If you wanted to shoot a lot of 38 specials for practice at the range, would you buy a new S&W Model 10 or shoot an older Model 10-5 that is in almost prefect condition? I understand the warranty would be a good thing, but they have risen in price like all revolvers. I have a hard time justifying a new one, especially since I have seen posts with S&W customer service issues lately. On the other hand, I cant justify shooting hundreds, if not thousands out of a near perfect 10-5? BTW 38 special is one of my favorites, due to bullet casting, and reloading my own. Favorite here is a 148 wad cutter with bullseye. Any help would be appreciated.

Shoot what you have. A 10-5 isn't particularly collectable or unusual.
Look at it this way. Why not shoot it now? One of these days you're going to be on the dirt side of the grass and that 10-5 will go to someone else. What's that other person going to do with your 10-5? He's going to shoot the heck out of it.
Shoot that thing. You aren't going to wear it out.

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183rd FBINA

Shoot the 10-5. Its not a high-end collectable and there are many more out there if you were to wear that one out - which you won't!

Model 10s aren’t rare…they’re one of the finest revolvers ever produced. I’m a Colt guy but I believe the Model 10 heavy barrel is dollar for dollar possibly the best defensive revolver ever made.

I used to own a police trade-in Model 10HB…one of the best revolvers I ever owned. I sold it during a time of near poverty…looking back I shoulda kept the revolver and found a different way to pay the bills. Woulda…coulda…shoulda. Looking back is a bad habit…gotta look forward.

Shoot it. What else is it good for?

I bought an unfired in box 10-5 2” few years back. Had been sitting on the top shelf in a closet wrapped in a handkerchief with 6 rounds next to it in the box since the owner bought it. He never shot it. He died. His son sold it to me for much cheaper than he should have.

It is one of my favorite shooters. If I don’t shoot it, I’ll either sell it later in life without appreciating it, or my daughter will take it and either shoot it or sell it for less than it’s worth to someone else.

I'd like to think I "rescued" this one, just a couple weeks ago at a local show, but we'll see. It's a 4-screw, and most likely was a trade-in. Came with significant finish wear, and a set of moderately used combat grips and non matching PC Magnas as an extra. Have not had a chance to shoot it yet!

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Thanks for the replies, and I agree that I should shoot it. I sold my S&W revolvers 30+ years ago, and the 10-5 was the first one back in the safe. I could see myself only buying Model 10's and just collect them as a side hobby. Just cannot find many local due to my day job. I would jump on a police trade in as a project gun/rescue project.

November 1973 assigned a well used model 10. It shot perfect, center mass fifty yards. Very smooth action. Two months later all new model 10's issued. I couldn't keep the one I had and not allowed to buy it. The new one grouped 4" right at 50 yds. I adjusted to it.

1987 had to turn in my #10, going to Sigs. Tried to buy the 10, nope.

Now looking for a 10-6. Yeah, best damn .38 ever made. 4" please.

I doubt you can wear out a model 10 with wadcutter loads. I have had a number of well worn ( finish wise, but mechanically solid) old cop guns over the years, and never had an issue with any of them. Looking to pick up another soon hopefully.
My current primary revolver is a mid 50’s combat masterpiece smooth as silk, and has seen tens of thousands of lead round nose and wadcutters, mostly hand loads. They will with minimal care last forever

My favorite shooter is a 1981 Model 10-8. Smooth as butter and holds the POA really well.






Fire away!

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Model 10 heavy barrel?

Model 10 .357 Magnum - only gun I ever scored 250 out of 250 with on the Texas concealed handgun test. 246 and 248 were typical, otherwise, pistols and revolvers.

Oh, I always shoot .38 Specials in it. I have L frames for hot stuff.



Model 10-7, cylinder locks up like a bank vault - of course it's been shot.




Your 10-5 was built to be shot!

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Come and take it!!

Back in the day of police carrying revolvers the Model 10 was the standard in the industry especially in municipal / urban settings where 357's were too much overtaking sales of Colt Official Police model in the 1960's. Colt stopped making the Official Police in 1969. I consider the Model 10 the "Glock" of it's time. Reliable and tough. Would take an older model over a new revolver any day.

Two of the most carried 38 special revolvers by police departments back in the day. My 1977 Nickel Model 10 and 1956 Colt Official Police.

Enjoy your shooting!

