Why do I love a 10-5 with a 2" barrel so much?

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Hi there
I have more than 100 Smith&Wesson wheelguns, some beautiful and rare and yet this very common revolver is one of my favorites, she is not the most beautiful, she is not sophisticated, she is not rare, but I love this revolver to death and prefer it to many other more noble ones.
 

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I feel the same way about my beat up 10-7 RB snub. Maybe it has something to do with all the police and detective shows and movies I saw growing up where the protagonist had one. With a Tyler-T and magnas it fits my hand perfectly. They are just a really good close in revolver that can be used at further distance as well with SA capability.




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My bedside companion

This is the same model I have for my home defense gun but mine is a 10-7 - still 2" blue square butt frame.

My wife due to arthritis cannot pull many double action triggers. But the trigger is so smooth she can manage and can use it single action. It makes me think of old detective movies and police shows so it has that mystique too. Great choice!

Got the targets for super cheap at an estate sale ($12) that fill my hand better versus the standard grips it came with.
 

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I feel the same way about my beat up 10-7 RB snub. Maybe it has something to do with all the police and detective shows and movies I saw growing up where the protagonist had one. With a Tyler-T and magnas it fits my hand perfectly. They are just a really good close in revolver that can be used at further distance as well with SA capability.

This. Also, they are honest, unpretentious working guns. They served in that role for generations. They were made by American craftsman for the purposes of upholding the law, defending home and businesses, protecting property. They still do, albeit to a lesser extent. As a reactive defensive instrument for near contact distance I don't think they are equaled. The attraction to me, in part, has to do with what this gun represents. Like other iconic weapons (Colt SAA, 1911, 4 inch police 38, Colt and S&W ) the association with our country's heritage is a big factor. Many of us have carried the 2 inch M&P on /off duty or as citizen self defense or know someone who did. I still occasionally carry one as I can hit with it much easier and faster than a J frame. Then there is the aesthetic. The 2 inch M&P has a brutish, stumpy business like appearance, similar to a 3.5 inch N frame 357. But it also has smooth lines and fits my hand like no other. The few that I have will never be for sale.
 
Hi there
I have more than 100 Smith&Wesson wheelguns, some beautiful and rare and yet this very common revolver is one of my favorites, she is not the most beautiful, she is not sophisticated, she is not rare, but I love this revolver to death and prefer it to many other more noble ones.
'

There are soooo many reasons to admire a 2" Model 10
(Here is my 10-5.)

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There's a lot to love there! My preference would be for a 2.5 inch barrel (or 3 inch) and round butt!
 
This M&P dates from 1957-1958, last of its breed prior to the introduction of the Model-10. It is cosmetically deficient, but totally functional with tight lockup and excellent action.

Ugly is as ugly does.

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2" pre 10 round and square, for me they are absolutely perfect from an aesthetic point of view
 
Acquired my 2 inch 10-5 last year. No box or papers. In great condition. Amazing how smooth the action was and how accurate it is. Very happy with it.
Right at home with my other short barrel revolvers and 4 inch model 10s.
 

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This M&P dates from 1957-1958, last of its breed prior to the introduction of the Model-10. It is cosmetically deficient, but totally functional with tight lockup and excellent action.

Ugly is as ugly does.
Marcello, because you have good taste.
Because this thread is peppered with non-10-5 examples, I feel permitted to insert two currently on my cleaning bench...To the left is my new carry gun as of yesterday when it came home with me...Supremely ugly just like the guy who now totes it, this poor prewar .38 M&P Target (of all things!) Model apparently lost its snout at some point in life in an unknown altercation, and had a later 2" barrel grafted on in emergency surgery...The stocks it wears are not numbered to its frame, and will soon be replaced by a pair of dressier aftermarket grips which fill my hand a little more comfortably...It stood up in all its dignity and called to me yesterday from a gun show table, asking to be returned to the work force for which it was rebuilt at an earlier date...Its then-current caretaker agreed to a trade for a finish-challenged Model 30-1 I had on me, and following an upcoming trip to Dunkin Gunwash and a dinner of Hornady XTP's it will take its rightful place on my hip as part of my EDC ensemble...

