Smith Model 10 Snub?

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Stuttz

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Hey everyone,

I'm really looking into buying a Smith Model 10 snub but I have several questions. Just some background, I own a Model 10 4'' barrel from the '70s and I adore it. I put some Hogue grips on it and it's consistently the most popular gun at the range among friends (even the girlfriend!), so I trust the old name. If I got one, it would be strictly for SD, as snubbies are no fun to shoot for hundreds of rounds at the range. My concerns:

1. How available are the snubs in great condition?
2. Can they handle +P?
3. What would be a typical buying price?
4. How do they stand up to modern snubs in most aspects?

Thanks in advance
 
1. Not as available as 4", but they are out there.
You just have to look longer then for a 4".
http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10606664
http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10599686
http://www.gunsamerica.com/948354754/Guns/Pistols/Smith-Wesson-Revolvers/Model-10/S_W_2_Model_10.htm
http://www.gunsamerica.com/92290587...olvers/Model-10/S_W_10_5_6_Rnd_38_Special.htm
http://www.gunsamerica.com/914938214/Guns/Pistols/Smith-Wesson-Revolvers/Model-10/S_W_Model_10_.htm

2. All Model 10's made after WWII are perfectly fine with +P.
(+P isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway when you compare it to standard .38 Spl prior to +P rating system in the early 1970's)

3. See #1.

4. The S&W Model 10 was the most widely used and most durable police revolver of all time. Need I say more.

4 1/2. Bigger & heavier then a J-Frame and holds one more round.

rc
 
I have a Snub 10 I bought in like-new condition in the late 60's and it's still going strong. I don't shoot +P ammo, for cc use Hornady Critical Defense or Federal Nyclads, but for practice use wad cutters and 158 gr swc, both loaded with middle of the chart W231 powder. Don't abuse a Model 10 and it will last (almost) forever. And FWIW, if you're looking for a 2" revolver and can't find a 10, consider a 64. There were some police trade-ins on GB recently, some from Robertson Trading Post in Tenn. Basically the same thing as a 10 but in SS.
 
If it's more for SD/Carry than tons of shooting, then the fine designers at yesteryear's S&W have got you covered: the 2" model 12. Essentially a lightweight model 10, these can be found on gunbroker pretty easily with a bit of patience.

Here is mine (and yes, it is loaded with Remmy +P "FBI"... hasn't loosened up yet...):

;)


attachment.php
 
I echo that they're not as easy to find as the 4 inchers.

I just found one a few weeks ago at a gun shop in excellent condition for $450 and jumped on it.

As far as shooting, the model 10 snubs are a joy to shoot. They're not punishing like an airweight J-frame. If you want to burn through 100+ rounds at the range, it's no problem.

Pictured are my 2 Model 10s. A model 10-5 2-inch, and a 10-10 4-inch.




model10s.jpg
 
If I got one, it would be strictly for SD, as snubbies are no fun to shoot for hundreds of rounds at the range.
Click to expand...

You'll be surprised by how nice a K Frame snub is to shoot. It isn't like an airweight J frame snub at all. I have K Frame .38s ranging from 2" to 6", and other than the way they balance the felt recoil impulse is about the same.

In addition to the 2" Model 10, the stainless model 64 and the airweight 12 mentioned already, the Model 15 was also offered in a 2" format. This gun is basically a model 10 snub with adjustable sights, a heavy barrel and a square butt (snub 10s can be found in round and square configurations). Prices run $375 to $475 these days:


071.jpg


Keep in mind though that unless you are very short height wise, a 4" barrel revolver is about as easy to carry IWB as a 2". I've got a 4" S&W Model 19 on my hip right now using a FIST #20 IWB holster on a Beltman 1.5" belt and I barely no it's there.
 
I've been looking for one for a long time, but haven't found anything, I'll check out the links when I get a chance. Seems to me they're pricier. Simpson's has a nice old one, but it's over twice the asking price for a 4 inch. They also have the stainless version (Model 64) but again, very pricey.
 
You may have to do some shopping, but they are out there. It's worth the trouble. No problem with +p. Price depends on condition and location. $350-400 "ish" range.

And yes, they are good shooters.
 
I can't say I looked long and hard for one, because short barrel revolvers don't really interest me. However when I found this one, from 55/56, in what I believe to be, near to, if not unfired condition, with the gold/blue box and papers, I went ahead and overpayed for it.

100_0359.gif

100_0360.gif

I see a lot of more mundade ones in the 350-450 range. They'll handle anything marked "38 Special" that you stuff into them. P+ is not a high powered round. It's more of a marketing gimmick than anything else.

How do they compare to modern ones? Handle them both, and you'll throw rocks at the new one.
 
My two inch Smith & Wesson Model 64 is lots of fun to shoot!
I would buy another if I found one in good shape for a reasonable price.
 
Bought these at local shows a couple years back for $200 and $210.


standard.jpg


Bagged the stainless version about 2 years back for $265.


standard.jpg


Got this from a pawnshop for $135. My wife had it dressed up for my 50th BD.


standard.gif
 
I like the snub nose K frame too but when I found a really nice M36 I bought it to go along with my 4" 1948 M10.
If a nice short barrel M10 came along I would probably buy it too!

M10-M36s.jpg
 
I shot one a while back and really did not like it. The sight radius was just too short and I had trouble hitting with it. It also had an unpleasant level of muzzle blast that could have been better spent pushing the bullet faster rather than making extra noise.
 
The 2" model 10s do have a lot of appeal, they are a nice shooting gun being a K frame.
But when it comes to actually carrying one for defense, the barrel is not what's hard to hide, it's the cylinder & gripframe. Being a K frame unless it's a round butt gun it won't be a great deal easier to carry undetected. It will weigh a bit less because there's not as long a barrel, but the grip frame & cylinder are what are really hard to hide. A good IWB holster & a vest or jacket long enough to conceal the butt will allow a 4" gun to be carried almost as well as a 2". A 4" bbl gun will usually be much easier to shoot well too.
The exception is being able to put it into a vest or coat with a large pocket, here the 2" will carry easily. That said the 2" mod. 10s are really neat & have a special charisma. Heck if it's what you want go for it.
Good luck.
Frank
 
I picked one up on GB a couple of years ago--99%--$375. Heavy for a snub, but a whole lot more comfortable to shoot that a LW J frame like the 642 I normally carry.
 
I'd love to find an old M10 2 inch snub!

Got the 2 inch 64 I turned into a DAO snub with Secret Service stocks and red insert front sight, but I've always wanted and old M10 snub with the paddle wheel front sight!

Deaf
 
Mine is an excellent gun! It's not going anywhere......It takes more concentration to shoot accurately than the longer barreled models but the mechanics of it are second to none. It's no wonder that these things have been in production for so long.

SW10-52.jpg

Oh yeah, I have the original grips but I like to use these for extended range sessions.
 
My 64 2 inch was my second CCW gun when CHLs first started here in Texas.

attachment.php


And of course the Speed Six is mine to.

Deaf
 
I decided I wanted one cause of how much I like my 19-3, and found one that weekend at the gunshow (actually a 64, same thing just stainless) so I can't really attest to their availability.

Being said, using standard pressure ammo it's still pretty easy shooting even with smaller grips. It's tied for my favorite small pistol with my HK P7.
 
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