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“What? Me worry” Alfred E. Newman

Everyone has said what I would about the Model 10. Pre-lock Model 10’s and it’s redheaded brother the Model 64 are on my always buy list and excuse to go to gun stores and shows.

p.s. I have started thinking I need to buy a nickel finish Model 10 this year.

I could never make up my mind about which Model 10 to take to the range so I got one of each; no dash through the Model 10-10. I did double up on the Model 10-5 with a blue and a nickel version.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

If you find a used heavy barrel 64, you can holster it without fear of degrading the model 10’s blued finish- it literally is a ‘shooter’ and a ‘looker’ due to being overbuilt and your being able to polish out small scratches and other imperfections without the casual observer judging it ‘messed up’. This takes away nothing from the 10-5, I own one of those, too.

For most of my years as a LEO I was issued a Model 64. I wish I could have bought it when I left. As it was...that agency transitioned to Sig 9mm pistols and all revolvers were melted down. Such a crime.

I am a fan of fixed sight K-Frames. They are “reasonably priced and shoot great. Maybe not as popular as adjustable sight versions but they shoot just as well
I could become a hoarder. 😎
My best, M10-5 from 76-77. Target at 15yds, off-hand. What is not to like?

Could not help but notice all the badges on profiles in this thread, so this may be the place to ask...

Was the HB version more popular with Police and Law Enforcement agencies after some point in time? Most of the surplus Model 10s that would show up in batches periodically seemed to be the HB version, at least the ones I have seen.

The one I found recently had a faint outline of what were probably Pachmayer grips before I cleaned it. (it really needed a spa day... )




(edit: shown with a Hogue grip, not either one of the two sets I refer to elsewhere)

Regarding nickel. It took me about 4 years to find the nickel Model 10 shown in my earlier post. My criteria was a standard 4" pinned barrel, mid to late 1970's and it must be in very good to excellent condition at a reasonable price. (I wanted one like I carried as a LEO in the 1970's) Finally came across it in 2016 at a small show, private seller and negotiated a price of $300 cash out the door.

Good luck with your search!

You don't see those $300 prices anymore...should have kept what I had 30 years ago. Beautiful guns ya'll have posted.

If you're shooting 357's in it it's not a model 10. Might it be a model 13? Are the cylinders recessed?

I think that is partly true. The key for me is to shop the local gun shows. I was at a show with a friend who bought a Model 15. Twenty minutes later, the same dealer had another one sitting on the table in its place.

Collector grade guns have gone up a lot, and so have .357 magnums, but K-frame shooters are a-plenty and don't sell well. Model 10s and occasionally Model 15s still sell for $300~400 in good mechanical shape, with a worn finish. A DSC Victory with a little patina but no real pitting was for sale at $400...

My latest shooter in the 4" K-frame category, pictured above, was $500, but it came with a couple sets of grips. PC Magnas, and a set of Combats that I would have to pay $150 for, even in "good" used shape. No shipping or FFL fees, just a nominal state fee for the security check.

Gmarshal99- You’re bluffing on your Model 10 knowledge and are about to be schooled…

I had a 4” model 10 taper barrel and a 2” RB. Sold them and even though I got a lot more than I paid I regret letting them go.

They are a great gun and firing it a lot won’t wear it out anytime soon. As long as the gun is properly handled and maintained it will be good for years of service.

I do however still have a 4” model 64HB (last of the pinned barrels) and a first year 67. IMO , the older K frame is the best DA platform and doesn’t take a back seat to the new stuff.

Just call it a pre-Model 13, stamp or no stamp...

You’re missing one. I have a 10-6 with semi-target hammer, semi-target trigger and target grips… best .38 I ever shot. The only S&W I like more is my model 19 no dash.

There were Model 10-6s built in .357 for the NYSP. The Model 13 was cataloged later.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

One wonders what would be the difference of a new Model 13 and the current 10 Classic? I’m pretty sure that if the 10 Classic were reamed that they would be as tough as any Model 13.

OK, no answers yet so I'll take a stab at this. Early November '73 I'm issued my first model 10. It just so happens I ask, "whoa a bull barrel, how come?"
I'm told that the guys kept damaging the light barrel guns pistol whipping unruly felons and it's cheaper to have the heavy barrel.

Now I don't know if there was any truth to that but as I got to know the old timers I suspect it might have been.

Part of my issued equipment back then was a blackjack which is a extremely effective weapon. Saved my butt a few times. Haven't been allowed in decades.

Police war stories are filled with embellishments and half truths that conceal the horrible facts of life on the street. Few citizens have any inkling of how twisted the average criminal is.

