What to do with a fairly beat-up 10-6??

[tops]

Do you know where you can get a cheaper one? It has been a while since I've saw a Colt or S&W in .38Spec. or bigger in good mechanical shape sell for less than $400. I have a M19-5 that I carry around the homestead and it looks worse than that gun but it shoots as good as when it was new. Larry

 

[jeffrefrig]

I just bought a Model 10-5, in a little better shape for $400, at a gun shop, but it was for my brother in law and he paid me the total of what I paid, so it was a no-brainer for me. But this is PA, I don't know what Washington prices are like, but I don't think that's toooo much at $375 as long as everything seems to work right. It will probably be a good shooter for as long as you can shoot it. I would at the very least check the right grip for the serial number; if it matches the gun, keep them in case you want to sell it, or whoever you pass it down to. It would really be nice for 375 that they include the paperwork.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Ya know what else? You could try to find an old holster for it & you could tell your buddies "Yeah, I got her new back in the sixties! (Or new in box in the '70s, I don't know how old you are so you'll have to do the math!) She's been with me ever since!" I would probably believe you!!

 

[peterdeb]

Keep Looking!! This isn't the revolver for you if the first question you ask is should I re-blue it...Add another hundred bucks and get one that is more to your liking, cosmetically.

 

[EricR]

Here's what $300 out the door got me for a 10-6 a couple years ago at a gun range store. Probably the only blued revolver under the roof. Practically speaking only holster wear. The stocks, which number to the gun, are in incredible shape.

I took these pics just now as I posted. It's my first floor house handgun most of the time.

I added the BK grip adapters.

 

[VaTom]

I would say keep looking. I know prices are different in geographical areas and go up and down from time to time. I spent about 5 years looking for a nickel Model 10, 4" pinned standard barrel that was priced what I was willing to pay. The patience paid off 4 years ago. I bought this 1979 10-7 for $300 after negotiating (tagged price was $400). The nickel was a little dull but cleaned up nicely with Flitz and grips are not numbered to the revolver but are period correct. It has a tiny ding on the barrel. After pointing these out to the seller he took the $300. If you really want it offer the seller $275, bet he would take it.

 

[Absalom]

That was a former police gun, almost guaranteed. Buy it, get it lettered, maybe look for a period-correct grip adapter, and enjoy it. Any refinish would just kill the collector value, and nice Model 10s are boring

 

[Jack Flash]

Do you know where you can get a cheaper one? It has been a while since I've saw a Colt or S&W in .38Spec. or bigger in good mechanical shape sell for less than $400. ...

Normally I would agree but in this case we are talking about the initial cost PLUS the cost of a reblue, and all the associated costs the latter entails (shipping/insurance both ways, possible FFL fees, ... )

Let's remember that we are talking about a very common revolver here, not a Triple Lock or a Registered Magnum. S&W made a lot of M10-6s, not to mention all the other M10-xs if the OP wants to expand the search a little.

So yes, you can find a better one for less total out of pocket.

 

[NavySCPO]

Just chiming in here, and I have some experience in this area. $375 plus the cost of even a very reasonable refinish (plus shipping, etc.) and 2 things will almost be certain.

1) You will likely have around $700-800 in a revolver not worth even close to that amount because it's a refinish.

2) You can take that same amount and get a really nice revolver with equal or greater value if you shop wisely.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, do yourself a favor and go buy something else...or talk them down to about $300, clean her up, and have a decent shooter.

 

[JSR III]

This question is asked over and over by potential buyers. If you are buying it to shoot then condition really doesn't matter. A new paint job won't make it shoot any better.

If you do refinish it, you have destroyed any collector value so again it is just a shooter. Those stocks can probably be cleaned up and look a whole lot better. If you aren't sure how to do the work, there are several folks on this forum that can make those babies shine.

As others have said, if you don't like the condition, don't buy it. Take the money that you would pay for the gun, add to that the cost of the work that you want to do and look for a better gun in that price range. You will be much happier, you won't have to send the gun out and wait 6 months to get it back and you can be shooting it now.

If you are looking for a truck gun then buy this one and don't worry about the finish as long as it shoots where you point it.

 

[Speedo2]

Just to add to the cacophony of opinions:

Firearm Plating -Mahovsky's Metalife

If you can negotiate the price a bit lower ($300-$350) and wait for its return (probably 6 months), you could have a very nice (reliable, corrosion resistant and hopefully accurate) handgun for a reasonable price (~ $500) and with the satisfaction of having saved an ugly gun from the dustbin of obscurity.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

I'd do what ever I wanted with no regret. It's fun fixing up guns and making them just how you want. Not much "collector value" on that gun anyhow.

 

[mike from st pete]

Parkerize that 10-6 and shoot it.

 

[rincar]

I would leave it as it is. Just think of all the shifts that it rode in A Police Officers holster. All the buildings searched, All the Traffic Stops made, and all the Domestic disputes it went on. It was there and done it all before Political correctness were ever thought of. Just think of the stories it could tell if it could talk. To refinish it would be to diminish it and to diminish the Police Officer that carried it. Along with all the sacrifices that that Police Officer made during his or her career. Just my humble opinion.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

I would leave it as it is. Just think of all the shifts that it rode in A Police Officers holster. All the buildings searched....

Everything you say is true, and I feel the same way. If you do a nice refinish, maybe a trigger/action job by a competent gunsmith, and treat her to a new set of grips...that pretty gun will still have all those stories under her belt. The only thing better is if you then returned it to the officer as a gift.

Me and a buddy have two old M10's at a gunsmith getting the full boat. Cut to 3" & crowned, gold beads, trigger/action, bluing, case color hardening parts, chamfered and so forth. Spending more than I'll admit here since I was laughed at in an old thread. I'm excited like a little kid though and nothing wrong with supporting your local 'Smith! Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday: Drop something of at your gunsmith.

You don't have to buy it. I wouldn't. I've got this 13-3 earlier this year that is nearly mint. $400

You know you straight stole that!

 

[Sgt 127]

There's a bunch of YouTube videos on at home rust blueing...

I have a couple of guns I've pondered doing that to.

I'm very good with the metal work and polish. But, never had a way to reblue...

May try it.

 

[ruger 22]

Clean it up and shoot it as is. It is one of my very favorite S&W revolvers and a wonderful gun. You could add a BK adapter if needed.

 

[Pine_Worker]

I would just clean it, shoot it, repeat.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I'd save your money or look for a law enforcement surplus bargain like this one that at least has some history and would probably be in better shape for about the same money. The one you are looking at looks pretty scruffy and the so-so stocks came from a way earlier revolver. For me, not even worthy to be a shooter when you can do better.
John

 

[Mannlicher]

I would buy it, and leave it as is. Always good to have a beater.