10-5 opinions? **PICS ADDED**

[Charles]

I stopped in a local pawn shop the other day and they had a round butt tapered 4" 10-5 that was very nearly pristine. Barely a hint of a turn line, and the grips are some of the nicest I've seen, witha a rich dark walnut color. As far as the salesman knew, there are no box or papers. They are asking 600. Seems a little high to me, but I haven't really had my eye on the market lately.

What's the consensus on price?

They apparently just got it in, so the price is pretty solid right now. They may soften up a bit if it sits a while.

I will probably not buy it at 600, or even 500, honestly. I prefer my Smiths already broken in so I don't feel guilty shooting them. I can try to take some pics and find out the date on it before the weekend if anyone else is interested.

[Bosquebass]

Round butt M10-5s aren't rare at all but you don't see that many with a 4" barrel. Most of the round butt guns are 2". I was looking at sold prices on M10s tonight on Gunbroker and a gun like you describe would sell in the $400-$500 range. Less if you get lucky and maybe just a little more with box and papers. FWIW

[rwsmith]

I wouldn't want to overpay, but it sounds like a darn nice gun. I don't have any guilt at all about shooting it.

[FifthWheel]

Maybe high priced but still cheaper than a brand new classic model 10.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by FifthWheel

Maybe high priced but still cheaper than a brand new classic model 10.

That's a very good point.

[Targets Guy]

I paid $450 for this 5" 10-5. I bought it from a forum member in 2017. Very nice revolver.

[Narragansett]

The 2 below are mine. They were bought last summer. I paid for condition, less than 50 rounds through each, both with boxes. 520.00 for 4" 600 for 2", and I would do it again. Both 10-5 and 1968

[coco]

Looks like you were in the right place at the right time.
Thank you for showing those treasures.
Coco

[Muss Muggins]

Around here, $600 is a little high for a 4” 10-5 with a standard barrel, but it’s truly the iconic S&W revolver in my opinion. As such, everybody needs to own one . . .

[JW5400]

Hi Bossquebass, and anyone else who could help. I just read your reply concerning a Mod 10-5. I happen to be looking at one right now that, in one pic, looks really good, also 4" barrel. Nickel plated. Asking mid $500 range. Your thoughts?

[Roller Delayed]

While the OP gun might be worth $600 due to its configuration, is that configuration worth a premium to you? If not, save yourself the money and buy a 10-6 that is just as nice to shoot and own

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by Narragansett

The 2 below are mine. They were bought last summer. I paid for condition, less than 50 rounds through each, both with boxes. 520.00 for 4" 600 for 2", and I would do it again. Both 10-5 and 1968

Those are nice!

[lkabug]

High for my neck of the woods.
But agree with Muss that is the iconic S&W revolver. It has severed America well.
Everyone needs one. But you must decide it's worth to you.
Easy for me to say, I have several.

[ABPOS]

I will say I do not often see 4" round butts. It's a bit high but that is kind of a rare set up. So maybe justified? I think if you think it's a good gun, paying a bit extra might be worth it if you can check it out and make sure the action is good. Because you could pay 150 less for one online and it might be a **** action wise but you'd never know. I guess you typically can send them back at some places, eh? I've never bought a gun online before.

[Charles]

Here are some more pics since I could only add 5 in the OP. SN dates to 1964 or 1965.

Do these grips look original to y'all?

Also, I didn't have my feeler gauges with me, but that gap looks pretty healthy to my eyeball. Square and consistent, but somewhat on the large side.

[alwslate]

The BC gap looks to be on the large side to me also. It could have come
from the factory that way or bubba could have "slicked" the gun up by
filing a bit off of the rear of the barrel. I have seen S&Ws that had been
butchered that way and had a way too large BC gap. The mod 10 is a
basic S&W model and may not receive the care in fitting that a mod 27
or 29 gets. But I like 10s and have a few myself. Frankly every S&W
really should be closely examined by a prospective buyer before purchase
if possible because they do vary. I learned the hard way on a couple
that I had a dealer order for me. I bought a couple of pigs in a poke
that didn't stick around long. It is a nice looking revolver overall though
but at $600 it's just too high by about $150 in my opinion.

[Glashaus]

Originally Posted by Charles

Here are some more pics since I could only add 5 in the OP. SN dates to 1964 or 1965.

Do these grips look original to y'all?

Also, I didn't have my feeler gauges with me, but that gap looks pretty healthy to my eyeball. Square and consistent, but somewhat on the large side.

