I have my father's model 10-5 which he purchased in 1965 to keep in his car as country veterinarian. This is 6" skinny barrel model and is still in very good+ condition despite sitting in his glove compartment for most of it's life. About 20 years ago he retired and got "into" target shooting and reloading. He filed down the front sight to shoot to point of aim around this time. The original round half-moon sight became "D" shaped with flat top. I would like to have the front sight made to look original in half-moon shape. I would appreciate if anybody can point me to gunsmith who can do such repair.
Model 10-5 Front Sight Repair Suggestion
- Thread starter rug357
- Start date
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I would just keep my dads gout the way he modified it. If you want get you another model 10-5 for 4-5 hundred dollars.
I'd leave it alone, especially if it shoots point of aim for you.
BTW, the 10-5 didn't have a half-round front sight.
They looked like this:
BTW, the 10-5 didn't have a half-round front sight.
They looked like this:
I guess I'm wrong about this revolver being 10-5 as it definitely has the half moon shape front sight.
I'll take a closer look next time to see which variant it is.
As it is now the ammo I shoot is hitting too high from point of aim.
I'll take a closer look next time to see which variant it is.
As it is now the ammo I shoot is hitting too high from point of aim.
Alk8944
US Veteran
If the gun shoots to the sights then leave it alone. It will also have more sentimental value as your dad's gun if you leave it as it is.
If the gun has the half-moon sight it was made before about 1952, when all S&Ws were still referred to as "Named Models" It is not a Model 10 anything but what is often referred to as a Pre-10 (incorrectly). Properly it is a .38 Military and Police. Model numbers were not assigned until 1957, and not generally seen on the guns until 1958 and later. It was even later before the first "dash" numbers were added, which indicate changes to the basic model. Model numbers did not replace the model names, but were in addition to the name.
If you do insist on "fixing it" the easiest and probably cheapest way is replace the barrel. Many times one can be found on E-Bay, but I wouldn't do it!
How much high does it shoot, and at what distance? You can either shoot lighter bullets or simply hold under that amount. If our dad was serious about target shooting he was probably shooting .38 148 grain "mid range" wad-cutters. Try those and see what happens. Remember your eyes are different than his, you may see the sights differently, and you may be using a different hold on the target than he used.
If the gun has the half-moon sight it was made before about 1952, when all S&Ws were still referred to as "Named Models" It is not a Model 10 anything but what is often referred to as a Pre-10 (incorrectly). Properly it is a .38 Military and Police. Model numbers were not assigned until 1957, and not generally seen on the guns until 1958 and later. It was even later before the first "dash" numbers were added, which indicate changes to the basic model. Model numbers did not replace the model names, but were in addition to the name.
If you do insist on "fixing it" the easiest and probably cheapest way is replace the barrel. Many times one can be found on E-Bay, but I wouldn't do it!
How much high does it shoot, and at what distance? You can either shoot lighter bullets or simply hold under that amount. If our dad was serious about target shooting he was probably shooting .38 148 grain "mid range" wad-cutters. Try those and see what happens. Remember your eyes are different than his, you may see the sights differently, and you may be using a different hold on the target than he used.
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