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

[Redcoat3340]

I may be buying a 10-6 that's in modestly tough shape on the outside (see pics). Asking price is $375. Wondering what I might do with it.

I could just shoot it and enjoy it (after replacing grips) chalking up the looks to honest wear.

Or I could??? Reblue it? Some trigger work? Other?

Wondering what the investment would be to reblue? I see a fella is Florida is asking $300+ and a 20+ month turn-around time!! (Five months?)

Is that the going rate? I'll be checking with the mother ship for their prices and turn around. And ask my local smith if he does bluing. Are there any other folks around someone might recommend.

And then I have to decide if putting 400 dollars or more into it is worth it. Won't have any collectors value I'm thinking, it'll just be a fine looking shooter. (My son's wife already has my good model 10, and I've got both a 1942 not Victory and 15-3, so I think I'm pretty covered in the K-frame category, so this isn't a necessity, but I do like those guns.)

 

[steelslaver]

Buy it and shoot it. If you spend much at all to have it re blued it would have to be for your own pleasure as the only way you would ever get your money back is by inflation. $750 dollar refinished 10-6 prices are a ways off. A nice model 10 is about a $500 gun. An as new in box one might bring $750.

I have bought 6 10-6 and 7 frames missing barrels from J&G sales for $159 and $179 and am making them into project guns, 327 federals, a Smolt a fake model 13 pinto ect. One I just fitted a heavy 4" barrel on and called it good. I have blue solution and will eventually blue them. I enjoy tinkering with them. It wouldn't pay to do it for money.

 

[EricR]

I'd do what steelslaver wrote. And I'd use that $400 to go towards another, and possibly better, gun.

I've a couple 10-6's. One from '65 with original diamond magna's and it shows considerate holster wear in high spots. It's a guilt free shooter.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

IMO, too much money for that condition. Look around some more and prove me right or wrong.

 

[Old_Cop]

You have reached 1000 posts, buy it and celebrate. Value is dependent on your location, you might find a gun for less on gunbroker but add on shipping and fees, then not so much. I say buy it and 'choot it."

 

[Glashaus]

Yep, buy it and shoot it, don't overspend on a reblue, enjoy it for what it is, a retired working gun.

 

[mtime7]

Not sure if I would pay $375 for that one, there are model 10s available for less, but I do like the pistol, that kind of shape is exactly what I like to shoot


Used Smith & Wesson Model 10-5 Revolver, .38 Special | Gander Outdoors

 

[ColbyBruce]

I would search for a less cosmetically challenged handgun.

 

[andy52]

IMO, too much money for that condition. Look around some more and prove me right or wrong.

^^^^^^^^
My thinking also.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Leave it alone (if it functions properly) and stick it in the glove box. That's what I did to the last 10-5 4" I bought for $300 . . .

 

[bananaman]

Unless there is something about the gun that you really like, I would pass. That being said, I wanted a snub. My 1st 1. 10-5 2" RB. Got the gun for $329 shipped & insured. I knew that the grips were junk, and some finish issues. Boy, does it shoot well! I have dolled it up some. Mechanically sound. Bob

 

[Truckman]

I just rescued a Model 15-2 from a pawn shop for $225...It's a good shooter after some minor tweaking to cure the pushoff, but I can't stand to see the poor thing have to endure the shame of having no clothes on...It was practically naked after scrubbing the filth of years of neglect off...Even the broken grips were taped on...As its adoptive daddy, I can't afford the expense of hot bluing, but I'm taking it to my gunsmith today to discuss bead-blasting and Cerakote, maybe a deep gray or even gloss black...Then I'll treat it to a set of grips...Trust me, it can't look any worse......Ben

 

[OldChief]

Clean it up and shoot it!

 

[gmborkovic]

Do not buy it! You will not be happy. You will regret the purchase every
time you look at it. Look around and find something better.

 

[Sistema1927]

Offer $300 for it. If they accept, then you have a shooter. If they don't then you aren't out anything. Plenty of Model 10's, many in better shape, around.

 

[swagmeister]

Too high for a gun in that condition. I agree with the $300 max opinion. I would wait for a better one.

 

[gwpercle]

Do what my buddy Troy would tell you ... CHOOT IT !

 

[Marshal Tom]

I would pass on that one and keep looking. I recently purchased a beautiful condition 2" M&P SB for $450. They are out there in much better condition.

 

[bigggbbruce]

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

 

[Buford57]

You mentioned a trigger job. The only way that .38 would be a buy for me at that price is if it already had an outstanding trigger.