someone is trying to kill you.

 

[murphydog]

Agree with the extra power of the .357, but I would guess someone who wants to put "200-500 rounds a month" through his new revolver will be using a lot of .38s and few full .357s, unless he reloads.

 

[sandmansans]

Agree with the extra power of the .357, but I would guess someone who wants to put "200-500 rounds a month" through his new revolver will be using a lot of .38s and few full .357s, unless he reloads.

Not necessarily true. One can buy .357 ammo for what .38 special costs at around 30 cents a round. Also, with the 357 if he decides to go with shooting 38 mainly he can do that, where as the 38 he can only shoot 38.

Also regarding the online auction, you can see if the seller is within a reasonable drive. I did this with my 500 magnum. Contacted the seller, went there in person and ended up paying less than what they were listing it for online (they saved seller fee, credit card fee as I paid cash and shipping fee/hassle)

 

[shotgun693]

IF you reload you can load .357 brass as lightly as you can .38 brass. If you shoot much at all you're hurting yourself if you do not reload. I used to shoot about 400 - 450 rounds of .45 Colt a month just in matches, there's no way I could have afforded that buying factory ammo.

 

[kbm6893]

Not necessarily true. One can buy .357 ammo for what .38 special costs at around 30 cents a round. Also, with the 357 if he decides to go with shooting 38 mainly he can do that, where as the 38 he can only shoot 38.

Also regarding the online auction, you can see if the seller is within a reasonable drive. I did this with my 500 magnum. Contacted the seller, went there in person and ended up paying less than what they were listing it for online (they saved seller fee, credit card fee as I paid cash and shipping fee/hassle)

Show me where you can walk into a store and buy .357 for the same price as .38. Walmart has 50 round boxes of 130 grain Winchester white box .38 for like $24 before tax. So we're looking at 50 bucks for a hundred rounds. At 200 rounds of that a month, he's paying 100 bucks. 500 rounds is $250. I never see .357 for .38 price. Matter of fact, the cost of .38 is why I started to reload. 50 cents a round for target .38 is insane. Buying online might be a bit cheaper. I've seen 1000 round cases for 400 bucks. That's .40 a round. But then you have shipping and 1000 rounds ain't light.

Either way, I reload for about 13 cents a round, so even the cheapest store bough ammo is nearly 4 times the price of factory stuff.

 

[sandmansans]

Show me where you can walk into a store and buy .357 for the same price as .38. Walmart has 50 round boxes of 130 grain Winchester white box .38 for like $24 before tax. So we're looking at 50 bucks for a hundred rounds. At 200 rounds of that a month, he's paying 100 bucks. 500 rounds is $250. I never see .357 for .38 price. Matter of fact, the cost of .38 is why I started to reload. 50 cents a round for target .38 is insane. Buying online might be a bit cheaper. I've seen 1000 round cases for 400 bucks. That's .40 a round. But then you have shipping and 1000 rounds ain't light.

Either way, I reload for about 13 cents a round, so even the cheapest store bough ammo is nearly 4 times the price of factory stuff.

Who would or buys from whale mart or any other retail shooting that often? Ok, for the sake of a reply I will entertain your post and tell you where I have (kind of). About 18 months ago I purchased 158 grain monarch that came out to 34 cents a round with everything. This was from academy sports on their website. Granted it wasn't in store, but id imagine that they would honor their online prices in their store. Not to mention shipping was free...

But seriously, who would go to retail stores for that much shooting? A lot cheaper and easier to buy online. The only round that's even worth my time stopping to see if the retailers have in stock, is 22lr. If you can find on sale it's usually much better price than online. While in the stores I usuall look at the prices for the other stuff. I shoot a lot of 9mm as well and the retailers usually have it for 18 bucks for a box of 50. You can easily find it for 10 bucks a box or close to it.

 

[opaul]

The model 13 gets my vote especially since the LGS said they would install the correct SA/DA components.
Nice 13's don't show up as much as the others mentioned.

 

[kbm6893]

Who would or buys from whale mart or any other retail shooting that often? Ok, for the sake of a reply I will entertain your post and tell you where I have (kind of). About 18 months ago I purchased 158 grain monarch that came out to 34 cents a round with everything. This was from academy sports on their website. Granted it wasn't in store, but id imagine that they would honor their online prices in their store. Not to mention shipping was free...

But seriously, who would go to retail stores for that much shooting? A lot cheaper and easier to buy online. The only round that's even worth my time stopping to see if the retailers have in stock, is 22lr. If you can find on sale it's usually much better price than online. While in the stores I usuall look at the prices for the other stuff. I shoot a lot of 9mm as well and the retailers usually have it for 18 bucks for a box of 50. You can easily find it for 10 bucks a box or close to it.

Lots of shooters buy ammo at Walmart. They're way cheaper then regular gun shops. Yeah, some deals can be found online, but even at .34 a round, he's looking at 170 bucks a month for the 500 rounds he wants to shoot.

However somebody wants to spend their money is their business, but shooting exclusively +P ammo or .357 is gonna be more than .34 a round, and I just don't see the point when you're punching holes in paper.

And even if you could, why shoot between 2400 and 6000 rounds a year of +P or .357 ammo? Just cause the gun can handle it, doesn't mean it's making more wear and tear than is necessary.

 

[sandmansans]

Lots of shooters buy ammo at Walmart. They're way cheaper then regular gun shops. Yeah, some deals can be found online, but even at .34 a round, he's looking at 170 bucks a month for the 500 rounds he wants to shoot.

However somebody wants to spend their money is their business, but shooting exclusively +P ammo or .357 is gonna be more than .34 a round, and I just don't see the point when you're punching holes in paper.

Yea that's still cheaper than going the .38 route at Wal-Mart. If a box of 50 goes for 24 bucks for 38, than for 500 rounds that comes out to 240 v.s. 170 for online sources .357

Also, I disagree about whale mart being the cheapest retailer. Dicks almost always had better prices, at least for the ammo I seek. Also Dicks does sales whereas Wal-Mart doesn't...I.e. Their policy EDLP ( every day low prices)

 

[kbm6893]

Yea that's still cheaper than going the .38 route at Wal-Mart. If a box of 50 goes for 24 bucks for 38, than for 500 rounds that comes out to 240 v.s. 170 for online sources .357

Also, I disagree about whale mart being the cheapest retailer. Dicks almost always had better prices, at least for the ammo I seek. Also Dicks does sales whereas Wal-Mart doesn't...I.e. Their policy EDLP ( every day low prices)

Dicks near me is crazy overpriced, and I never see .38 ammo there. I do look just to see what they want for it. For ammo, including .22, Walmart is the cheapest retailer around me. But I haven't bought a box of centerfire ammo in 2 years. But I do look.

And during the last panic, 9MM ammo, which is now about 14 bucks a box of 50, was over 20, and that was even if you could find it. Not willing to be the victim of the next panic. I churn out ammo and dump it into ammo boxes and shoot without worry or guilt.

And this Monarch ammo, was it .38 or .357? Don't believe .357 ammo was .34 shipped.