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Posted here as most are late models, but a couple are "technically" earlier forum guns.....
Hello all, there seems to be a lot of interest in the 3” barrel versions of the M&P/M10 line of late. These guns are special to me, they are unique in that they were never “cataloged” until very late in their life, my catalogs have them showing up in 1996 thru 2000, however no mention in 2002 (which was a magazine style document, no real specs), definately not there in 2005. So, no standard barrel models appear to have been standard production, I'll do more research on this......
Here’s a few rambling observations (specific to the 3” models) from many years of collecting/studying the M10 and predecessors.
- Most 3” M10’s and pre-model numbered guns appear to be Special Order, not cataloged items
- There were two different barrel profiles throughout noted production years
- Standard barrel as well as heavy barrel engineering change frames were made with 3” barrels
- Standard barrel and heavy barrel profiles are not the same profile, see pics for reference
- Examples of pre-modeled 3” have been confirmed (two confirmed, likely more out there)
- Many special orders export runs for Canada, Europe, APAC countries and Australia (many seen recently as trade-ins and sold to US markets)
- I’ve never seen any from Canada, this info from SCS&W V3, I own a Turkish model but not sure if that’s Europe or Middle East
- Both Blue and Nickel finishes made, as well as matte Blue special order guns.
- Standard barrel profiles made in pre-Model numbered production as well as M10-4, M10-5, M10-7 and M10-9 engineering changes, and none
confirmed in the M10-11 engineering change, although of the M10-11 guns I own/owned I’d not consider them “standard” barrel profiles.
- Heavy barrel profiles made in M10-6, M10-8 and M10-10 engineering changes, to date I’ve not seen any in M10-1, M10-3 or M10-12 engineering
changes, but they could exist…. The hunt continues
- No 3” guns have been observed in M10-12 engineering change, Frankly, I’ve never seen any Model 10-12 in any barrel length, so there.
- No “lock” guns (post 2000, give or take) have been observed with 3” barrels.
- No MIM guns have been observed (by me anyway) on 3” guns.
- Standard barrel guns often mistaken as “heavy barrel” due to lack of notable taper, as seen on 4” and longer standard barrel guns.
(Often described as “intermediate” barrel see pics below)
- Standard barrel engineering changes are normally seen with square butt gripframe. Most were export guns, often seen used.
- Heavy barrel engineering changes are normally seen with round butt gripframes.
- Some standard barrel round butt guns observed, as well some heavy barrel square butt guns observed, just not a lot of quantities observed of either.
- Front sights of HB guns are pinned in, front sights of standard barrel guns are forged into barrel
- One HB model made (M10-10) with shrouded ejector rod. (Brazil export, see pic below)
Pics denoting various 3” M10 variations:
Barrel profiles side-by-side – Standard (M10-5) on left, Heavy (M10-8) on right.
Pic below of Pre-Model numbered M10 Standard Barrel, originally from the Gary Garbrecht collection
Model 10-4 Standard Barrel, extremely hard to find engineering change, a well used Police Gun
Others with Standard Barrel profiles:
A few interesting Heavy Barrel models:
A M10-8 non-pinned nickel square butt gun, very scarce configuration:
A M10-8 non-pinned nickel round butt gun:
A M10-8 non-pinned matte blue gun (acquired from the Wayne Betz Estate:
A M10-8 pinned blue round butt gun:
A later M10-8 non-pinned blue round butt gun:
And a very cool M10-10 shrouded barrel blue Brazil Export gun:
S’all I got…..
Hello all, there seems to be a lot of interest in the 3” barrel versions of the M&P/M10 line of late. These guns are special to me, they are unique in that they were never “cataloged” until very late in their life, my catalogs have them showing up in 1996 thru 2000, however no mention in 2002 (which was a magazine style document, no real specs), definately not there in 2005. So, no standard barrel models appear to have been standard production, I'll do more research on this......
Here’s a few rambling observations (specific to the 3” models) from many years of collecting/studying the M10 and predecessors.
- Most 3” M10’s and pre-model numbered guns appear to be Special Order, not cataloged items
- There were two different barrel profiles throughout noted production years
- Standard barrel as well as heavy barrel engineering change frames were made with 3” barrels
- Standard barrel and heavy barrel profiles are not the same profile, see pics for reference
- Examples of pre-modeled 3” have been confirmed (two confirmed, likely more out there)
- Many special orders export runs for Canada, Europe, APAC countries and Australia (many seen recently as trade-ins and sold to US markets)
- I’ve never seen any from Canada, this info from SCS&W V3, I own a Turkish model but not sure if that’s Europe or Middle East
- Both Blue and Nickel finishes made, as well as matte Blue special order guns.
- Standard barrel profiles made in pre-Model numbered production as well as M10-4, M10-5, M10-7 and M10-9 engineering changes, and none
confirmed in the M10-11 engineering change, although of the M10-11 guns I own/owned I’d not consider them “standard” barrel profiles.
- Heavy barrel profiles made in M10-6, M10-8 and M10-10 engineering changes, to date I’ve not seen any in M10-1, M10-3 or M10-12 engineering
changes, but they could exist…. The hunt continues
- No 3” guns have been observed in M10-12 engineering change, Frankly, I’ve never seen any Model 10-12 in any barrel length, so there.
- No “lock” guns (post 2000, give or take) have been observed with 3” barrels.
- No MIM guns have been observed (by me anyway) on 3” guns.
- Standard barrel guns often mistaken as “heavy barrel” due to lack of notable taper, as seen on 4” and longer standard barrel guns.
(Often described as “intermediate” barrel see pics below)
- Standard barrel engineering changes are normally seen with square butt gripframe. Most were export guns, often seen used.
- Heavy barrel engineering changes are normally seen with round butt gripframes.
- Some standard barrel round butt guns observed, as well some heavy barrel square butt guns observed, just not a lot of quantities observed of either.
- Front sights of HB guns are pinned in, front sights of standard barrel guns are forged into barrel
- One HB model made (M10-10) with shrouded ejector rod. (Brazil export, see pic below)
Pics denoting various 3” M10 variations:
Barrel profiles side-by-side – Standard (M10-5) on left, Heavy (M10-8) on right.
Pic below of Pre-Model numbered M10 Standard Barrel, originally from the Gary Garbrecht collection
Model 10-4 Standard Barrel, extremely hard to find engineering change, a well used Police Gun
Others with Standard Barrel profiles:
A few interesting Heavy Barrel models:
A M10-8 non-pinned nickel square butt gun, very scarce configuration:
A M10-8 non-pinned nickel round butt gun:
A M10-8 non-pinned matte blue gun (acquired from the Wayne Betz Estate:
A M10-8 pinned blue round butt gun:
A later M10-8 non-pinned blue round butt gun:
And a very cool M10-10 shrouded barrel blue Brazil Export gun:
S’all I got…..
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