Model 10 Questions

The S&W model 10 is a great house gun. The model 10 (Military & Police) has been carried by untold thousands of cops over the years. As far as handling hot loads that would depend on when it was made and the barrel. If it has the heavy barrel it will handle +P loads. If it has the pencil barrel, when was it made. Some of the older ones may or may not be able to handle +P loads on a steady basis. At $200 I would go for it, that is a very good price if it is mechanically sound. You can't go too bad with a model 10, even the old M&P's. They are great revolvers.

Great old guns. Most have seen light to moderate use and have many, many more years of wear in them.

Unlike years past, there are some good effective defense loads for the .38 Spl. and I would be comfortable with one. As I recall any M10 with a dash number is ok with Plus Ps, and as a practical matter I would not see a problem with very occasional use of those loads. My preference would be for a 158 grain SWC HP in Plus P.

I would feel perfectly comfortable carrying a Smith Model 10 with good ammo. Excellent wheelguns.

I have an M&P that my father bought used in 1932, so I guess it is pre model 10. Lot's of holster wear on the nickel plating. Shoots like a dream and has never been to a smith. I fired a blued version Saturday, it wanted to puch holes in the 10-ring. My guess is the M10 is pretty much the same as the M&P's I know about. If the pistol is in good shape it will hit where you are really pointing it. As said earlier, lots of good .38 defensive ammo out there. If I saw a Model 10 in reasonable shape for $200, it probably would follow me home.

A S&W Model 10 with a 4" heavy barrel has been my house gun for many years.
It's loaded with 158 grain LSWCHP +P. It's a great no nonsense revolver.

Model 10 is a MUST have

The Model 10 is a must for anyone interested in revolvers, it has been around in one form or another for over 100 years- it's a reliable and fun shooter. Read the Sticky at the top of the forum- it is a good guide for checking out a revolver. I would pay $200 at the drop of a hat for Model 10 that passed this checkout.
I would not hesitate to keep a Model 10 as a house or truck gun- just make sure to give it a good initial cleaning and stick to regular cleaning schedule. House guns have a tendency to sit idle and keeping one cleaned and oiled is essential.
Of course the best routine is to shoot it on a regular basis and followup each shooting session with a good cleaning- that also helps keep you confident in the revolver and yourself. Anyone else that may need to use it for defense should attend and participate in your shooting sessions.

If it's a good revolver, that is a great price today. As said, the '10', or '.38 M&P' as it was known in 1899 when it was introduced, has been around for a while - and constantly in production. It's still in the system - look on pg 32 of the '07 S&W catalog - Model 10, SKU #160125, & MSRP $632. Of course, I'll wager a new one has the infamous 'Lock', although I don't know for sure. My 1/03 made 2" 10 doesn't, however. It came with the great Uncle Mike's Combat grips (rounded), which strangely look out of place - they really need wood! All modern 10's are +P rated - a call to S&W with your S/N will determine if your example is, of course. Great gun!

Stainz

The basic 'bread-n-butter' revolver.

When I hear the term "Service Revolver", the 4" Skinny Barrel Model 10 is what first pops to mind.

Everyone should have a Model 10 or Military & Police (name before model numbers came along in 1957). Or better yet have several. I think I have five hanging around the house right now.

The Model 10 is a perfect 'starter' centerfire revolver. For home defense, you really don't need much more in it than 158 gr. semi-wadcutter hollowpoints. Easy to control and generally damaging to the recipient. Since it does not have adjustable sights, you learn how to do 'Kentucky Windage' and learn where different grain weights and loads shoot.

Don't really need +P in this, since if you want to start, you don't want to develop bad habits that a +P can scare you into. You want to learn holding and control and trigger control. If something is going to make a loud noise and whap your hand it's not conducive to learning how to shoot. However, .38 wadcutters, in the Model 10, will help you learn the right things to learn with a centerfire revolver.

That, plus they are almost indestructable and will pretty much always shoot so long as you take care of them.

I did know a cop who one day gave me his gun and asked if I could do something with it. Do something? I could not do anything. This guy would wear his gun in all weather in a regular drop strap holster. He never took it out to clean it after it was in snow, rain and cold. The bullets were green and the action was frozen shut from rust. I could hardly open the cylinder. If there had ever been a need to use it, he would never get off a shot. So bottom line, like any good tool, you need to take care of it.

Get the Model 10 and have some fun. When you want to graduate to a +P, just get a .357 magnum gun with a larger frame (L or N) or the Combat Magnum designation. (K-frame, but built for the .357)

Long winded answer here, but I hope it helps.

The Doc is out now.

Hello. I can only agree with what the other folks have posted. Whether the "pencil barrel" or heavy barrel, the Model 10 is a proven design in a caliber that can be efficiently handled by most folks interested enough to practice.

Like so many others, I own revolvers and automatics generally considered more powerful than the .38 Special cartridge used by the Model 10, but I find the K-frame so well-suited for the round that the K-frame/38 Special combination allows for not only quick but accurate shooting. With the ammunition of my choice, I would certainly not be afraid to use the gun for serious purposes.


Here are two of my Model 10's. The 4" HB is a 10-6 while the snub is a 10-5. Both revolvers were bought used and interestingly, both had had their hammers bobbed. The work was nice so I've left them alone as I shoot mostly double-action anyway. For the present, my "serious" load of choice would be Remington 158-gr. LSWCHP +P.


My newest Model 10 is this 10-10 that came with the 4" HB and round butt. Like its earliar predecessors, it shots to POA with 158-gr bullets and is easy to handle.

In the past, these guns were easy to find and I regret how many I passed up or let get away.

It won't happen to me again and I respectfully suggest that if you enjoy your Model 10 that you hang on to it.

They may be plain "vanilla" revolvers and in a medium power cartridge but they work and let their user handle them effectively if need be...or just for fun at the range or when plinking.


The Model 10, in my opinion, lends itself to accurate shooting.

I would consider a clean and functional Model 10 to be an excellent "house gun."

Best.

Should mention that a long time ago I had a chance to get a Model 12, iirc, the airweight version of the Model 10, in 2" square butt. However, I was a poor college student at the time and alas, did not get it. Been keeping an eye out in shops from time to time, just in case. That Model 10 snubbie has a classic look to it. Don't really need it now, but it would be a nice acquisition.

The Doc is out now.

Model 36 Nickel Square Butt, Model 940 9mm, Model 15-2 Combat Masterpiece, Model 66 4", Model 586 Nickel 4", Model 27 3-1/2 inch nickel, Model 25-5 .45 Long Colt 4" Blue.

Mine.

Here's mine. Model 10-7. A former Royal Hong Kong Police gun.

Being around thousands of Model 10's and seeing the abuse they have taken over the years while still providing good accurate service they have my upmost respect. I can tell stories about french fries in the barrel and green mold on the bullets, either way they all seemed to qualify. The S&W Model 10 is a must own for anyone. Will shoot everytime, shoot straight and does so in a manner that most shooters are comfortable with. My house gun is a 2" model 10 that was mine until my wife decided she liked it. More the better, we both have a gun that we like and shoot well. Bill

Mavrick12,enjoy that 10.tom.