Smith and Wesson Model 10-6 Accuracy.
- Thread starter prettyvacant007
- Start date
I've had the same experience with my Model 10-6 HB. Most of my revolvers have adj. sights. A friend of mine who works at the LGS in my area called me to say that a pretty clean 10-6 had been brought in for sale. It was about 98% with just a little muzzle wear. Carried much shot a little kind of shape. $215 OTD.
When I got it to the range I was amazed at the accuracy. I had various 38 ammo. I'm 65 and my eyes are not that good but with a two hand hold at 7, 10, then 15 yards I was putting everything into a pie plate. Then at 25 thinking "no way" I started hitting almost all the time. I then sat at the 50 yard rifle bench and just rested the butt on my forearm and again I started to hit a pie plate!! None of my other revolvers will do that without dumb luck. So here I was holding a fixed sight 43 year old S&W Model 10-5 grinning and amazed. I'm at best an average shooter but this old Smith makes me look good. In the hands of a real master I can't imagine what it could do! What is it about the 10?
When I got it to the range I was amazed at the accuracy. I had various 38 ammo. I'm 65 and my eyes are not that good but with a two hand hold at 7, 10, then 15 yards I was putting everything into a pie plate. Then at 25 thinking "no way" I started hitting almost all the time. I then sat at the 50 yard rifle bench and just rested the butt on my forearm and again I started to hit a pie plate!! None of my other revolvers will do that without dumb luck. So here I was holding a fixed sight 43 year old S&W Model 10-5 grinning and amazed. I'm at best an average shooter but this old Smith makes me look good. In the hands of a real master I can't imagine what it could do! What is it about the 10?
Well, it is better to learn a little late than never at all! 
When I was a young fellow and the older shooters I knew were all field marksmen, the targets were small - the head of a squirrel or a cottontail - and they rarely allowed a second shot. They all cast their own bullets and loaded their own ammunition. And everyone knew what to expect from an S&W revolver.
To answer the question about the "why" of the accuracy, they are carefully made guns in all details, but the one thing that puts the icing on the cake has always been the trigger. S&W revolvers have always been legendary for their great triggers and there is nothing more important to practical accuracy in a handgun than a great trigger.
When I was a young fellow and the older shooters I knew were all field marksmen, the targets were small - the head of a squirrel or a cottontail - and they rarely allowed a second shot. They all cast their own bullets and loaded their own ammunition. And everyone knew what to expect from an S&W revolver.
To answer the question about the "why" of the accuracy, they are carefully made guns in all details, but the one thing that puts the icing on the cake has always been the trigger. S&W revolvers have always been legendary for their great triggers and there is nothing more important to practical accuracy in a handgun than a great trigger.
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I recently bought my first M10 (-6) at a local Pawn shop for, no kidding, $100 OTD. It looked really rough, but the lock-up was tight and the action butter smooth. The trigger pull in both SA and DA mode is better than any other revolver I've owned or own. Since I only paid $100 and they made lots of 'em and though it cleaned up pretty darn nice, it was still cosmetically challenged so I've just finished converting it to round butt configuration. I really love the way it turned out though I still have to finish polishing and rebluing.
plateshooter
Member
I have a bunch of S&W revolvers but my favorite is my 10-6 HB. With it's load of a 158gr SWC and 3.8gr of Red Dot, it shoots to exactly to point of aim. I will be keeping that revolver until I croak unless my son wants it and I am too old to go shooting.
I have a number of model 10s or their SS variants and a couple of them are superb, with triggers that have been "worked on". For sheer accuracy however, I will match my Model 14 6" against any of them, but it really is not fair, as that gun has adjustable sights and an extra 2" sight radius. However, i do enjoy the looks on the faces of youngsters (I am 73) when the holes from all of them resemble clover leaves at up to 15 -20 yds. Dave_n
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
The Model 10 with a 4" HB is got to be one of the best ever combinations of frame size, barrel length, weight, size and balance. I have a 547, which is essentially a 9x19 Model 10, and here's a sample of what it will shoot:
That's using cheap ammo and not really seriously trying to shoot well, it was just a casual day at the range. I believe it shoots better than that as I've never been a great shot with a handgun; have qualified expert with military M9s but that's no measure of ability. It's a testament to the K-Frame 10" HB design, in just about any caliber/cartridge, they shoot like this and better.
That's using cheap ammo and not really seriously trying to shoot well, it was just a casual day at the range. I believe it shoots better than that as I've never been a great shot with a handgun; have qualified expert with military M9s but that's no measure of ability. It's a testament to the K-Frame 10" HB design, in just about any caliber/cartridge, they shoot like this and better.
My Model 10 is also a tack driver. Sometimes simple is better. And there is nothing fancy about a M 10. SW got it right 100 years ago! Don't mess with virtual perfection.
Why don't you fellers shot at longer distances?
In the old days of my LE work, we had to qualify at 3, 7, 15, 25 and 50 yards on the B-27 NRA target. All while shooting 148 gr wadcutters reloaded with a light charge of Bulleye. The targets at the 50 yard line could be fired single action, however, most were fired double action, and quite of few of us achieved quite high scores.
I realize that those distances my seem unrealistic to some of you, and yes, statistics show SD ranges are quite close, but those old revolvers are quite capable at those distances, and it will help you improve your shooting skills. I still shoot those distances today, and my scores have gone down lately due to my ever decreasing eyesight, but if I squeeze off a round at 50 yds., whatever I'm aiming at is in trouble.
