Model 10-6 in .357 Magnum

[Chuter]

Looked further

Found her real S/N under the grips on her square butt. "D" prefix with a date that puts it made in '74 (per Standard Catalog). So, have to wonder what the other serial numbers on the side of the butt and the crane really mean. Hmmmmm???

 

[StakeOut]

Just picking up on your thread. My 10-6 in .357 also has no prefix letter and is only five digits 42178 (you can see it in the pics). Any additional history would be great. Thinking of sending in for a letter from S&W too.

Look on the 'bottom of the butt' for the serial number.

The other numbers are assembly numbers

 

[rwsmith]

OK. How do these compare.....

The 10-6 in .357 came about as a request from the NY State Police. They used the Model 28 and wanted a lighter framed fixed sighted .357. But they qualified with .357 too so the K frame began to show its limits with exclusive .357 and they went to the 681.

I'm not aware of other agencies wanting K frame fixed sighted guns, but I'm sure there are a few. But I do know the success of the 10-6 in .357 was what spurred S&W to create the Model 13 for civilian sales.

I know I'd hold onto a 10-6 in .357, especially a nice one. They are worth more to me than a Model 13

How do these compare with a model 19???

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Not sure which comparison you're looking for.

All listed in your quoted text are M&P (fixed sights) and the 19 has target (adjustable) sights.

The 19 certainly has a higher value (except maybe for the 681 -- I don't see many of them).

Hope this helps,

 

[squidsix]

I bought one in Bothel, WA a few years back and sold it on this forum. It was cool, but I already had 13s I liked so I let it go.
Best,
Steve

 

[Jersey Doug]

Reading this thread it is mentioned Model 19s had a problem fed a steady diet of .357 rounds,, as " didn't hold up." I know if you take good care you can shoot many, many rounds and the revolver can still look relatively new. Other than perhaps accuracy faltering (to be found out after purchase), how can it be determined that the beautiful M-19 seen on auction isn't one of these "didn't hold up" examples?

 

[Tom_R]

Reading this thread it is mentioned Model 19s had a problem fed a steady diet of .357 rounds,, as " didn't hold up." I know if you take good care you can shoot many, many rounds and the revolver can still look relatively new. Other than perhaps accuracy faltering (to be found out after purchase), how can it be determined that the beautiful M-19 seen on auction isn't one of these "didn't hold up" examples?

Check for cracking/chipping around the forcing cone.

If you get a K Frame that can fire .357, Smith and Wesson themselves say not to put Magnums through them. They do not have any replacement barrels evidently.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have a Model 10 .357 Magnum. Using .38 Specials it was the first gun I ever used to score 250 out of 250 on the Texas concealed handgun shooting test. My other scores were all 246s and 248s with pistols and revolvers.

I cannot recall how much I paid for it but it was well under 600 dollars and probably under 500. That was about three years ago, maybe 4, inspired by a similar discussion on this Forum. Someone told me that there was one on Gun Broker and I bought it immediately.

If Gun Broker has records under my account maybe I can find out. I f I find out I'll get back to you.

 

[iPac]

Reading this thread it is mentioned Model 19s had a problem fed a steady diet of .357 rounds,, as " didn't hold up." I know if you take good care you can shoot many, many rounds and the revolver can still look relatively new. Other than perhaps accuracy faltering (to be found out after purchase), how can it be determined that the beautiful M-19 seen on auction isn't one of these "didn't hold up" examples?

You would request clear, detailed, up close pictures of the forcing cone to examine it before bidding.

This area is one of my "key5" areas used to examine revolvers online via just pictures.

Of course, you need to know what a proper forcing cone area should look like.

 

[Etalksalot]

The 10-6 chambered in .357 was the predecessor to the 13 series,
technically a "Model 13" (no dash) does not exist because when they were first introduced in 1974 they were marked "Model 13-1".

IMO Condition and originality are paramount in a collectable revolver

I did not know this, thank you for the info.

 

[Etalksalot]

Check for cracking/chipping around the forcing cone.

