S&W Model 10

[noah228]

RichCapeCod,

Wow your model 10 came out beautifully.
Mine looks exactly like yours, except for the finish. Mine still wears the original blue with some holster wear showing. I'm guesing this one was former LE or security guard service. The guy that sold it to me is a former LEO and was trained by S&W armorer school. He thought is was carried a lot but shot little. Just about everyone who has a 10 raves about it. I own a couple of J frames but no K's until now.

 

[RichCapeCod]

Noah228:

The model 10 HB is a remarkably accurate handgun given the correct ammo. I used to be in charge of Research and Testing at the NYPD Firearms and Tactics Section. We had a Ransom rest and would routinely test various lots of .38 Special ammo for accuracy. The really good stuff (I'm thinking of some Yugo .38 Special wadcutter that I bought for next to nothing) would put 25 rounds in about an inch wide hole at 25 yards. Normal service rounds would go into a two inch or so circle from the rest.

Rich

 

[noah228]

Rich,

What did NYPD use for carry loads? 158 grain? Could the older model HB 10 handle say the current 158gr Remington or Winchester +P "FBI" load? Thanks for the information.

Noah

 

[RichCapeCod]

Noah:

Our load was the 158 grain SWC, Remington, Winchester or Federal. Our first loads were the equivalent of +P and were later reduced to standard velocity pressures (for ease of training purposes). The modern model 10 (any heavy barrel) will easily handle a modern +P loading from a factory round. These guns were designed to shoot to point of aim using 158 grain ammo. Fixed sight model 10s were routinely used in PPC matches back then, most often with 148 grain wadcutter rounds.

This is my service revolver, a stock model 10 (D212xxx) that I carried during my twenty years in the NYPD. Reliable, accurate and, by the way, the heavy barrel made a heck of a club!

Rich

 

[noah228]

Rich,

That is a beauty. Mine is almost identical except it doesnt have the Tyler grip adapter. They are not as heavy as I would have thought. Some of my retired LEO friends carried model 28's and by the end of the shift they were listing to the right!.

I'll try to get to the range next week and have a variety of 38 ammo to try including 148 wadcutters, and some of the FBI loads too. Gave it a good cleaning today. Points and balances very well. Thanks for the information as I'm more confident using +P loads in it now and then.

Noah

 

[oldafsp]

Noah, in your 4 inch Model 10 the Remington 158gr LSWCHP +P should run around 925-975 fps.

Proven stopper.Even after all these years. Every house and carry gun of ours is loaded with that round. And if trust it to
protect my wife thats what counts.

Lighter rounds tend to shoot low. Smiths just love a 158 gr bullet.

Use a 158 gr LSWC for practice, keep your forcing cone de-leaded and you will be very happy with the way it shoots.

Just me .02 worth.

 

[rromeo]

Wow, in what part of the country does one find prices like that? It sure sounds like a winner!

I bought my 10-5 in a pawn shop for less than $240 out the door. Its not a heavy barrel, and the bluing is a bit worn, but I still think I got a decent deal.
This was the same pawn shop where I got my 3" 65 for $319.

I consider anything under $300 for a S&W revolver to be a "strong consideration" and anything under $250 to be a "buy it now."

 

[noah228]

Thanks for the information Oldafsp. I thought the 10 would have been regulated for the 158gr. I agree that for home defense the "FBI" +P load is hard to beat. It sure has a lot of history behind it.

RRomeo, mine is the first S&W revolver in decent/good shape that I have seen under $300.00.