New revolver and curious

[Cweswells]

Just picked up a 10-5 2" 38 at local pawn for $300 and was hoping to find some deeper info.

1. Hand ejector
2. D772147
3. 38 S.&W. SPL.
4. 2"
5. Fixed
6. 3 screw w/strain screw

There are a number of marking to include "E7" E4 "E15" under grips and an E15 under the crane.
I'm brand new to wheel guns and I'm loving it so far the only drawback I've found is that I miss my 3dot sights but I have seen a couple custom guns with dovetail 3dot setups and I'm interested in a lead on who I can send it to for that.

Thanks guys

 

[Hair Trigger]

The SN puts it probably in 1975, the SN range D750001-D870000 was 1975-76. The other marks "E7, E4, E15" are all inspector marks.

Is yours a round butt or square butt? The 2" barrel was available either way.

 

[John Patrick]

Great price if the condition is halfway decent.

Perhaps Cylinder and Slide for custom sight work.

For a possible three dot set up I'd look at aftermarket front and rear adjustable sight options for adjustable sight revolvers. Cylinder and Slide has matching front and rear sight options on their site.

You will find much less standardization in the revolver world than in the semiauto world in my experience. For example, I have three different versions of S&W 386s and each has a different sight set up.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums! A 2 inch Model 10-5 for only $300, what's wrong with it?

You can have dovetail sights installed to gain a 3-dot sight picture, but I would first suggest trying it as-is and at the distance the short barrel revolver performs best, which would be nothing further than 15 yards. Although the S&W snub nose revolvers have the mechanical accuracy of much longer versions, the short sight radius makes them suited for close range defense. With practice, they can be accurate out to 25 yards, I've done it with my J-frame S&W, but up close is where they really shine and you don't need big sights for that purpose.


Before you head to the range, the first thing you need to do is post some pictures of your Model 10-5. We love gun pictures around here. Then you need to thoroughly clean and give it a proper lubrication, you have no idea what sort of maintenance it has or has not received.

 

[Cweswells]

If it is a 75-76 that puts it right around the same age as my Winchester 94 30-30 that dates out at 76 if I remember correctly so that is pretty cool thank you for the fast knowledge.
It is a round butt gun and the finish is still probably around 75%. There is no pitting and only a few handling scratches.
I have not shot it on paper but my first cylinder went 4/6 on a coors light can at 8-10 yards and I think I've talked myself out of 3dot but a fiber optic front would be a great addition.
And I'm tossing around the idea of ceracoating it a silver because it's constantly humid here in south Texas and I plan to carry it frequently to break up my cz/Glock carry rotation but it is hard to commit to ruining the bluing and the color case on trigger and hammer.

 

[Texjack]

I think it looks good with it's "character " the way it is. Maybe paint the front sight, find a good holster and call it done. Stag grips would look nice also, but I know how good those Hogues feel. A very well spent $300.

 

[bananaman]

If it functions properly, you did great! I paid $329 for my 10-5 before the price craziness. Knew it was just a shooter. Changed the stocks and cleaned it up. Happy with it. Bob

 

[stansdds]

Cerakote is fine on pistols, not quite so good on revolvers. For a really durable revolver re-finish, you can't beat hard chrome. Beyond that, I'd leave it as is and keep it well oiled or waxed. Johnson's paste wax works well, for a better wax, there is Renaissance Wax.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Although millions of K-frame .38 M&Ps and Model 10s were made by S&W, the "snubbies" always seem to be the most desirable. I think you did very well on the price, and a 10-5 RB makes a nice CCW revolver. Since you're new to revolvers, give the iron sights a chance before you upgrade them. You may find that "up close and personal" (5-7 yards) they work just fine. Enjoy!

 

[John Patrick]

Great deal at $300!

Hope the beer cans were empty!

 

[MajorD]

Don't refinish. For decades these guns were carried and survived all sorts of weather conditions with a simple oil rag wipe down from time to time. No reason that would not still be the case.
I had a blued J frame I carried in an ankle holster very frequently. Stepping in puddles deep snow etc. didn't bother it at all

 

[Igiveup]

I bought one of the J&G 10-7's without a barrel. Put an older(half moon front sight) on it, cerrakoted it black with elk horn grips and love the hell out of it. Very durable, inexpensive, and accurate at 15 yds.

 

[H Richard]

A few coats of Renaissance Wax can protect it from the humidity and sweat. Clean it and reapply as needed, and you can keep that original finish. If you do decide to coat it, industrial hard chrome is an almost indestructible finish.

 

[Rudi]

That was a great deal!

 

[StakeOut]

If it were mine I'd not change anything on that 10-5.

I'd give it a 50:50 ATF and Acetone bath for about a week,lube it,put the grips back on and shoot it every week or two.
It doesn't get much better than a snubby 10-5 for an every day carry.