Gun Master
Member
Model 10? / 9mm?
Model 10 first, then 9mm. Suggest surveying autoloader thread.
Model 10 first, then 9mm. Suggest surveying autoloader thread.
Considering a Model 10 Smith & Wesson
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rikman
Member
I love the model 10 ...have a couple of them if that says anything
dprice3844444
member
go for a model 65
A man at our range had brought his daughter and son-in-law to do some shooting. They were both newbies and he was letting them try several of his guns, including some of the newest autos. I offered to let them shoot my 4 inch Model 10 and the daughter, in particular, shot quite well with it. It was remarkable how much better she shot with the 10 than the other guns. I heard her tell her father that her favorite of the guns they were shooting was my Model 10.
frankmako
Member
a model 10 is a great gun, add some +p ammo and it is hard to beat.
BCRider
Member
Just yet another boring reply to BUY THE DARN MODEL 10 ! ! ! ! !
As for a 9mm there's lots of great options. Your choice is going to be between striker fired triggers and hammer fired triggers. And closely related to this is all metal or metal and plastic.
Of the hammer fired guns MOST will be DA/SA. Some will be DAO and some will be SAO. The which and why will be related to what you want to use the gun for.
In the meantime you simply CANNOT GO WRONG IN ANY MANNER with a model 10 unless a safe was dropped on it or Bubba had his way with it and welded on a Wurlitzer to the frame.
As for a 9mm there's lots of great options. Your choice is going to be between striker fired triggers and hammer fired triggers. And closely related to this is all metal or metal and plastic.
Of the hammer fired guns MOST will be DA/SA. Some will be DAO and some will be SAO. The which and why will be related to what you want to use the gun for.
In the meantime you simply CANNOT GO WRONG IN ANY MANNER with a model 10 unless a safe was dropped on it or Bubba had his way with it and welded on a Wurlitzer to the frame.
M1GarandDeerHunter
Member
Buy, Buy, Buy! Get that model 10!!! Pa gave me his, and I shot it to death. The only thing in like 10,000 rounds thru that thing, that broke, was the bolt. It lives with a S&W model 442, blissfully. .38 spl. and model 10 were created for each other. Simple and Elegant I say. Great pictures in posts 18 and 25! I highly doubt you will regret the choice.
evan price
Member
Model 10 is pretty much the gold standard for a 38 special revolver. It's hard to mess one up and often pretty obvious it's happened.
2", 3", 4", 5", 6" all available plus some half sizes in between.
I really like pre-lock, pinned-barrel K-frames- They aren't making them like that anymore.
Now let's talk 5-screw, long action pre WWII guns...
2", 3", 4", 5", 6" all available plus some half sizes in between.
I really like pre-lock, pinned-barrel K-frames- They aren't making them like that anymore.
Now let's talk 5-screw, long action pre WWII guns...
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
You simply cannot go wrong with a Model 10. All those police departments could not have been wrong. I only actually own one Model 10, the four incher at the bottom of this photo. Most likely a police trade in with an armorer's inventory number above the trigger guard. Best deal I ever got on a Smith, $125 out the door about ten years ago.
OK...........
You simply cannot go wrong with a Model 10. All those police departments could not have been wrong. I only actually own one Model 10, the four incher at the bottom of this photo. Most likely a police trade in with an armorer's inventory number above the trigger guard. Best deal I ever got on a Smith, $125 out the door about ten years ago.
OK...........
CajunBass
Member
Back when I was much younger and under the spell of Jeff Cooper, and the IPSC crowd, I looked down my nose at the old Model 10. Six shots? 38 Special? those goofy skinny grips and barrel and fixed sights? Did any intelligent people still use those? They weren't good for squirrels were they? They always reminded me of the guns the cops in old black and white movies carried, either in those silly swivel holsters, or in the pockets of those big. long greatcoats.
Somewhere along the line, I lost a lot of my smarts I guess, because now the old Model 10/38 M&P is my favorite handgun. I consider the 38 Special to be adequate for anything I want to use a handgun for. The "pencil barrel" is a thing of grace and beauty, and carries light and easy. The grips are still too small, but are easily changed, or even better for me, a T-grip can be added.
At one time I had a pretty nice accumulation of Smith and Wesson revolvers, from 22 to 44 Magnum. I sold them all off but two. On is my Model 12-2, which is nothing more than a Model 10 made with an aluminum frame. The other is a 1955 Military and Police 38.
