What's similar to a Model 10?

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This will touch a raw nerve for some folks, but I've owned several older Taurus Model 80 and 82, 38 revolvers that would do anything a Model 10 would do. When I say older ones, I mean from the late 70's and 80's or so. When they came with wood grips. Same for the Taurus 65 and 66, 357's from that time period.

The newer ones, with rubber grips I've never owned so I can't say about them.
 
I think that the appeal is the nostalgia, the craftsmanship, and the sense of pride that goes into a Model 10. They're popular and sought after for a reason.

I've never owned a Taurus revolver, new or used, old or recent production so I can't say they do everything a Smith will or not. However, when I peruse the LGS, I'm lately looking for older S&Ws, not Taurus.
 
OK, it's about time someone does it so I will lol.

Here is my S&W M&P shipped in 1948. Here it is pictured with a Chief's Special. They just belong together.

M10-M36s.jpg
 
Sure did love our Taurus..

Model 65, fixed rear sight (slot) and 4 inch barrel.

The stainless model 10 I never found.

A shame it's gone but it traded into a 46 Willys so there's that!

Todd.
 
Howdy Again

Just been doing a bit of snooping in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson.

It appears that the 38 Military and Police was not cataloged with a 3" barrel. Yes, with S&W we should never say never, but that is how it appears to me. 38 M&P barrel lengths up through the 3rd Change (1915) were pretty well limited to 6 1/2", 6", 5" and 4". Sometime during the 4th Change (1915-1942) 2" barrels were also cataloged.

I have this very funky 2" Post War M&P but I have not dated it. Judging by the speed hammer and the serial number series I'm going to guess it is late 1940s, but that is just a WA guess. I'm pretty sure the grips are older than the gun, they should be on a Smith from about 1904 to 1910.

snubnoseMP02-1.jpg



Standard barrel lengths for the Model 10 (starting in 1957) were 2", 4", 5" and 6". 3" barrels were available by special order 'early on' (what ever that means). 3" barreled Model 10s became catalog items in the 1980s and 1990s. 2 1/2" barrels were made for special contracts.



Moving on to the Model 13, it appears it was available in two standard versions. 3" barrel and round butt or 4" barrel and square butt. The Model 13 was made from 1974 until 1999.

The only Model 13 I have is this 13-2 that I picked up a few years ago.

model%2013-2%2002_zps2cbzchgf.jpg
 
Howdy Again

Regarding the Colt Official Police and its predecessor the Army Special, these guns were a bit bigger than a K frame 38 M&P or a Model 10. And the Police Positive Special was a little bit smaller.

At the top in this photo is a S&W K frame 38 Military and Police (the forerunner to the Model 10) At the bottom is a Colt Police Positive Special. Both are six shot 38 Special revolvers, but the Colt is a little bit smaller.

smith%20colt%20comparison_zpsn10rcxa0.jpg



Sorry there is not a S&W in this photo, but it gives some idea of relative sizes of various Colt revolvers. The revolver at the top is an Army Special, the model that later became the Official Police. Directly under it is another Police Positive Special. The two small revolvers are 32s.

four%20colts_zpspcbzna9v.jpg
 
I'd give another vote for the Taurus Model 82.

I have one from the 80's that is a great shooter. Heavy barrel, rock-solid .38 special.

If money is an issue, you can probably find a good deal on one, too.
 
What Cooldill suggested. However, since the Model 10 has fixed sights, I'd narrow it down to the Speed Six and Service Six or even the SP series of Ruger revolvers.

The original Colt equivalent would have been the Police Positive. It was smaller frame than the Official Police (both were six shot 38 specials).
 
Time for the torches and pitchforks...

A good medium-framed Taurus is a good revolver. Someone more knowledgeable would know the details better, but at one point Taurus had the same ownership as S&W and it's no surprise that the designs are/were similar. This is mine, a model 66 variant, I believe it's a 689. It's about 25 years old and has been excellent.

Taurus357_zps9f7f3a5a.jpg
 
Just picked up a Mod.64-8 3". One of the best balanced revolvers I have ever held.

56caf695-48ee-4315-9189-6dbf94962d61_zpscoqh9gd2.gif
 
Went to the gun shop I mentioned earlier which is not too far from you. Make note to self, do not visit gun shops when truck is in for major repairs!

Anyway he had several S&W Model 10 guns and I only looked at the really clean and minty guns. Keep in mind the prices are flexible. I generally ask for a "best and final out the door" and he knows I plop down cash. I am posting what the guns have on their tags.

Model 10-5 Snubbie 2" barrel $699 I am tempted myself on this gun as it is pretty, really minty. I believe it has the pinned barrel. <Edit> Originally posted pinned and recessed, my bad on that</EDIT>

Model 10-7 4" $549 The gun is OK but not something I would be all over.

Model 10-8 4" $599 This gun was real sweet and had the heavy barrel, I always liked Model 10 Heavy Barrel 4" guns.

Model 10-5 $599 6" This gun looks to have about a 6" barrel; and like the others was really clean.

Model 10-7 4" Nickel $599 Not bad but I am not a nickel type.

Some had original boxes.

There were several other S&W guns including some Model 28 guns which I liked and other assorted smaller revolvers. I only focused on the Model 10 guns. Most were priced at $599 and I only looked at the real clean guns that I would consider for myself. I did not ask Jimmy for a best and final on any of the guns. So anyway, you and your friend have something to consider within a short drive. Considering the numbers produced and availability of the Model 10 it should not be difficult to find others.

Ron
 
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Model 10-5 Snubbie 2" barrel $699 I am tempted myself on this gun as it is pretty, really minty. Should have pinned and recessed.
Click to expand...

Pinned, but probably not recessed. The .38 Special Model 10 was not recessed. This is reserved for magnum calibers and .22
 
Thank you for pointing that out and my bad. I really did not overly look at the gun but I am tempted on that one and the one Model 28.

Again Thanks for making it right....
Ron
 
As to the OP's request, I would ask the buyer if there's a reason that he specifically want's a 3" barrel. If it's because he thinks it would be more concealable, he is right. But if it's because he thinks it's cooler or whatever, he's going to have a harder time finding a 3" and it will cost him more, probably. At least with a S&W.

My 3" model 10 is more concealable, but it isn't quite the shooter that my 4 inch model 10 is, and nowhere rear the shooter my model 15's are.

I personally didn't like my SP101, so I got rid of it, but that's just me. Most people like them.

I'm not sure about Taurus offerings in 3 inch. I have an 4 inch 82 that's a real solid gun. Action maybe isn't quite as smooth as S&W, but it's got a pretty blue finish, and that type of finish on low priced guns is quickly disappearing.
 
Post #3 answers op clearly and concisely. I appreciate having the handy chart for future reference. thank you very much!
 
I would keep looking for a Model 10 or Model 15. You could also look for a 13-3. That is what I have. I don't think the other revolvers will do if he really wants a K frame. The problem is that 3" K frames are hard to come by.

13-3-2_zpsaab041ab.gif
 
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