Are current S&W M10 days numbered?

[336A]

The reason that I pose the question is that I just got done looking at the updated S&W website. The M10 was not listed under current revolver listings only in the Classic Revolver line. As much as I hate to say it models in the Classic line usually aren't listed much more than a year or so. Then production is usually ceased. I also noticed that the M64 is no longer available as well. The only K frame .38 SPL revolver listed in the revolver category is the S&W M67. So are the days of the iconic S&W M10 numbered? A true American icon may be finally riding off into the sun set after 100+ years of continuous production

 

[ArmedBear]

Wow, their new website sucks to high heaven.

More crap between me and the info I want =/= better website

 

[jfh]

I started watching this website shiftover last week--AFAICT, they're not done yet--which translates as "No, they have to continue the M10"--although I will probably buy a 67.

Jim H.

 

[ArmedBear]

  ARTHUR:  Go and tell your master that we have been charged by God
      with a sacred quest.  If he will give us food and shelter for the
      night he can join us in our quest for the Holy Grail.
  GUARD:  Well, I'll ask him, but I don't think he'll be very keen...
      Uh, he's already got one, you see?
  ARTHUR:  What?
  GALAHAD:  He says they've already got one!
  ARTHUR:  Are you sure he's got one?
  GUARD:  Oh, yes, it's very nice-a [To Other Guards]  I told him we already got one.
  OTHER GUARDS: [Laughing]
  ARTHUR:  Well, um, can we come up and have a look?
  GUARD:  Of course not!  You are English types-a!

 

[Oro]

Hmm, had not seen the new website yet. I think it's a little easier to navigate now, actually. Especially for accessories, which were annoying to find previously.

The 10 is just not classified as what it is, a "classic" design, and with some long-running as well as revived models. You are correct that in the past S&W routinely used "Classic" on limited run/short lived guns. And some that weren't even "Classic" (like the 629, Classic Hunter for example). But this application doesn't reek of that to me.

Hey, look on the bright side. At least their new website was not put together with string, gum, and clip-art like Colt's was. Their "new" web site last year has to go down as one of the clunkiest I've seen in several years.

 

[Confederate]

It may fery well be, though not yet. As the economy invariably worsens, materials used in revolver production will cheapen and polymers will play increasing roles.

MIM parts are not so objectionable because they don't do the job -- but because they're ugly. S&W will have to phase out many current models and replace them with functional, but different versions. The .38 will continue to live, but forged steel revolvers of fine craftsmanship won't survive, at least not in my opinion. Simpler designs using a combination of polymer and investment casting may appear for awhile, but even they may die out eventually as money either inflates or deflates and unemployment increases.

I haven't been impressed at all by S&W's guns lately. The stainless steel is poorly finished and the "blued" models are unappealing. The guns are still good, but the days of finely crafted revolvers is over.

I'd love to have one of the old Model 10s, not to mention a 66-0. I regret selling my old 4-inch 686, which had beautiful wood grips, a chromed hammer and trigger and an integral front sight (not tacked on).

But we'll see.

 

[BCRider]

Yeah, well, Cox stopped making their iconic model airplane engines a few years back. But there's enough of THOSE around to keep model airplane buffs happy for years to come. And by that time internal combustion engines will likely have been replaced by cold fusion or something equally fancy.

... which just goes to say that with all the millions of model 10's already around I don't think we're in any danger of running dry anytime soon....

Still, it's a nasty admission that the marketplace no longer has the class to appreciate a fine blued gun and instead prefers something that they can clean up in their dishwasher without fear of corrosion....

 

[Hansli]

Yeah, well, Cox stopped making their iconic model airplane engines a few years back

I didn't know that, quite disturbing.
I predict the demise of the Mod 10 very soon, with .38 Special caliber next. Sorry, but bigger, faster, stronger is the way of the future. I've got my old keepers and suggest that anyone that wants a nice old revolver get cracking...they've been appreciating steadily in the last couple three years.

 

[gmh1013]

Thats to bad but I have not cared for the S and W lineup for some time
They are way over priced compared to some made just 10 years ago at half the asking price of todays....in 1999 I bought a model 36 at a gun show for 350 now they ask 822???***
I have to stick with Rugers now unless Colt start making a DA snake gun again.

 

[Gato Montés]

with .38 Special caliber next.

Not a chance. With the popularity of all those pocket revolvers, the "lowly" 38 still has plenty of life in it. Not to mention all those who buy .357s and then proceed to shoot .38 primarily. I'd wager that it will still be a very common round thirty years in the future.

Now with full size 38 service pistols I'm with you. Not to many would see the point in purchasing a full sized pistol that is limited to only 38 rounds (even at the expense of weight).

 

[Hansli]

There will still be .38 ammo to buy, I contend that .38 Special as a caliber offering in handguns will disappear with .357 as the replacement.

 

[Shear_stress]

With the popularity of all those pocket revolvers, the "lowly" 38 still has plenty of life in it.

