The forgotten .38 snubby...

[ibewbull]

I guess I like to have my cake and eat it too.
My 66 in a Simply Rugged pancake and 642 ported 2 inch in a pocket.
I never liked speed loaders anyhow. Then there is the option of passing one to a friend in need.
On long road trips on the Harley I like the 3 inch 686P with 7 rounds of 158 gr JHP. and 158 gr LHP +P 38s in the 642 and a speed strip with .38s just in case.
I don't have a K frame .38 at this time but never stop looking.
I like the K frame in the RB and have a 4 inch 19 with it. It is NIB and I hate to snap a cap on this one. Special order one of a kind also.
Wish I had pics available. Also wish I had a bag of cash. It would not be here long.

 

[TexasRider]

After reading about the virtues of a Model 10/M&P on the forum I decided I had to have one. It took me two years of searching to find a Model 10. I did not want to go through the hassle of ordering one over the internet sight unseen. The one I found happened to be a 2 inch. Handguns especially good used revolvers have become very hard to come by in my area at a reasonable price. The one I bought was just being put on the shelf as I walked into the LGS. I didn't hesitate and bought it. It's a 10-5 RB at about 98%. Put a set of S&W Combat grips and didn't look back. I didnot like the hogue rubber grips it had on it. My favorite holster is a Bianchi 3S which is the holster style I've used for all my other carry handguns in the past. It rides well in that holster and is just a bit heavier than my Model 36 but that extra round is comforting.
If you feel that what you post does not influence others then think again. I would like to thank those who posted honest opinions that helped me make up my mind about that purchase.

Congrats on your new S&W.

I gave up on inside the waist carry, with the very occassional exception of a 1911 small of the back style, and either use pocket carry or waist / belt carry for these size and weight revolvers. I found the snap off styles to be useful for these.

Now I do carry my 6.5 inch 29 sometimes . But it is in a Black Hills shoulder holster .

 

[hotrod150]

Ok I sinned. was at the local gun show and there was a nice model 10-5 round butt snub for $350. In a moment of weakness i went home with 36 no dash for 315 instead.

The sin was not buying both, or ffor not having the money to buy both.

 

[blujax01]

It used to be easier to conceal a k-frame because men used to wear trousers. They "draped" loosely enough to hide most anything. My EDC is an M64 Brinks Special that has a factory bobbed hammer. Props to Ray at Lobo for the IWB holster. With a decent belt I forget I'm carrying and that's no lie!

 

[crsides]

This S serial # birthyear gun was on the way in when this thread started. A really nice transitional model from Dec 1947. Thanks Bigtubby for turning this one loose.

Charlie

 

[59Lover]

Nickel one from 1921 or so. This one I carry a lot.

Obviously re-barreled. Did you do it or a previous owner?

 

[Nframecollector]

I sometimes carry a 68' vintage 10-5 snubbie that I found in a pawn shop with target grips on it. Have since put the right grips on. It has the smoothest double action pull of all my S&W's!

 

[squekydad]

Have introduced many friends young and older over the years to the shooting sports. Every single one fell instantly in love with my 10-5 snubbie in six shots. Carry mine often OWB DeSantis holster.

 

[sheepdawg]

There's not enough pictures of Model 15s in here.

 

[hotrod150]

There's a really nice looking RB model 10 snubby that was just listed for sale on the Seattle Armslist site. "Rare model 10-8....2-1/2 inch pinned barrel, pinned front sight. New in box never been fired...special order for Michigan State Police...". With box and etc, plus letter--$1200. Price seems steep to me, but maybe not to someone who's looking for one of these. SCSW mentions this variation, says about 780 10-6 & 10-8's were sold to the FBI & Michigan State Police with about 100 10-8's surplused out by MSP in 1998.
That 2-1/2 inch barrel looks really good on a k-frame, more in proportion to the size of the frame than a 2" and with a slightly longer ejection rod to boot. I like it...but not $1200 worth.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Today, the 5-shot lightweight J-frames are all the rage for discreet carry. The 642 and 442 lightweights do seem to offer ease of carry.

But back in the 1950s to 1970s, the weapon of choice for plainclothes detectives was often a Model 10 K-frame snubby, chambered for the .38 special. Re-runs of the TV shows such as "Dragnet" and "Highway Patrol" will verify this. When you think about it, these guns offer a 20% increase in firepower over the J-frames and don't seem to wear out very easily with a steady diet of +P ammo.

Here's an example of the breed. This is a Model 10-5 2" snubby, nickel finish, shipped in December of 1977. The more I think about it, one of these packed in a pancake strong-side holster could still more than get the job done. Admittedly a bit heavier, but way easier to fire, and offering 6 rounds rather than 5. Anyone opt for one of these forgotten revolvers for discreet carry today?

John

Yep, from time to time I carry one just like it, only in blue.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Since the barrel is the easiest part of a revolver to hide (the cylinder and the butt are much harder to conceal) I've never understood the appeal of a 2" K-frame. A 3" version of the same gun gives better ballistics, longer sight radius and a full length ejector rod and stroke.

Not trying to start an argument, just asking a legitimate question.

Dave



Dave

You're right, in that, carried IWB, there's really only one advantage, i.e., less weight, but that couple of ounces can sometimes mean a lot. Then, of course, there's the advantage of being able to stick a K-Frame nubby into a jacket pocket, if needed, which isn't practical for a four inch one.

