Model 10-8...police trade in (!!!)

dogngun · #1 07-03-2013, 09:40 PM

Got this one from Buds, picked it up at a local FFL this afternoon. Holster wear to the barrel, trigger guard and butt, and a little rust on the back strap...It was carried, shows a turn line and has what looks like laminate wood grips with the S&W medallions.

Locks up VERY tight, action is very smooth and a fine - typical old Model 10 - trigger. This one was $279, shipped. Came in a nice plastic case.

I can't imagine who was using Model 10's as a service pistol at this late date, but I'm glad they got rid of them. This is a very solid revolver, and not nearly as worn as some police trade 10's I have had in the past...and ALL of them were extremely good shooters.

I love the Model 10's. To me, they were the "gunfighter's gun" of their day, and i really like them with wear from duty carry. I might carry this one from time to time in coat weather, but it will spend much of its time in retirement... I have quite a few other carry guns now...but I'm still very pleased to have this one. Have not seen any for sale locally for a few years.

SN is 5D91357. 4" heavy barrel, pinned, not recessed. 3 screw, S&W logo still on the right side plate.

Nice veteran Model 10.

mark

alwslate · #2 07-04-2013, 03:53 AM

I love the 4" md 10, a near perfect revolver if such a thing exists. I
prefer the tapered barrel but it's really just a matter of personal choice.
The good thing is that there are lots of them out there at very
reasonable prices that most anyone can afford.

CHASLX200 · #3 07-04-2013, 07:15 AM

I have a 10-8 that i bought about 20 years ago. Never fired it much.
Here it is above my 19-2.

JohnK · #4 07-04-2013, 09:47 AM

I don't believe that Model 10's, were ever recessed'

Waywatcher · #5 07-04-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

I don't believe that Model 10's, were ever recessed'

Correct, only magnums were recessed.

Road Rat · #6 07-04-2013, 01:55 PM

Now stop that!

I already have three Model 10 police turn-in's - two 4 inch and one 3 inch - and have been doing just fine convincing myself that I don't need one of the current ones Bud is offering!!

Bud must have received a large shipment as they have had the ad up for over a month for both the RB and SB models. $279 is a good price............depends on what your FFL gets you for!!

dogngun · #7 07-04-2013, 04:44 PM

Kind of hard to tell, but I believe it was $40...the other one charges $50.

Hard to tell because I also bought a 1962 Colt Junior .25 ACP pistol (really and Astra Cub) and a tube of Gunslik, which I had not seen in a decade or so...

mark

shawn mccarver · #8 07-04-2013, 05:03 PM

Did you put on the new laminated service grips (I won't use the term Magna as even though they are factory, they are not Magna in the sense of what most of us mean when we use that term) or did it come that way?

Doug M. · #9 07-04-2013, 06:17 PM

If it has a pinned barrel it can't be all that recent - late 70s?

dogngun · #10 07-05-2013, 06:55 AM

Late '70's...I believe 77 or so...The pic is the gun as I got it, with those laminated grips. I MIGHT have a set of appropriate age grips for it somewhere...I'm not very familiar with Smiths much newer than this one, and had never seen the laminates before...Buds' probably put them on they look way less used than the revolver itself.

Road Rat they are pretty cheap, and there are still some left as of yesterday...and 4 is a much more rounded number than 3...

mark

RichCapeCod · #11 07-05-2013, 05:42 PM

Probably my favorite model handgun. And that heavy barrel makes a pretty fair club! :-)

Rich

Checkpoint Charlie · #12 07-05-2013, 09:52 PM

Picked up a Model 10-8 myself from Bud's in Mid-May. Similar condition; cosmetic wear but mechanically sound. Built around 1981. One is not enough!

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." ---- Wyatt Earp

ChuckD · #13 07-05-2013, 10:51 PM

I got an RB and SB. Comparable to yours but the grips were pretty worn. Both had stickers from Australia I think. Both are tight and very accurate. Hard to go wrong for the price.

spad124 · #14 07-06-2013, 12:41 AM

Just picked mine up from my FFL today. A 10-8 in about the same condition as dogngun's. It has a little endshake, but side to side lockup in tight. A nice shooter companion to my nickel 10-8. I'll see if I can get some pix up in a day or so.

