Model 10 vs. Official Police, a battle from my time period!

In the first part of the 70's, a six-gun debate/battle, had been fought and decided. The Model 10 had won out and by 1970 the Colt I-Frame Official Police was no longer manufactured. A, cheaper-to-make version of the Official Police, the Mark 3 Model, was offered by Colt. A sturdy reliable revolver, but lacking the craftsmanship & refinements of the previous Official Police. The Model 10 keep winning one PD contract after another during the 50's and 60's because of quality, combined with cost-saving, for the customer. The Model 10-5, that my PD issued in 1971, was the blue steel, 4" tapered barrel model. I also had a postwar Official Police that I owned and alternated with my Department-issued Model 10-5. The aftermath of the great battle was still fresh with a lot of the older veteran officers and sometimes hostilities would break out again over 'which' was the best; Colt or Smith! For myself, I had both and stayed out of battle with the older smarter veteran officers, still battling over the 'best' cop .38! That was just yesterday, and all those vets are retired or deceased. It was all in good fun and the market was the deciding factor in the battle. The pre-war OP had been the champ in the pre-war years and the post war Model 10 took the honors after the war.

As a very young copper in 1971, I considered both quality and great service revolvers. I like the sleekness of the Model 10-5, as well as the great trigger-action. But I was a Colt cop, partly through my OP being given to me as a Christmas present from my 'beloved' parents and the other being the smooth trigger and craftsmanship that belonged to the OP. But that being said, I have kept a Model 10-5 with me as long as I have my Colt and the battle still arises within myself as to 'which' one gets the nod to be put into my duty holster and report to work with me. I ain't no young cop no more! Now, I'm a very senior cop, "still" packing a .38 Service Revolver to my job at Fort Apache. I never ever gave any thought to changing horses in 1992 when all of the agencies here in Columbus went to the semi-auto. Now its polymer Glock world in cop world here, minus one old fella who can't decide when to retire. I don't mind the 'jabs' from younger guys who NEVER shot a solid steel six-gun. Yes, the debate rages, but on a smaller scale. I prefer the Model 10-5 any day any time over 'whats' issued today! That goes twice for my old Colt and my .38/44 Heavy Duty, I love! Thank you my friends and sorry for the length of this post. Thanks for allowing me to be here!
David

How you doin', pal? About 2 years ago, I picked up a pair of late ('68) lightly used OPs. Of course, one was out of time and needed smithing. On DA, the firing pin was striking off-center and the primer would not ignite. This has always been my prejudice against this fine gun, and other Colts.

This, perhaps, was not so apparent, when officers in many jurisdictions would qualify once yearly, firing perhaps 50 rounds. When we began to fire revolvers more extensively, I believe we became aware of problems such as with my above OP. Sad to say, when I handle an older model Colt, unless it is a NIB or LNIB, I expect it to be out of time.

Stay safe, partner.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Memories - my intro to the revolver was in 1973, the predominant choice was the model 10, about 5% of my class of 200 used Colt, some MkIIIs, one or two Police Positives and one guy w/ Diamondback.

Among the S&W guys, the argument was whether to get the bull barrel or not.

Obviously we were restricted to .38 Spc, blued.

Mod 10 . Still going strong

My Mod 10 is a tack driver with 146 g wadcutters i cast. One of my best Smiths

I started in 1973 and my department was almost entirely smith & wesson country out of 800 + deputies I only saw Colts in a few holsters.


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Colt verus Smith and Wesson:
In my "Youth" this was decided by price. Colts sold for a few more dollars than Smith and Wesson.
I remember in my hometown in 1958 a new Police Chief (former FBI) convinced the City that uniforms, equipment should be furnish by the City. The uniforms and equipment bid was won by "Martin Uniform Company". The service revolver bid was won by Colt due to Smith and Wesson adding Federal Excise tax which was not necessary for the Cities. The Colts were Official Police .38spl Models, 4" barrel, and nickel finish. Colt must have rushed the order though the factory as these Colts had many, many action issues. The City sold these revolvers off and purchased Smith and Wesson Model 10s. Never again was Colt ask to submit bids.

jimmyj said:

Colt verus Smith and Wesson:
In my "Youth" this was decided by price. Colts sold for a few more dollars than Smith and Wesson.
I remember in my hometown in 1958 a new Police Chief (former FBI) convinced the City that uniforms, equipment should be furnish by the City. The uniforms and equipment bid was won by "Martin Uniform Company". The service revolver bid was won by Colt due to Smith and Wesson adding Federal Excise tax which was not necessary for the Cities. The Colts were Official Police .38spl Models, 4" barrel, and nickel finish. Colt must have rushed the order though the factory as these Colts had many, many action issues. The City sold these revolvers off and purchased Smith and Wesson Model 10s. Never again was Colt ask to submit bids.

Click to expand...