I do have another Model 10 (no dash) on layaway at Ali-Babba's House O Guns.
Get one. You won't regreat it.
Somewhere along the line, I lost a lot of my smarts I guess, because now the old Model 10/38 M&P is my favorite handgun. I consider the 38 Special to be adequate for anything I want to use a handgun for. The "pencil barrel" is a thing of grace and beauty, and carries light and easy. The grips are still too small, but are easily changed, or even better for me, a T-grip can be added.
At one time I had a pretty nice accumulation of Smith and Wesson revolvers, from 22 to 44 Magnum. I sold them all off but two. On is my Model 12-2, which is nothing more than a Model 10 made with an aluminum frame. The other is a 1955 Military and Police 38.
I do have another Model 10 (no dash) on layaway at Ali-Babba's House O Guns.
Get one. You won't regreat it.
*NOVA*
Member
A used Model 10 police trade in was my first gun! Bought it just a few years ago and then let it go. Sure enough, looking to replace it I find they have gone up in market value. Get one and hang on to it!
Jim NE
Member
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- Feb 28, 2011
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Everyone's right, the OP should get one, but I haven't seen the standard caveat about the new ones on this thread, and the OP didn't state whether he was looking at a new one or an old one, so I'll chime in.
There's nothing wrong with the new model 10's, despite what people say about the internal lock systems. The only problem is you'll end up paying more than you need to with a new gun. Old model 10's kind of have a reputation (a little bit exaggerated) of not wearing out, so most of the old guns, even if used a fair bit, are generally good functioning guns. It'll save you a couple hundred with an old one.
The fixed sights mean you may have to compensate a little bit, but if you're willing to do that, they can be very accurate guns. Some people fret about the spec ranges of the old ones, but I've had some that were outside the spec ranges that were still good shooters and seemed to be safe and solid. If the lock up is a little loose, that's okay, if it's more than a little loose, have a smith check it out.
I'd avoid the old classic 5 screw "pre" models only because they tend to cost more. Somewhat true with 4 screw models, too. A 3 screw from the 60's or 70's is ideal, IMO.
There's nothing wrong with the new model 10's, despite what people say about the internal lock systems. The only problem is you'll end up paying more than you need to with a new gun. Old model 10's kind of have a reputation (a little bit exaggerated) of not wearing out, so most of the old guns, even if used a fair bit, are generally good functioning guns. It'll save you a couple hundred with an old one.
The fixed sights mean you may have to compensate a little bit, but if you're willing to do that, they can be very accurate guns. Some people fret about the spec ranges of the old ones, but I've had some that were outside the spec ranges that were still good shooters and seemed to be safe and solid. If the lock up is a little loose, that's okay, if it's more than a little loose, have a smith check it out.
I'd avoid the old classic 5 screw "pre" models only because they tend to cost more. Somewhat true with 4 screw models, too. A 3 screw from the 60's or 70's is ideal, IMO.
krupparms
Member
I picked up a used model 10 after the Chattanooga P.D. went to 9mm,s in the early '80s'. It must have been issue to a desk cop because of the condition of the gun & it's grips. The grips were plastic imitation stag & the gun only showed some holster wear. I put some new grips on it & fell in love. It has been one of the best pistols I have owned & I will aways keep it until I am gone, then it will go to one of my grandsons . I hope that it will give them as much pleasure & fun along with the protection it has given me. Long live the model 10! Let us hope S&W always makes them & keeps improvement up without changing the classic look of it.
Old Dog
Member
Here's the last Model 10 I picked up -- a nickel-clad snubby (box in the background not for this revolver):
My favorite Model 10 remains the 4" pencil barrel, of course ...
My favorite Model 10 remains the 4" pencil barrel, of course ...
griff383
Member
A used Model 10 was one of the first few handguns I purchased, I still have it but not many of the others if that says anything. Someday that revolver will be passed on for yeat another generation to enjoy
Maj Dad
Member
My first M10 was a used 5" pencil barrel I picked up in ~1970 for $50-$60 or so. My next was a "catfish" gun I bought ~2005 to keep on my boat. The last, not a true M10, was a 5" M&P made in 1946-47, one of the last long action pistols with the added hammer drop safety. The M&P will be the last pistol I will ever let go, for whatever reason - it's that good. Look for an M&P made from 1946-1958 for a real jewel of a pistol...
jrod
Member
Model 10's are great !!! Go for it!