I checked Buds tonight and they now list only the 4" SB. And today you have to be a member of the "Buds Club" to buy- yesterday the 10 SBs were available to anyone. I didn't see a listing for the 10 RBs.

dogngun · #15 07-07-2013, 06:58 AM

Glad I bought it when I did. Have not seen many for sale at all for a few years, and they are great revolvers...and I doubt there will be many more "police trade in" revolvers coming...

mark

Colhogan · #16 07-07-2013, 09:14 PM

Sheez! I remember when the Police-trade-in Model 10's were everywhere.
I seem to recall picking one up in 1992 for around $150.00.
That revolver is still one of my favs'
Seriously, they are hard to beat,and still hold up very well when looking for a self-defense gun. Or something to take to the range.

exdetsgt · #17 07-07-2013, 10:05 PM

As a deputy sheriff in California (definitely "back in the day") I carried a Model 10 with a 6" barrel in a crossdraw holster. It remains, to this day, the most accurate handgun I've ever owned.

kframeman · #18 07-08-2013, 05:03 PM

of all my S&W guns, my m&p's are my favorites.This 10-8 is well worn,but very well loved.

dogngun · #19 07-09-2013, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colhogan

Sheez! I remember when the Police-trade-in Model 10's were everywhere.
I seem to recall picking one up in 1992 for around $150.00.
That revolver is still one of my favs'
Seriously, they are hard to beat,and still hold up very well when looking for a self-defense gun. Or something to take to the range.

So do I. I remember when I had hair, too...

And I know I'll never see that come back...

exdetsgt, I have had some extremely worn Model 10's over the last 40 years, but ALL were very good shooters, no matter what they looked like. I could not pass up the chance to buy one last one.

mark

spad124 · #20 07-09-2013, 08:44 AM

dogngun, good thing you and bought when we did- looks like Buds is out of Model 10s now. Hope the Aussies have a few more to trade in, my 10-8 checked out great. I could use another. . . .

dogngun · #21 07-09-2013, 09:04 AM

Applied a little cold blue and installed a set of Sile magna style grips that I got years ago from Numrich...they were supposed to be issue grips, and came in a wrapper with a US part number on them. They are a little thicker than S&W Magna grips, and to me they are more comfortable. I forgot I had them till a few minutes ago...

I do have a pair of used S&W Magnas on the way, but I might just save them and leave these on...they really feel good to me.

mark

dogngun · #22 07-09-2013, 03:09 PM

spad124, I was just going to check to see if they had any left...but I told myself this is the end of my buying spree.

I said the same thing back in March and in June...

Some people seem to want to wait till some in better condition come along...but there might not
be any more out there.
When you see something like these come along, jump...I think we all did pretty good. I can see these
selling for a hundred or so more next year, if anyone wants to part with one.

mark

spad124 · #23 07-10-2013, 01:28 AM

dogngun, your Model 10 cleaned up well! I need to work on mine this weekend. Even though the Magnas fit me pretty well, I looking around for other grips. Most of my other S&W revolvers are from the late 80s and came with the target stocks.

I thought about buying the M10 from Buds quite a bit before I actually ordered one. But, you're right, with something like these M10s, they don't last long. I'm leary of buying guns online, I like to inspect them before I buy. However, the other forum members all seemed happy with the Buds M10s so I took the chance--and glad I did.

We live in a rural area and I bought the M10 to carry on our property. So, bluing wasn't a big concern, but mechanical condition was. Given what LGSs around me want for Taurus and Rossi, the M10 was a screaming deal.

dogngun · #24 07-10-2013, 05:19 AM

Spad124: I used Birchwood-Casey Paste Blue in the plastic tube. I have been using it for many years...I find that when I follow the directions on the tube, I get good results and when I apply 2 coats, the blue lasts longer and protects better...Of course, it took me several years before I read the directions...
I have since installed an old plastic S&W grip adapter as well...with that combination, I'm very comfortable with the K frames.

mark

Green Frog · #25 07-10-2013, 09:20 AM

For those wondering about the source of these "late" Model 10s in this day of "Wonder-Nines" and "Tupperware Guns," it seems like some of the Corrections Departments are still using them. It seems they were the last holdouts though, so you better not wait too much longer if you are planning on getting any of the once-numerous trade-ins that we greybeards remember so fondly. I can't justify another project gun at this point, but for those of us who used to do PPC as a regular thing, they were the perfect gun to keep on hand to build this specialized kind of gun... they were cheap enough to play with, and if your wild idea didn't work out, well "they were cheap enough to play with."

Froggie

PS The one with a sticker from Australia makes me curious. If it's a re-import, I would expect the metal to be stamped somewhere with the re-importer's ID info.

lagavulin62 · #26 07-10-2013, 09:59 AM

I have always liked the 10-8 with the thick barrel. A few years ago I found one for my then girlfriend, pretty much in perfect condition, shot very well and very tight. We split and like most ditsy women the first thing she does when she has a financial hiccup is sell the gun. Then I see the Bud's deal and of course I really don't have the cash to buy one even at that price. As much as I would like one for the truck I will holdout for that 28-2 that may or never come along. Glad you guys were happy with that lot. It was tempting!

I agree with Shawn and a few others that those new grips need to go. I bet Bud's reasoned slapping them on those 10's was the only way they could depart with them. I can't imagine anyone buying those from S&W website.

