Tell me about the S&W Model 10

[AJMBLAZER]

Always liked the old Victory Models and the British guns. Can someone give me the low down on the Model 10?
I see lots of 10-5's and 10-7's.
I figure a shrouded barrel means it's newer...but they've been making these for over 100 years so how new is newer?

If I found one for say, $200 in decent shape with the usual wear what can I expect? Age, condition, wear, mechanical condition, etc?

Basically explain the Model 10 to me as it exists in the mainstream of the used handguns market typified by your local pawn shop, gun shop's used handguns showcase, or www.Gun-Broker.com .

 

[PzGren]

For me the S&W M&P and Model 10 signify the classic among 20eth century revolvers.
They have increased steadily in value over the past couple of years and a solid gun with some minor wear is hard to come by for $200, or even $250 in my area.

 

[bannockburn]

Can anybody give me an approximate date for an S&W Military and Police revolver, serial number C 1498xx; grips are serial numbered to the gun. Thanks.

 

[Bearhands]

AJMBLAZER : Hang around a bit, ole Xavier will hopefully stop by for a tremendous amount of insight and info. The Victory models and old pencil barrels are some of the greatest.

 

[MCgunner]

I took the pencil barrel off mine, well, was sorta forced to. The forcing cone split on it. I had a heavy barrel put on it and I much prefer the balance of the gun, now. I don't carry the gun, so any added weight doesn't concern me.

I bought an old 1917 Smith some time back, sold after having a smith get it shootable. It was pretty ragged, but he got it in time and tight enough to play with. I mean, for a hundred bucks, it was a neat toy. I'd like to have one in better mechanical shape. I give a nit about the finish. It was a cool gun, but I didn't really like the fact that it didn't stabilize cast bullets too well. I don't like buying bullets, prefer to make my own. I shoulda kept that thing, though, just to have it. I got back what I had into it when I sold it.

Old war horses like that are just neat to own even if you have no good use for the gun. I ever get one of those 1917s again, I ain't gonna sell it.

 

[MrBorland]

For me the S&W M&P and Model 10 signify the classic among 20eth century revolvers.
They have increased steadily in value over the past couple of years and a solid gun with some minor wear is hard to come by for $200, or even $250 in my area.

+1. I just picked up an ANIB 4" 10-5 with tapered barrel for $350. It balances very well and shoot good, too. A classic.

Can anybody give me an approximate date for an S&W Military and Police revolver, serial number C 1498xx; grips are serial numbered to the gun.

The only thing Supica & Nahas has to say is that it dates between 1948 and 1967 (C1-C999999), so my guess would be late 40s/early 50s. What front sight does it have? In 1952, the front sight was changed from a round blade to a ramp. Also, does it have an upper sideplate screw? This was deleted starting in 1957.

If you want more info, S&W historian Roy Jinks can research your gun and give you it's complete history. Check out the link below:

http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/01/collectors-treasure.html

 

[eagle45]

I bought my first Model 10-5 about 2 months ago. It has the 4" pencil barrel and is about 90% on the bluing. Mechanically it is in very good condition and is a good shooter. I paid $400 and here in Ohio that is about the average going price. This was at a dealer, I saw very few at last week's gun show in Dayton, and none of the ones I saw were in as good of condition as the one I bought, but the price on them was about the same. Mine was manufactured in 1969-1970.

I used Jim March's advice to check it out, plus read some information on Steve Camp's website and Xavier's. As noted in other threads, the prices on some of the older revolvers are going up and I would expect that trend to continue.

If I found a good shooter in my area for $200 I would probably not hesitate.

 

[bannockburn]

MrBorland

Thanks for the reply. It is an old 5 screw model with the crescent front sight. From looking through some older posts, the "C" prefix began in 1948. And according to some serial numbers posted by others that were very close in sequence to mine, I think it was made in either 1950 or 1951. Thanks again for looking into it.

 

[Shawnee]

Will just add (to McGunner's comment) that the 10s with heavy barrels do, indeed, balance and feel very good. The two heavy-barreled ones I shot were both quite accurate too. Shooting was at 15 yds.

 

[dispatch]

I think owning a Model 10 should be requisite to visiting this forum!!! Or at least be interested in owing one. Model 13,19,27 etc. could also be considered, but every one should have a Model 10

 

[Checkman]

I have an M&P 3rd Change (mfd. 1913/1914). Terrific revolver even if the sights are itty bitty.

 

[sgt127]

I think owning a Model 10 should be requisite to visiting this forum!!!

