New to Me S&W Model 10-5 Snub

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Tallball

Tallball

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I've been looking for a K-frame snubby to carry OWB under an outer unbuttoned shirt or denim jacket. This one was advertised as a police turn-in. I won it for a $263 bid and picked it up from my FFL this morning. My friend at the LGS admired the nice trigger.

It's in the usual 38 special. I believe it's from 1962. As you can see, it's a square-butt version (my preference). I think it's got the original grips. As you can see, even with the poor quality of the photo, the finish is noticeably worn. It looks like lots of holster wear. The DA trigger is very smooth. It fits my hand much better than a J-frame. Six shots instead of five is nice.

I hope to take it to the range tomorrow morning, or maybe Friday.

Does anyone have a suggestion for their favorite OWB holster? I tend to prefer leather.

I showed you mine, so now show me yours! :)

View media item 1782
 
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Years ago I had a 10-5. Fired 30,000 HOT reloads before I broke a trigger spring. $3.00 and its still going.
 
Tallball said:
Does anyone have a suggestion for their favorite OWB holster? I tend to prefer leather.
Click to expand...
I use a DeSantis "Thumb-Break Scabbard" for my j-frames, and I think DeSantis might build the same thing for your slightly larger Model 10. You'll just have to try your gun in one to be sure. The good news is, DeSantis holsters are easy to find - I bought mine at Sportsman's Warehouse.
Hint: If you buy a DeSantis "Thumb-Break Scabbard," put a round piece of plastic electrical tape over the snap button on the inside, or that button will wear a hole in the finish of your revolver. The good news here is that a piece of plastic electrical tape will last about 6 months if you're carrying all day, everyday.
BTW, not only do I consider Model 10s to be really great little revolvers, to me, they have a lot of sentimental value. I have a 4" Model 10 hanging in a shoulder holster in the safe. It's almost the same rig I wore under my "Mae West" when I was flying in Navy Choppers 50 years ago.:)
 
I'll tell you...I search eBay for K frame holsters, and I often see excellent old holsters by top makers, for the short barrel K's.
 
Tallball said:
I've been looking for a K-frame snubby to carry OWB under an outer unbuttoned shirt or denim jacket. This one was advertised as a police turn-in. I won it for a $263 bid and picked it up from my FFL this morning. My friend at the LGS admired the nice trigger.

It's in the usual 38 special. I believe it's from 1962. As you can see, it's a square-butt version (my preference). I think it's got the original grips. As you can see, even with the poor quality of the photo, the finish is noticeably worn. It looks like lots of holster wear. The DA trigger is very smooth. It fits my hand much better than a J-frame. Six shots instead of five is nice.

I hope to take it to the range tomorrow morning, or maybe Friday.

Does anyone have a suggestion for their favorite OWB holster? I tend to prefer leather.

I showed you mine, so now show me yours! :)

View media item 1782
Click to expand...
Nice score on one of my favorites! I keep passing on round butt M10 snubbies because I really want a square one.:)
 
Another thumbs up for the Black Widdow.

It fits a K frame great and a L frame snugly, I've carried a 2" 64, a 2&1/2" M19, a 3" M10, a 4" M19 & 64, and a 6" 686+ in mine.

I've never had the thumb snap open unintentionally, and its never been in the way when I was in a hurry.

I've used it to CC, OC, IDPA and for hunting. It's my holster with the most miles on it. If 3-5 O'clock OWB with a thumb break is your thing, it's the best game in town.

Make mine tan.

20161213_182453.jpg
Edited to add: here's mine. It's a versatile holster for just about any job that an OWB can do. I'm of a similar inclination that the appropriate M19 is a great tool for any job as well haha.
 
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"I think it's got the original grips." That should be easy to confirm, remove stocks and check to see if the left one has the serial number of the gun written on it. As for a holster, any pancake style should work well. I prefer the ones from Lobo Leather.
Great score on an old workhorse, enjoy it.
 
Prior to 68 S&W grips had a diamond around the screw so either the gun is newer than 68 or the grips are replaced
 
Thanks for the info, Jonesy. IIRC, the 10-5 was only made in 1962. I thought that the grips seemed kind of underworn compared to the holster wear of the finish. The PD it belonged to probably replaced them at some point. Since my purpose for it is occasional carry piece or range toy, and since the finish is so worn anyway, I doubt that I'll bother replacing them. But it's very interesting to know that they aren't original. Come to think of it, my ancient pre-Model 10 (I think they called it "Military and Police Model") has diamonds on the grips.

View media item 1666
 
Sistema1927

What is wrong with round butts?
737390-20754594d9ab48334b6c2506a77e757a.jpg
(Pre-Model 10 M&P)​
Click to expand...


Absolutely nothing! I always preferred round butts to square ones, especially with S&W J frame revolvers.​
 
I got lucky on the holster. While I was digging around in the gun safe yesterday, I found a leather Bianchi holster that I'd forgotten I had. I'm pretty sure that I bought it for a 44 special snubby that I traded away a year or two ago. It fits the Model 10 perfectly. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart! :)
 
I just got back from the shooting range. Holy cow this thing is a nice shooter! The DA trigger is as nice and smooth as you could ask for, almost as good as the K22 I had with me, and clearly superior to the 625 I was also shooting.

The SA trigger is so light and smooth that it will take me a while to get used to. I got a number of fliers when it went off before I expected it to.

My hands are so large that I shot it better with my pinky tucked under the grip (square buts are better for that). I only put 50 rounds through it, but it's easily the most accurate snubby I've ever shot. As you can probably tell, I'm extremely pleased with my purchase!

I can't remember if it's Gulf State Distributors or Gulf States Distributors, but they are selling them one or two at a time on Gunbroker.
 
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