For that time period the diamond stocks should be correct, the right panel should have a serial number, easy to check and see if original. The BC looks a little larger than with 10-5's that I have from that time period. The finish looks consistent with the two blued M10-5's that I have from that era, although you don't have photos that show the logo so we can see how crisp that or the side plate are . The key thing to remember about this M10-5 is that it is a 4" taper barreled, round butt. These are fairly scarce in M10-5's. I would love to find one. $599 might seem a little pricey now, it won't be a few years from now. If the grips match, I would offer $500 otd, but I would might also just pay the $599 and go down the road and be happy. Non original grips, $450. But that is just me, I tend to buy things that I like and don't get to hung up about $100 either way.

[Narragansett]

The BC gap does look a bit wide, but if the forcing cone was filed, it looks pretty flat and even.

Have you looked inside the cylinder holes and bbl?

Also, what are the half circles on the recoil shield, or is that some optical dillusion?

The grips s/b numbered to the gun, and they are period correct. Also what does the frame look like with the grips off?

the condition looks nice, and assuming there is no corrosion, pitting, or freckles, I could see myself going 500 for it. I doubt the pawn shop gave 200 for it, so at 500, and a quick turnover he is doing fine. Actually they always have a 100 % mark up in it. He is not getting hurt at 500

[S&WsRsweet]

I’m in the too high at 600 group .Its not quite in the colllector grade field as far as condition goes and it’s priced too high for what it is and what it is in my opinion is a very high grade shooter / carry revolver if it checks out mechanically . It is a 450 to 500 dollar gun but remember I am well renowned for paying too much for a gun I like and I particularly like the round butt tapered barel 10s as one in nickel was my only hand gun for years when I was young broke father working as private security on the side .Paid 75 bucks for mine back in the 70s but that was nearly a weeks bring home on my part time security job.

[oysterer]

looks really great but I am on the fence on that one. Never seen a 4'' round butt either and with the BC gap the way it shows, maybe a barrel change which I won't buy. Smith customer service may still be able to tell you what barrel length that shipped with based on serial number.

[EricR]

Originally Posted by S&WsRsweet

I’m in the too high at 600 group .Its not quite in the colllector grade field as far as condition goes and it’s priced too high for what it is and what it is in my opinion is a very high grade shooter / carry revolver if it checks out mechanically . It is a 450 to 500 dollar gun but remember I am well renowned for paying too much for a gun I like and I particularly like the round butt tapered barel 10s as one in nickel was my only hand gun for years when I was young broke father working as private security on the side .Paid 75 bucks for mine back in the 70s but that was nearly a weeks bring home on my part time security job.

Why would you not consider it not quite collector grade? Just curious.

[FifthWheel]

I like it. I would take a feeler gauge next time and make an offer. That could be the light exaggerating the bc gap a bit. Nice gun.

[Art Doc]

My basic advice: You want it? You got the money? Buy it.

Details: I can't even guess on value since I'n never seen a 4" RB 10-5. A regular 'ol SB 10-5 would likely be priced at $500-$600 where I live but I would hate to pay that much. A Round Butt version is uncommon as far as I know and that should add to value. Is the RB feature important to you? If so then buy it. If not then look for a cheaper Square Butt model.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Narragansett

The BC gap does look a bit wide, but if the forcing cone was filed, it looks pretty flat and even.

Have you looked inside the cylinder holes and bbl?

Also, what are the half circles on the recoil shield, or is that some optical dillusion?

The grips s/b numbered to the gun, and they are period correct. Also what does the frame look like with the grips off?

the condition looks nice, and assuming there is no corrosion, pitting, or freckles, I could see myself going 500 for it. I doubt the pawn shop gave 200 for it, so at 500, and a quick turnover he is doing fine. Actually they always have a 100 % mark up in it. He is not getting hurt at 500

I believe the half-circles on the recoil shield may be residue from test firing at the factory. I didn't really notice this at the time, but looking at the pics closely, I'm somewhat inclined to suspect that this may be unfired post-factory. I'll have to have a closer look at the cylinder next time to see if there is evidence of fouling in only 3 of the chambers, and I'll definitely take the gauges. I did check timing and lockup and those are both gtg, even a little too tight on the lockup.

[mbliss57]

10-5 with Diamond Magnas I think is the best model 10 variant ever made.
It has all the good eng changes without the cost cutting measures that would soon come. (Unless you want the long vs short action)
That is My Opinion. RB is unique on a 10-5 4" Condition is very good. $600 is high for any M&P where I live.(except the new Classics) But... Its a nice gun. If it's something you really want then the extra $100 won't last...the prices will be there soon enough. You just bought it a little early. That again is where I am from. It may be priced right for your area.