If you wanted to shoot a lot of 38 specials for practice at the range, would you buy a new S&W Model 10 or shoot an older Model 10-5 that is in almost prefect condition? I understand the warranty would be a good thing, but they have risen in price like all revolvers. I have a hard time justifying a new one, especially since I have seen posts with S&W customer service issues lately. On the other hand, I cant justify shooting hundreds, if not thousands out of a near perfect 10-5? BTW 38 special is one of my favorites, due to bullet casting, and reloading my own. Favorite here is a 148 wad cutter with bullseye. Any help would be appreciated.
Question on Model 10
- Thread starter ncairman
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Shoot what you have. A 10-5 isn't particularly collectable or unusual.
Look at it this way. Why not shoot it now? One of these days you're going to be on the dirt side of the grass and that 10-5 will go to someone else. What's that other person going to do with your 10-5? He's going to shoot the heck out of it.
Shoot that thing. You aren't going to wear it out.
Look at it this way. Why not shoot it now? One of these days you're going to be on the dirt side of the grass and that 10-5 will go to someone else. What's that other person going to do with your 10-5? He's going to shoot the heck out of it.
Shoot that thing. You aren't going to wear it out.
kev74
Member
Shoot the 10-5. Its not a high-end collectable and there are many more out there if you were to wear that one out - which you won't!
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
Model 10s aren’t rare…they’re one of the finest revolvers ever produced. I’m a Colt guy but I believe the Model 10 heavy barrel is dollar for dollar possibly the best defensive revolver ever made.
I used to own a police trade-in Model 10HB…one of the best revolvers I ever owned. I sold it during a time of near poverty…looking back I shoulda kept the revolver and found a different way to pay the bills. Woulda…coulda…shoulda. Looking back is a bad habit…gotta look forward.
I used to own a police trade-in Model 10HB…one of the best revolvers I ever owned. I sold it during a time of near poverty…looking back I shoulda kept the revolver and found a different way to pay the bills. Woulda…coulda…shoulda. Looking back is a bad habit…gotta look forward.
dubshooter
Member
Shoot it. What else is it good for?
I bought an unfired in box 10-5 2” few years back. Had been sitting on the top shelf in a closet wrapped in a handkerchief with 6 rounds next to it in the box since the owner bought it. He never shot it. He died. His son sold it to me for much cheaper than he should have.
It is one of my favorite shooters. If I don’t shoot it, I’ll either sell it later in life without appreciating it, or my daughter will take it and either shoot it or sell it for less than it’s worth to someone else.
I bought an unfired in box 10-5 2” few years back. Had been sitting on the top shelf in a closet wrapped in a handkerchief with 6 rounds next to it in the box since the owner bought it. He never shot it. He died. His son sold it to me for much cheaper than he should have.
It is one of my favorite shooters. If I don’t shoot it, I’ll either sell it later in life without appreciating it, or my daughter will take it and either shoot it or sell it for less than it’s worth to someone else.
I'd like to think I "rescued" this one, just a couple weeks ago at a local show, but we'll see. It's a 4-screw, and most likely was a trade-in. Came with significant finish wear, and a set of moderately used combat grips and non matching PC Magnas as an extra. Have not had a chance to shoot it yet!
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OP
Thanks for the replies, and I agree that I should shoot it. I sold my S&W revolvers 30+ years ago, and the 10-5 was the first one back in the safe. I could see myself only buying Model 10's and just collect them as a side hobby. Just cannot find many local due to my day job. I would jump on a police trade in as a project gun/rescue project.
Sgt. Buzzard
Member
November 1973 assigned a well used model 10. It shot perfect, center mass fifty yards. Very smooth action. Two months later all new model 10's issued. I couldn't keep the one I had and not allowed to buy it. The new one grouped 4" right at 50 yds. I adjusted to it.
1987 had to turn in my #10, going to Sigs. Tried to buy the 10, nope.
Now looking for a 10-6. Yeah, best damn .38 ever made. 4" please.
1987 had to turn in my #10, going to Sigs. Tried to buy the 10, nope.
Now looking for a 10-6. Yeah, best damn .38 ever made. 4" please.
I doubt you can wear out a model 10 with wadcutter loads. I have had a number of well worn ( finish wise, but mechanically solid) old cop guns over the years, and never had an issue with any of them. Looking to pick up another soon hopefully.
My current primary revolver is a mid 50’s combat masterpiece smooth as silk, and has seen tens of thousands of lead round nose and wadcutters, mostly hand loads. They will with minimal care last forever
My current primary revolver is a mid 50’s combat masterpiece smooth as silk, and has seen tens of thousands of lead round nose and wadcutters, mostly hand loads. They will with minimal care last forever
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Targets Guy
US Veteran
My favorite shooter is a 1981 Model 10-8. Smooth as butter and holds the POA really well.
