I have an opportunity to purchase one of the new Model 10 Classics for $752 new in the box.



How do the quality of these compare to the originals? I know
It features the IL and that doesn’t bother me.

Thoughts?

Generally the quality is excellent for the price point. If the configuration suits your purposes and the specific example can be inspected and is in good shape mechanically, go for it.

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Pickpocket

Standard new S&W caveats apply:

-Do not use ammoniated cleaners with the current bluing. It's not as chemical resistant as the older method that's difficult to do at scale these days due to environmental regs. If you intend to carry it a lot and visible finish wear is going to bother you, a Model 66 may be more ideal.

-Best to inspect before purchase since S&W QC has been spotty as of late. A canted barrel should be easy enough to see, and check endshake/cylinder gap if they'll let you measure.

-I don't know if this problem affects things other than J-frames, but S&W definitely had some out of spec yokes/cranes. Check to see if the cylinder opens and closes without too much effort.

-If the action seems a little gritty, it might just need oil. Sometimes guns ship dry (my 642UC was), or it may have been sitting on a shelf for a long time in an orientation where the oil seeped away from where it should be.

As for comparing to originals, I do have a Model 10-6 heavy barrel and a Model 64-7 (MIM, IL).

My Model 10 may have been owned by the rare cop who dry fired like a maniac but rarely did live fire. The finish is worn, and it came to me with a broken DA sear pin, but a really clean bore. SA trigger pull is really, really good, and the both the SA and DA pulls are lighter than my Model 64. My Model 64 was probably a security or armored car company trade-in (GB seller had over a dozen), which much less use over the years.

However, I actually prefer the DA feel of the Model 64 better. Both revolvers have a Wolff 15# rebound spring in them and factory mainsprings. The Model 10's trigger pull barely changed after the new rebound spring, so the original was likely quite fatigued/compressed from use.

Since I do not have one, I can't make the comparison, but I do have a Model 27 Classic, and it's a gem. It's mostly a safe queen, but I will most likely break it out next week for some fun at the range.

Everyone likes pictures:

bgmntmn elk stocks replaced the scorched originals after my 2018 fire:



Yup, I think it needs a range trip!!!

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Come and take it!!

What were we talking about? Oh yeah, model 10's.

I'm not a lock hater, own a few. One thing I don't like about the lock on J/K/L frames is the change to the profile of the frame at the hammer area. But that doesn't bother me if I'm buying a gun with features I can't get otherwise.

You don't mention price, but if it's the same price as an older model 10 in the same condition with the box, I'd buy an old one.

I think the OP said $752, new in the box. I was going to ask why the oddball price of 752, not 750, not 760, but 752. So it’s a regular store. Not a bad price for a new one; I would buy it for that if I were looking for one. Model 10s were/are some of the best “if I can only have one” basic man stopper home defense and fence line revolver, IMO. Buy it!!!

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Waiting For The Sun.

I just got a new Model 19 Classic for Christmas and get the butterflies every time I take it to the range. Fantastic revolver with a great trigger.

Two of the best shooting S&Ws I've had in over 40 years. I shoot my guns plenty.

I carry both guns, and clean them after shooting. Bluing has held up just fine. Muzzle wear is superior to my older blued S&Ws.

Buying sight unseen might lead to disappointment. Both the above guns were replacements from S&W, after the original purchases were defective out of the box. I just bought a second Model 10-14 Classic that was pre-owned in excellent condition, but I inspected it first.

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Retired LE Instructor/Armorer

Sorry, $752 is WAAY out of line for a Model 10, "Classic" or otherwise. For that matter, so are the prices for re-imported Model 10s from overseas, knowing what the importers paid to obtain them.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

$829 is the cheapest I could find a new one online. $752 is actually a great price. Unless you are among those who are under the assumption that anything made in the last 30 years is junk, and all of the old stuff is still readily available, affordable and in great condition.

$752 is a good price for a brand new, current production Model 10 Classic, but I would inspect it carefully for defects. S&W seems to be having quite a few issues with proper fitment of parts in their revolvers post-2020. The blued (black oxide) finish applied to their firearms made in 2000 and later is not as good as the older bluing systems. Given this, for my $752 I'd be more inclined to look for an excellent condition, older Model 10, which is probably going to cost a couple hundred dollars less, which would mean a couple hundred dollars towards ammo, reloading supplies, and holsters.

Oh, and the +P rating, if an all-steel K-frame 38 Special has a model number stamped into the yoke recess, it's fine with +P ammo.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

This reminds me of a couple years ago when a bunch of Model 10s that came from some other country or something were selling for around $250-300. I still wish I hadn't passed up on getting a couple.

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Waiting For The Sun.

Good price for a current edition. I collect 10's and so far haven't acquired one of the new ones. Not very common and usually more money than I want to spend. If I had seen that one at the show, I'd have probably bought it.