No Love for the 6 inch Model 10?

GyMac

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I just won a 6 inch Model 10 on GB and it seems to be in excellent condition. After a week with no bids on it, it was relisted at a lower price and I just couldn't resist.
I was wondering why this really nice Model 10 escaped notice when it seems that prices for mediocre looking 4 inch barreled guns are climbing. Do people just not like this length? I've got 4 and 5 inch Model 10's, but I've always wanted a 6 inch. Am I the only one?
 
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This was my Dad's before he passed and now it's mine.
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"No Love for the 6 inch Model 10?"

Um... not really. I had a 6" M&P that I was uncomfortable shooting because of its 1917 manufacturing date and sold it. Fact is I don't know why I bought it as the 6" doesn't exactly call to me. My K22 and K38 Masterpieces (and the Colt Officers Models and Targets) are about the only 6" revolvers I own. My 29 and 25 are 6.5" and I can tell the 1/2" difference.
 
I love my 6in. Model 10. It's accurate. It sees lots of Range time, fun to shoot.

Best, Rick
 
I like all of the barrel lengths in the M10/M&P however I find the 5 inch to be the best balanced for me.

I do believe most 6 inch barreled M10s/M&Ps do go wanting sometimes.

Congratulations on your purchase and Semper Fi!
 
My Dad has one. I just picked up a 4" HB 10.

The 6" is probably the easiest pistol to shoot accurately I have ever fired. Amazing what that gun can do.

I've yet to spend anytime with the 4" but I will this week.
 
Differant strokes for differant folks

I have 6 in and 4 in Smiths The 6 in on N frames ( 657 and 25-1) the 4in is a Mod 10 HB. i use it as carry gun. 6 in would not be my choice for carry but "Differant strokes for differant folks":D
 

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I picked up a very tight but ugly 6" very late pre-Model 10 last year. Apparently the previous owners had stored it unwisely and it was polka-dotted with rust, but it cleaned up ok and shoots great. I really like the balance and feel of it.
 
I passed on one the other day. You can't give them away around here.
 
I passed on one the other day. You can't give them away around here.

This is what I'm kind of wondering about. This kind of revolver (like most) is out of fashion and difficult to carry concealed. Of course, it could serve for home defense, but so could a million other guns. I guess it just appeals to those of us who like Model 10's for the fun of shooting or collecting, or both.
 
Never liked model 10's myself, of any barrel length. Wouldn't give $75.00 new for 'em forty years ago, when you could get a model 15 for $10.00 more. Never shot one that POA & POI were the same for me. Besides the adjustable sighted K-frames were so much better looking, I always thought a pencil barrel 10 was about the worst looking revolver S&W ever made. My opinion only, I know many here like 'em & pay dearly for 'em.
 
The "balance point" of a revolver is an objective thing, and easily determined, when it's at rest. Pick it up and hold it at something approaching arm's length, and the gun's "balance" is apparently a highly subjective entity. A 5 1/2" Colt's SAA balances out better than any other barrel length, in my hand, yet I hear people say they think the 4 5/8" length barrel SAA is better balanced. Same way with Model 10s. No other factory barrel length hangs as sweet at arm's length for me as one with a six-inch tube. Obviously, many prefer the shorter barrels. (This may not be worth debating, as those folks may choose their barrel lengths for reasons other than balance.)

Preferred carry method? A 6" Moel 10 and an old 7 1/2" SAA are the only guns I've ever carried in my belt, small-of-the-back. Don't know how they'd ride over extended periods of time, but for short trips to the barn, it's my preferred method.

I've experimented with 10s for the past couple years, and am yet to shoot a 6-incher that goesn't group very nicely with 158 gr. cast bullets and sensible doses of any one of several fairly fast-burning pistol powders. Shooting deliberately and off-hand inside 25 yards, my 6" 10-5 and late-1920s 6" Model of 1905, 4th Change will beat the two best 4" pre-10s I've tried lately as well as my 6" Colt's Official Police which was issued to IBM during WWII.
 
6" model 10

I don't want to use mine as a carry gun simply because of the barrel length, but its a fun shooter. Shooting mine with 158 LSWC's over some Unique make me a happy man.

I've really never given any thought to selling or trading it.

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This is what I'm kind of wondering about. This kind of revolver (like most) is out of fashion and difficult to carry concealed. Of course, it could serve for home defense, but so could a million other guns. I guess it just appeals to those of us who like Model 10's for the fun of shooting or collecting, or both.

Seems like the 2" guns are popular with some people but not others. The 4" version is the most popular and a very nice gun. The 5" has the cool factor lately. The 6" gun is just too long to carry and without adjustable sights isn't really a target gun. I am not sure how old time police carried 5 and 6 inch guns in drop holsters and still managed to be comfortable.
 
Never liked model 10's myself, of any barrel length. Wouldn't give $75.00 new for 'em forty years ago, when you could get a model 15 for $10.00 more. Never shot one that POA & POI were the same for me. Besides the adjustable sighted K-frames were so much better looking, I always thought a pencil barrel 10 was about the worst looking revolver S&W ever made. My opinion only, I know many here like 'em & pay dearly for 'em.

I felt EXACTLY the same way until recently. The only Model 10 I could tolerate was the 4 inch Heavy Barrel, but I didn't have the time of day for the .38 special cartridge. But things changed for me and the .38 is now my favorite cartridge and I prefer the tapered barrel Model 10's, with the 5 inch my current favorite. BTW, all my 10's shoot to POA for me.
 
When I first joined the police department, I asked if I could carry my 6-inch New Service Colt. It was a .38 Special that had been altered for .357. Captain Clark, the range officer said absolutely not! The he ask, "Why would anybody want to carry a 6 inch barrel pistol on patrol?" And I answered promptly, "then I wouldn't have to carry a night stick." I was dismissed promptly.
 
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