I joined the PD in 1969 and was issued a model 10. As a detective I carried it or a model 36. I left the PD in 1978 and took a better paying job for a large defense contractor where the issue weapon was a model 10. I turned it in to the company in 2008 when I retired. A great revolver and I bought my own after I retired and love to shoot it along with my 6" 19. I have to admit though that my CCW is a Ruger SP101 DAO snub. Go to http://www.snubnose.info/ (the snubnose files) and look up "the model 10 Smith & Wessons workhorse" for a great education on the model 10.
Yeah I know my punctuation stinks.
Yeah I know my punctuation stinks.
Last edited:
I got mine probably about five years ago. A LGS had bought out a security company's inventory, Smiths, Tauruses, Charters. About 85 of them were S&Ws. I had the owner pick me out a nice 4" pencil barrel, square butt Model 10. $200 OTD. The right grip was really worn, so I put new Magna grips on it. Lots of holster wear, it was carried often and shot almost never.
I may shoot it more accurately than any of my other handguns. SA, DA, one handed, two handed, it doesnt matter. It's such a joy to shoot.
I may shoot it more accurately than any of my other handguns. SA, DA, one handed, two handed, it doesnt matter. It's such a joy to shoot.
aarondhgraham
Member
There is an argument to be made,,,
There is an argument to be made,,,
That the S&W Model 10 is "the" American handgun.
It's like the Ford F-150 of DA/SA revolvers,,,
There are fancier more elaborate handguns out there,,,
But as far as pure performance, none can really top it by much.
Several years back I acquired a grizzled old specimen in a trade,,,
Most of the blue finish was worn off so it looked like crap,,,
But it's trigger was superb and it grouped very tightly.
For some reason it shot a bit to the left at 25 yards,,,
I solved that problem by aiming a bit to the right.
When a young friend of mine graduated from Oklahoma State University,,,
I made a kit of the gun, a holster I made, and a Lee hand Loader,,,
Cased all together in a box I bought at Hobby Lobby.
I really expected him to buy something newer but he never did,,,
He's now in the process of trying to wear the gun out,,,
It just keeps on shooting as he gets better with it.
My point is that it's a truly great revolver,,,
It's what all modern DA/SA revolvers are measured against.
Aarond
.
There is an argument to be made,,,
That the S&W Model 10 is "the" American handgun.
It's like the Ford F-150 of DA/SA revolvers,,,
There are fancier more elaborate handguns out there,,,
But as far as pure performance, none can really top it by much.
Several years back I acquired a grizzled old specimen in a trade,,,
Most of the blue finish was worn off so it looked like crap,,,
But it's trigger was superb and it grouped very tightly.
For some reason it shot a bit to the left at 25 yards,,,
I solved that problem by aiming a bit to the right.
When a young friend of mine graduated from Oklahoma State University,,,
I made a kit of the gun, a holster I made, and a Lee hand Loader,,,
Cased all together in a box I bought at Hobby Lobby.
I really expected him to buy something newer but he never did,,,
He's now in the process of trying to wear the gun out,,,
It just keeps on shooting as he gets better with it.
My point is that it's a truly great revolver,,,
It's what all modern DA/SA revolvers are measured against.
Aarond
.
87hurricane
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2013
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As many others have said, go for it, you won't be dissapointed. My old beat up Model 10 is ugly, but shoots like a dream, and almost always goes to the range with me. For me, a 4" k frame really is the perfect revolver, it fits my hand just right, balances and points perfectly.
Old Dog
Member
While I agree with aarond about the Model 10 being "The American revolver" ... I always think of it more like the Chevy 1500 of handguns ...
Black Knight
Member
I have a 10-8 with 4 inch heavy barrel. I had the springs changed and it is one of the best shooters I have. I would say it is on par with my Colt Python at distances out to 15 yards. After 15 Yards the Python is slightly better.
Jim NE
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2011
- Messages
- 1,888
While I agree with aarond about the Model 10 being "The American revolver" ... I always think of it more like the Chevy 1500 of handguns ...
Or is the Chevy 1500 the Smith and Wesson model 10 of trucks??Regardless, the Model 10 is the archetype of the American double action revolver.
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