Model 10 Converts?

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GyMac

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I was at the range today when a man showed up with his daughter and son-in-law. The young couple had decided they need a gun for protection and the father was letting them try some of his, a couple of snub nose revolvers, a Glock, and a SIG. Between the son and daughter, they had a total of one round fired from a handgun. They tried the snubs first and, at seven yds managed to put 1 or 2 rounds out of each cylinder on a 12 inch paper plate. The man asked if they might shoot my 4 inch Model 10 for comparison. The daughter placed all six rounds in the center of the plate, DA. The husband then did the same, but with an even tighter group. Later they also shot the autos, but I heard the girl tell her father that she preferred my gun. They all seemed very interested in the old Model 10 and enjoyed shooting it. It's still a great choice for SD.
 
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Every home should have one at bedside. Works every time, no fumbling, no safeties no nuthin but shoot...;)
 
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I carried mine today, I use a Barami Hip-Grip. With a leather belt it's not a problem at all. I like the Hip Grip, and I know I can hit with a 4" HB Model 10, so I carry it whenever I can. This is one of my "utility" guns, I have about 7 or 8 other M&P's and M10's, not to mention it's stainless brother the 64.

I love my Model 10's, even this busted looking 10-10. I feel safe carrying it, knowing it will go bang 6 times and then 6 more if I have to reload it. I put new, stock weight rebound and mainsprings in it, so there's 0 danger of the hammer cocking or trigger pulling while it's in my waistband.

The S&W M&P/M10 has been used all over the world by people on both sides of the law, and it's just as effective today as it was in 1899.
 
A buddy I work with bought his wife a Glock 27 for her to keep when he's at work (we both work nights). They're in their 50's, and after one time of loading up a mag, chambering a round, and shooting a couple of rounds, she puts the gun down and says "I don't like it". He's wanting to become a gun guy (I guess I have that effect on people), so he's not too upset at eating the cost of the gun.

He asked me what he should get for his wife. I told him to meet me at the local range on our days off and to bring his wife. I'd take care of it.

That weekend, they showed up to find most of my collection (minus the REALLY old stuff) on the table. I quickly found out that she preferred revolvers due to their ease of operation with her arthritis affected hands. Her two favorites were my Colt Lawman MKIII, and my 1964 Model 10 that started life in the holster of a Virginia Department of Corrections officer. Due to the costs that the Colts are now going for, he went out and got her an old Model 10 for right around $200.

Whenever I talk to someone wanting to get a gun but who has never shot, I always stress to get something they're going to be comfortable and confidant with. I think a lot of new shooters who were on the fence about becoming a shooter have been turned off of the idea by someone giving them a hard kicking gun that they immediately never want to touch again.
 
model 10

Your absolutely right..I got back into gun ownership & was talked into purchasing a LCP 380 Ruger. It is a great conceal weapon, but when I went to the range with it I hated it. To small for my hands to shoot it. Jammed up on me a million times. So I sold it and got my old Reliable Model 10-5 snubbie. shoots 6 & I love it..feel more confident with it..And isn't that what is more important if we REALLY NEED IT, GOD FORBID?
 
One of the things that I didn't mention in the original post was that after putting her 6 rounds in the center of the paper plate, the woman's husband took a picture of her standing in front of the plate with my gun. It's even better when you select a defensive gun that you enjoy shooting.
 
Over the years I'd had several female co-workers ask for informal shooting lessons and the majority of the time they seem to like a 4" M10 the best as a good combination of simplicity and shoot-ability. The two questions that seem to come up are "Why didn't the gun shops show me one of these, are they rare?" and "This pistol was made WHEN? You would trust your life to a (60, 40, 20) year old revolver?".

It's like revolvers have shelf lives like bread or something.
 
I always wanted a nice clean 6 shot 38 Special. A couple of months ago I picked up this 4" Model 10. I knew they had an excellent reputation for being great point and shooters but the first time I went to the range I was amazed. Just saving for a nice holster for it now. (o;

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I have carried several of them over the years...the last was

a 10-5, IIRC, finish and grips worn from years as a police duty gun, but really smooth. At 10 yards, I have placed all 6 inside the bar code box on a standard bulls eye target, DA. It was a standard 4" barrel with factory magnas, and I sold it.

mark
 
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One of the best fighting guns ever made IMO, the 4" HB RB Model 10. Load it with 158 gr. +P's and you've got a gun that's far from obsolete, even in today's world of super capacity pistols.

