.38 Spl is quickly becoming a favorite

[Targa]

I love my .44’s but .38 Spl is becoming very special to me.... At any rate, I Have a handful of .357’s but only one .38 Spl and I decided to correct that and picked up this S&W 10-5 today, of course it has to sit in jail for 3 days which is the time Colorado had dictated would be an adequate cooling off period in case I acted in haste to buy the gun to hurt myself or others. But I digress, here’s my major award!

 

[jdc1244]

.38 Spl comes with me every range trip – shot through a .357, usually a Colt KC Target.

 

[irving]

Beautiful! Well done! For sure, .38 Spl is easy to like.

 

[UncleEd]

I have long advocated that the .38 Special is the most
all around handgun cartridge for everyone. This is
especially true for revolver fans.

Nowadays it is adequately powered for self defense,
it is ideal for small game hunting and without peer in
target shooting.

It doesn't matter if it is used mostly in guns designed
for the .357, it remains outstanding.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Pencils rule and fat barrels drool!
I've a 64 just like it, and it feels great in the hand. Mine wears a Tyler T-grip, and it's seen internal polishing and an 11 lb rebound spring.
Enjoy your revo; nice catch.
Moon

 

[Dan-O]

I love my .44’s but .38 Spl is becoming very special to me.... At any rate, I Have a handful of .357’s but only one .38 Spl and I decided to correct that and picked up this S&W 5-10 today, of course it has to sit in jail for 3 days which is the time Colorado had dictated would be an adequate cooling off period in case I acted in haste to buy the gun to hurt myself or others. But I digress, here’s my major award!

View attachment 1195353

I keep writing letters to Denver telling them that I need them to reimburse me for mileage driving back to pick up things after the 72 hour cooling period. I haven’t heard back….

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Beautiful M10!

I have more guns in .38/.357 than any other centerfire cartridge.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Beautiful M10!

I have more guns in .38/.357 than any other centerfire cartridge.

That was once my claim. Got into handloading by casting Lyman 'bean can' bullets, running them through a Lyman lubricator/sizer, and loaded them on a single stage press. The ammo was almost cheaper than .22s, with no allowance for time.
Most of them ended up fired in our old revolver league, in a Smith 67 4". The big grooves in the bean can discouraged leading, but made beaucoup waxy-smelling smoke.
Those were the days, my friend...
Moon

 

[Bazoo]

I am a 38 Special fan myself. It's balanced, with just enough power, but still mild recoiling with a mild report.

 

[Miami_JBT]

I have a literal pile of Model 10s, Model 14s Model 12s, Model 64s, Model 67s, and a whole bunch of J-Frames and Colts too.

.38 Special is one of my favorites. It truly is the classic master of none, jack of all trades cartridge and paired with a S&W K-Frame or a Colt D-Frame..... it is PERFECTION.

 

[Targa]

^^That was a great way to put it!

 

[Armored farmer]

38/357 is the majority of my handgun also.
These three came into my possession in '23.

.....and 38spl has become my favorite as well.

 

[defjon]

Can you run off the shelf 38 +p in a model 10-5?

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

38/357 is the majority of my handgun also.
These three came into my possession in '23.
View attachment 1195379View attachment 1195380View attachment 1195382
.....and 38spl has become my favorite as well.

Love the pics. I have a pre model 10 that looks just like your first pic. What grips is that last one sporting?

 

[mcb]

This Model 10-11 goes with me every time I am out at the hunting property. About a year or so ago I switched from JHP to the Lead HP you see pictured. Even at modest 38 Special velocities these 148gr Lead HP from Matt's bullets expand. This old model 10 has dealt with rats in the barn, rattlesnake around the cabin, and a few armadillos.

 

[UncleEd]

Can you run off the shelf 38 +p in a model 10-5?

Yes. Its dash number indicates it was produced well
after the new, stronger steels were introduced by S&W.
Generally speaking any S&W K-frame without a model
number should not have Plus Ps put through it.

 

[Rodfac]

Beautiful example of a truly fine revolvers, Targa....and I can't fault your caliber choice either>>>well said. Here's my M-67 Smith....a Louisville Police turn-in from long ago. I particularly like the 'pencil' barrel that helps keep the holster weight down. Rod

​

 

[Armored farmer]

Love the pics. I have a pre model 10 that looks just like your first pic. What grips is that last one sporting?

That was my latest handgun purchase from GB. It was sporting these hideous plastic grips when I won the auction.

When I went to pick it up at my LGS, I pawed through his bargain bin looking for a pair of Pachy presentations or something.....anything.
At the bottom of the bin lay this set of what I believe are Arhends combats. The price was $10.

I do think the previous owner of the grips removed some wood from the upper left panel to accommodate speedloaders.
If they are not Arhends, I think the THR braintrust will surely correct me.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Yes. Its dash number indicates it was produced well
after the new, stronger steels were introduced by S&W.
Generally speaking any S&W K-frame without a model
number should not have Plus Ps put through it.

Meh, a couple shouldn't hurt, but as a general thing, no, no, no. Not what they are made for, and there are plenty of good standard pressure loads.
Sadly, you may have to go looking. I checked through the ammo stash in the shop, and most of it is +P, my reloads excepted.
I've a 640dashnothing that is specifically marked in the cylinder window, "rated for +p+". It shouldn't get a steady diet, either I'd guess. But neither should my hand.
Moon

 

[LV Gun]

I have a literal pile of Model 10s, Model 14s Model 12s, Model 64s, Model 67s, and a whole bunch of J-Frames and Colts too.

.38 Special is one of my favorites. It truly is the classic master of none, jack of all trades cartridge and paired with a S&W K-Frame or a Colt D-Frame..... it is PERFECTION.

I love the 14’s I have a S&W 14-2 6 inch barrel that I bought about 20 years ago for $200.00 the trigger is like butter. It always amazes me how accurate it is for its age. Bottom gun that is upside down is my 14-2 in 38 special. Other 2 guns are middle one S&W 586-1 and a Magnum Research BFR in 45/70

 

[halfmoonclip]

Beautiful example of a truly fine revolvers, Targa....and I can't fault your caliber choice either>>>well said. Here's my M-67 Smith....a Louisville Police turn-in from long ago. I particularly like the 'pencil' barrel that helps keep the holster weight down. Rod

​

Rodfac, yours is a little newer than mine. The really early ones had stainless sights, and no red ramp. At the risk of telling you something you know, it's not a big deal to change out that sight leaf.
The one I had years ago also had the stainless rear sight, but I replaced the whole assembly with a blue one. Not sure about the red ramp, though I did put a brighter "Lee's Red Ramp" in the front sight.
Those are really handsome stocks; whose are they?
Moon

 

[ChiefTJS]

Shot a hundred Specials today. Granted they were out of .357's but I consider my .357's to be highly flexible .38's. Today was a GP100 Match Champion and a Henry Single Shot.

 

[Targa]

Some beautiful 38’s showing up here, keep them coming!!

This Police PositIve is my only other .38. I need to change that.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like 38 Special revolvers. I have Model 14s, Model 15s, a Model 67, and many various J-frames.

I even have a 38 Special 1911.

I load and shoot mostly target wadcutters.

For the OP, enjoy your new Model 10.

There is something special about shooting 38 Special ammunition in a revolver chambered for 38 Special.

 

[armoredman]

There is nothing wrong with a good .38.