Used Model 10-11 (Picture Added)

S&W Rover

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Just arrived, my new (to me) S&W Model 10-11 .38 Special 4" heavy barrel revolver. Formerly owned by the Victoria Police in Australia (it had a VPA inventory sticker on the side plate) it is about 80-90% condition. Bluing is a bit worn, especially from holster rub on the front barrel, and the backstrap is handworn. Mechanically it is in fine shape with a good bore, minimal endshake, and good lockup.

It has a new-style thumb piece, although I have ordered an old-style one as a replacement; nice wooden grips, which I replaced with Hogue rubber grips; and of course it does not have the IL.

Kind of a classic. The feel and balance is really good. $319. A great revolver for taking to the range and experimenting with hand-loads that are this side of +P.

Will append a range report after I take it out this weekend - we'll see if it shoots to POA and if it displays the expected accuracy. Everyone should own an old S&W revolver! Everyone should own a .38 Special!

Picture added - see below.
 
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I have a 10-10 from the Victoria Police. Although finish challenged, it has one of the smoothest triggers of my many SW's and it shoots ragged hole groups off a rest. Without the rest - not so much. Maybe it's the gun ;)
 
...my new (to me) S&W Model 10-11 .38 Special 4" heavy barrel revolver. ...

I thought the -11 was a Tapered Barrel and the -12 was the same gun with a Heavy Barrel.

The "new" angle style latch was introduced into standard production in 1995, so 2015 will be it's 20th anniversary year.
 
Isn't starting a thread about a new revolver acquisition without posting pics an infraction? ;)
 
I have a 10-11 heavy barrel also from Victoria Police. Beat up, but shoots good. I replaced the filed down strain screw and the Uncle Mikes grips. After that I just shoot it and clean it and shoot it again.

M10's are great guns. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do.
 
I have one also ordered from the same dealer, same price. hope mine is as good as yours. Still waiting 14 days!
Just arrived, my new (to me) S&W Model 10-11 .38 Special 4" heavy barrel revolver. Formerly owned by the Victoria Police in Australia (it had a VPA inventory sticker on the side plate) it is about 80-90% condition. Bluing is a bit worn, especially from holster rub on the front barrel, and the backstrap is handworn. Mechanically it is in fine shape with a good bore, minimal endshake, and good lockup.

It has a new-style thumb piece, although I have ordered an old-style one as a replacement; nice wooden grips, which I replaced with Hogue rubber grips; and of course it does not have the IL.

Kind of a classic. The feel and balance is really good. $319. A great revolver for taking to the range and experimenting with hand-loads that are this side of +P.

Will append a range report after I take it out this weekend - we'll see if it shoots to POA and if it displays the expected accuracy. Everyone should own an old S&W revolver! Everyone should own a .38 Special!
 
I thought the -11 was a Tapered Barrel and the -12 was the same gun with a Heavy Barrel.

The "new" angle style latch was introduced into standard production in 1995, so 2015 will be it's 20th anniversary year.

My internet research also says the 10-11 is a tapered barrel starting production in 1997. This 10-11 has a heavy barrel -- but that may because it was part of a large police order.
 
It sure is nice to see the Model 10 getting quite a bit of love around here lately. It's an all time, all time classic that almost anyone can afford. Congratulations on acquiring a great gun at a nice price.
 
Back from the range: only one small surprise.

The 158 gr hand loads, both SWC lead and plated, fired a little high (maybe 1" at 20 feet). The 125 grain handloads, both lead RNFP and plated RN, hit point of aim. (Both loads using 4.5 grains Unique). All of the loads, and the revolver, grouped well.

I would have thought the gun was regulated to fire 158 grain bullets to POA. Maybe it is, and my handloads in that weight are hitting high because of a somewhat light powder load, and my 125 grain loads are just right the way they are!

Whatever, the Mdl 10-11 is a pleasure to shoot, with mild recoil and very good accuracy. The fixed sights are easy to use. Overall, the 10-11 is a 10.
 
I bought two of these 10-5s and they are very tight lock-up and good triggers.

That is neat! My impression is that 3" Model 10's are fairly rare -- I think they look really good; just the right balance.
 
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S&W Rover
Congratulations that's a nice six-gun. I wouldn't let 1" high @ 20 worry me that's a pretty good zero.
The only thing I'd do is find a nice set of wooden stocks for that nice gun, but I prefer wood to rubber not all do. I'm betting that gun will soon be making memories with you.
 
10-11 is indeed a Heavy Barrel, it was the first 10 with the frame mounted firing pin. I have only seen one 10-12, it looked like the same frame as the 10-11 with a taper barrel screwed on, kind of unsightly.

Why would the Victoria Police file the strain screw? Unless the individual officer did it to lighten the pull, it seems like an unlikely move for an armorer.
 
like mine a bunch!
FullSizeRender_zpsyjjy4zvi.jpg

Looks more like this now..
IMG_0051_zpsjtlw4dnz.jpg
 
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