Tell me about the Smith Model 10.

[Dionysusigma]

Eventually, I'm going to get a revolver to add to the family. And (if I can help it) it's not going to be a stainless model, which is all that Smith, Taurus, etc. seem to be putting out now. I looked and looked, and what I seem to want is a 4" Smith and Wesson Model 10, blued.

So what can everyone tell me about them? I know they're chambered in .38 and have a 4" barrel, but that's about it. Do recent production models differ from those in the past aside from the now-"mandatory" lock? Any history or stories behind 'em, whether your own or someone else's.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Marshall]

You might read this, it's a history of the K frame M&P's. The model 10 and Model 64 are twins with different colored skin. Probably the best selling revolver made.

Oh, here's something else for you.......Model 10

I have it's brother, the Model 13, same gun exept chambered in .357. Love the gun!

 

[sgt127]

Not much to add. Its served 3 generations of American cops with distinction. Its as reliable as a mechanical device can likely be short of a ball peen hammer. You can shoot Poo-Poo wadcutters for fun and go all the way up to 158 GR LSWCHP +P and have very effective stopping power without killing your hand. Used, they are dirt cheap. Parts, grips, holsters and gunsmiths abound. The factory will repair/refinish one for you. And, they are very accurate.
The NYPD had about 30,000 of them on the streets for many many years.
And honestly, the average cop would still be well served with a good mod. 10, 64...13, 65 (.357 versions)

 

[SASS#23149]

I had a used Model 10 years ago..yea,wish I'd a kept it...and I had a rossi .38 that was it's twin...except on the firing line.the 10 would shoot rings around the rossi,even at fifteen to twenty feet.
They're a great buy,one you'll really enjoy.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. As has been said, the Model 10 rode in more than a few officers' holsters and in my opinion is a classic in its own right, be the gun a heavy barrel model or the standard "skinny barrel." They have nothing fancy, but were normally reliable accurate revolvers that could be counted upon to work.

I've owned several Model 10's over the years, some in 2" as well as in 4" barrel lengths and my first duty revolver was a 4" HB. Currently, I own two. A later production 4" having the round butt frame that S&W has gone to for about all revolvers and an old 2" square butt.

If interested, this link focuses on a Model 10 4" HB:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Humble 38 Special.htm

There is nothing fancy about this Model 10, but it somehow finds its way into my range bag now and then. They are just enjoyable shooters.

This old '60's vintage Model 10 snub is a keeper. I don't use it much these days but it is a very nice reminder of days past when more than a few of these were carried by law enforcement officers.

Good luck on your Model 10. I think it will serve you well and if you enjoy yours half as much as I have mine over the years, it will be money well spent.

Best.

 

[Greek]

Great guns

My first revolver was a Model 36 S&W Chief's Special in the early 70's. In the later 70's I bought a nickel plated S&W Model 10-6 M&P. Came with a leather S&W holster! Great pistol, taught my wife, daughter and son how to shoot with it. When my daughter got married and joined the Army and was going to leave the house I gave her a pick of my guns. She picked the nickel plated skinny barrel S&W Model 10 (5" barrel). It had some Badger grips on it.
I bought a used 4" blue S&W heavy barrel (4") 3 years ago to replace the one my daughter took, with the idea of giving it to my son when he was ready. Man it has a sweet trigger.
Of course I also have the Model 60 stainless Chief's Special which serves as a back up...
Can't go wrong with a S&W Model 10. Everyone should have one.

 

[dogngun]

Model 10

One of the best DA revolvers ever made by anyone, the basis for the K frame series, and like the man said, a classic.


Mark

 

[HiWayMan]

The S&W M10 is THE revolver. It is the first I ever shot and though I have many others at this point I have yet to put one of these in the stable. Gotta love the skinny barrel and dead reliablility of the M10.

 

[RON in PA]

Really can't add too much to what has been said by the other posters, but you should know that the Model 10 (Military & Police Revolver) has been in production since 1899 chambered in the 38 special caliber. Approximately 5.5-6 million have been made, probably more than any other handgun. It's a classic and for 90% of what you need a handgun for, it will do the job.

 

[LCConrad]

My first duty weapon was a model 10, and I recently bought a new one to replace the one I sold when i started carrying a 45 on duty. The model 10 is a joy to shoot. The only problem with it is that it isn't a 357. A better option would be the model 13, the best of both worlds.

 

[Krag]

I have owned at least a dozen K-frame S&W revolvers including Model 10, 13, 19, 64, 65 and 66. IMHO a person carrying a Model 10 loaded with .38 Spl+P is about well armed as one could wish to be. My "nightstand" gun is a 3" Model 64.

If you can't handle a defensive situation with a Model 10 you don't need a handgun, you need a SWAT team!

