Cast your vote for the next 4” purchase…10, or pre-10?

[WPSmiths]

Local pawn/junk shop emporium has a couple of wheels just sitting there in the case looking for a new home. Didn't get a chance to give them an up close & personal look, just a quick once over. One is a pre-10 with horrendous looking overmolded rubber grips of a kind I've never seen before, other is a 10-5 with outwardly looks like original grips. They have $529 on each one. I know the standard and only logical answer should be to offer like $800 cash out the door for both (which I'm still considering), but assuming they're in equal condition (very doubtful they have boxes or other goodies, not that they matter to me anyway), which would you go for? It's use will be mostly range, though I'm kicking around the idea of channeling my inner Fife & maybe carry it once in awhile. I'm gonna get a closer look at them this week and report back with any findings and/or purchases!

 

[stansdds]

I would want to remove the rubber stocks from the pre-Model 10 before deciding. Rubber holds moisture and that can create a rusty, pitted mess under the rubber grips. Beyond that, I'd probably go for the 10-5 as the pre-10 has no collector value without its original stocks and the metallurgy of the 10-5 makes it safe with +P ammo. I'm not saying that you can't shoot +P in a pre-model number steel K-frame, but those with model numbers can withstand a lot more +P ammo than the pre-model number versions.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

+! to what @stansdds wrote. If you want a shooter, the 10-5 will have better sights as well.

 

[raljr1]

At the risk of being banned from this site, I would say that I'm not much a model 10 fan. Had a few 38 M&Ps, but those got sold off. If you want a model 10, I would go for the newer model with the correct configuration.

 

[Baxter6551]

I'd vote for the 10-5 also! Mine was very finish challenged so it got parkerized.

 

[Jack Flash]

Personally, I would not go in with preconceived notions about which I should buy, instead inspect each one carefully then decide based on which one is in the best condition.

 

[clang444]

Not exactly a bargain price on them. I would keep looking for a 10-1 with a heavy barrel.

 

[Grayfox]

Go for the one that speaks to you.

 

[MajorD]

For me the model number marked M&P's are preferred as they all came with serrated ramp front sights which are much easier to shoot accurately for me that the earlier rounded sights. The transition to the ramped serrated sight took place sometime before model numbers started, but I don't see many pre model number guns with ramps. For me it would be the 10-5 but I agree prices are high.

 

[WPSmiths]

I had the same thought about grips, but I'll be pulling them off both guns to check both metal/finish and whether the wood grips are original. I'm leaning more toward the 10-5, the memory of it is whispering a little more loudly-perhaps just because it looked "right" with the wood grips-they just give it that old timey cop vibe. I know wood could be put on anything, but overall the gun just had a nice patina.
Wed is the day I check them out & decide!

 

[shawn mccarver]

The 10-5 may not be the latest engineering change, but it is the proper one to have! It takes me back and I love it.

 

[Rock185]

I think that asking price is real high. That being said, I was issued a model 10, later a 64. These revolvers were trouble free. I don't have any experience with pre model number K-Frames...

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Raljr1…. How can you say such a thing?!!!


I agree with Rock185 that asking price is a tad high.

Assuming equal condition and no rust underneath grips, my vote is go with the older model IF it has the old long action hammer. This depends on OP's terminology though. If it is really a pre-10 with the shorter action "speed hammer" and not an older M&P, I'd lean back towards the 10-5 as the serrated ramp front sight is easier to shoot consistently than the older half-moon sight.

 

[kaaskop49]

Dealer is an optimist. Keep shopping...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103