Yup, Airweight 38 Special J-frames have been S&W's bread and butter for some time.

 

[mgmorden]

It's pure business. If they keep selling them, they'll keep making them. If people want cheaper materials, they'll respond with such. Simple as that.

Truthfully though, Wikipedia claims that over 6 million of these have been made. Now I'm sure some decent percentage of those are broken, destroyed, and/or long rusted into junk, but there's also a huge portion of those that are still chugging along just fine. It could just be that the used market is providing all of the guns that the market really wants.

Reality is that in this economy, people are strapped for cash. Newer, cheaper designs are more attractive and sell better. Semi-autos are the first choice of many. And for those who want one, the used market is loaded with good examples that are far cheaper than the new ones S&W is making. Not to mention that there are a ton of other companies making competing guns as well.

I can see how S&W would be running into trouble moving them. As has been said though, lots of other guns shoot .38 special too, and with the move to cheaper materials I think that might actually INCREASE (afterall, it's a lot easier/cheaper to make a gun to stand up to .38 vs .357). I don't see the round itself going anywhere. Heck think about how long it's been since those old top-break .32 H&R Magnum revolvers fell out of favor and it's hard, but you can still buy factory ammo for those.

 

[Confederate]

It's pure business. If they keep selling them, they'll keep making them. If people want cheaper materials, they'll respond with such. Simple as that.

S&W seems to be hell bent on giving customers exactly what the don't want. MIM parts, integral locks, ugly rubber grips, bluing that looks like it was applied with a magic marker and stainless that is finished with sandpaper. If customers counted, why can't I have chromed hammers and triggers? Why can't I have a beautiful finish like Taurus? What if I don't want a lock? What if I think the rear sights look Mickey Mouse? And what if I want the front sight to be part of the barrel and not some tapped in cheap parts?

Why do the prices keep soaring while S&W keeps cutting so many corners there's hardly any corners left. Indeed, I think S&W's take it or leave it mentality has been deplorable.

What's worse is that "blue book" prices make no distinction between the older, and beautifully crafted, older models and the newer crapola models.

I have nothing against the new rubber grips, and the guns will function just as well as the older models -- but why should I have to pay the same price...er...a higher price and get so much less? What's more, blue book writers keep screwing the owners of guns with wood grips, chromed target triggers and hammers and the like by essentially dumping them into rhe same pot as the cheapend guns.

The Model 10 used to be a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship, with hand-fitted parts and a deep blue that was breathtaking. Whether it survives isn't as much the question as if it does survive, in what form?

Based on the recent past, and the company's bull-headed attitudes, it may not even be recognizable. The older guns won't last forever, and the newer guns may morph into something people my age just won't want.

 

[Sniper X]

I just got this for $300.00 with the standard grips and these funky looking but great feeling rubber ones.

 

[Sniper X]

BCrioder, you are so right as far as I am concerned. I sold all my stainless guns, and now have only one gun that has any stainless at all on it a CDP Ultra II but that is OK because it is only the slide. Anyway, on revolvers I only own and will only own blued. of course if someone gives me a killer deal on a 686 that might change!

But I'd much [prefer a 586 some day.

 

[W.E.G.]

The Model 10 has become very rare.

I'll part with one of mine for $700.

$1300 shipped if you buy both.

 

[Black Dime]

 

[336A]

That is a great looking revolver you have there Sniper-X.

 

[mgmorden]

S&W seems to be hell bent on giving customers exactly what the don't want. MIM parts, integral locks, ugly rubber grips, bluing that looks like it was applied with a magic marker and stainless that is finished with sandpaper. If customers counted, why can't I have chromed hammers and triggers? Why can't I have a beautiful finish like Taurus? What if I don't want a lock? What if I think the rear sights look Mickey Mouse? And what if I want the front sight to be part of the barrel and not some tapped in cheap parts?

Remember to keep in mind: "customers" is the entire market. It's not tailored to us individually, nor is it particularly even gun enthusiasts. "Customers" are everyone. The people getting CCW permits, the people who want a gun in the nightstand, the cops and security guards who carry them just as part of the job.

Many of those people don't care about a lot of the things you listed. Bottom line is that corner cutting cheap guns are selling best right now. Might not seem like what we at this board would want, but the overall market is eating them up. In the end, a product that is consistently selling well they won't mess with; a product that is only selling to a niche enthusiast market might get discontinued. It sucks, but that's economics.

 

[ArmedBear]

Sniper X, is that the gun from the other thread?

It looks a LOT nicer than the original picture made it look! A LOT!

Looks like you got a good one. Enjoy!

 

[wleoff]

According to my records, I've owned seven Model 10s and still have two. I've never seen a Model 10 that wasn't accurate and didn't have a good trigger. I've recommended Model 10s to several elderly people who wanted a gun that they could easily fire. Six rounds of 158 grain 38 special will still hurt.