If you get a K Frame that can fire .357, Smith and Wesson themselves say not to put Magnums through them. They do not have any replacement barrels evidently.

That's the kind of thing that leads me to believe +p's in a 38 wouldn't hurt it if you kept it to a limited amount. I've read articles where people say they've shot over 1,000 of the +p ammo and no problems. I know Smith says don't do it, but if they say don't shoot 357's out of a 357 that leads me to think it's more of a liability clause. I have 3 old 38 special Smiths and, I don't plan on shooting +p through them, but I carry my Chief's Specials with +p for self defense. I have also read that in the mid 70's, SAAMI lowered the pressure rating for standard 38 special ammo and that today's +p ammo is the same as old 38 special ammo from like pre 1975. My model 15 is a 77 so I wouldn't shoot any out of that, but my Chief's are both 71-72 and I just can't help but think it should hold up. I know some people out there freak out and say NOOOOOO +P EVER!!! However, if they say don't shoot Magnums out of a Magnum, hmmm?? Makes me wonder. Though I don't want to ruin my beautiful Smiths, but I do carry it with +p. Chances are I'll never HAVE to use it in SD so it may never have a +p round through it, but I'm sure 2 or 3 total wouldn't hurt, in my opinion of course.

 

[S.B.]

As far as I know all model 10s were chambered in .38 Special?
Steve

 

[JP@AK]

As far as I know all model 10s were chambered in .38 Special?

No. Somewhere around 4,000 examples of the Model 10-6 were made with .357 Magnum chambers. Initially this was about 1200 for the NY State Police. Others went to distributors. This version eventually became the Model 13-1, and some 10-6 revolvers so-chambered were over-struck with 13-1 markings.

Other than that, yes. The Model 10 was a .38 Special revolver.

 

[bunkie12]

That's the kind of thing that leads me to believe +p's in a 38 wouldn't hurt it if you kept it to a limited amount. I've read articles where people say they've shot over 1,000 of the +p ammo and no problems. I know Smith says don't do it, but if they say don't shoot 357's out of a 357 that leads me to think it's more of a liability clause. I have 3 old 38 special Smiths and, I don't plan on shooting +p through them, but I carry my Chief's Specials with +p for self defense. I have also read that in the mid 70's, SAAMI lowered the pressure rating for standard 38 special ammo and that today's +p ammo is the same as old 38 special ammo from like pre 1975. My model 15 is a 77 so I wouldn't shoot any out of that, but my Chief's are both 71-72 and I just can't help but think it should hold up. I know some people out there freak out and say NOOOOOO +P EVER!!! However, if they say don't shoot Magnums out of a Magnum, hmmm?? Makes me wonder. Though I don't want to ruin my beautiful Smiths, but I do carry it with +p. Chances are I'll never HAVE to use it in SD so it may never have a +p round through it, but I'm sure 2 or 3 total wouldn't hurt, in my opinion of course.

The issue seems to be the flat surface milled into the underside of the forcing cone to clear the cylinder. There are threads with extensive discussion and photos of split forcing cones - most regarding M66s, the stainless version of M19s. In my feeble brain, I took away from those discussions that hot .357 magnum loads tended to be the problem, e.g. 130gr and lighter bullets. Most commenters said that heavier bullets, e.g. 140gr and up, and all .38Spl +p, seem to be fine. I have had no problems abiding by this with my M66s. Don't know if the M19s and M66s differ in this regard.

 

[BC38]

...some 10-6 revolvers so-chambered were over-struck with 13-1 markings.

Yep, see the example in post 14 above

 

[JP@AK]

Yep, see the example in post 14 above

Thanks. Yes, I had seen that. My point was only that it was some, not all. The .357 Model 10-6 in my safe was not over-struck. So far as I can tell, none of the original items sent to the NYSP were overstruck, at least when they were shipped. Some might have returned to the factory for some reason and might have been over-struck at that time.

 

[nachogrande]

CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION

I believe that pic is a bit flattering, until you notice the business end of the barrel. Where was that bbl kept? NO don't answer that.