opinions about the s&w classic model 10

mg357 · May 3, 2011

Dear Smith and Wesson Forum, Im thinking about purchasing one of the classic s&w model 10 revolvers in the near future. an would like to hear some opinions about that particular revolver sincerely and respectfuly mg357 a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum.

Broadside · May 3, 2011

mg357,

I know that you are in Illinois so this may not be applicable to you. However, I think that for the same price of buying a new Model 10 classic, you could probably find a used one, without the internal lock, in close to new condition.

If the internal lock does not concern you, then I think you would have many years of enjoyment from your Model 10 classic.

senecaap · May 3, 2011

I think if you want a Model 10 you can save yourself (@S&W's msrp of $719) about $300+ if you just look around for an older one without lock and ,in my opinion, a better smoother action.
HOWEVER, if what you want is a new Smith will all the new gun luster, box, papers and you have your heart set on the classic, get it because no amount of money saved will make you satisfied.

billdeserthills · May 3, 2011

I have a like-new model 10 I have had for sale in my store for years now. I think at $400 the price is plenty right, the problem I see is the gun is fitted with a heavy barrel but a non-adjustable rear site. What a combination for a gun with a 4" heavy barrel. Wish I could be half as stupid as a certain manufacturer & still come out on top.

stantheman86 · May 3, 2011

I have one and I love it to death

I added only drop in parts......Wilson Combat mainspring and 14# rebound, C&S extended firing pin, Target hammer and trigger, and it outshoots my Dan Wessons. It is my slickest Smith. It may not be "vintage" but it is a shooter, and it does perform. Fixed sights are just fine, by the groups on the paper you would think I was shooting a Model 14.....which I also have, and this gun will also outshoot it. The best part of the new MIM S&W's is all the parts drop together like Lego's, no fitting or stoning, etc. No file ever touched this hammer and trigger set, I just installed them and they work perfectly.

Note the gaping hole where the IL used to be. I have a "plug" for it but have not yet installed it, it's a range gun and so I don't think it's a priority.

To those who will poo-poo my opnion on the MIM S&W's, yes, I also own and shoot dozens of others as old as the 1900's. A good gun is a good gun, that's all that matters to me.

I plan to order another 10-14 and keep it bone stock, with a set of the new Altamont magnas.

RussellD · May 3, 2011

I would frequently check with either J&G sales or Summit Gunbroker and buy two older model 10's instead of one new one with the lock...

That's just my preference and money saving suggestion...

roaddog28 · May 3, 2011

I have a model 10-14 4 inch too and its one of my most accurate revolvers. Yes it has Mim parts and yes it has the dreaded internal lock on the side of the revolver. But the revolver shoots as good as my M&P pre 10 4 inch. While I think $700 is high for a model 10 if a person looks they can be bought for around $350.
My model 10-14 4 inch I paid $340 out the door. I bought it on gunbroker. Its was a close out on a surplus store going out of the gun business. So there is no reason not to get a model 10. They are the classic 38 special revolver. In my opinion not even the Colt Police Positive was as fine a revolver as the model 10.
Good luck,
Howard

stantheman86 · May 3, 2011

No way should anyone pay MSRP on a 10-14, I got mine lightly used for $350 plus costs, I dropped about $150 in parts and I was still in under what a NIB one would cost and this gun is one of my favorites now, it's tuned jut the way I like it, it sets off CCI primers. I just need a better set of grips, and to finally put the Plug in and it will be perfect. I can't stand rubber grips on any of my 10's.

Sure you can get a used, holster buffed older one for $3-400,and it will probably last you forever, but it's not a brand new 10-14. Since there isn't as much demand for the IL guns, you can probably get a used 10-14 for about the same as a nicer 10-6, 10-8 o 10-10 will run you. There's something special about buying one NIB, and being the first one to put rounds through it outside the factory.

My dealer quoted me at $540 or so for a 10-14, I forget the exact amount, this was this past winter. I'm looking for another one to keep stock, to keep it "original" for my M&P/Model 10 collection. He can get me a 64-8 for $560. I also look for 64's but I like the 10's better.

luis · May 3, 2011

You should check gun shows in Peoria, Lincoln, Decatur and Springfield. I do not remember the name of the dealer, but I will try to find out. This guy has been selling like new in box pre lock model 10s in 90% plus condition for around $350 - $400.

