Fitzed up Custom model 10 Snubby

T

TheShootist1894

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
457
Reaction score
459
Location
NW Ohio
I have one customer that likes some off the wall stuff, but thats fine by me as he often comes up with some cool projects. This Model 10 started as a very well rode 4" duty weapon. I found a 2" barrel and did the barrel swap, Fitzed the triggerguard, smoothed the trigger face, bobbed the hammer, hand checkered front and back, reduced the factory magna's (still not done finishing them, just had to share), and bobbed the nose of the underlug some. Polished and reblued, the sideplate looks off in that one pic but its just a reflection and my poor cell phone pics. Enjoy!


2ntjqm9.jpg


1z6bm1u.jpg


t5sz2r.jpg


egvh9h.jpg


2ujqkd2.jpg


1skrci.jpg


6nulqf.jpg


28bcmj9.jpg


2uihp52.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
You just built my "bucket list" gun! Others may fault it-I can only wish I had that 2inch barrel to have one built! Thank you for sharing! It's over the top.
 
TheShootist1894 said:
I have one customer that likes some off the wall stuff, but thats fine by me as he often comes up with some cool projects. This Model 10 started as a very well rode 4" duty weapon. I found a 2" barrel and did the barrel swap, Fitzed the triggerguard, smoothed the trigger face, bobbed the hammer, hand checkered front and back, reduced the factory magna's (still not done finishing them, just had to share), and bobbed the nose of the underlug some. Polished and reblued, the sideplate looks off in that one pic but its just a reflection and my poor cell phone pics. Enjoy!


2ntjqm9.jpg
Click to expand...

Sorry, no can do. Everything looks great except the trigger guard, which puts it in the "ruined" category for me. That might've been acceptable in the days of Fitzgerald in the interests of experimentation, but today I just consider it butchery.
 
Tom K said:
Sorry, no can do. Everything looks great except the trigger guard, which puts it in the "ruined" category for me. That might've been acceptable in the days of Fitzgerald in the interests of experimentation, but today I just consider it butchery.
Click to expand...



Luckily no body expects you to pay for it LOL, he loves it and that's all that matters to me
 
Nicely done. I have always been intriqued by the Fitz guns. Regardless of what opinions may abound about the trigger guard. I always appreciate fine craftsmanship, attention to detail and primo metal working. Your finished product is a example of all of those, well done indeed.
 
Last edited:
That's pretty cool. I gave my last sort of junky M10 to my grandson last year; but, if I can find another one, that would be a neat project to take on.
 
Forget about the ruined value - that is in the eye of the beholder! I am more concerned about the exposed trigger. NOT cool IMHO! Nothing against your work - it looks great; I would be nervous about putting a revolver like that in the hands of someone these days. Hopefully it will be a Safe Queen and not a EDC gun.
 
I greatly admire folks that know how to work with their hands and do work like that to a revolver. Wish I had 10% of that skill.

I would use it to put the trigger guard back on.
 
The cut away trigger guard is the only thing about the Fitz specials I could never see a reason for. I can see trying to re -holster and shoving the trigger onto the edge of the holster and shooting myself.
I do remember reading about a modification that thinned the guard on the trigger finger side but left the basic guard intact.
Anybody know if the cutaway guard is any help....I've never owned one so really can't say.
But the work done is very nice, Fitz would probably approve !
Gary
 
Last edited:
I knew there'd be nay-sayers, alas . . . this is what my customer wanted and paid for, he knows what he's getting into, likely will never see a holster ever, and will spend its days getting ogled by his buddies at the range and when he has them over to show off his collection. Shorty 45, PM me I'd gladly do another ;-)
 
I have discussed the trigger guard modification with a world class fast draw expert and he stated it most certainly is faster, for me not so much. I understand that some people like it and some don't, but I see no reason to attack somebody's choice on what is basically a collector's forum. I also have both period modified revolvers in my collection as well as have had a couple modified to the style to experience a heavier calibers. While I suppose I could carry one ,I will not for fear of damaging or losing it . I very much like and appreciate the fine craftsmanship exhibited by the S&W Model 10 modified by TheShootist1894 and would have him do one for me in a heartbeat. Thanks for sharing. All my very best, Joe Kent. {Now I think I will go look at my copy of a Hyman Liebman modified Winchester 1907 351 as used by John Dillenger }
 
Nice work. I was wondering what was that horizontal groove on the front of the grip frame. Then, I realized it was the slot of the strain screw.
 
TheShootist1894 said:
I knew there'd be nay-sayers, alas . . . this is what my customer wanted and paid for, he knows what he's getting into, likely will never see a holster ever, and will spend its days getting ogled by his buddies at the range and when he has them over to show off his collection. Shorty 45, PM me I'd gladly do another ;-)
Click to expand...

Well, I understand wanting something just because you want it. I've just always thought the cutaway trigger guard was a poor concept, although as I said in my post it might've been acceptable back in Fitz's day. To me it's like a tattoo on a pretty girl - regardless of how well executed it might be done, it just detracts because I think that tattoos are inherently ugly. There are some who will disagree and say, "Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." That's true, it is my opinion. And my opinion is correct. :p

That said, your work looks impeccable. The smoothing of the underside of the frame where the trigger guard was removed is seamless. The checkering on the front and backstrap is great and as was pointed out above, love the "invisible" strain screw. I think a lot of people would overlook that because it's so well done. The matte finish on the back of the hammer is a nice touch - did you leave the single action sear and checker the top of the hammer, as Fitz would generally do? (I guess I enjoyed your original post more than I thought.... :o )

Please post more threads showing off your revolver work. If that includes Fitzs so be it, I'll keep my trap shut since I've had my say here. ;)
 
The SA is still useable, but I do not have a file that would cut the top of the Hammer to serrate, or checker it, and to anneal it and re-harden when the customer wanted DAO would not have been profitable, although I kind of wish I could have done the top of the hammer and the trigger face with some cross hatch checking like he would have done back in the day.. . . I was already beyond the work order on some things that i felt the gun needed, the grip fitting/reshaping mainly :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Custom Pinto. (Model 64 parts on a 10-10 frame)
Replies
2
Views
708
KyleeMarks
K
Casual Smith Nut
The ideal M&P/model 10/64, UPDATE filled the gap
Replies
15
Views
1K
Casual Smith Nut
Casual Smith Nut
PatriotX
Spring swap tutorial - rated: Easy !
Replies
1
Views
360
jmiles1960
J
JHW
  • Locked
Sold/Withdrawn **SOLD LOCALLY** REDUCED 1973 Smith Wesson Model 43 No Dash Boxed .22LR Airweight C&R Okay
Replies
3
Views
3K
JHW
JHW
Born2saw
S&W .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1905, 2nd change
Replies
15
Views
1K
Muley Gil
M

Latest posts

Back
Top