[Super]

Today I saw a S&W model 10 (I think) in 38 special. It has a five inch barrel, what look to be the original grips and is in all around nice/okay shape. Tell me about this model. Is it a good one, and if so, what might you pay for it?

[bountyhunter]

Small world. I have a model 10 (.38sp) from the late 60's with the slim barrel. It's nickel plated and came with walnut grips. It's in beautiful (new) condition and fitted like a Swiss watch. Shoots great, and is my primary defense gun with +p Hydra Shok ammo.

I once had it appraised at a gun store and the guy said it was worth $200. I laughed in his face. Bottom line, these were very solid guns and the prices they sell for are a bargain for what you get. If it is in OK shape (not sure exactly what that is) you can probably steal it for $150 and then shoot 100,000 rounds through it.

[Super]

So they're pretty common? I see older one's (models) all the time that they want $400+ for that aren't nearly as nice and look the same.

Basically it's a well made later copy of the M@P's that's not worth much?

[Hutch]

The M10 is as common as gravel. The 5" might make it a LITTLE bit more interesting, as the 4" was the most popular. As to what it's worth, well, YMMV. Since there are soooooo many variants, engineering changes, etc., it's kinda hard to convince Joe Sixpack that THIS revo is worth 2x or 3x what the "police-trade, been drug behind the patrol car" pawnshop model is. Under the right circumstances (or more properly, the wrong ones), it'd be priceless.

[Super]

Maybe I should'a asked the question another way:

I used to shoot the hell out of old Police M&P range guns. For some reason I've got the hankering to get one (even though I hated them when I had to shoot them). I want something with that look, that feel, that quality, that's real accurate.

So, is the model 10 a real accurate, well made gun I'll be able to get parts for (if need be) that will last forever? If it's cheap and not a collectors item, that's probably for the better.

Is their another S&W that better fits this bill?

I'm dumb, what's YMMV?

[Hutch]

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary.

I can't think of anything better to the shoot the heck out of, unless it was a K-22, just because the ammo is cheaper. Adjustable sight revolvers, like the M15 or M14, both in .38, would allow you to zero the sights for a particular load, but as far as inherent accuracy, a good M10 is better than most shooters.

Editted to add: Parts will be available long after our children are retired. There are millions of the K-frames out there, and parts breakage is not a major problem.

[RON in PA]

The Model 10 is nothing more than a M&P made in 1958 and up to today. They are stamped M-10 on the inside of the frame when you open the gun. They have one advantage over the M&P and that is that S&W says they are ok with +P loads as the metallurgy was changed at that date. If you shoot them with standard pressure rounds (esp. wadcutter target loads) they should last almost foever. The five inch barrel is not that common.

In S.E. PA M-10s go for $200-250.

Also probably more M-10s made than any other handgun.

[mec]

they may be the most manufactured of any revolver- were at one time anyway and by 1959 about 2.5 million were out. this keeps the prices down to 2- 250 dollars in most cases but doesn't do a thing to diminish the quality of the gun. i just found a 1938 vintage that I use with standard pressure loads. All of them tend to shoot a few inches low for me at 25 yards- 158 grain bullets but they will group right along with the best.

http://www.milesfortis.com/mcump/mc16.htm

[mec]

five inch barrel- way neat!

[GAMALOT]

Super, You need this gun because it fits your handle! They are super and yours is a bit more special then the most common 4".
I was a certified weapons instructor in LE and we used and abused Mod. 10s. Is the one you are speaking of a heavy or Bull barrel or the slim type?
This gun is about as rock solid as any wheel gun can be and relatively few problems ever occurr. Most common is shaving lead and spraying it to either side. Cause is usually a timing problem with the cylinder stop not locking prior to the hammer falling. Easily repaired by any gunsmith worthy of hanging a sign. Some have a pronounced cylinder to barrel gap and this too is easily corrected. If yours really does shoot high, low, right or left this too is correctable but if you are faint hearted, leave it to a qualified Smith and do not watch him beat your barrel with a lead bar. A couple of hundred will be well spent for a very servicable piece and if by chance you ever do shoot it out, there will be plenty of parts available in our lifetime so FEAR NOT. The K frame is a tough well made structure and about as reliable as they come. Enjoy, this is one of americas finest weapons.
Gamalot

[Kahr carrier]

Yup buy it:)

[Super]

I hate you guys. I just got my last gun to shoot good (which I bought LAST wednsday) and now I'm thinking about another one!!! Arruuugghh!

Remind me, I need to teach my girlfriend to shoot. How controllable is the recoil on these for someone who's never shot handgun before?

And is a .38 really an adequate defense round?

[Kahr carrier]

Recoil not bad at all start out with a wad-cutter target load . Actually if its a new shooter a 22 would be better to start with.:)

[Thirties]

Super, recoil is one thing, operation is another. I've found that women have unexpected problems pulling back the slide of a semi auto pistol.

The .38 special revolver in 4" is a natural shooter. Just don't give her powerful loads to shoot. If you can use light target loads, she'll really love the gun -- no kidding.

By the way, I have a model 10-5 from 1970, and a model 15 from 1968. The 15 has rear adjustable sight and heavy barrel, model 10 has fixed rear sight and tapered barrel. Both guns are equally accurate. The 10 cost me $250, and the 15 was $265.

If I had to get rid of all my other handguns, I'd keep these two. They are that good.

[Lone Star]

You may be mildly interested to know that the M&P/M10 in .38 Special and with five-inch bbl. was the standard RCMP revolver from 1954 until they went to DA-only S&W 9mm's a few years ago.

The Force used hollowpoint lead Plus P ammo, once loaded by Dominion (CIL), later by US firms, in them in the later years, and got good results. I read a story on how the RCMP chose the replacement gun, and they were satisfied with stopping power; they wanted more firepower and faster reloading.