 

[thalo]

I'd like to go at this from an aesthetic point of view. The model 10 is simply a fine LOOKING revolver. The design is beautiful. It's really about the only blued revolver that Smith & Wesson sells anymore. Hey, stainless can also be beautiful, but something about the deep blue finish on carbon steel is rich and gorgeous. If S&W offered that finish on all their revolvers, you know what? Sales would double, because every gun I own in stainless steel I really would have rather had blue.

There's a couple different kinds of S&W revolver fans. Some want to buy new, others won't TOUCH anything with a lock, and have resolved to just search far and wide for mint condition older weapons.

The model 10 is really the last new gun that has the design chops and aesthetic feel of the old days. OK, you can get the new Thunder Ranch .44 special, but you have to put up with a big, ugly, goofy gold Thunder Ranch logo. Sigh. With the model 10, less really is more. Form and function meet, and what you see is what you get.

Smith & Wesson could take themselves to the next level if they just made up their minds to build on their legacy of design. I'm hoping there is an R&D department there, where some scientists are working 14 hour days concocting a "stainless blue"... with all the richness of the classic finish, but with the durability of stainless steel. I mean think of it, if they could manage that, who among you wouldn't start getting second mortgages or maxing out credit cards to buy guns with that kind of finish? I'm pretty sure the technology is out there.

 

[rWt]

I prefered the tapered barrel version over the bull barrel, which I found overly muzzle heavy. You should handle both.

Some say that a 4" barrel is necessary to get the necessary velocityfor 38 Spl. loads. I don't know if that is correct, but it does support a 4" barreled revolver. That length is handy in the night stand-not too long.

The sights are more than adequate.

I did sell the one I had, but only after finding a 3" Model 65.

The Model 10 is a very good pick.

 

[Old Dog]

No handgun collection is complete without at least one Model 10.
Just my opinion.

 

[Tacoma]

Agreed. Hard to beet a good, 3-4" K frame S&W that spits 38's. EVERYBODY should ahve at least one. The mod 10's are great and represent a piece of history. If you want adjustable sights, then the mod 15 is for you. As mentioned , the mod 13 and 19 ( in 357) are worthy too.

 

[thatguy]

I tried adding up the serial number ranges on the M&P (Model 10) and estimated something like 20,000,000 made but maybe I erred. It's a boatload, for sure. One of the most popular and successful designs offered, it's simple and elegant. After the cop shops started going with autos these were a glut on the used marketplace. A nice M10 made in the 1960s or 1970s can easily be had for $150-$250 depending on features and condition. A "shooter" grade M10 pops up now and then for $100 or less.

I don't know what the current factory offerings are in the Model 10 line, but many variations have been made over the years. Calibers included .38 Special, .38 S&W, .22 Long Rifle (rare), .32-20, .32 S&W and a few I've forgotten. Could be had at various times in blue or nickel with barrels of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 6.5 inches.

Here are my M&Ps. All are .38 Specials.

 

[bountyhunter]

I have a nickel model 10 with pencil barrel (60's vintage). If you are going to get a heavy barrel 10, why not just get a 66 and then you can shoot magnums if you need to? They are virtually the same weight and gun size.

 

[slick6]

My M10-6("Pencil barrel")!

Following, are some pictures of my "Pencil barrel" M10-6, with some Herrett's stocks added to it(I still have the NIB, looking original magna's too!)however, I have never fired this M10-6, yet! I found it in like new condition(Owned by a security guard(And, it was barely fired at all!)and, it was made(Circa, 1973)!:




And, I have this(Adjustable sighted)"Pencil barrel" M67(No dash #)as a(.38 special)companion, to go with the above(Fixed sight)M10-6:

 

[Joey2]

Yep, an outstanding revolver. I have 3 Model 10's with 4" bull barrel, 1 Model 36 and a Model 19 with 6" barrel.

They are all keepers. I depend on mine for home defense.

 

[oweno]

Royal Hong Kong Police Model 10, with issue holster, lanyard, and cap badge. The holster was worn on the left hip, butt forward.

 

[thatguy]

bountyhunter- The 10 and the 66 are not at all the same gun. The 66 is more of a sport pistol than the strictly service Model 10. A 66 will cost about double or more than what need be paid for a 10 and unless you plan a lot of magnum shooting why bother? The Model 13 is the magnum version of the 10, and I have one, but note that I also have 4 M10s so they must have some use, no?

 

[texagun]

Still going strong and shooting well after 50 years!

 

[Dienekes]

You *cannot* go wrong with a Model 10. As mentioned, they are about as reliable as anything mechanical gets to be, well made, and wonderfully versatile.

Generations of American cops used them and with good current loads they are still up to the job. Given the choice between a colicky semiauto and a Model 10, I'll take the Model 10 any day.

 

[ulflyer]

Are those M-10's/M&P's that are over 50 years old eligible for C&R purchase?

 

[Coot]

S&W recently did a run of 10-9's for Leu Horton- some may still be available (I got one of them!). Very, very nice: round butt, 4" tapered barrel, NO LOCK, hammer mounted firing pin. Prices around these parts run $325-$375.

Run, don't walk to get one!