Centerfire Systems S&W Model 10 38 Special

Gun looks great, total recoil. I think the department of corrections markings (like police or military) make the gun cooler. That's because the model 10 is known as the archetype of a cop gun. The 10-10's were made from '88 to around '97. If you take the grips off, you can see the serial # on the bottom of the grip frame. This will give you a way to find the exact year. Regardless, it's still the old style frame and pre-lock Model 10...a classic.

Twiki357 said:

I doubt that. I think California mandates that they be destroyed, but not positive.

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If California doesn't want them in their state, they should sell them to distributors in other states and pocket the money. Makes not sense to destroy them.

California makes no sense.

Years ago I worked for a shop that took in lots of police trade in revolvers back when they all went semi auto - and they were very good guns for the money - they were almost giving them away. They had lots of dings and scratches and finish wear but the majority of them had extremely low amounts of actual firing, they were simply carried for many years and only fired for yearly qualifications. Police guns are rarely fired. The grips will be beaten and chewed up pretty badly. Many of the guns we received needed to be stripped and soaked to remove years of being soaked in WD 40 that had turned to varnish - no big deal. For $300 I would jump on a police trade in S&W with both feet. Probably the best deal out there if you want a real old school S&W that is MUCH better than what S&W is offering today. $300 may seem a little high but look at the prices of new S&Ws.

Drail said:

For $300 I would jump on a police trade in S&W with both feet. Probably the best deal out there if you want a real old school S&W that is MUCH better than what S&W is offering today. $300 may seem a little high but look at the prices of new S&Ws.

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Is that really true about the older ones being much better than the new ones?

I noticed S&W still makes the model 10.

So does this gun have a shot-out bore or what?

peacebutready said:

Is that really true about the older ones being much better than the new ones?

I noticed S&W still makes the model 10.

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I always heard about the wonderful S&W trigger but to tell the truth, I was never really impressed. That was until 2009 when I bought a 1948 M&P. I could not believe how smooth and crisp the trigger pull was. The fit and finish was amazing too. If you didn't know there was a joint you could miss it since the metal fit so well. Same with the grips.

So, are the old ones better than the new? IMO there is no comparison, the old are much better.

That 1948 gun may have been ond of the last with the 'long action', IIRC they switched to the 'short action' that year. The long action guns I've tried had much nicer DA triggers than modern S&Ws.

I don't know if they're any "better" or not. The finish on the new guns is different. Still nice, but different, mostly because a lot of the chemicals they used to use have environmental issues today. The great trigger people talk about I think is because older guns have been cycled hundreds or even thousands of times. I've purchased a few "new old stock" guns, and I didn't think the triggers were much different. Especially on a high production/low price models like the Model 10.

The biggest reason to buy a used Model 10 is simply cost IMHO. You can find one with wear and tear in the $300-350.00 range. A really NICE Model 10, say a 10-5 is pushing $500.00 these days. I think a NIB Model 10 is about $700.00 or so. Of course the new one will have MIN parts and a lock, neither of which bother me, but do others.

The guys on the blue forum have been all over the police trade in 640s and 10s from Centerfire Systems. If I didn't already have a nice model 10, I would not hesitate to purchase from them. I purchased a 640 which mechanically is excellent with only a few cosmetic issues which I was able to correct. My experience with Centerfire Systems was very good. As to buying an older model 10 vs new, I'll take the older one every time. At around $700 new, you can buy the old police trade in and send it to S&W for a total refurbish and have less money in it. Besides, you will have (IMHO) a better model 10.

Nice gun Mr. recoil but....did you get the box?

Could it be that the barrel is so dirty that the rifling looks shallow? Try a Lewis Lead Remover in there and clean it really well. Might surprise you.

jdavis123 said:

The guys on the blue forum have been all over the police trade in 640s and 10s from Centerfire Systems.

As to buying an older model 10 vs new, I'll take the older one every time. At around $700 new, you can buy the old police trade in and send it to S&W for a total refurbish and have less money in it. Besides, you will have (IMHO) a better model 10.

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What is the blue forum?

How much does S&W charge for a refurbish? Does it include refinishing? I guess the price depends on what needs to be done.

I guess refurbishing an old one is better for resale value compared to buying a new one.

peacebutready said:

What is the blue forum?

How much does S&W charge for a refurbish? Does it include refinishing? I guess the price depends on what needs to be done.

I guess refurbishing an old one is better for resale value compared to buying a new one.

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The "Blue Forum" is one of the two S&W forums. (smith-wessonforum.com)
Refinishing in standard polish and blue is $220 according to the S&W site
While at S&W your revolver will be disassembled and you will receive a quote for the refinish and any additional work required to bring it to S&W standards. Cleaning and lubrication is generally all that is required and is done at no additional charge. Of course, if your gun is broken or excessively worn, new parts may be needed.
As a general rule, a refinished gun is of less interest to hard core S&W collectors but, model 10s do not rank high as collector pieces unless they are early versions. Since millions were made it must be literally new and in original box with manual, tools, and associated paper work from the factory to be considered special. A typical used model 10 is going to be classified as "shooter grade" so, there is no reason not to refinish if you desire.

@jdavis123: Thanks.

total recoil said:

I've had it at the range for 2 days now. It definitely shoots better than me. I'm about 3" high with no windage on the pistol range. I think it is 7 yards. Today I shot 125 grain lead RNFP and did not do as well as the 158 grain SWC. The heavier bullet definitely makes this a very accurate pistol. More so than any other that I own. I had the 125 RNFPs because I shoot them in my Rossi lever action model 92. The rifling may be weak, but it sure grabs these bullets. The bronze brush with T-shirt and Hoppes gets it gray clean in about 3 scrubbings.
Did I get the box, Popeye ??? Centerfire Systems supplied me with a high strength cardboard shipping container that was flattened and trucked away with my trash. No BLUE boxes are distributed with these arms. My search for a Smith box as well as cheap wood S&W grips is my next safari goal. I have absolutely no regrets about buying this gun. Get em' while their hot!

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The gray indicates that there is lead still in the bore which might explain why you see shallow lands and groves. A Lewis Lead remover will remove the lead build up and I highly recommend that you purchase one. An alternate method of lead removal is to purchase a box of Chore Boy COPPER (must be solid copper) pot scrubbers at the grocery store. Take a few strands and wrap around an old brass bore brush and work it through the bore several times until no lead deposits are seen. Follow with solvent and clean patches until patch comes out clean. Not as effective as the Lewis Lead Remover but will work.

These surplus revolvers from Centerfire or other online outfits like J&G Sales, the're frequently said to be carried a lot and fire little. Anyone care to guess how many rounds they typically have through them?

You want some Smith and Wesson original grips? I think I have a set or two in my safe, if you want them, medallions and all IIRC. No charge.

Even guns used on the range or in training will seldom be worn out.

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Our training/range guns get at least 2-300 rounds through them every week, sometimes much more, and maintenance is one guy trying to keep them all running. I've seen them fall apart.

armoredman said:

You want some Smith and Wesson original grips? I think I have a set or two in my safe, if you want them, medallions and all IIRC. No charge.

Our training/range guns get at least 2-300 rounds through them every week, sometimes much more, and maintenance is one guy trying to keep them all running. I've seen them fall apart.

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That is a very generous offer!

They aren't much, but they're yours if you want them.

Done.