Also pictured is it's predecessor, a Model 15-2 also in 2" livery, which will now enjoy retirement and pension in my display cases with its brethren...I hope the thread hijack is permissible since both are at least K frames with 2" barrels...Yes, Marcello, your taste is confirmed as 2" K frames have a place in any tasteful collection...:cool:...Ben

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That 2" 10-5 just looks right. Stoked with some Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman loads it would be an ideal woods bumming gun. I'm a fan of the model 10. As a kid I shot my dads 4" 10-5 a lot. Sooner or later I'll get a 2".
 
Hi there
I have more than 100 Smith&Wesson wheelguns, some beautiful and rare and yet this very common revolver is one of my favorites, she is not the most beautiful, she is not sophisticated, she is not rare, but I love this revolver to death and prefer it to many other more noble ones.
Something about that one is awesome.. Maybe those old style square butt grips.. I have a 1966 M10-5, 4 inch. May I ask what year is that ? and what barrel length's did they have in that time period ?
 
OP
I know little to nothing of gun laws in Italy. I am pleased and somewhat surprised an individual can collect a large number of firearms there. Is your case unique?
 
I

I beg to differ, that is a beautiful revolver. Everything you need, nothing you don't need. There is a beauty in "simplicity".
 
OP
I know little to nothing of gun laws in Italy. I am pleased and somewhat surprised an individual can collect a large number of firearms there. Is your case unique?
The purchase, possession, transportation and carrying of weapons in the World

In Italy the rules are simple and now for me Italy is one of the most permissive state concerning the firearms possesion.
All firearms are permitted in Italy, banned only fullauto and 50 BMG caliber.

To buy firearms need a police permit, there are 4 type of licenses to buy or use firearms + one for a firearms collection.

To obtain these permit or licenses need the family doctor's certificate that you do not have mental illnesses and do not use drugs or alcohol, plus certification from the ear doctor and ophthalmologist, plus the certificate from a forensic or military doctor. Usually it is resolved only with the family doctor and the forensic or military doctor.
Court and police certification that you have not committed any violent or weapons crimes in your life.
The qualification to handle and use firearms to be obtained at the range.
After about two months you will have your permit or license.
The authorization to purchase firearms is valid only one time the licenses are valid for 5 years.

The authorization to purchase firearms is only the permit to buy firearms and you must keep the firearms in your house, no bring outside. This permit cost few euros.

The Sporting License to buy and detention for sporting use is very very easy to obtain and without any cost, only few euros for the bureaucratic, valid for 5 years.
This sporting license permit to bring firearms to all Italian territory for sporting reason only, no carry for self defence.

This license permith to buy all guns, short or long in all calibers produced, as divided:

-For self defence N° 3 firearms short or long usually handguns or revolvers
-For sporting use N° 12 firearms (hundreds firearms are classified for sporting use. For example all S&W revolvers eccept 2" are sporting gun, Colt 1911 A1 cal 45 ACP and clones are sporting guns, Glock 19x cal 9mm luger is sporting gun Colt AR 15 cal 223 and clones are sporting guns and other hundreds handguns and rifles)
-For Hunting N° unlimited number of rifles in all calibers produced, the only caliber banned is 50 BMG.

The Hunting license, cost about 300 euros by years as regional tax and payment of the game, you must been abilitated to obtain the hunting license, you must know rightly all law and rules concerning the hunting, valid for 5 years.
As the sporting license you can buy all Firearms in the same classes.
You can bring the Firearms in the Hunting period and to the range, no carry for self defence.

The Self defence license as the others licenses for purchase and detention, the personal defense license is issued for work reasons, for example if you do a job where you run the risk of being robbed, jeweler etc.etc.
Cost per year about 150 euros, concealed carry is the only permitted to all Italian territory, valid for 5 years.

When you exceed 3 + 12 defense and sporting weapons, you ask for a weapons collection license and buy as many as you want. the only limitation concerns the cartridges, 200 for pistol and 1500 rifle cartridges to own in your home, unlimited shot and buckshot. You can buy and shoot in a range all ammo you want but don't exceded the max quantity permitted in your home.

During the five years of validity of the licenses you can purchase any weapon, whenever you want, but you have 72 hours to declare the new purchase to the police.
I think that attention and controls concerning the mental health, drugs and alcohol use and abuse are dutiful on the part of the police.
 
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My M&P 2" c.1954. Do wish it was a RB, but still hold a great appreciation for it. Shown here with a no-name spring clip holster I found somewhere.
It's got the definite 'Joe Friday' look to it.....
 

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