Buds S&W Model 10 Police Returns

[flhtcuibyhd]

I have caught the revolver addiction, and was wondering if anyone has purchased one of these? Are they a good deal at $269.00? They are advertised as "These guns are in 70%-80% with some holster wear, light scratches, and possibly some very light surface rust." Can this be refinished to a new condition? I guess it’s the rust piece that bothers me.

 

[SaxonPig]

Don't buy a used gun with the intention of refinishing it to new condition. Just buy a gun in new condition if that's what you want.

LE trade in revolvers will show much wear on the outside but be nearly new on the inside. Want a shooter? Buy one. Want a new gun? Then don't.

 

[PRM]

I have to disagree with that. Some of the older guns are no longer made or have features you don't find on their modern counterparts. I have several vintage arms that have been "restored" by master gunsmiths. Its not the cheapest way to go, but in the ones I have, it was the only way to get what I wanted.

You will also get a mixed bag on how this affects the arm. In most cases, it detracts from the collector value. But, their are artisans out there whose work can actually increase the value of some guns. Although, you will usually wind up with as much in the restoration as the market value rises to.

Just depends on what you want.

One of my more expensive projects was a custom parts built Colt Bisley with elephant ivory grips. You can find specimens out there (very pricy in the condition I wanted). I decided to leave the mint ones to serious collectors. I had mine built from Colt parts. The finished gun looked like a factory new 100 year old out of production Colt that I don't mind shooting. The pic shows the Bisley along side my 1914 S&W Perfected Model (also a restoration).

 

[Old Fuff]

I agree with SaxonPig with possible exceptions.

Police trade-in's can be a way to get a solid shooter at a reasonable price, but a professional refinishing job can bring the total cost up to, or higher, then the price of the same gun in like-new condition.

The finish on a "to be used and carried" gun doesn't matter because in and of itself it has no affect on how the piece shoots. If I pay big-bucks to have it refinished I'll slowly lose my investment as I put my own wear & tear on it.

So what are the exceptions? Well if this is a carbon steel revolver I would consider a sand-blast and Parkerize finish, that is relatively inexpensive and can even be done by the gun owner. You end up with something that sort of looks like a World War Two Victory Model. The finish isn't pretty, but it is functional. The other exception is a stainless steel model, that can have the "looks" referbished with a little elbow grease.

Otherwise run the numbers before you lay any cash down.

 

[hariph creek]

I like police trade-ins. They can be great ''shooters.'' I would use them as is, though. Unless you want something to tinker with.
I would rather find a gun in good shape and spend alot up front. As opposed to spending a little up front, then spend alot more and then some to fix something up.

 

[BullRunBear]

I bought a LE trade in a few years ago and it's worked out fine. Cosmetically, it looks like crap but the bore was bright and sharp and it locked up tight. With the right load it will shoot better than I am. I got it because I wanted a Model 10 (which is a classic even though it isn't rare) and a shooter. I did buy it in person because I wanted to check it out rather than rely on someone else's evaluation and it saved me the FFL transfer fee.

Jeff

 

[Frank V]

If I wanted one for a shooter, I'd buy it especially if it's marked by the Dept. who traded it in. If it's the Model 10 you are talking about they are usually very sweet guns if not abused.
Frank

 

[wkumatt]

I have 1 of these pistols. I have reviewed it here.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7996240

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk

 

[dscampbell]

My model 10-5 3" is my favorite shooting Smith and Wesson