[ceestand]

Hi all, I bought my first revolver saturday. It's a Model 10, 4" blued heavy barrel. Thanks to the people here, I think I got a good one. A few questions though:

How do I find out the year and trailing number (you know the 10-N number)?

The sights are fixed, but I was wondering if there was a kit or work that could be done to give me a better sight picture contrast-wise. Paint? :confused:

Any good places to look for accesories? Speedloaders? I plan on getting a holster and replacement grips from CDNN this week.

[Thirties]

When you swing out the cylinder, look at the exposed face of the arbor/yoke/whatever it's called. There you will see the M10-x

What grips do you have now that you want to replace? Those standard walnut grips are very nice.

Remedy for the fixed rear sights is a model 15 Combat Masterpiece. I'm only half joking, 'cause that's what I did!

Have a look. My M10 has tapered barrel. M15 has heavy barrel:
http://www.jellison.50megs.com/images/two_sw_38s.jpg

[FPrice]

"How do I find out the year and trailing number (you know the 10-N number)?"

Thirties has already told you how to find the complete Model number. To find the year of manufacture give us the serial number with any letter prefix. Give it in this fashion, "A123,xxx". We don't need all the numbers, replace the last three with an "x". This generally helps protect your information. Someone will give you an approximate year of manufacture.

For more information you can send a history request to Roy Jinks at S&W, it will cost $30. I would do this only if the gun is very old or if it may have some unusual history.

[Lone Star]

To see the front sight well on your M10, use fingernail polish in a bright color. I prefer a sort of flourescent orange. Looks better on the gun than on a woman! Paint the rear face of the sight with it.

The model number is on the standing portion of the frame when you swing out the cylinder. It is NOT on the yoke, which swings out with the cylinder. (Colt calls the "yoke" the "crane".)

Lone Star

[ceestand]

What grips do you have now that you want to replace? Those standard walnut grips are very nice.
I believe they are the standard grips. However they are a bit beat up, there seems to be no finish on them and someone added one of those disgusting metal grip extenders. I am replacing them because I have large hands - I want a better grip that also looks better.

Thirties and FPrice, thanks, I will look tonight and likely post my "A123XXX" number to this thread tomorrow.

Lone Star, can the polish be removed without harming the bluing?

[Mike Irwin]

"Lone Star, can the polish be removed without harming the bluing?"

Yes. Acetone or fingernail polish remover will remove it without touching the bluing.

In fact, acetone is a good degreaser when you're working with guns, but a bit smelly.

[Lone Star]

I hate to admit it, but I agree with Mike Irwin. ;)

I use ordinary fingernail polish remover, then wipe off the area with a wet tissue, then oil it. The gun will then be back to original condition, as before you applied the polish. That's one reason why I prefer the nail polish to paint.

Lone Star

[444]

You don't want those ugly grips or that disgusting metal grip extender anywhere near your gun. Just send them to me and I will get rid of them for you.

[Mike Irwin]

I'm all for getting rid of the S&W grips, too.

Of all factory grips, S&Ws were, by far, the absolute worst.

I have a full supply of wood grips that have come off my guns over the years and have been replaced with Hogue monogrips...

[sm]

ceestand, welcome to THR!
Grips are personal , can't you tell?

I like the look of wood. Depends, but some actually do better for me., because they fit my hand. For some, rubber feels better and reduces recoil...it's a fit thing. Just hang on and Tamara or Marko will post some pics and you can drool on your keyboard and drain your wallet.

I'm still trying to figure out how to steal a set of custom grips a buddy has that fits my hands real well...dang gun is always loaded and on his hip tho'...gonna be bit tricky it seems...:)

persistence...

[ceestand]

It's a 10-8, serial # ADJ3XXX. On the "yoke" there are three letters, halfway stamped that look like "ATA" followed by the number 9357. The grips show quite a bit of wear, towards the rear and bottom the checkering is worn smoth on the left side, the right seems a bit better. The S&W logo is done in some kind of metal. The finish on the metal grip extender is also pretty worn away, again, especialy on the left side. I am planning on getting some wood "gripper" style grips. Ask me again in a couple of weeks if I want to get rid of the originals.

The SA trigger pull seems awfully light, and the DA pull is very smooth. The only reference I have however, is my P22. I haven't even fired the '10 yet. :eek: When I do, I plan on trying a few different manufacturers to see what it likes, but there are so many. Any suggestions?