One very large private security firm in the US also once issued a lot of five-inch M10's, but it's not the most common bbl. length. I quite like it, and as soon as I can afford another gun, will be keeping an eye out for one.

Do be sure that you have a .38 Special, especially if the gun is Parkerized and not bright blued. The British Commonwealth used MANY five-inch M&P's in .38 S&W (not Special), which they called the .38/200 caliber. From 1940-April, 1942, they were blued and came in four,five,and six-inch barrels. After then, only five-inch Parkerized versions with smooth wooden grips (not checkered) were furnished.

Lone Star

[Super]

Well, I'm skipping class to go buy it right now. It was $200 but nice so....

Make a nice counterpoint to my 1911 (also in .38, albeit a little bit hotter) 'cause there is not way in heck she can manage that thing.

[Tamara]

Well? Is it a 5-inch "pencil barrel"? If so, does it have Detroit P.D. markings?

[Quantrill]

S&W "K" frames (of which the model 10 is probably the most numerous) is the best action, out of the box, bar none. that is why Bill Jordan pushed so hard for it to be made in .357mag. for the Border Patrol even though a steady diet of the maggies will eventually shake it loose. The old pro, Ed McGivern used a model 10 to set many records. Unless it was used as an anchor, the model 10 is usually a good buy. Quantrill

[Mike Irwin]

As far as I know, S&W never made 5" Heavy Barrel Model 10s, so it's more than likely a lightweight barrel.

Recoil for a .38 Spl. can be virtually nothing for target loads to quite stout for personal defense loads, especially in the +P and +P+ iterations.

And yes, the .38 Spl. is adequate for personal protection.

[charleym3]

My model 10 with 158 gr RNL loads has more felt recoil than my 3" 625 with target loads. Go figure. Still lots of fun to shoot. I took it to the last IDPA match. It got some strange looks.

[hansolo]

I'm another in the catagory of "name a handgun you would never give-up"....my 1957 S&W MP .38 Special 4" Pencil Barrel. Beautiful finish, shoots great; I love it!

[Tamara]

As far as I know, S&W never made 5" Heavy Barrel Model 10s, so it's more than likely a lightweight barrel.

Yes, Mike, I know. What I meant was "Is it, in fact, a 5-inch pencil-barrel, or was your memory playing tricks and it was a 4-inch gun?", not "Gee, is the 5" barrel heavy or slim?"...

[Super]

It is a 5" pencil barrel "mod 10-5" It does not have the lanyard (damn!) It might have been a police gun in it's prior life as it's got some weird wear on it. The topstrap is all worn, the cyl is worn in two places (on opposite sides) and the frount of the handle is almost new and the rear has all the finish worn off. It also has not been fired much. Looks like it sat in a holster without being fired for most of it's life and sombody rubbing their hand on the back.

Good deal for $200?

It shoot's 2" right at 25 yards-and it will put all six through the same silver dollar sized hole. :D

[Mike Irwin]

See if you can get it for less than $200 because of the wear, but that's still a decent price for a 5" Model 10.

[Super]

I did get it for $200. After bugging the owner for a while I found out he bought it for $185. I had it at another gun store and and they said if I wanted to sell it they'd probably give me $200 and sell it for $225 so I guess I didn't go that wrong.

[Al Thompson]

Around here, the supply of police trade-in K frame S&Ws has dried up. That's a good price for a great gun.

[Super]

It's real funny. I used to hate those things. Bad ergonomics, wussy calliber (I saw a .38 wadcutter bounce off an oak fence post before) wheel gun, etc. After getting my 1911, I though of all the good things. Now I wan't to shoot the S&W more than the 1911. But I don't have the hankering for anything more for a while so I'm happy.

One gun for work. One gun for play.

[Crimper-D]

Mine is a 4" 'pencil barrel' configuration with a lot of holster wear but an action as slick as plate glass... Paid $50 for it and have shot well over a thousand rounds through it in the last year - mostly wadcutters. It has a dead-on POA at 12yds. with plain sights.
I LIKE this one! :D
Oh yea, came with a set of old gutta perca grip adapters installed.

[Richard2003]

I have a pre-Model 10 4th Change 4 inch barrel.
This is the most desired .38 in existance.
Made around 1927.
Bought it for $135 at a gun show. Price was low due to some pitting.
It is my most accurate revolver.

[jwel]

Had a Model 10 with a 5" barrel. Sold it in the 70s. You might have the one I use to Have!LOL

[Ala Dan]

I have a 4" pencil barrel, factory nickel Smith & Wesson model 10-5, from
1963. Its absolutely beautiful, and wears the original "diamond cut" walnut
grips. It curently serves on the 'SAFE QUEEN" board, here at home~! ;) :D

[SaxonPig]

Lordy, can we say standard barrel or tapered barrel instead of pencil barrel?

I wonder if the guy still has that 10-5 after seven years? Why is his post count n/a?

[BCRider]

Why is his post count n/a?

Likely because the posts were transferred over from an earlier account database where THR allowed unregistered guests to sign up. Or whatever account he had was deleted for whatever reason. This thread IS from 7 years ago after all.

[EMC45]

I am on my 3rd Model 10. My first was a Detroit PD 5 in. nickle Pencil barrel. Sold it at a gunshow like a fool. It was ACCURATE!!! My second was a 4 in. HB traded it. The one I have now is a 4 in. HB and it's not going anywhere.

[3845]

I bought a 4" standard barrel, new for $100 in 1975. I carried it for years, what a great revolver. Still have it, of course. This thread could be 70 years old, praising the same gun!

[ArmedLiberal]

Really?

You brought back to life a seven years dead thread for this?

Really?

Necropost.