Blemished 10-5

[smithman 10]

Saw an otherwise real nice 4" standard barrel 10-5 today with the blue missing from an about 1 - 1/2 inch patch on the barrel on one side. Owner wants $300 for it. Clearly had been shot hardly at all. No end shake, real tight. Must have been stored in some way to cause this. Cursory look at the barrel didn't see any pitting on the spot where the blue is gone.

I'm too old to want to mess with fixing up anything anymore and too cheap for a real reblue. I've used various cold blues over the years with only fair results.

I'm sure it would be a good shooter.

What should an old geezer do?

 

[The Kid]

I like guns that are mechanically good but have finish issues. I don't refinish them either. I buy them to use and carry and shoot all of them. The finish problems often mean I can get a discount price which is the best perk of the whole deal. Everything I buy I buy it with the intention of using it until it has no finish left or I'm dead so a little head start on the finish wear is no big deal for me.

 

[jeffrefrig]

"What should an old geezer do?"

Buy it!!!

 

[stansdds]

If I really wanted a 4 inch Model 10-5 for carry or lots of shooting, I would not let the worn finish stand in the way of picking it up for a good price. No, cold blue will not make it perfect or even near perfect, but it can mask the big issue just enough to make it tolerable, if that is even an issue.

 

[shovelmike]

Another vote for, "Buy it!"! The only Model 10 I have seen for sale lately had an asking price of $439, seemed very good mechanically, but had a lot of rust....not only on the frame, on the trigger as well, I passed on it.
$300 seems quite reasonable, get it before somebody else does.

 

[Babysitr]

that blue loss wont change the performance!...sounds very fair

 

[Baxter6551]

As others have said - buy it !
Last year I was in the same position at the same price with a retired police Capts gun. I shot it and thought I would live with it but I couldn't. My gunsmith buddy has a bead blast cabinet and he did the prep work. I delivered it back to the gunsmiths shop where I bought it disassembled and prepped. $80 later I have a perfect bead blast blue finish and a *10-6 that looks factory new.
*Edited - my friend corrected me it's actually a 10-6

 

[chief38]

Unless you are ready, willing and able to live with it just the way it is, PASS! If it grates on you and you decide to fix it, the total cost will be way more than to find one in excellent original condition! And..... at the end of the day you will wind up with a non original questionably refinished gun not worth what your total cost would be. Not only are freight costs, insurance, rebluing costs so damed expensive now days, finding someone to do a great job in a reasonable time is near impossible!

Cold Bluing has never been a permanent repair for me personally, so unless you know something I don't, either live with it or walk away. Most times " a bargain" turns out to be an Albatross around one's neck. They made plenty of them and they are not rare. I'd sooner see you spend a few hundred more on an original one in excellent shape - yes, they still are out there. That would be my advise.

 

[BSA1]

Mostly agree with chief38 but I would also like to add a comment.

As States like California pass more laws to greatly restrict sale and ownership of semiautomatic firearms the need for self-protection will not to away. If anything it is increasing citizens fear of being a victim of a violent crime so they will buy whatever is available. As there are a finite number of guns legal to own simple law of supply and demand is driving the price they are willing to pay for one. This is even affecting the used revolver market in the free states.

The K-Frame is a ideal balance of features that makes it easy to learn to shoot and keep for self-defense primarily in the home. What I am trying to say is the supply of these great revolvers is getting smaller and I would not hesitate to buy it even as a hedge against a possible future nationwide gun ban.

 

[Ameshawki]

I'd buy it but I collect Model Tens. I've had good luck with Brownells Oxpho Blue. You won't mistake it for Colt Royal Blue but it's a serviceable finish that's super easy to use. I always have a bottle on hand.

 

[Bald1]

Buy it and use some Oxpho Blue. Takes 30 min and you're done. Blends nicely. Tons of videos on how to do it. It's actually a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon at kitchen table.

 

[TXBryan]

I'd pick it up.

Don't know about your neck of the woods but around here that's a great price for a functional/serviceable Model 10. I have a soft spot for Model 10s and have several that aren't the prettiest but shoot fabulously and are fun with a capital "F".

Bryan

 

[BE Mike]

Sounds like it looks better than mine. I bought mine because of sentimental reasons (carried one in RVN), but it is an excellent shooter, just like all model 10's. It all depends upon your motivation for buying it. The price sounds good.

 

[majick47]

Smithman if you purchase the 10 and decide it isn't for you I can't see how you would lose anything on a resale.

 

[MajorD]

I have been looking for a deal along those lines for a couple years now with no luck!
I see generally model tens that are mint and people want princely sums for them

Or really rough condition guns priced like mint ones

I shoot and use my guns, and a rough condition one finish wise ( with a price to match) is what I am looking for!
A $300 10-5 as you describe would be in my possession already

 

[lkabug]

Well it's not as if S&W didn't make millions of the model 10. If the cosmetic appearance is an issue for you, walk away and find another. However.....with todays
Prices you would find that pricing with another model 10-5 in better shape.
If you're looking for a shooter, buy it before someone else does.

 

[Grayfox]

I'd buy it. I wouldn't be able to pass up a serviceable Model 10 at that price.
I've had excellent results with Blue Wonder. Follow the directions and you can blend the new blue in with the old so that you'd never notice. You will need to heat it a little, but a hair dryer is enough.

 

[A10]

Everyone needs a Model 10. I have found that I care less about finish perfection these days. Were it me I'd already own it, and plan on trying to wear it out shooting it. You won't though, wear it out that is.....

 

[Igiveup]

Guess I'll chime in. In my area, a M-10 is pretty much a minimum $500 gun anymore. One is very good condition as a shooter is a no brainer for $300. As a shooter, I eventually have to "monkey" with one that has shown a lot of wear, generally cerrakoting or bead blasting and reblueing if a daily carry gun around the ranch and in pickup. I'd grab it in a heartbeat.

 

[G-Mac]

Sorry for bringing this up, but I'm thinking there is a possibility that this may be a suicide gun. They say blood will remove bluing like that.