Not to change the subject but when did Bud's start that "Bud's Club"? Yesterday I was looking at that Colt 6920(not that I can afford it) and noticed the club for the first time. I don't buy enough from them to make it worth my while. Have any of you joined that?

spad124 · #27 07-10-2013, 02:00 PM

dogngun,
Thanks again Mark. I've used the liquid blue to touch up and to actually blue a 22lr rifle trigger guard and found that 10 or so coats will do a reasonable job. I'll try the paste.

I'm looking for a a set of Bill Davis grips to go on my M10. I have a set on a 686 6" that have been on the gun since about 1990. They just fit me very well and for me are worth while tracking down. A while ago Bill Davis posted he still has some for sale. I'll try to contact him to see if any are left.

Green Frog: From what I understand from another posting of this forum about the Bud's M10s, because the Aussies traded the M10s back to the manufacturer, S&W, for new M&Ps, no import stampings are needed. Could be that the M10s were not considered "sold"?

I've noticed some armored car companies around us still use revolvers. Maybe they'll trade those in soon. . . .

Road Rat · #28 07-10-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lagavulin62

Not to change the subject but when did Bud's start that "Bud's Club"? Yesterday I was looking at that Colt 6920(not that I can afford it) and noticed the club for the first time. I don't buy enough from them to make it worth my while. Have any of you joined that?

I noticed the Bud's Club a couple of days ago. He has had become a member at Bud's for better selection, first choice, etc. I bought a 3" Australian Victoria turn-in and had to become a member to get a chance at one. I believe that was $25 for a year membership.

Bud's Club appears to be similar - but different!

Anyhow I'm glad to see he finally got rid of that last batch of Model 10's. I can turn loose of my wallet now!!!!!!!!!!

Kframerbluvr · #29 07-12-2013, 06:06 AM

Picked up a 4"M10 standard barrel about three weeks ago from a local police supply store for $299. Clerk stated that the Virginia State Police traded several of these in for optics. These had to be training guns from when they operated a police academy long ago that local officers attended. According to my sources, VSP went from 6" Colt OP to Model 64 Smiths in the '70s.
Took it to the range last week and it is great to shoot - much more "soul" than my issued Glock.

palmettosunshine · #30 07-12-2013, 09:43 PM

Glad I grabbed one when I did!

I almost refused it at my FFL because it was binding in single and double action. The old coot at the gunshop ( I mean the vastly experienced gentleman ) didn't understand Bud's policy regarding returns so I went ahead and accepted it knowing his son would make it right if there was a problem. Glad I did. It barely had a turn ring! When I pulled the sideplate I found extreme fouling (probably from the original qualifying) and absolutely NO lubrication. After cleaning and oiling it, it has the smoothest action I've ever experienced. Really wish I'd bought two!

spad124 · #31 07-14-2013, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOONDAWG

It's my understanding that "ALL" of the 3" & 4" M-10's being sold my Buds Gun Shop recently were police trade in's from Australia.

I believe that is correct. Mine has a chip from the Victoria DOC.

Finally got a chance to shoot my M10. The first two cylinders shot 3 inches to the left at 15 yards. However, the POI moved to center at 15 yards by the end of 50 rounds of 158gr Remington RN. That was with the original Magna grips.

ExNYPDSgt · #32 07-14-2013, 02:57 AM

Dogngun, I have a Model 10 I bought at the NYPD Equipment Section back in 1980. Used it for several years as my service pistol until the department switch to semi-autos in the 90's. The reason your grips are in such great shape is because most cops would exchange them with Pachmyr grips which were easier on the hands during the cold winters in New York. These pistols were reliable and easy to maintain and shoot. You have found one of the first pistols I ever owned and still do. It is great for range shooting and yes, even self defense. Enjoy it. If it could talk it probably tell some good stories.

dogngun · #33 07-15-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExNYPDSgt

Dogngun, I have a Model 10 I bought at the NYPD Equipment Section back in 1980. Used it for several years as my service pistol until the department switch to semi-autos in the 90's. The reason your grips are in such great shape is because most cops would exchange them with Pachmyr grips which were easier on the hands during the cold winters in New York. These pistols were reliable and easy to maintain and shoot. You have found one of the first pistols I ever owned and still do. It is great for range shooting and yes, even self defense. Enjoy it. If it could talk it probably tell some good stories.

I have had MANY Model 10's, .38 Hand Ejectors and M&P's over the last 45 years, and I really liked them all, but kept on selling them-they were pretty common and very cheap, especially the old police trade ins...but then they went away. I'm VERY glad I saw these and I feel very lucky to have one. I doubt there will be many more opportunities like this in the future, and I have zero interest in a police trade Glock...

IMO, the Model 10, and 13, along with their stainless equivalents were the last gunfighter's revolvers, and should have a much higher status than they do now.

mark