Clueless

[Kmacdaddy]

I am a first time gun owner. I live in NM and grew up on a farm in Texas, but never had a gun. I was given a gun this year, and really am scared to death of it.

I think it is best described as follows:

Model: 10
Caliber: .38 S&W Special CTG
Capacity: 6 Rounds
Barrel Length: 4" / 10.2 cm
Front Sight: Black Blade
Rear Sight: Fixed
Overall Length: 8.875" / 22.5 cm
Action: Single/Double Action
Frame Size: Medium - Exposed Hammer
Weight: 36 oz / 1,020.6 g
Grip: Wood
Material: Carbon Steel Frame
Carbon Steel Cylinder
Finish: Blue

S/N: C117367

I was also given a year-long membership to a local gun club to learn to use it. I don't know what sort of ammunition to buy.

I plan to use it for home defense. I live in an area with a rash of home invasions out in the county. I live in the county.

I would like to know when it was made and anything special I need to know.

I don't know much about guns at all, but this does not seem to have a safety latch, which worries me a bit. What is the best way to avoid accidental discharge in this situation?

Thanks from a newbie. I do love history and I am proud to own a S&W considering their role in this history of this country.

Kmacdaddy

 

[jlrhiner]

Thank God it's not a GLOCK! Those things jump out of their holsters and go on rampages!!

Just kidding and welcome to the forum.
I'm out running around, so if someone else hasn't filled you in on the mfg. date by the time I get home, I'll look it up for you.

Your Model 10 only really has one safety. YOU. Don't point it at anything you don't want shot and don't pull the trigger unless..... Well, I'm sure you get the picture.

I would really advise you to take a pistol safety course, just to restart some old safety thinking you probably forgot. And if you've never been exposed to it, it'll be a big help.

Just about any factory 38spl. will do to get you started, as the Mdl 10 IMHO, is one of the bedrocks of pistol shooting. Unless you really try, or are very neglectful, you'll never wear it out.

Congratulations and again, welcome to the forum.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

There is no reason to be scared of that gun. It is not dangerous untill rounds are inserted into the chamber. The gun will not go off by itself. The trigger must be pulled to make it go "bang". No finger on the trigger, nothing to worry about.


If you were given a year membersip at a local gun club, by all means use that membership to learn how to safely handle, shoot, clean, store and carry that smith. There should be a wealth of information/instruction and classes there.

 

[CelticSire]

There really is nothing to fear about your gun. Respect, yes, but remember that the gun is nothing more than a tool. It requires an operator, i.e. a living, breathing person, to make it function. It will not suddenly go off by itself, it will not assume a life of its own and go on a killing spree. It is merely steel that has been formed into a mechanism for a purpose. That purpose is NOT killing. The purpose is to fire ammunition. Only the operator can cause the ammunition to be fired with the intent of causing harm. Since the gun now belongs to you, you are the operator. The responsibility rests with you, not an inanimate object. So there really is nothing to fear, is there?

 

[vytoland]

I don't know what sort of ammunition to buy......38 special


I would like to know when it was made...............based on your s/n 1948 - 1951

 

[sps282]

CelticSire's advice to you is right on the money....there is nothing I could add to that!

 

[GJH77]

Congratulations on your new acquisition. It will be a great hobby, as well as a useful tool at the needed time, and you can have a lot of fun with it.

It can be very intimidating to go in to the gun club/range the first time and see all these folks who think they know what they are doing (but really may not know any more than you). So find a friend who has some experience and get them to go with you, and get the instruction as suggested.

Also by your title, it sounds like you might have kids. So most importantly if you have kids in the house, make sure you keep the gun under your control, or locked up at all times.

Stick around and you can learn a lot here.

 

[wbraswell]

Remember when you shoot. Use ear protection!

 

[M3Stuart]

Welcome to the forum!

Edit: I messed up. The first thing I tell any student is the three rules (everybody, outloud, together):
1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
3. Always keep the ammunition stored separately until ready for use.

Memorize them. Practice them. Safety first.

Ok, back to the post:

Are you afraid of your hammer, circular saw or power drill? Well, you should be. Just kidding - you would be afraid of those things if you did not know how to work them.

And so it is with the gun. Whoever gave you that membership to the gun club should be given a gold star or something - that was brilliant.

My advice? Go to the gun club. Take a class. Hang around. Ask questions. Listen and watch. Find some people who are shooting what you are shooting - namely a REVOLVER, who are doing it safely, and appear to know what they are doing - hang around with them.

In no time you'll be a PRO!

Oh, and take some pics of your super-cool shootin' iron and post them so we'll have excuses to post pics of ours and talk about them!

Here is my model 10:

Edit: on the ammo, start out with ordinary .38 Special (NOT the +P kind) for now.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Welcome to the forum. A lot of very good advice thus far, and not a lot I could add except the following:

Eye protection (safety glasses) is as important as hearing protection.

Ammunition: I'd suggest 148 grain Mid-range Wadcutters. Here is a link to give you an idea:

Ammunition To Go : 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 148gr Lead Wadcutter Ammo [38LA] - $17.95

This ammunition is designed for target shooting, so the recoil will be mild. There are several manufacturers for this ammunition including Federal, Fiocchi, Winchester, and Remington, and I would recommend you buy factory, rather than reloaded ammunition for now. A box of ammunition will hold 50 cartridges.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[gregintenn]

Congratulations. You were given a high quality firearm. You should learn to not fear inanimate objects. I'll bet there are several members here who would be happy to help you become familiar with it.