Holy Moley, what a great memory you have! I can't remember what day it is. Do you remember what kind of gun Wyatt Earp used at the OK corral?

attn Mr Pokeyman

Heard tell it was a S&W.

My department didn't issue guns until the mid 90's. we had (HAD) a very liberal carry policy. The old guys still carried revolvers, the young hip high speed low drag IPSC guys (me) carried Colt Govt models with a few Gold Cups thrown in. The narcs carried High Powers.

There was quite a mix of revolvers. 19, 66. 586-686. A few model 10's and 64's. and, quite a few big bores. .41, 44 and .45 LC.

There may have been a Python and a .38 Diamondback, But, as I recall, Smith was by far the revolver choice.

The last personally owned pistol I carried was a Wilson Master Grade series 70 Colt.

Now, we all carry Glock 22's.

As a young man, I learned to shoot on S&W revolvers and Colt 1911s. So, in my little part of the world, if it had a cylinder, it was made in Springfield. The 10 with tapered barrel is still probably one of my favorite revolvers, and I still think the best combination of features is the 4 inch tapered barrel 10 with round butt, at least for the CCW market today. Obviously, the round butt was not a big deal for uniform wear, but I think it helps for concealed carry.

I have several md 10s and pre 10s and one Colt OP. It was made in
the early 50s and has a mix of some original blue, some cold blue
and a little patina. The grips are shrunken "Colt wood" plastic that are
undersize and loose. I bought it at a gun show because it was cheap
due to it's appearance but is as tight as a new gun and timing is
perfect. It must have been fired very little. I have picked up many
older Colts at gun shows and nearly 100% of them have had timing
issues so I just put them right back down. I shoot it sparingly with
plinking loads and single action only. You would think that with the
long history of rapid wear problems that Colt would have done
something to address this problem if they expected to sell DA
revolvers to the military and police departments.

Mr Pokeyman said:

Holy Moley, what a great memory you have! I can't remember what day it is. Do you remember what kind of gun Wyatt Earp used at the OK corral?

Click to expand...

Hi:
Depending on what source a Smith and Wesson .44, or a Colt SAA.45 both with long barrels. I was the Earp's and Doc Holliday's backup and used a Winchester Model 1873 .44/40 Rifle from the roof across the street.

alwslate said:

I have several md 10s and pre 10s and one Colt OP. It was made in
the early 50s and has a mix of some original blue, some cold blue
and a little patina. The grips are shrunken "Colt wood" plastic that are
undersize and loose. I bought it at a gun show because it was cheap
due to it's appearance but is as tight as a new gun and timing is
perfect. It must have been fired very little. I have picked up many
older Colts at gun shows and nearly 100% of them have had timing
issues so I just put them right back down. I shoot it sparingly with
plinking loads and single action only. You would think that with the
long history of rapid wear problems that Colt would have done
something to address this problem if they expected to sell DA
revolvers to the military and police departments.

Click to expand...

My first service revolver (1962) was a personal purchased (traded for) used Colt Trooper .38spl (blued) 4". It had cylinder out of time also.But myself and everyone else though this was normal as the cylinder went into battery at the moment the hammer dropped.In 1963 I was sent to a FBI Training Class where I discovered that the Colt timing issue was not normal and the FBI preferred Smith and Wesson.

I enjoyed reading the original post. Reminded me that I have the two revolvers, both former LEO guns, in my safe. Didn't want to hijack this thread so I posted in the lounge:http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/357318-1954-cop-revolvers-s-w-colt.html
Check out the photos.

attn alwslate

alwslate said:

I have several md 10s and pre 10s and one Colt OP. It was made in
the early 50s and has a mix of some original blue, some cold blue
and a little patina. The grips are shrunken "Colt wood" plastic that are
undersize and loose. I bought it at a gun show because it was cheap
due to it's appearance but is as tight as a new gun and timing is
perfect. It must have been fired very little. I have picked up many
older Colts at gun shows and nearly 100% of them have had timing
issues so I just put them right back down. I shoot it sparingly with
plinking loads and single action only. You would think that with the
long history of rapid wear problems that Colt would have done
something to address this problem if they expected to sell DA
revolvers to the military and police departments.

Click to expand...

Great post. Appreciate the back. Famous last words: You would think...

Great thread! My original self-purchased LE sidearm was a Model 27, not because I liked S&W over Colt, or the 27 over the 19, but the requirements were a 6 shot revolver chambered in .357 magnum, and that was the one revolver the store owner had at the time! The place was called "Boots and Guns." I think the total cost for all of the leather gear, the Model 27, some practice ammo, gun rug, cleaning supplies, etc. was about $285.00 or so. That sent me down the S&W path.

Disclaimer: I am not a LEO nor do I play one on TV, but have spent a lot of time with LEOs socially and in competition as well as working on their guns @ a small local gun shop. The saying we had at the shop and in competition was, "Smith builds revolvers, Colt builds autos." Words to live by!

Froggie