[Tamara]

Looks like late '83 production. :)

[Tamara]

I have a full supply of wood grips that have come off my guns over the years and have been replaced with Hogue monogrips...

Why someone would want to put a nasty set of neoprene Goodyears on a perfectly good wheelgun is beyond me. No accounting for taste... ;) :p

[444]

My S&W revolvers are for show, not for go.
I do shoot them, in fact I shoot them a lot. But I wouldn't carry one of them. I like the look of the Tyler grip adapter which I assume is what he is talking about. This is the classic look from the heyday of the revolver. Since they only work with factory stocks, or something very close to a factory stock, this is what I am moving towards on some of my collection.
I actually haven't gotten very far in upgrading my stocks. I intend to get a set of Bear Hugs for my Model 27 in honor of Skeeter Skelton, and some Jordon Troopers on my 4" Model 19 in honor of Bill Jordon.

[sm]

I catch grief because mine have wood. Got a friend whom prefers "Goodyears". He will not admit he shoots better with wood...tightwad. :)

I bought a beater gun once for a business.I at least had the good taste to leave the wood grips on, cracked, with electrical tape until I replaced them...tape kinda brought out the worn blue finish...ya'll understand right? :)

Darn it Tamara,Marko! I was Expecting pics of nice grips from you two ( and others).

[rbert0005]

How's these? 27-2.

Bob

[Sunray]

Great choice for a building project. Likely a cop turn in so it won't have many rounds through it. Grips are no big deal. Any 'K' frame grips will fit. The speed loader should be as easy to come by as well. The trigger sounds like it has already been done. They're usually like 5 miles of bad road. Sights are a different story.
To put adjustable sights on requires a bit of machining and a few holes drilled and tapped. Fortunately, there's lots of steel to work with and any smithy can do it. Put a set of Smith Factory adjustables on. A bit of white paint on the existing front sight will give you the contrast if you don't want adjustables.
A 27-2 is a Model 27. It's a .357 on an 'N' frame. Seems to me it was also known as the Highway Patrol model.

[Johnny Guest]

ceestand, if you just want good contrast, try the nail polish idea given above. Somewhat easier to switch around, pending a decision on which color you really like, is that "white out" correction fluid they sell at office supply places and drug stores. that used to be real popular with the PPC shooters. Easy to apply, easy to refresh, and easy to remove when the match was over.

Brownell's sells a front sight insert kit, too - - You file out a little area and glue in the color of your choice. This is a lot more permanent than the paint, so you must make sure it's what you really want to do..

I really believe it is a bad idea to try and install adjustable sights on a model 10, or any fixed-sight revolver, when there is a factory version available.

With parts and labor, you'll be WELL over $100 into the job. You will have changed up a really classic style revolver, and it will serve you no better than a different one with factory installed sights. The model 15 Combat Masterpiece mentioned by Thirties is essentially a M10 with adjustables and a ribbed barrel. The M67 is the same thing in stainless.

Lots of police trade-ins of above plus the M66 have been in circulation lately, and you could probably trade your M10 in on one of them, if you feel you NEED the adjustable sights.

I have a lot of admiration of the plain-jane M10s, though. The heavy barrel model is a very heavy duty piece - - As long as it isn't badly mistreated, like dropping it with the cylinder open, it will last for generations. Besides, I think the adjustable sight revolvers are scientifically balanced or something: Drop them from ANY position, from ANY height, and they automatically turn so they strike directly on the rear sight. :D

Best,
Johnny

[Mike Irwin]

"Why someone would want to put a nasty set of neoprene Goodyears on a perfectly good wheelgun is beyond me. No accounting for taste..."


Ergonomics are far more important to me that looks. If I want looks, I replace the stock wood grips with Ivory.

Wood is great for a sideboard, a kitchen table, or a floor.

On my handguns, I want something more, and I've yet to find wood grips that offer it.

[Tamara]

Ergonomics are far more important to me that looks.

Me, too. That's why the factory grips on my serious shooters usually get replaced... with Eagles, Ahrend's, Hogue hardwood, or what have you. ;)

[Mike Irwin]

I'm happy for you that livingroom furniture works for you on your gun.

It's the last thing I want on my gun, unless, of course, I would find myself in need of firewood...

For me, my serious shooters, including ALL of the guns that I carry for defensive purposes, wear Hogue rubber grips.

Don't like it?

Shoot your own damned guns and pick splinters out of your hands. :D

[Nightcrawler]

Mike...Tam....

Geez, how long you two been married? LOL