I purchased 2 NIB from him in Nov. He got them from Securitats as part of a trade for Berettas for a new government contract.

ladder13 · May 3, 2011

I had a perfect 10-6 with not even a turn line, listed in the classifieds a few months ago for $325 shipped. Stayed there for 2 weeks

I guess people prefer new.

stantheman86 · May 3, 2011

I would definitely have gone $325 for a like new 10-6 but I can only buy S&W's in person at gun shows or shops, or with my C&R now......I don't have a reliable dealer anymore for 01 transfers, since my only full time local dealer charges $75 a gun and basically discourages transfers, and my usual part-time dealer has gone "part part time", i.e. never open.

97thSignalman · May 3, 2011

I have a newer Model 10 4-inch like roaddogs. It is one of my most accurate S&W's and points more naturally than any handgun that I have ever had. Its also has the lock and the MIM parts but it's plenty smooth. I got it new just a few years ago before someone designated these as classics and jacked the price. I saw a NIB one like mine in a local shop recently. It was priced at $549.

ContinentalOp · May 3, 2011

I'd rather get an older Model 10 than one of the new ones.

Engine49guy · May 3, 2011

I cannot bash the new version as I have not owned or fired it,
I can say that the fit and finish on the old ones are awesome and that there are low round clean used Model 10's and pre 10's for the same price or much less.

The older guns are different beasts, its really fun to have one from each generation as they are all a bit different.

My personal favorites are the late pre war and early post war versions.

Class III · May 3, 2011

Save yourself about $400 off the MSRP and buy a USED M10, Pre 10 or M & P. If you really feel the need to spend $700 + by TWO used M10's. The last few M10's I have bought were a -7 with a 6" tapered bbl. I payed $300 for it. I got it from a fellow forum member at a local gun show (Thank you Danny). After that I bought a -6 in 357. I paid $350.00 for it and sold it the same day within two hours for $500.00. Then there was a Pre M10 and an early 1950's M & P. The most I paid for any of the four was $350.00. On the low side was the early 1950's M & P that I traded for. I had about 30 minutes of labor (@$150/Hr and $30 cost in materials) in that M & P for a grand total of around $105.00.

Class III

stantheman86 · May 4, 2011

You don't pay MSRP for a 10-14!

I have seen NIB ones for $400 on GB. Dealers will charge you $550 to order one, but S&W doesn't crank them out anymore. They make "runs" of them.

If you just want a Model 10, the older ones are available, S&W made plenty of them. I have quite a few older ones, after a little tweaking my 10-14 outshoots all of them.

Collect the old ones, shoot the heck out of the new ones, that's my take.

My 10-14 and a 64-7 from about the same year. The 64-7 is bone stock. Haven't decided on grips for the 10-14 so I threw on some beaters I had laying around.

My 10-8 and the 10-14. Honestly I paid more for the 10-8 at $400, but I don't see RB HB 4" 10's from the year I was born every day.

I popped off the sideplate and finally put in my "Plug" tonight, took all of 5 minutes and I used the fork and spring to hold it in. A touch of cold blue tomorrow and problem solved! Thanks Bullseye Smith!

blujax01 · May 4, 2011

I think some people want Smith and Wesson to manufacture new-old-stock guns from sixty years ago at giveaway prices.

I think some people are destined to be perpetually disappointed.

ldp4570 · May 4, 2011

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Mark Kitterman(Summitgunbroker) had several hundred Model 10-8's an 10-10's up for sale. My two just got shipped yeasterday. I've known an bought from Mark for several years now. Cost with shipping for two Model 10's 493.00. He has some 14-3's available right now. If your interested I'd give it a look see.
Firearms, Guns, Rifles. Grain Valley, Missouri. 295.00 a piece!!

baxtersmith · May 4, 2011

I had a 10-14 and loved it, but I was never satisfied until I got a 10-5 with tapered barrel and square butt...from the collector's standpoint it is the most typical Model 10. If you're patient, you'll eventually find one NIB or close to it (I did).

ladder13 · May 4, 2011

The frame area right around the hammer is anything but "classic", and I'm not talking about the look of the lock. The fine lines of the revolver have, imo, been ruined by the reshaping of it to fit the lock inside the frame.

opinions about the s&w classic model 10

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