Succumbed to Bud's and the used Model 10's

[CSG]

After reading mostly positive reviews about the current stash of police trade-ins at Bud's, I ordered the Model 10 square butt. With local fees I'll be at $313. Used my credit card as I get 1% back so it mitigates the CC surcharge a little.

Had one of these as a duty weapon in the 70's but understand this batch seems to have come from Australia but w/o import marks.

As long as it's a shooter and not too horrible re: finish and grips, I suspect I'll be satisfied. I've only once bought a used firearm sight unseen and it was fine (WWII Enfield Jungle Carbine).

Surprised there's not a long thread about the current crop of these other than the one that's mostly about the sold out 3" barrel versions.

 

[NCguy]

I got one of the 4" round butts. It is a 10-11, a modern model without the lock. Excellent mechanical condition, very little bluing wear, rubber grips. Its hard to go wrong, so of course I just ordered a square butt. Rick

 

[CSG]

I saw one photo from a guy who wasn't pleased with his finish and said he was sending it back. Said the mechanics were fine though.

I hope the one they send comes with the correct Magna grips so I don't have to go find a set! You pays your money and take your chances, I guess.

 

[Old Corp]

I just stuck this over in the Lounge. Mods feel free to move if needed.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/316897-lets-talk-about-aussie-m10s-again.html

 

[CSG]

Why not have posted that here?

I'm hoping my grips are Magnas and salvageable if beat up. I like to keep my guns as close to factory as possible.

I do wonder, with the typical well-used Model 10 police trade-ins if working on the finish, depending on how it is, is a poor idea? Usually, it's best to leave things alone as it can hurt value but I can't believe a beater M10 is ever going to have a lot of value anyway.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Mine is the 3" SB. Grips were bad, but a strip of the bad finish & a little work & tung oil, it looks better & shoots great!
Shoots low with 125 gr +P, right on with 160 KSWC

 

[CSG]

Looks great!

 

[Pointshoot]

I got mine last week. A RB and it looks very similiar to STCM(SW)'s gun pictured previously in this thread -- in terms of finish. My gun has more blue loss at the muzzle end from a holster than his. But my gun has less marks on the right sideplate. (Sorry my digital camera doesnt seem to be working). I was actually pleasantly surprised at how decent the finish is, as I decided that I was going to send it in to S&W to have a refinish job if it checked out mechanically but looked very rough. A refinish job won't be required. Lock up is tight, the best of any of my K frame police trade-ins. Trigger is nice and smooth. Your only risk is the FFL fees if you get one you don't like and return it. I've gotta feeling in a few years we'll be telling the new guys "I remember back when you could buy a terrific Model 10 for only $ 279 shipped !"

 

[holo]

I bought a 3'' now you guys are making me think I need a 4" i picked up one of the 64's last summer in 4" its a great shooter. I don't think you can go wrong for the money.

 

[87hurricane]

This is mine, 4" SB 10-10:



The finish is so so at best, alot of the bluing is missing, and I wasn't so sure initally, but the action and the lockup seemed good so I figured I'd give it a go.

Heres what it did its first time out, all DA with some 158g LSWC reloads:


Second time out, this time with some 125g XTP +P loads I cooked up:



Needless to say, I'm now quite happy with it. I may try refinishing it, and I'll probably pick up some better Magnas for it, as most of the checkering is worn smooth. Even still, it is exactly what I'd hoped for, and its quickly becoming one of my favorites.

 

[CSG]

I like the grips but that's a personal choice thing. Would cold blue be an option?

 

[Wingmaster]

I like the grips but that's a personal choice thing. Would cold blue be an option?

I bought one from the last batch. It is a square butt four incher. The finish was pretty bad. I could see no future collector value, so I stripped off what was left of the original bluuing. I cold blued it with Oxpho Blue. and bought a set of magna grips from ebay that weren't too bad, but definatly not perfect. They were not very expensive.

It now looks like a gun that has been cold blued. I think it looks a lot better than it did before I started. It shoots great.

I am happy with the way it turned out.

Wingmaster

 

[CSG]

Can you post a photo?

 

[Wingmaster]

I just snapped a quick picture. It really did look worse.

Wingmaster

 

[CSG]

Looks fine to me. Hard to tell about the finish in your photo but I LOVE the grips.

 

[87hurricane]

That is pretty much my exact plan for this gun Wingmaster, glad to see it worked out well.

 

[Jack Flash]

I picked up this 3" M10-7 several years ago from J&G Sales. They said it was re-imported from Australia by Century Arms, International (as you can see).

They were priced at $199 for "very good" specimins, and I paid the extra $10 for hand picked. The finish is not what I hoped for, but the action is smooth and it is an outstanding shooter. It has on the stocks it came with. You can see they are a little banged up, but perfectly functional.

If you are looking for a collector's item, you will probably be disappointed. But if you want a good solid shooter at an attractive price, I don't see how you can go wrong.

 

[k53]

Why not have posted that here?

I'm hoping my grips are Magnas and salvageable if beat up. I like to keep my guns as close to factory as possible.

I do wonder, with the typical well-used Model 10 police trade-ins if working on the finish, depending on how it is, is a poor idea? Usually, it's best to leave things alone as it can hurt value but I can't believe a beater M10 is ever going to have a lot of value anyway.

IMHO the value of a turn in model 10 will always be as a shooter ( well..unless it was like your dads duty weapon...but anyways..). If it makes you happy to touch it up, or refinish it have at it.

 

[CSG]

I got it this past week but it turned out to be a 1994. Grips were really beat and don't work well for me on this frame like they do on an N frame. A buddy has generously offered me a set of K frame targets that I'll replace these service grips with.

 

[lagavulin62]

So it looks like no chance of getting stuck with the "dreaded lock"? (I know the lock is for the civilian market but just checking) I have been debating this because I am doing lots of fishing in Galveston this summer. I have been needing a dependable shooter to pack in the truck. This looks like the ticket.