 

[linde]

I am a first time gun owner . . . I was given a gun this year, and really am scared to death of it.

Model: 10
Caliber: .38 S&W Special CTG
S/N: C117367

I would like to know when it was made and anything special I need to know.

Thanks for your willingness to ask questions and learn. There are many folks here on the Forum who are very knowledgeable and willing to share their insights and experience. Welcome.

The revolver you have is an ideal choice for learning. It was likely made in mid-1950. The 38 S&W Special caliber was the standard used by law enforcement for many years and is generally viewed as a good choice for self-defense. A revolver is inheriently a safe firearm but, as others have urged, take advantage of basic firearms training and then . . . practice, practice and practice . . . until you become proficient and confident so its use becomes second nature. You'll do fine.

Good luck,

Russ

 

[sophie]

S&W Model 10 is a very good gun.
Like the others before me have said, get some firearm training at a local gun range.
Above all, use EAR PROTECTION when practicing your shooting.
No reason to be afraid of the gun and and be sure and keep it secure.

James

 

[joeintexas]

Congratulations on owning a very fine revolver, it will be fun to learn to shoot and the more you shoot it the more comfortable you will be with it. What county do you live in? If it's san juan I could connect you with an old friend of mine there, he is a retired LEO and a former magistrate judge, and he is one of the best at firearm training. Good luck, be safe and have fun.

 

[Kmacdaddy]

Gosh, you guys were great. Thanks very much for all the information.

I had not thought about eye protection. I will take care of that.

I hope to shoot the gun during the Holidays with my son (19).

One more question, does the gun require periodic maintenance? It is very pretty and seems to have been very well cared for. I cannot believe it is 60 years old. It is very, very sharp looking with no blemishes that I can see. I am very proud of it. I just read a book outlining how the Texas Rangers were the first to use Colt's 6-shooter with stunning success in the Indian Wars.

Is there a manual or website to review for the maintenance schedules?

Thanks again, I am so pleased to have come across this site.

 

[P&R Fan]

Maintenance would be to clean it periodically, although you really don't need to overdo it. It needs to be lubricated enough to keep the moving parts moving, but again, don't go overboard with the lube, a little bit goes a long way. If it is a blued finish you would be wise to get a rust preventative rag to wipe it off with after you handle it. I use a RIG (Rust Inhibiting Grease) Rag. You can find them on-line or at the sporting goods stores. Fingerprints can cause rust if not wiped off a blued surface, so keep it wiped down.
I will echo the suggestions given about safety. A revolver has no manual safety, and doesn't need one. You really have to be trying to shoot it to make it go off, unless the hammer is cocked, then a lighter touch on the trigger will fire it. Keep the muzzle ALWAYS pointed in a safe direction, and your finger off the trigger until you have made the decision to fire. And always remember, there is NO SUCH THING as an unloaded gun!. Even if you have checked, double checked and triple checked and you know there are no cartridges in it, it is STILL LOADED. Treat it that way and you will be fine.
Oh, almost forgot, welcome to the Forum.
Jim

 

[truckemup97]

A basic firearm handling class should give you some pointers on cleaning it. Some folks clean it every time they shoot it, and some never clean it. If you're somewhere in between, you'll be fine. When you store it, keep it away from moisture. Spray it with a good protectant (I use RemOil, available at Wal-Mart), then wipe it down before you put it away to keep the rust at bay. Other than that, no maintenance should be needed unless you're shooting several hundred rounds a week.

 

[Kelly Green]

It may be your first gun but like most of us here, I'll bet it won't be your last.

 

[TACC1]

Besides the hearing/eye protection, try going to the NRA website' and either calling them or calling one of the certified instructors in your area for a basic training class. Or, since you live out in the county, ask the next LEO you see about trianing. There's different ways to get where you're going, and they all revolve around those safety rules
earlier posted.
You've got a fine firearm, one you'll enjoy shooting, and it'll
outlast you.
Good luck and keep us posted. TACC1
P.S. Under NRA in New Mexico, there's a website for New Mexico Shooying Sports ***'n., with contact info.
Hope this helps.

 

[CelticSire]

I am a first time gun owner.

I was given a gun this year, and really am scared to death of it.

I plan to use it for home defense. I live in an area with a rash of home invasions out in the county. I live in the county.

I want to commend you on not letting your admitted fear of this firearm stand in in the way of learning its proper use and handling so that you may do what is necessary to defend your family and home. It takes strong character to do what is right vs. what is convenient. It would be convenient to say "I don't need a gun" but you realize that it is your responsibility to protect your loved ones and your home. You mentioned that you will be shooting with your 19 year old son. You are also to be commended for sharing the desire to do the right thing with your son. I have a strong suspicion that the two of you are about to discover a new activity that you will share for years to come, the shooting sports. Many of us here have very fond memories of the times we spent with dads, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, and in some cases, sisters and aunts and mothers. Many of us also share our hobby with our significant other, or "SWMBO" (She Who Must Be Obeyed).

I do love history and I am proud to own a S&W considering their role in this history of this country.

Welcome to the Forum, and be proud knowing that you have now become a part of that history.