The ideal M&P/model 10/64, UPDATE filled the gap

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I don’t know that I’ve seen a thread for this specific topic:
- What do you find to be the ideal configuration for an M&P/model 10 revolver? It can be one that’s been made by the factory, or one you wish was made. Keep within the parameters and don’t turn it into a 357 mag or combat masterpiece.

Background: I’m currently without a basic 4 inch fixed sight 38 spl K frame. I’ll rectify that sometime in the upcoming months. It got me to thinking “what configuration or iteration do I prefer”? There’s been changes over the years to sights, grip configuration, hammer styles, barrel profiles etc…

I think it’s an interesting question and would love to hear what the preferences are out there. Purpose will come in to play since there’s no one tool that does it all perfectly. Of course photos are encouraged if you have the one that fits your description.

I’ll start it off. It’s going to be picky but it’s been on my mind.
- purpose: just to have and shoot and enjoy, not necessarily for EDC. For occasional woods bumming and range fun.
- 4 inch barrel, with standard profile. Heavy feels good but standard is better balanced both visually and in-hand.
- Serrated 1/10” ramp front sight as found in late 50s early 60s. Don’t need quick sight acquisition since not EDC primary purpose. Gives finer sight picture than 1/8” and without glare of half-moon sight.
- Blued finish, purdy but also less flashy than stainless
- Grip frame: square butt.
- Stocks: early PC magnas, slightly rounded for comfort and diamond center for cool factor. I wouldn’t say no to ivory or stags cut for Magna PC profile.
- Black powder cylinder front bevel for cool factor and ease holstering.
- Rear sight squared notch as found on 1920s and later. Gives better sight picture than the early dimple. Preference though for the channel to be a little deeper than often found on the guns that have the 1/10” sight.
- Trigger: smooth faced standard width for easy DA operation. Color case hardened of course.
- Hammer: long prewar action but with slightly more aggressive checkering than found on older long-throw hammers. Combat width, not target. Hammer nose on the hammer, not frame mounted firing pin.
- Extractor rod knob: mushroom type as found on early HEs before going to the the barrel type. Easier on the palm though no plans to hotrod for sticky extraction. Also cool factor is definitely on the early extractor knob.

I think that covers it. It looks like I need to locate a 1930s HE with prewar magnas (alter for rounded for PC profile), alter the front sight for serrated ramp, recut the barrel underside to allow for mushroom extractor knob, cut little bit more checkering into the hammer, and smooth out the trigger face.

I’ll probably think of something after the fact and need to edit. This is why many folks can’t stop with one M&P/10/64.
 
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Mine is a 4" heavy barrel model 64 ... 38 special ,
stainless steel , square butt with Kim Ahrend's Retro Combat cocobolo grips . I had a trigger job done by Clark Custom Guns .
I shoot it more than any other firearm I own ...

Gary
 
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FWIW...

My first issued revolver was a 64 4" with magna grips. No mods allowed.

I shot expert with them in the academy. Expert meant something back then. Only about 4 out of 100 shooters made expert.

Now you make me want to go out and find one!


,
 
I have several of the basic standard 4" square butt tapered barrel S&W 10-5s or pre model 10s. One 3" RB 10-8 and one 4" no dash stainless steel 64. Everything you need and nothing you don't. Good buys can be found on the 10s and pre 10s on GB.
 
I'll admit that my shooting preferences take me in a different direction.


I prefer stainless for ease of care.
I like RB grips on a K frame. My M66 was cut down by BMCM and it works better for me that way. Thanks for the small hands among other genetic issues, Mom.
I prefer my revolvers to be flexible, so that means in a case like this, .357 so I can use either load. I do prefer .38 SWC for almost all use, but don't want to give up the option.
A 3 or 4 inch barrel, and I prefer the heavy variants. The 3" RB K frame is very flexible, but for .357 loads the 4" is a bit better. IIRC, NYPD had some 3" M64s that were intended to allow both duty and off duty use. For a non dedicated population, that's a workable concept.
I dislike the typical fixed sights on S&W revolvers. They are too slow with my eyes. A good modification for me is an XS Big Dot front and either a modified trough or one of the higher fixed sights from certain aftermarket sources. My M66 went to the performance center and has a gold bead; I shoot it pretty well.
 
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I’d like a stainless version of my 3” M10-7 square butt with the middleweight barrel. I’ve got a 4” M10-5 and -8 and like them, but the 3” with that middleweight barrel is just so sweet to shoot and the barrel is long enough for good performance with the FBI load. It’s also nicer to carry IWB than the 4” versions.
 
Simple is good. I've found that I shoot the 3" HB as well as the 4". And the 3" is somewhat easier to conceal than a 4" This one below was my off-duty gun long after semi-autos were approved.
Bob

4qGIZ71.jpg
 
The perfect pair. My 1979 Model 10 4” nickel standard barrel and 1976 Model 64 2”. Carried both of these during my career. Was always able to qualify in the mid 90% with both on LEO course even with 18 rounds out of 60 from 25 yards behind a barricade and 6 of those weak hand.
 

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Simple is good. I've found that I shoot the 3" HB as well as the 4". And the 3" is somewhat easier to conceal than a 4" This one below was my off-duty gun long after semi-autos were approved.
Bob

4qGIZ71.jpg

Roger that. I shoot a 3" just as well as a 4".

The 3" has a wonderful balance. I love the way they handle.

,
 
I believe I already have my perfect M&P/10/64! Of the couple dozen I have owned over the last 7 decades, I have a 98+% 6" 10-7 that just outshoots everything! I even got it for a song! (guy traded it in on a Walther PPQ)

Ivan
 
I had started this thread a while back describing my ideal 4 inch M&P/10/64.

Update for filling the gap of needing a 4 inch fixed sight 38spl K frame. The closest I came to finding a match to my preferred configuration is a post war which still has the old long action hammer. It came with the original sharp shouldered magnas. I put these stags which I think suit the gun well. My only gripe is the half moon sight as I much prefer the serrated ramp for sharper sight picture and less glare. Someday I might notch a squared off face into the half moon similar to the front sights found on some of the pre war 22 kit guns.

I’ve owned one in this exact configuration in the past. Glad I got one back again.
 

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I think the 3" HB balances much like the 4 or 5" regular barreled guns. I'd take a RB with a boot grip without finger grooves, or KRB targets. Why have a mod 10, when there's a model 13 or 65? We do want versatility, don't we? I've said it a few times, on here, the 3" heavy barrel M13 or 65 is the best 6 shot combat revolver there is.
 
I think the 3" HB balances much like the 4 or 5" regular barreled guns. I'd take a RB with a boot grip without finger grooves, or KRB targets. Why have a mod 10, when there's a model 13 or 65? We do want versatility, don't we? I've said it a few times, on here, the 3" heavy barrel M13 or 65 is the best 6 shot combat revolver there is.

I do have a 3 inch m65 already. Love it. However the 4 inch being the most common barrel configuration, I appreciate it also for more casual usage.
 
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