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Another of my favorites, the 5" taper barrel RB. Balances like no other gun, such a natural point shooter at 15 yards you don't even need to use the sights.
 
I've put the Glock 30 away, and taken to carrying my 4" 10-5. I have a Safariland duty holster and with an untucked shirt and jacket, it's quite unnoticeable.
 
My M&P from R.M. Vivas. Very finish worn, but in excellent mechanical shape. It required minor timing adjustment:
 

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Photoman44 said:
Whatever happened to R.M. Vivas? He used to sell all kinds of neat old guns.
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The last I heard he wasn't listing guns online anymore. He MIGHT still have his FFL. The website hasn't been updated since 2008.

I once emailed him about the website and never got a reply.

Too bad, I was hoping to get an Official Police from him.
 
Stantheman86 is spot on with his posts.

A mod 10/64 is the very definition of "everything you need and nothing you don't" in a handgun.

I carry an old police trade-in DAO Mod 64 most everyday...

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... even though I have other revolvers to choose from. :)

GF
 
stantheman86 said:
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One of the best fighting guns ever made IMO, the 4" HB RB Model 10. Load it with 158 gr. +P's and you've got a gun that's far from obsolete, even in today's world of super capacity pistols.

P1210002.JPG


Another of my favorites, the 5" taper barrel RB. Balances like no other gun, such a natural point shooter at 15 yards you don't even need to use the sights.
Click to expand...

I think I prefer my 5 inch barreled Model 10 to all my other guns. For me, it balances better than my 4 inch models and seems to equal my K-38 for accuracy. Mine has the square butt.
Chris
 
I seem to see more Model 64's and 19's in my area.

Recently, I stupidly, initially passed and eventually missed on a Model 10 snub.

For me, nothing is more satisfying than a K frame.
 
Mod 67-1

Haven't shot this weapon yet but xpect the same bulls eye results. Bought used at Cabela's to carry here in TX. :)
 

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Ya know it's funny, I was going to post a new topic on the .38 Special asking if it was "the answer" to all the ballistic hoopla and caliber trends. And then I find this thread!
God knows I have one of about everything and shift preferences monthly, yet I find that these days I gravitate to an old 10-7 that sits next to my bed. It's a skinny barrel version that looks like it's seen better days and it is a solid performer be it house duty or taking out a varmint in the back yard.
It's funny indeed how these plain unpretentious service revolvers with their fixed sights and plain jane appearence just seem to be "The Answer"! I think I'll buy a few more of these. Dale
 
+1 for carrying a gun you enjoy shooting. If you don't enjoy shooting it, you probably won't find yourself driving to the range to shoot it.

I enjoy owing and shooting my revolvers very much, most of my autoloaders are just tools to me. If it comes down to taking a few .38 wheelguns to the range, or something like my Glock or 1911A1, the wheelguns pretty much always win.
 
Plus a Model 10 doesn't have that gimmicky adjustable sight thing....who needs them!:D
 
I have 2 inch, 4 inch and 5 inch Model 10s.
Some of the four inch guns have bull barrels.
Model 10s are some of the best revolvers for newbies to learn on.

Rule 303
 
Interesting. I promoted home ordnance and ballistics while my son was growing up. He learned safe handling from an early age. (his ol' man is somewhat of a hardnose when it comes to serious business) He was my brass handling assistant for years, resizing every spent case on a single stage until he caught on. Nowadays I have to process all my own brass, even if he comes over and takes a bunch of my ammo and shoots it all up. No complaint here, though; he's a fine family man and a good shot to boot. He's got his own reloading setup now, so he won't be cleanin' me out again any time soon.
When it was time for him to learn to shoot, he went through everthing I had at the time, including .38s, .357s, .41 mag., .44 mag, .45 acp, and 9mm, plus a couple of carbines and rifles. His choice? He settled on a 4' Victory. It was the revolver for him. The gun is old an a little beat up but it shoots great, and was 'soft' (his description) in the hands of a youth. I believe that some sytems approach perfection.
 
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stantheman86 said:
+1 for carrying a gun you enjoy shooting. If you don't enjoy shooting it, you probably won't find yourself driving to the range to shoot it.

I enjoy owing and shooting my revolvers very much, most of my autoloaders are just tools to me. If it comes down to taking a few .38 wheelguns to the range, or something like my Glock or 1911A1, the wheelguns pretty much always win.
Click to expand...

When I'm shooting autos, I usually end up with a few rounds left over, but when I'm shooting .38's, they all get used up.
I'll be shooting my 5 inch Model 10 in the morning.
Chris
 
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