changing the barrel on a 10-5

G

gamedic

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2009
Messages
276
Reaction score
28
Location
Clarkesville Ga
I have a nickel model 10-5 with a 4 inch pencil barrel. Unfortunately the barrel and cylinder are badly rusted with deep pitting.The gun was that way when I got it. I am going to put a new 3 inch barrel on the gun. Will most S&W 38spl. barrels fit the model 10-5 such as an N frame barrel or a model 19 barrel or do I have to use a barrel from a 10-5?
 
Register to hide this ad
I have a nickel model 10-5 with a 4 inch pencil barrel. Unfortunately the barrel and cylinder are badly rusted with deep pitting.The gun was that way when I got it. I am going to put a new 3 inch barrel on the gun. Will most S&W 38spl. barrels fit the model 10-5 such as an N frame barrel or a model 19 barrel or do I have to use a barrel from a 10-5?
 
You might want to call SW or go to Numrich and look at the SW factory part diagrams and see if any of the barrel part numbers interchange.

My guess would be that any barrel for that same model would swap out OK, other barrels that fit the same FRAME SIZE might work.... but going to other frame sizes would make me think they probably would not interchange.

The main problem with swapping barrels on old guns is that it costs more than the gun is worth to do it, and doing it yourself will likely hose the frame.
 
You should stay with a barrel for the frame size/style you have. Not all M10's are the same since they make standard barrel (frame) versions and heavy barrel versions. The frame, where it meets the barrel, has a different taper/profile, so stay with a standard barrel M10 and you should be OK.
If you can find a barrel from a M10, M10-2, M10-4, M10-5, M10-7, M10-9.
 
From your questions, I would guess that barrel swapping and general gunsmithing is very new to you. May I suggest that you have a gunsmith evaluate it and give you an estimate of barrel replacement.
 
I don't know which versions of the M10 were put together in nickel, but if you get too early a version of the pencil barrel, the front sight will be too thin for the rear sight notch. For a fact I know the -5 (obviously) and -7 barrels will fit your rear sight.

I'd love to find a blued 3" pencil barrel...

1x2
 
thanks for all the replies.i would rather have a heavy barrel if one would look o.k. and function o.k. has anyone on the forum replaced a pencil barrel with a heavy barrel? do you have pictures?
 
Originally posted by gamedic:
thanks for all the replies.i would rather have a heavy barrel if one would look o.k. and function o.k. has anyone on the forum replaced a pencil barrel with a heavy barrel? do you have pictures?
Click to expand...

While you can mount a HB on the standard frame, it will not look correct, the barrel will have a wider diameter where it meets the frame than the frame contour, not gonna look proper. Functionality, sure it'll work, but it would be pretty.
Rather than go through this, best to buy a HB version of the M10 - there are tons out there.
 
Originally posted by 1x2:
I don't know which versions of the M10 were put together in nickel, but if you get too early a version of the pencil barrel, the front sight will be too thin for the rear sight notch. For a fact I know the -5 (obviously) and -7 barrels will fit your rear sight.

I'd love to find a blued 3" pencil barrel...

1x2
Click to expand...

1x2,
You bring up a good point, but using a thin front sight isn't an unworkable situation. Many folks like the thinner sight blade on the wider sight channel (like me, old eyes
icon_smile.gif
), which provides more light around the blade when shooting. Not the worst thing to happen, on the other hand, reversing the scenario would be wierd, i.e., a wide blade front sight on a narrow channel frame. now that would be difficult to shoot well.

As for the 3" pencil barrel, there really never was a true pencil barrel for the standard frame models, more like an intermediate profile. Same diameter when it meets the frame, but no pronounced taper as on a 4" standard barrel.

Here's a pic comparing a standard 3" versus the 4" HB.
standard.jpg
 
Smithnut that 3 inch barrel in the picture looks good to me, now i just have to find one and a cylinder. Fortunately I don't have any money in the gun so a few hundred to make it beutiful again won't hurt to bad.
 
If you put on that blued cylinder you might have a heck of a pinto when you're finished
icon_smile.gif

We want pics!

1x2
 
I guess you can call me or give me your E-mail address!!!! 304 993 5060

Since you are new here (WELCOME) I will give you a deal!! Cylinder w/extractor and a 4 in heavy barrel for $75 shipped. Let me know -
 
Smithnut or any others:
Looking at the picture of the HB compared to the pencil barrel does the barrel thickness change the distance from the cylinder rod center?
Hope someone understands what I am asking?
icon_confused.gif
 
walkinghorse,

On the pencil barrel models, the housing for the ejector rod locking bolt hangs down a little bit further from the bottom of the barrel, than the housing on the heavy barrel model. My guess is that the housing on the 3" bbl model in SmithNut's photo has also been "compensated" to arrive at the same "spot" in space. The dimensions of the frames are essentially the same, except the HB model has a thicker (front) shoulder, which is why people say that a heavy barrel won't look good on the (svelte) "pencil barrel" frame.

1x2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Zeke38
Barrel Swap on Model 10 2" to 4"
Replies
7
Views
275
Riposte1
R
O
Model 10-5 pencil barrel, price check
Replies
15
Views
2K
Martin67
Martin67
b737lvr
The Model 10 - Why the bull barrel?
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
4K
CAJUNLAWYER
CAJUNLAWYER
T
Smith & Wesson Model 27-1 5 inch barrel
Replies
3
Views
209
Doc44
Doc44
O
New to me Model 10-6
Replies
12
Views
1K
oldrookey617
O

Latest posts

Back
Top