Help me choose a Model 10 from JG's current deals

http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/smith-wesson/revolver/cPath/16_211_431

Those look like some pretty decent prices on some classic smiths. I think I need to buy one.

Not knowing much about Smiths, which do you guys think is the best deal? How do these hold up to use? I'm almost leaning toward one of the lesser condition ones due to the character they have.

the 640 ss 38/357 you can use both ammo in case of emergency/ammo shortage.try to keep your choice in stainless,no rust

That's not a model 10 :D I already own a GP100 and a SP101, so I have 357 covered. I just saw this as an opportunity to obtain an older pre-lock Smith at a reasonable price..

Personally, I'd get the best condition available. But if you want "character", go for it.

The 4" is the classic belt duty gun. The 5" is more rare. If you have your revolver bases covered, and you just want to add a Smith to your collection, I'd buy the 5" in VG condition. If you only want a knockabout gun, the 4" in G to VG is $60 cheaper.

I'd say they're all a good deal, if you don't get dinged too bad with shipping and transfer. My state, Washington, is now enforcing a use (sales) tax on all transfered guns too.

I'd have to vote for one or the other of the 5" barrel guns.

That is a pretty hard to find barrel length in a Model 10.

rc

Ok, guess I'll order it in a few :D

ok. ordered it! :D

http://www.jgsales.com/images/1%20SW%2010%2038SPL%205IN%20SB%20GVG%20COND%2025-2678XQ.jpg

Ok, what did you get? :D

5 inch all the way...these are one of the lesser seen barrel lengths. 4inch are much more common

Don't think you can go wrong. I've wanted one for a long time but something else always comes up. The model 10 is the classic LE revolver.

If it were one of these VS a Speed Six at the same price, which would you take?

Speed Six

Ok, what did you get?

Ordered the 5in in very good condition :D

If it were one of these VS a Speed Six at the same price, which would you take?

One of each!

It's not a sure thing, but generally a revolver with a 5" barrel will come from earlier production, and here "earlier" is often better because there will be fewer cost-cutting changes.

One problem can be finding a holster for a revolver with that length. A good solution is to contact a THR member with the user name "Robbt" To find him look in the Buy, Sell and Trade: Accessories sub-forum. Prices are very reasonable. ;)

Good choice. The 5 inch M10 is the best balanced and the nicest looking, IMHO. Load up some 173 gr Keith SWCs with Unique for an ideal 38 Special combo.

Don't you just love it when you ask which M10 to buy and someone says something like "Speed Six" or something else you didn't ask about.

I agree with you, if you already have a .357 Magnum there's nothing wrong with buying a dedicated .38 Special, especially a classic like the M&P. I bought a 1948 vintage M&P last year and I can't stop shooting it because it's so much fun.

BTW, IMO the two M640's and the M642 on that sight are way overpriced! The other revolvers seem more than fair. I think the 5" M10 you ordered is probably the best of the bunch although there really isn't a bad M10 IMO...

I didn't know those were available for so cheap.

My grandpa carried one as a cop in the 1950s. He said his was a Military & Police, which I think is the same thing.

I should get one. But I just got that 625, and I don't have much 38 Special brass...

Dammit, why did I read this thread!? :mad:

I bet even the ones for $220 just have holster wear and beat-up grips like the pictures show.

Do any of you know when the 5 inch barrel length was dropped? I might be interested in one of these if it were an older model. How does the price strike you guys as far as value?

Don't you just love it when you ask which M10 to buy and someone says something like "Speed Six" or something else you didn't ask about.

I agree with you, if you already have a .357 Magnum there's nothing wrong with buying a dedicated .38 Special, especially a classic like the M&P. I bought a 1948 vintage M&P last year and I can't stop shooting it because it's so much fun.

BTW, IMO the two M640's and the M642 on that sight are way overpriced! The other revolvers seem more than fair. I think the 5" M10 you ordered is probably the best of the bunch although there really isn't a bad M10 IMO...

I wasn't recommending a Speed Six. The only reason I brought it up is because I'm currently deciding between the two.

Do any of you know when the 5 inch barrel length was dropped? I might be interested in one of these if it were an older model. How does the price strike you guys as far as value?

They had some a week or so ago, then sold out, then they came back. They bring em back every few months to weeks. Prior to last week, the last time I saw them in stock was around Black Friday.

Do any of you know when the 5 inch barrel length was dropped? I might be interested in one of these if it were an older model. How does the price strike you guys as far as value?

Don't know the exact date, but I'd say late 1970's to early/middle 1980's. But by the middle 1960's orders for the 5 and 6 inch lengths had substantially dropped as police officers stopped walking beats to patrol cars, and for the most part full-flap/crossdraw holsters became unpopular. Note that the heavy barrel configuration was never offered on the model 10 in over a 4" length. After World War Two S&W had a lot of left-over 5" barrel forgings, and a lot of them were used during the C and D serial number series (1948 - 1977).

Shooters generally aren't interested an any barrel length over 4 inches, which is a mistake on they're part in my view. Collectors will pay slightly more for a 5 or 6 inch length, but only if it is like new, and or LNIB.

I am looking at a Model 10 with a 5 inch barrel and a model 10 parts kit myself. I would really like a Smith model 15 heavy barrel 4 inch for the price of the model 10s. I carried a smith 15 for my first 4 years in the AF.

Normally model 15 barrels had a narrow rib, so they weren't considered to be heavy barreled.

Anyway, J&G Sales did have some USAF style model 15's at attractive prices. Unfortunately the hammers had been bobbed and made into double-action only. However a new hammer will usually return them to the original SA/DA configuration. You might check to see if any are left, and get on their e-mail list for a future head's up message, because model 15's come and go.

Thanks Old Fluff. I do watch J&G, but not often enough. My AF 15 was modified but the small arms guys to a heavy barrel. Changing out a bobbed hammer is not a problem.

Strangely the Air Force bought 2" model 15's with a heavy ribbed barrel, but the 4" ones had barrels with a narrow rib (which was standard).

You could buy a model 14 (K-38 (Target) Masterpiece with a heavy-ribbed/6" barrel, return it to Smith & Wesson, and have the barrel shortened to 4 inches and the front sight replaced with a Baughman "Quick Draw" style one. You'd end up with what you had.

What does "Good to Very Good" condition mean? Are they guaranteeing it's very tight? smooth trigger? and no rusty barrel?

These are revolvers or pistols that were traded in by a law enforcement or private security agency when they replaced them with new ones. In terms of condition, each individual gun is a law upon itself, but in general:

Good = In safe working condition, minor wear on working surfaces, no broken parts; no corrosion or pitting that will interferewith proper functioning.

Very Good = In perfect working condition; no appreciable wear on working surfaces; no corrosion or pitting, only minor surface dents or scratches.

Usually for an extra $10.00 over the regular price they will hand select a gun from what remains of their stock-on-hand, based on cosmetics but not mechanics - which are presumed to be O.K. They would remove any with rusted/pitted bores or chambers, but expect they might need to be cleaned.

Remember these are used guns - don't expect what you get to be "like new."

I might be interested in one of these if it were an older modelThey are for sure older models if the one in the picture is any indication.

It has a pinned barrel, and they stopped making those in 1982.

rc

I would take one of those 5" guns also.

How much unique?

They're both nice, but you don't trip over the fives every day.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/CajunBass/handguns/100_0154.jpg

I don't shoot either of these often, but they both shoot well.