 

[mbliss57]

I have a 64-5 and a 10-5 snubby I use for night stand/ plinking / range /guns. I have carried the model 64 but not with any regularity.

I am a J frame carry guy. I love the 637 and 649-3. 38, 36, 49 640 and 642.... oh and the 940.


10-5



64-5 DAO

 

[5Wire]

64-2

 

[jsfricks]

There's a really nice looking RB model 10 snubby that was just listed for sale on the Seattle Armslist site. "Rare model 10-8....2-1/2 inch pinned barrel, pinned front sight. New in box never been fired...special order for Michigan State Police...". With box and etc, plus letter--$1200. Price seems steep to me, but maybe not to someone who's looking for one of these. SCSW mentions this variation, says about 780 10-6 & 10-8's were sold to the FBI & Michigan State Police with about 100 10-8's surplused out by MSP in 1998.
That 2-1/2 inch barrel looks really good on a k-frame, more in proportion to the size of the frame than a 2" and with a slightly longer ejection rod to boot. I like it...but not $1200 worth.

And now its here. http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/319070-s-w-nib-michigan-state-police-10-8-look.html

 

[bellevance]

Love the 10-5 snub. Always have. Looks, convenience, accuracy, dependability. It's my nightstand gun, as it is for many others, with wadcutters.

These days she wears birdseye maple stocks by Don Collins.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I've had a bunch of them over the years. Right now the only thing similar I have is a round butt 4 screw pre 10 blued. It's a wonderful shooter and has just enough wear that I don't mind shooting it or carrying it. I've kinda got my eye open for a round butt, pinned barrel 64 even though I already have a 3" 65 marked BRPD. It lives near my back door next to a speed loader.

 

[sw282]

l own a couple 2'' k frames. 0ne fact that cant be challenged by the current lite auto crowd is if you run out of bullets there is enough blue steel/walnut in your HAND to BEAT the bad guy to death

 

[2hawk]

There's not enough pictures of Model 15s in here.

Agreed!

 

[bmcgilvray]

I do buy into the notion of the superiority of the 3-inch barrel for use however the 2-inch Model 10 is one tough-looking customer. The Model 10 snub is the best shooting snub of all. I've gone off of J-Frame Smith & Wessons almost entirely. Would rather rely on the 2-inch Model 10.

Actually, I find myself carrying a Colt Detective Special most often these days when a snub is called for.

Shooting the 2-inch Model 10s with any reasonable load is a breeze as they soak up recoil and put their bullets in a tight group down range. I cut my teeth on a square-butt 4-inch Model 10 with Magnas but love the round butt versions just as much. Both grip frame styles feel very familiar.

Probably one of the last 2-inches ordered by anyone, I got this one brand new in 1996. It's been carried some and shot more yet the finish seems not to wear on it.




This 1953-54 Military & Police really has a smooth action and feels so right in the hand. It has seen more carry use than the round butt above.

The group was shot on the back of this yellow doorknob hang tag at 19 yards. That's how far the table had been dragged from the targets at the local gun club range and I was too lazy to move it.



What's that pesky Colt Detective Special doing in this post?

 

[getoff]

i must admit the all steel k's are great. for me, the weight is the issue. i just carry 2 of the J's for roughly the same weight. if that's not enough, i call on my combat commander in .38 super... although, i do need to fill the K void in my collection!

 

[Retired W4]

Late to the party as well. 5 screw pre-10 and 4 screw pre-12. They are handy.

 

[rromeo]

I have a 3" Model 65 that is my current American Express ( I don't leave home without it) I'm still looking for the right 2" Model 10.

 

[CSG]

Love that DS! Best snub ever made IMO.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Love that DS! Best snub ever made IMO.

Damned excellent, for sure. I've got quite a few of them, too. Built like Swiss vaults.

 

[mc5aw]

Until I can find one of those bobbed hammer 64s, my 19 and 66 snubs share time with a 242.

 

[tcc]

Here's another transitional model. 1947-48 i think. S 953xxx.

 

[mbliss57]

Here's another transitional model. 1947-48 i think. S 953xxx.

That is a Grail gun for me. I see the 4" , 5" but never the snubbies.

 

[scwv67]

I really need to stop reading threads, especially those with pics, about guns I don't have.

 

[jimmyrabbit]

Since the barrel is the easiest part of a revolver to hide (the cylinder and the butt are much harder to conceal) I've never understood the appeal of a 2" K-frame. A 3" version of the same gun gives better ballistics, longer sight radius and a full length ejector rod and stroke.

Not trying to start an argument, just asking a legitimate question.

Dave



Dave

Dave––I always carry my 442 in my pants pocket inside a specially-modified DeSantis holster. I opened up the holster and then cut it away so that when I put it all back together I have a holster that does not cover the trigger. It's not a tight fit in the pocket at all, but I can reach into my pocket and get a good grip on the gun immediately without any diddling around looking for the trigger. This is probably unsafe, I know. I hereby promise to 'fess up here in the Forum if I ever blow part of my thigh away because of this modification. So…the reason for choosing the 2" is that it fits the pocket better––the back of the grips is already enough of a concern; keeping the thing completely hidden is sometimes hard to do.