3" Model 10 HAPPINESS! (formerly frustration and sadness)

[.455_Hunter]

Like many of you, a 3" Model 10 round-butt is on my want list. Over the past year or so, a local firearms purveyor has seemed to have a bottomless source of confiscated police firearms mostly from the 50's to early 00's. They might have .38 M&P right next to a .40 USP compact. There general condition indicates storage in a humid climate (maybe Puerto Rico?) and many are electropenciled with case numbers. The other evening, I saw a 80's 3" 10-8 round-butt hanging out on the shelf- finish was dull, a few scratches, grips kinda beat-up, marked with case number, but you could tell the round count was very low. The $379 price peaked my interest- maybe I could get the perfect Model 10 carry gun with no worry about the wear and tear of daily use. The bore looked like it had some dried grease in it so I came back the next day with a cleaning kit and solvents. With the clerk watching, I applied some solvent then hit it with a brush and a bore snake. The bore was pristine except for one groove- rusty 2/3 the length of the barrel.

Really?!?!?!

My acquisition was so close, yet so far away.

Should I go back again with a stainless brush and see what happens?

Your thoughts?

Am I being dumb (one way or the other)?

 

[raljr1]

Your thoughts?

Am I being dumb (one way or the other)?

At that price, I would find a way to clean it up, especially since you want a carry/shooter.

 

[cmj8591]

"It's got a rusty bore. I'll take it off your hands for $325." That should be the start of the conversation. The bore can be scrubbed and the gun will still shoot well even if it's a little pitted so ling as the crown is good and there's no bulges.

 

[swagmeister]

You certainly are not being dumb. You have a valid question. I wouldn't use a stainless brush-heard too many horror stories of it damaging the bore. I would put a lot of Hoppe's solvent in the bore and then let it sit for awhile. Then with new brass brushes (might have to use 3 or 4), I would literally scrub the heck out of it and maybe most of the rust will be gone. I had a Browning High Power a few years back that had the same problem with rust in the bore. I couldn't get it completely clean but it was a lot better after letting it sit soak in the solvent and using several brass brushes. Good luck.

 

[jculloden]

BUY IT !!!

 

[max503]

For $379 I too would be sorely tempted, especially because of the round butt. I would still try to talk them down. "Would you take less?"

 

[Old_Cop]

Buy it, clean with a bore brush and Kroil. Could also use JB Bore Paste.

 

[RCL-09]

How serious was the rust?

Deep pitting? Surface?

 

[Borderboss]

You're overthinking it. Buy it as a shooter. It's not like 4" Model 10 round butts grow on trees.

After you get it home, run a Lewis lead remover through it after letting solvent work on it for a while. I'll bet a lot of that comes out.

 

[ladder13]

Will this 10-8 help?

 

[stansdds]

Rust in the bore and a $379 price tag... I'd point out the rust and give them a low ball of $300 cash and see what happens next.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

Rusty or pitted bore doesn't necessarily mean it won't shoot well. I've had a 30-06 rifle and still have two handguns that have pitted bores and they shoot fine.

 

[Greyman50]

Stuff a Kroil soaked rag in bore, let it sit a few days, keeping it fresh with Kroil, the rust will be gone after brushing.

 

[SS336]

Will this 10-8 help?

That was mean.
I agree with everyone, at that price, from the description, I would be a buyer. You will never see a S&W around here for that price. Would show him the rust and get some money off.
The Lewis lead remover mentioned by Borderboss will clean it up real well. Go for it, you might be sorry if you don't.

 

[majick47]

Time will be on your side, buy and clean, as a shooter for that price it's a win.

 

[Tom_R]

Just spray a lot of Ballistol in the bore, let it sit for an hour or so and then use some brass brushes and some elbow grease.

It will shoot great.

 

[RGNewell]

Soak it in simple green.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Thanks guys!

Back to the store again for more analysis and assessment!

 

[serger]

If I still lived in Brighton I'd have to find where you're hanging out.

 

[sigp220.45]

Tell me which Sportsman's Warehouse its at and you won't have to decide.