Model 10 sight accuracy?

[5-Shot]

I recently acquired my first S&W model 10 and am quite taken with it. All my other hand guns wear adjustable sights. Unexpectedly (to me at least) my new 10 shoots precisely to point of aim at 25 yards. I think I'd like to get another one or two. What are the odds they will shoot as accurately? Can some one give me the idea of how they shoot, in general, relative to point of am?

Boasting and horror stories equally welcome.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[GyMac]

I have 5 Model 10's, if you count my wife's. They all shoot to point of aim at 15 yards using a 6 o'clock hold, with the exception of the 6 inch gun which hits slightly to the right. I have to use 148 grain WC's though, as they hit high with 158 grain SWC's.

Just my experience.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I have heard horror stories of police armorers that used a wooden mallet or similar to whack the barrel a time or two to get them on the target. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to make me feint from verifying this in the positive....

 

[Beaver]

My model 10-5

I traded my neighbor for a 6" 10-5 w/ box, ANIB. I didn't shoot it for the longest time because it was so clean. But..., all my guns are shooters, so I shot mine at 25yds with standard 158gr. 38spl loads and I too was very pleased. A good group, right on top of the front sight. Beaver.

 

[Seaark1660]

They used to correct the sights being off by whacking the barrel with a piece of babbit (lead) at the factory.

 

[Alk8944]

I have heard horror stories of police armorers that used a wooden mallet or similar to whack the barrel a time or two to get them on the target. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to make me feint from verifying this in the positive....

It's not a horror story, just not totally accurate. It's done with a babbit block used as a hammer, and it is the frame that is struck on the lunette while the rear of the frame and a point on the barrel are supported. This is how windage deviation is corrected by factory trained armorers, and the factory!

And, BTW, the word is spelled faint.

 

[Maximumbob54]

That's what I get for just rolling with Firefox's spelling correct without really looking at it.

I was thinking too much about people bashing around fixed sight guns... Babbit, wabbit, whammy stick, whatever...

 

[sunday bill]

5-shot, every 4" Model 10 I ever fired shot to the vertical point of aim at 40 feet with 125 grain bullets with a favored charge of Bullseye approximating factory load velocities.

My pair of 6-inchers prefer 158 gr. cast bullets and shoot them to the vertical point of aim at the same distance when seated to a just-as-favored charge of W231 or HP 38.

It's been a long time since I owned a 5-incher, but would guess either bullet can be taken to vertical p.o.a. with a tad of powder drop adjustment. The 148 gr. HBWC can also be extremely accurate in either barrel length.

 

[sunday bill]

Darn, forgot to say, buy'em. They're one of life's little pleasures. If the occasional Model 10 shoots off a little, trust this gang to advise you as to how to make it shoot center.

 

[K-framer]

Just as with every other fixed-sight handgun, POI (notwithstanding any primitive "smash it with a hammer" - type techniques) should be adjusted with the LOAD used. Obviously, if one does not hand load, this this is not a viable option.

Even so, if the gun in question does not shoot to POA (POI does not correspond to POA), POA can be adjusted to give the results needed (stating the obvious, of course). My M10 tends to shoot a bit to the right and a bit low, with my favored load. However, it shoots nice, tight groups (with that load) - so I have no desire to change it. To make centre of mass hits (or centre of target).....I just hold a bit left and a bit high.

 

[TAROMAN]

Start with 158 grain factory loads (not+P). Mine all shoot very close to point of aim with this stuff.
After this confirmation, its easy to come up with a handload that approximates factory velocity (~750 f/s).
If you need to adjust your point of impact:
Heavier/slower bullets hit higher
Lighter/faster bullets hit lower.
Make up a bunch of test loads and have at it!
One of the pleasures of handloading.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My 4" gun holds "minute of squirrel" with 148 gr. cast WC's and 3 grs. of Bullseye.

Me & B-I-L sometimes leave the .22's home and take the .38's. We bag just as many and the 148 WC doesn't tear them up anymore than a standard .22 LR.

 

[Retired W4]

If I'm dealing with a human target beyond 25 yards I'm heading for cover and or concealment. Then I'll try to get my hands on the closest riot gun (25-50 yards) or an AR-15, or other suitable assault rifle.

If that's not available, I'm sticking with C&C.

 

[David LaPell]

My 1950 M & P .38 shoots to point of aim with 158 grain SWC's with 3.8 grains of Win 231 at 25 yards.

 

[V1 Rotate]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the lunette? I have never heard that word before-at least in the context of a firearm. Thanks, Bill S

 

[Az Rick]

I have two 10-5's, a six inch and a four inch. I shoot a DEWC that weights 146 as cast. The six inch will put them in the same hole and the four shoots good too, at POA. 4grs. HP-38 or 231. All my Smiths shoot that load good. I guess I need a five inch 10-5 too!

Best, Rick

 

[bmcgilvray]

All my .38 Special Military & Police and Model 10 guns hit to point of aim with 158 grain ammunition out to about 25 yards. Never have owned one that didn't.

I have two fixed-sight Colts, a M1917 New Service and a Army Special .41 Long Colt that both shoot to the left with standard factory ammunition. All the other fixed-sight Colts around here also shoot to point of aim.

 

[5-Shot]

Thanks guys. This is all very encouraging. Varying bullet weight's no problem in this household. I was just concerned with windage.

I believe there's a gun show this weekend. Your advice may prove costly.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[wetdog]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the lunette? I have never heard that word before-at least in the context of a firearm. Thanks, Bill S

I had to look it up. Something with the shape of a full or half moon. I still don't get it.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I have a 13 and a 65, both new to me. I made some mid range magnums using cast 160g SWC's and I use a 160g +P Spl that I've been using in my 586 and 627-0 for years.

For me these two shoot slightly high and to the left. Using my adjustable sight revolvers, I can drill the POA with these rounds, so I suppose I'll have to adopt a new sight pic with the fixed sights or shoot low right.

Since these revolvers are (hopefully) for CCW one day if California ever allows it and not target revolvers AND since they group one ragged hole albeit high left, I'm not too worried. They're @ 1/2" off @ 10 yards. More than good enough for CCW.