FBI 1076, this was the one; but Murphy got involved!!

[RedCardinal]

After a five-year search, I finally purchased an authenticated FBI 1076 on GunBroker. I had almost given up getting one after watching some auctions reach $2,000 plus. It seemed that I missed all of the reasonably priced auctions during this time or for one reason or another they were not exactly what I wanted. This past week one was listed on GunBroker, and I bought it. After looking over the description and pictures, I decided on my maximum and made my first bid at what I thought would get to the reserve and then some. I left some room for last minute bidding and followed the auction closely. There were only four bidders. After only eight bids, the FBI 1076 was mine. I was amazed that there were no bids in the last 15 minutes. My immediate thoughts were that I was lucky or that I paid too much. So why did I want this one. It was authenticated by a Jinks letter and was sold to the FBI Special Agent after being returned to S&W. This gave me confidence that the Special Agent thought it was OK despite being returned to S&W by the FBI. Getting the issue holster was a plus also. I had emailed the seller about the condition before making the first bid, and his "flawless" reply and A+ feedback were still ringing in my thoughts when I made the last bid. Now I am convinced that the price was justified by the authenticity and condition. The search is over, and the decision will be verified by actual possession. I will update this post when it is received.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Sweet...you know you have to let us see some photos after you receive it.

 

[Grinder]

Glad you finally got one

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I followed that auction, and I am glad to see a fellow member got it. I considered placing a bid at the end, but in reality I have a few other more urgent priorities at the moment and held off...nicely bought.

 

[Road Rat]

 

[sniper47]

Nice score!

 

[RedCardinal]

After the auction was over, the seller told me that the action had been tuned and the feed ramp polished. I was anxious to see this and check the work. Immediately upon receiving the shipment and opening the S&W blue cardboard box, I spotted Murphy sitting on the slide with the extra magazine leaning against it unwrapped and without anything in between to protect them from banging together. It was like a crime scene investigation when the smoking gun is found. Instinctively, I knew that the slide would be scratched from every jolt to the shipping container during transit. Sure enough, my "flawless" FBI 1076 had arrived but only to be scarred in shipment.

I called the seller and explained the situation only to find out that the FFL had done the packaging. The seller was more than willing to take it back and refund the purchase price plus shipping both ways, but this would only put me back on the extended search for a FBI 1076. So, I decided to keep it. I could always have the spot bead blasted because the damage was small light scuffs and very shallow scratches. They could also be removed by polishing but that would leave a shine to the matt bead blast original finish. The best thing to do was to leave it alone until I re-lamped or replaced the dead night sights and have it bead blasted at that time.

 

[jerseyshoreshot]

My FBI 1076 was very rough when I purchased it and the night sights were also burned out. I sent it Smith & Wesson and had the sights replaced and the slide and frame glass bead blasted. The price was very fair and the work was outstanding. The pistol looked better than most of the new ones that I have bought.

I would shoot it first, make sure that there are no other issues, and if the scratch still bothers you send it in.

Good Luck,

JSS

 

[sniper47]

That is inexcusable. A 1k plus collectible firearm has to be packed by the seller. Leave the shipping to the FFL.

 

[Shadow1006]

Red Cardinal, glad you were able to find the 1076, you might try a light blasting of baking soda to bring back that finish to the affected area.

Best regards!

 

[GarlandB]

Happy you found one. I've been looking for a long time for one myself and also purchased an FBI-issued weapon with authentication paperwork via Gunbroker. I had no problems with the seller and, upon receiving it, made the trip to the local indoor range to test it out. It worked flawlessly with Hornady JHP's. It definitely has a crisp recoil compared to some of the other pistols I've shot. I bought a 4506 in 1991 and it is a LOT stiffer than the .45.

The finish on my model is what I would characterize as used but excellent condition. There are scratches on the pistol, on the slide primarily, but nothing that seriously affects its otherwise great appearance.

I was glad to see your post - - I logged on tonight to post a few questions to the group regarding my own 1076. I hope you enjoy shooting it.

Now, a couple of questions about the 1076:

(1) The barrel on my 1076 is in good condition, but I thought about purchasing another one for it. I checked Bar-Sto's website and didn't see anything listed for the 1076. Any ideas or suggestions?

(2) My 1076 shoots low and to the left. I read a review by a gunwriter in some magazine that is available via the web and the one he tested did, too. Is this common in the 1076 (another reason I thought about a bbl).

(3) I assume that the springs have never been changed in the pistol. Does anyone have any suggestions on the necessity of this? How long do springs normally last in a S&W pistol? Any suggestions on the configuration of the recoil spring?

Thanks for the info.

GFB

 

[RedCardinal]

Welcome to the forum GarlandB. I too would like to have a Bar-Sto barrel for my 1076, but Bar-Sto has not made any barrels for S&W autos for several years. Several attempts were made on this and other forums to get Bar-Sto to make a production run of barrels for 3rd gen S&Ws in 10mm, 40S&W and 357 Sig. Unless I missed something, they were all unsuccessful. It appears that Bar-Sto required a minimum of 50 barrels in each caliber with payment up front to set up a production run. I can understand the economics of such a requirement when they are running a backlog of 12 to 16 weeks.

I can't help you on the shooting low and left problem, but as far as the recoil spring replacement, some say 5,000 rounds and some say 3,000. I always go conservative and will replace mine at 3,000 or sooner if I begin to encounter problems.

I have not shot my FBI 1076, but it is in the holding pattern for the next trip to the range. I intend to fully wring it out for duty use and will update this thread with a report when I do.

 

[sniper47]

tagged for future reference.

 

[bad_man_ one]

Midway has barrels listed

Smith & Wesson Barrel S&W 1066, 1076, 1086 10mm Auto - MidwayUSA
Regards,
BM1

 

[epj]

Have you tried shooting the pistol from a rest? A low, left grouping is sometimes indicative of trigger control issues. I have a 1006 and my F-I-L has a 1076. Neither shoots low or left for me. Recoil with factory fodder is pretty stout. I have loaded some range ammo that is probably in the really wimpy category, though still stouter than most .40 stuff for accuracy testing. What bullet weight are you shooting? A light, faster bullet will print lower than a heavier, slower bullet.

 

[RedCardinal]

Well, I finally got to the range with my newly acquired FBI 1076. Everything performed perfectly. I zipped through two loaded magazines lightning fast with no malfunctions whatsoever. I normally would have stopped with one, but the trigger was so smooth, I had to do it again. Then, I shot for accuracy at fifteen yards with a 2.75" group of three. My shooting buddy couldn't stand it any longer and tried it from 25 yards and beat my 2.75" with a 2.5" group. He is mostly a revolver fan and shoots some bullseye, but now he wants a 1076. I believe the action tuning that the previous owner had done contributed greatly to our excellent groups. My buddy really liked the smooth trigger action. We were shooting Remington UMC 180 grain MC, L10MM6. The cases are nickle plated and were ejected about 10 to 12 feet behind us. This was my first time shooting the 10MM and it was immediately addictive. My buddy likes it too, and that's a good thing because he also owns my airplane and shooting range.

 

[sniper47]

Glad that bad boy shoots as good as it looks.