I was thinking more in terms of how the two versions shoot, actually. Or something like sights, or holstering the gun, LOL.

I have an inkling, 2nd and 3rd hand, but no first hand experience, and grateful for that, to anyone who has to deal with it first hand. Even more grateful that my desk job does not require a blackjack as standard equipment.

The gentleman who taught me how to shoot in the late 70's, was a retired city cop and part-time Deputy Sheriff who had once worked in Newport Kentucky when he came back from a short stint in Korea (the town has a history).

He was teaching us using one .32 caliber S&W for three kids. When we asked why we could not each have our own gun, he said something like "Because I can keep an eye on one gun, but not on three teenagers." When we started getting good at shooting tomato cans on fence posts, he made us run laps around his barn and then shoot.

I once asked him what the thought was the best backup gun. He said it was "the shotgun in his truck..."

IMHO the older M10's are far superior in pretty much every way one can judge them. The vintage M10's are usually dead on with their fixed sights while shooting 158 grain lead bullets. With standard 38 special ammo, routine cleaning and minimal care, your M10 will last a few lifetimes!

Well my main source is GB, as I have not been able to go to any gun shows in years. There is one in Greenville SC this weekend that I may try to make. I would also like to fine a Victory that I could shoot, not much of a collector here as funds do not allow it I might be a collector one day if I keep learning from this great site.

Yep. According to my reading of the Standard Catalog of S&W the Model 13 was the successor to the Model 10-6 in .357.


Model 10-6 (.38 special)



Model 13-2

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Color me Schooled.

I appreciate all the comments, and remember guys I am new to all the S&W stuff. One more question, I have read that several folks say that the 10-5 is not that collectable and I understand that. What Model 10 would be the best collectable/shooter to look for? Or should I look at Pre Model 10 revolvers. Only interested in 38 special due to reloading and casting for it. Thanks

Most collectible to me would be a 10-10 Brazilian.
3” with full ejector shroud.
Had one but traded it away.
50 in the country I believe.

Regarding the Model 10 engineering changes (thru the Model 10-10)


Model 10 no dash: 1957-1961
Model 10-1: 1959-1962
Model 10-2: 1961-1962
Model 10-3: 1961-1962
Model 10-4: 1962
Model 10-5: 1962-1977
Model 10-6: 1962-1977
Model 10-7: 1977-1988
Model 10-8: 1977-1988
Model 10-9: 1988-1996 (end of the tapered barrel)
Model 10-10: 1988-1997


Those years of Model 10's were made as twins. tapered barrel and heavy barrel. No dash and -1; tapered and heavy. -2 and -3; tapered and heavy. -4-this guy was unique in that the engineering change was the removal of the trigger guard screw. The only difference between the -4 and -5 is the width of the front sight. -5 and -6; tapered and heavy barrel. -7 and -8; tapered and heavy barrel. -9 and -10; tapered and heavy barrel. The -9 is the last production of the tapered barrel.



5 screws draw a 60% premium (according to the 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog of S&W) as do the 4 screws (they draw a 30% premium). Nickel also demands a slight premium.


I have always assumed the hardest one to find is the 10-4. I was very happy to get mine and I bought it off of this forum.


What is collectible? Pretty subjective. In terms of years of production the -5 and the -6 were produced for 15 years. The -7 and -8 for 11 years. The 10-4 for just one year.


My 10-4





and my Model 10 collection (no dash through 10-10)

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Yikes!!! May we ask what u traded it for?

Appalling Around 1996 the RCMP up here switched from Model 10 (with 5" barrels, a bit of an oddity) to the S&W 5946. I often wonder what happened to the thousands of Model 10s they had, but i fear they met the same fate as your agency's The officers weren't all owed to buy them either.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

It may not have all the semi's but there is a 10-6 there. Just above the no dash to the right.


Here is a close up.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I’d like to see the attitude adjustment of the felon who got hit on the head hard enough to damage the barrel of a standard Model 10. Those were the good old days!

The S&W Model 10 and its M&P predecessors may well be the most common revolver on this planet. I think the last estimate was that 10, maybe 11 million have been made?
Only a brand new in the box unfired one would be particularly collectible. Although there will always be pride in owning a really nice one.
I'll buy any I find at a good price. I think I have 5 or 6 now.
Your great grandkids may eventually wear it out, but you won't. Feel free to shoot the snot out of it.