Model 10 in 357.

[ThomasT]

The key question — still unresolved — is whether at some point S&W began heat treating K-frame models in .38 Spl. again after having ceased to do so in October 1945.

Did you read any of the earlier post where I said gun writer Jan Libourel wrote about his S&W tour and saw them heat treating the cylinders?

 

[newfalguy101]

I would actually be suprised if the cylinders are heat treated differently...in a mass produced product, its more efficient and less likely to lead to a future mistake if EVERYTHING is heat treated the same.

 

[ThomasT]

I did some looking and all I could find where they ceased heat treatment in 1945 or so was on 22lr and 32 long I-Frames. I can't imagine S&W starting to heat treat any center fire cylinders and then stopping as more powerful rounds were being added to the line up.

I did find where it was a common practice for gunsmithys to rechamber model 10s to 357. So the OP is not the first to do this.

 

[AustinTX]

Did you read any of the earlier post where I said gun writer Jan Libourel wrote about his S&W tour and saw them heat treating the cylinders?

I guess I read it a few weeks ago. Which is about the same as not having read it at all.

I’d still like to see confirmation from a source on the level of Neal’s and Jinks’ book, though.

I did some looking and all I could find where they ceased heat treatment in 1945 or so was on 22lr and 32 long I-Frames. I can't imagine S&W starting to heat treat any center fire cylinders and then stopping as more powerful rounds were being added to the line up.

According to posters at the S&W forum, the book by Neal and Jinks specifically says that the K-frame models in .38 Spl. were also included in the change. I don’t have the book, though, so I can’t verify this independently.

 

[AustinTX]

nm

 

[ThomasT]

According to posters at the S&W forum, the book by Neal and Jinks specifically says that the K-frame models in .38 Spl. were also included in the change. I don’t have the book, though, so I can’t verify this independently.

The S&W forum was where I found the information I mentioned. But I have no doubts the 38 cylinders have been heat treated as I mentioned in post #21.

If you find out something different be sure and post it.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Model 13's are out there as well as the Model 65 which is the same gun in stainless. I happen to have 3 Model 13's with 3" Barrels and Nickel finish and 1 Model 13 Blue with 3" Barrel.
The 3" Barrel versions are getting harder and harder to find since there is a sudden following for 3" Barrel Smiths. There are plenty of 4" out there especially Model 65's.

I just saw a 65 this past weekend at my local gun show. If I had the spare cash I would have grabbed it

 

[Gordon]

If you have a 686 I guess it makes sense . FWIW I had my issued Model 19 snub taken away in 1979/1980 and a Model 13 3" issued in it's place. I did not serve long with that agency afterward and to tell the truth the Model 13 3" was pretty nice as a duty gun. I bought my own Model 19 2 1/2" (in Nickel) a couple years later and still have it it was a P&R 1977 left over

 

[ThomasT]

I just saw a 65 this past weekend at my local gun show. If I had the spare cash I would have grabbed it

When I got my model 65 off GB it was a police turn in I paid $285 for. I wish I would have bought a couple more but that was likely all I had in the budget at that time anyway. With 158gr bullets it shoots right to the sights. S&W really got the sights right on their fixed sighted guns as long as you stay close to the traditional bullet weights. My 32 long fixed sighted guns are the same way. Shoot 90gr bullets and they are right on target. Its why I don't mind fixed sighted guns.

On my adjustable sighted guns once sighted in for a generic sight setting I almost never touch them again. The biggest plus to me for an adjustable sighted gun is that the sights are usually better defined and easier to see.

 

[PapaG]

My personal opinion is you are playing with fire, but it is your gun and your hand. 357 operates at better than twice the pressure of 38 special. Smith revised the heat treatment when they engineered the 15 into the 19 and I'd have to believe they did the same with the 10 to make the 13.
I had A GP100 in 38 special and I did load and shoot quite a few 38-44 rounds through it. I sure won't with my 15.