Lets see...I have in my safe right now:

Blue 5 inch MP (Pre Model 10)
Nickel 2 inch MP (pre Model 10)
Blue 4 inch M10-7
SS 2 inch M64 (stainless model 10)
2 SS 3 inch 65's (Same basic gun in .357) Actually, only one is in my safe, the other is shoved in my waistband as we speak, er, type.

I think I meet the basic requirements!

 

[XavierBreath]

The Model 10 has a history that really begins in 1899 and continues to this day. Before it was designated the Model 10 in 1957, it was known as the Military & Police revolver. At the top in the photo above is a Model of 1899. It is a round butt K frame hand ejector. The action was different, but the revolver's basic shape and balance was established.

Below the Model of 1899 is a pre-Depression Model of 1905 4th change, a Victory Model, a post-war M&P, and finally a Model 10-5. Many changes have been implemented into the M&P/Model 10 over the years. It never left the factory with a barrel shroud though, or even an ejector rod shroud. It has shipped in barrel lengths from 2 inches to six, it has come with fixed sights and occasionally with adjustable sights before WWII, blue and nickel. It is truely Smith & Wesson's most enduring revolver, and an American icon.

Prices used to be such that I could find nice Model 10s for under $200 fairly frequently. That has changed. The well worn ones now seem to start around $250 or so. Yesterday I passed on a M&P with buggered screws and muzzle for $200, and a well worn Model 10 snub for $225. Perhaps I should not have.........

 

[Deanimator]

There are no shrouded barrel 10s, at least from the factory as far as I know. There are standard and heavy profile barrels. I prefer the standard 4" guns. They're simple, reliable and handle extremely well.

Last year I bought an M&P, the predecessor to the Model 10. S&W guns started getting model numbers around 1957.

You can't go wrong with a Model 10. Prices haven't started going crazy on them yet, like they have with so many other S&W revolvers.

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, I don't know, I wouldn't pay 400 bucks for a used one, personally. You can find good ones here for 300 and that seems high to me, but you can get a 19 for 400 bucks. It seems to be quite a regional thing as some folks insist that 200 dollar M10s are common. Must be nice. I'd have more'n one if that were the case, here. A 2" model would be a nice carry.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Xavier, wow, nice collection there.

So say I find one from the 50's on, an actual 10 and not a M&P, what model numbers would that be? 10-1 to 10-8 (all I've seen)?
How do they hold up to modern commercial .38 loads?




I kick myself for not buying one when they were in Shotgun News for $200 or so from places like J&G. Everyone talks about how they can get them for that much still but so far the best I can find without it being very old or worn is at least $50 more.

 

[armoredman]

I only have one Model 10, my inheritance revolver. It is the single most accurate revolver I have ever fired in my life. I will never part with it.

 

[bakert]

This old scuffed and scarred model 10 isn't as pretty as others shown but it's still tight and shoots where I point it. Although I mostly carry a Ruger .45 auto nowadays, this old S&W is easy to conceal and is my second most carried gun. Loaded with +P LSWCHPs it's nothing to sneeze at.

 

[DougDubya]

I've said it before - beauty, efficiency, and has been proven for the past 110 years (1899). If the new M&P is HALF as successful, it'll still be in production by 2060.

 

[20nickels]

Bought mine last summer $165 plus tax. Fully functional with holster.

 

[ANGUSLINCOLN]

I believe this model is a 4th change model of 1905? The serial number dates it's manufacture at around 1940-1945. It's been re-blued,(a fine job at that), so it won't bring a top dollar, however I tcost me less than $200 a year and a half ago. It's a pussycat to shoot; butter smooth action and tight lockup. can't ask for much more than that.

 

[W.E.G.]

DC police department used them for many years, before switching to the Glock 17 around 1990.

 

[wundudnee]

As everyone says, the model 10 and it's derivitives are some of the most affordable and dependable revolvers out there. Here are two M&Ps and my
64-2, the 2" M&P was the most expensive, I got it a couple of weeks ago for $275.00.

 

[woad_yurt]

I got lucky....

When I bought this, I was a bit mad as the place that listed it online neglected to mention some info that they assumed might have made it harder to sell. But, it turned out alright as it shoots like a dream. It was kinda weird; I was deceived into buying something really, really good. It's an old M&P with 50 year old custom work done by Parker & Hale in England. Up close, the nickeling looks like it's 2" thick and the trigger is sweet beyond belief.

 

[6_gunner]

Dang it, now I need another model 10.

I have a 6" pre-model 10 that I don't think I'll ever part with. I've been wanting to get a 3" model 10 to compliment my 1917 which has its barrel chopped to 3.25".

The model 10 is undoubtedly one of the finest, most versatile weapons out there, and inexpensive to boot! Everybody should have at least one.