Even in my most "Wheelgun/Walnut/Steel" phase gotta admit I always kinda looked down on the poor old 4" M-10. Considered the pencil bbl models to be kinda Barney Fife or Security guard guns and the 4" heavy bbl models to be basically the original "wannabe" tactical guns for Departments that could not afford or get approved guns like the M-19 or 586. After some time though I've kinda come to the conclusion that most of the traits I didn't like about the M-10 have some advantages, at least for me.
Fixed sights: Didn't see the point in fixed sights especially on a 4" K-frame gun when M-19's, 15's, 66's and 67's were available with much better adjustable sights. Forced into the matter for a awhile due to circumstances I've come to appreciate them though. No wear on my cover garment,easier to draw from concelment (less snagging), more rugged which means no worries storing gun in off body locations when necessary, and I can even loan it out without worrying about someone fiddling with my sights
While they don't give as crisp a sight picture as some setup's more suited for target work for my practice I really can't see a problem at well past 25 yards on any B-27 target made, that will more than meet my needs. In some ways I think this may have even helped my shooting in that while it's harder to dial in a specific load once it's done it's done. This really actually freed me up a little and made me concentrate on what I should be, shooting form. No wondering about whether that miss was you or if the sights needed tweaking a bit to the right, and it certainly makes you think twice about using range time to try out some new load that might be .4534% better than the current one you got dialed in, much less fiddling around with new powders, bullets etc for reloading trying for an extra 1/4" at 25 yards.
It's not a .357: Basically same size guns in available in .357 is another reason I took a pass, but once again I'm noticing some things I actually like about having "less versatility". First again more time shooting less time fiddling at the range. Being a bit of perfectionist when I shot 357's I wanted my guns sighted to them, when practicing with 38's I wanted the gun sighted for them.
Practicing with loads similar to carry rounds. With my K-frame 357's I always had a an easy shooting load for practice to not stress the gun and a heavier load for real issues. Now I'm pretty much comfortable with a carry load and very similar recoiling and POI practice load. Another time saver is that no changing of my reloading setup between 357, and 38.
Hopefully I was always aware of it before, but honestly I think I work harder at the range because of knowing I don't have any "magnum power" to make up for poor shooting.
It looks like Barney Fife's gun I know Barney actually carried a Colt many times, but you know what I mean. Shouldn't be factor but I think if were all honest most of us do have just a bit of *status factor* wrapped up in what we like to shoot. Good part is the m-10 has little to none! Think of all the stories we hear on every section of this board "Well this guy comes to the range with his(insert English Double, Sig Comp, Les Baer, Jarrett Bean Rifle etc.) and he gets plum blown away by John Doe using a (insert Mosseberg, Winchester 30/30, Ruger P97). When I'm shooting one of these little suckers I feel like I can't loose. If I shoot very well that day I impress some folks, even if I shoot a bit below par my buddies just nod that was very good for what I was using
Anyway, this is my long winded I overlooked a classic speech. Anybody else find themselves in the same boat???
Fixed sights: Didn't see the point in fixed sights especially on a 4" K-frame gun when M-19's, 15's, 66's and 67's were available with much better adjustable sights. Forced into the matter for a awhile due to circumstances I've come to appreciate them though. No wear on my cover garment,easier to draw from concelment (less snagging), more rugged which means no worries storing gun in off body locations when necessary, and I can even loan it out without worrying about someone fiddling with my sights
While they don't give as crisp a sight picture as some setup's more suited for target work for my practice I really can't see a problem at well past 25 yards on any B-27 target made, that will more than meet my needs. In some ways I think this may have even helped my shooting in that while it's harder to dial in a specific load once it's done it's done. This really actually freed me up a little and made me concentrate on what I should be, shooting form. No wondering about whether that miss was you or if the sights needed tweaking a bit to the right, and it certainly makes you think twice about using range time to try out some new load that might be .4534% better than the current one you got dialed in, much less fiddling around with new powders, bullets etc for reloading trying for an extra 1/4" at 25 yards.
It's not a .357: Basically same size guns in available in .357 is another reason I took a pass, but once again I'm noticing some things I actually like about having "less versatility". First again more time shooting less time fiddling at the range. Being a bit of perfectionist when I shot 357's I wanted my guns sighted to them, when practicing with 38's I wanted the gun sighted for them.
Practicing with loads similar to carry rounds. With my K-frame 357's I always had a an easy shooting load for practice to not stress the gun and a heavier load for real issues. Now I'm pretty much comfortable with a carry load and very similar recoiling and POI practice load. Another time saver is that no changing of my reloading setup between 357, and 38.
Hopefully I was always aware of it before, but honestly I think I work harder at the range because of knowing I don't have any "magnum power" to make up for poor shooting.
It looks like Barney Fife's gun I know Barney actually carried a Colt many times, but you know what I mean. Shouldn't be factor but I think if were all honest most of us do have just a bit of *status factor* wrapped up in what we like to shoot. Good part is the m-10 has little to none! Think of all the stories we hear on every section of this board "Well this guy comes to the range with his(insert English Double, Sig Comp, Les Baer, Jarrett Bean Rifle etc.) and he gets plum blown away by John Doe using a (insert Mosseberg, Winchester 30/30, Ruger P97). When I'm shooting one of these little suckers I feel like I can't loose. If I shoot very well that day I impress some folks, even if I shoot a bit below par my buddies just nod that was very good for what I was using
Anyway, this is my long winded I overlooked a classic speech. Anybody else find themselves in the same boat???