Try it sometime, you've nothing to lose, and only skill to gain
In the old days of my LE work, we had to qualify at 3, 7, 15, 25 and 50 yards on the B-27 NRA target. All while shooting 148 gr wadcutters reloaded with a light charge of Bulleye. The targets at the 50 yard line could be fired single action, however, most were fired double action, and quite of few of us achieved quite high scores.
I realize that those distances my seem unrealistic to some of you, and yes, statistics show SD ranges are quite close, but those old revolvers are quite capable at those distances, and it will help you improve your shooting skills. I still shoot those distances today, and my scores have gone down lately due to my ever decreasing eyesight, but if I squeeze off a round at 50 yds., whatever I'm aiming at is in trouble.
Try it sometime, you've nothing to lose, and only skill to gain
I have a 10-5 and 10-6 which are both dead on shooters with great triggers and smooth as silk.
For fun I shoot clays at 35 yds setting on my backstop double action..with
158gr semi wadcutter +P's all day long. I may miss one once in awhile, but not often..
For fun I shoot clays at 35 yds setting on my backstop double action..with
158gr semi wadcutter +P's all day long. I may miss one once in awhile, but not often..
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
I agree, and I used to shoot up to the fifty meter mark; the M9 basic firing table goes out to 25 meters also with some 50 meter targets on the advanced. But them's what was in my younger days, my hand ain't as steady and my eyes aren't quite as sharp as then either. Plus, I'm limited to ranges, and where I can shoot they aren't much more than 20meters max, more often 15. It is my belief that my 547 woud do well at those longer ranges, and any good model 10, too.
My old 10-6 is definitely my favorite revolver, possibly even favorite hand gun. It's an old cop gun so it looks like hell, but shoots like a dream. While I get tired of shooting some of my other guns I always seem to run out of ammo before that happens with the 10. I recently picked up a nice set of grips for it at a gun show, sometime soon I am going to have it reblued. My Model 10 is keeper.
M3Stuart
Member
Good for you!
I regularly shoot 3"-4" groups at 50' with my model 10's. You just can't go wrong with any of the 4" S&W's at that range!
I regularly shoot 3"-4" groups at 50' with my model 10's. You just can't go wrong with any of the 4" S&W's at that range!
Texas629
Member
Bought a 10-6 with a 4" BB for $195 last Saturday. Looks like it had not been cleaned in a decade. Lots of holster wear. Smooth trigger and locks up just fine. Darn near took the center out of the target at 25 yards. LGS took them in trade from a security company. Serial says it was made in 1962.
Rick_A
Member
I've got 1980 10-8 that shoots excellently.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/138562354-post1.html
It shows some holster wear, the backstrap is worn bare, and the action isn't particularly tight, but it performs.
Most of the heavy barrel Smiths make great shooters.
I'll be getting a model 67 eventually for bullseye practice.
Even my J snubs can shoot a 4-5" group at 25 yards, they just don't make it quite as easy.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/138562354-post1.html
It shows some holster wear, the backstrap is worn bare, and the action isn't particularly tight, but it performs.
Most of the heavy barrel Smiths make great shooters.
I'll be getting a model 67 eventually for bullseye practice.
Even my J snubs can shoot a 4-5" group at 25 yards, they just don't make it quite as easy.
dogngun
US Veteran
A lot of people carry revolvers. There is GOOD REASON for that!
You should try a J frame sometime...you will be shocked.
FWIW, I have a scuffed up former police 10 - 6 right here. I have been thinking of selling it, but every time I take it out to look at it "one last time", I decide to keep it.
You should try a J frame sometime...you will be shocked.
FWIW, I have a scuffed up former police 10 - 6 right here. I have been thinking of selling it, but every time I take it out to look at it "one last time", I decide to keep it.
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Texas629
Member
a twin
Looks just like mine, nice balance and great to shoot. Bluing on mine is 80% maybe.
A lot of people carry revolvers. There is GOOD REASON for that!
You should try a J frame sometime...you will be shocked.
FWIW, I have a scuffed up former police 10 - 6 right here. I have been thinking of selling it, but every time I take it out to look at it "one last time", I decide to keep it.
Looks just like mine, nice balance and great to shoot. Bluing on mine is 80% maybe.
With the exception of custom tuned high end over $1000 dollar autos, I have never seen a basic combat / service auto that can out shoot a model ten. Groups I can barely manage out of my modern combat auto at 25 yards I can get at fifty with the revolver.
hangnoose
Member
10 yard groups
The size of a tennis ball with my 10-6 is a surprise, a bad one! Even shooting d/a offhand with waning eyesight/shakes/neuropathy/shoulder issues a few groups should be lemon/golf ball size & usually are. It's kind of hard to rate my shooting skill as it depends who you are comparing yourself against. It is pretty amazing how bad some weekend shooters at a public range can be (for the most part) measuring groups in feet at 10 yards, if they can hit paper at all. As for shotgun shooting, I stink on ice now.
The size of a tennis ball with my 10-6 is a surprise, a bad one! Even shooting d/a offhand with waning eyesight/shakes/neuropathy/shoulder issues a few groups should be lemon/golf ball size & usually are. It's kind of hard to rate my shooting skill as it depends who you are comparing yourself against. It is pretty amazing how bad some weekend shooters at a public range can be (for the most part) measuring groups in feet at 10 yards, if they can hit paper at all. As for shotgun shooting, I stink on ice now.