Fire away!
Fire away!
Model 10 heavy barrel?
Model 10 .357 Magnum - only gun I ever scored 250 out of 250 with on the Texas concealed handgun test. 246 and 248 were typical, otherwise, pistols and revolvers.
Oh, I always shoot .38 Specials in it. I have L frames for hot stuff.
Model 10-7, cylinder locks up like a bank vault - of course it's been shot.
Your 10-5 was built to be shot!
Model 10 .357 Magnum - only gun I ever scored 250 out of 250 with on the Texas concealed handgun test. 246 and 248 were typical, otherwise, pistols and revolvers.
Oh, I always shoot .38 Specials in it. I have L frames for hot stuff.
Model 10-7, cylinder locks up like a bank vault - of course it's been shot.
Your 10-5 was built to be shot!
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VaTom
Member
Back in the day of police carrying revolvers the Model 10 was the standard in the industry especially in municipal / urban settings where 357's were too much overtaking sales of Colt Official Police model in the 1960's. Colt stopped making the Official Police in 1969. I consider the Model 10 the "Glock" of it's time. Reliable and tough. Would take an older model over a new revolver any day.
Two of the most carried 38 special revolvers by police departments back in the day. My 1977 Nickel Model 10 and 1956 Colt Official Police.
Enjoy your shooting!
Two of the most carried 38 special revolvers by police departments back in the day. My 1977 Nickel Model 10 and 1956 Colt Official Police.
Enjoy your shooting!
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“What? Me worry” Alfred E. Newman
Everyone has said what I would about the Model 10. Pre-lock Model 10’s and it’s redheaded brother the Model 64 are on my always buy list and excuse to go to gun stores and shows.
p.s. I have started thinking I need to buy a nickel finish Model 10 this year.
Everyone has said what I would about the Model 10. Pre-lock Model 10’s and it’s redheaded brother the Model 64 are on my always buy list and excuse to go to gun stores and shows.
p.s. I have started thinking I need to buy a nickel finish Model 10 this year.
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Targets Guy
US Veteran
I could never make up my mind about which Model 10 to take to the range so I got one of each; no dash through the Model 10-10. I did double up on the Model 10-5 with a blue and a nickel version.
Justamessenger
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Also consider the 10’s stainless version, the 64
If you find a used heavy barrel 64, you can holster it without fear of degrading the model 10’s blued finish- it literally is a ‘shooter’ and a ‘looker’ due to being overbuilt and your being able to polish out small scratches and other imperfections without the casual observer judging it ‘messed up’. This takes away nothing from the 10-5, I own one of those, too.
If you find a used heavy barrel 64, you can holster it without fear of degrading the model 10’s blued finish- it literally is a ‘shooter’ and a ‘looker’ due to being overbuilt and your being able to polish out small scratches and other imperfections without the casual observer judging it ‘messed up’. This takes away nothing from the 10-5, I own one of those, too.
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
For most of my years as a LEO I was issued a Model 64. I wish I could have bought it when I left. As it was...that agency transitioned to Sig 9mm pistols and all revolvers were melted down. Such a crime.
I am a fan of fixed sight K-Frames. They are “reasonably priced and shoot great. Maybe not as popular as adjustable sight versions but they shoot just as well
I could become a hoarder.
My best, M10-5 from 76-77. Target at 15yds, off-hand. What is not to like?
I could become a hoarder.
My best, M10-5 from 76-77. Target at 15yds, off-hand. What is not to like?
Could not help but notice all the badges on profiles in this thread, so this may be the place to ask...
Was the HB version more popular with Police and Law Enforcement agencies after some point in time? Most of the surplus Model 10s that would show up in batches periodically seemed to be the HB version, at least the ones I have seen.
The one I found recently had a faint outline of what were probably Pachmayer grips before I cleaned it. (it really needed a spa day...
)
(edit: shown with a Hogue grip, not either one of the two sets I refer to elsewhere)
Was the HB version more popular with Police and Law Enforcement agencies after some point in time? Most of the surplus Model 10s that would show up in batches periodically seemed to be the HB version, at least the ones I have seen.
The one I found recently had a faint outline of what were probably Pachmayer grips before I cleaned it. (it really needed a spa day...
)
(edit: shown with a Hogue grip, not either one of the two sets I refer to elsewhere)
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VaTom
Member
Regarding nickel. It took me about 4 years to find the nickel Model 10 shown in my earlier post. My criteria was a standard 4" pinned barrel, mid to late 1970's and it must be in very good to excellent condition at a reasonable price. (I wanted one like I carried as a LEO in the 1970's) Finally came across it in 2016 at a small show, private seller and negotiated a price of $300 cash out the door.
Good luck with your search!
OP
You don't see those $300 prices anymore...should have kept what I had 30 years ago. Beautiful guns ya'll have posted.
