Do S&W Model 10 Revolvers Still Sell Well?

[Timthinker]

I believe that most folks on this subforum will agree that the S&W Model 10 is a classic DA revolver design. Heck, some may contend that it is the classic revolver design given its use by various militaries and police departments around the world during the last century. But does this old warhorse still sell well in an age when semi-automatic pistols and magnum revolvers are so popular? I do not believe I have read much about recent sales of the Model 10 in recent years and thought this might make a good topic for discussion. As usual, all intelligent comments are appreciated.


Timthinker

 

[MMCSRET]

Looking at used gun dealers and visiting with them, I'm told that Model 10 and Colt Official Police are the fastest movers on the used market. They come in and go right back out in my part of the world.

 

[mayoke]

I don't know if this helps or not but I just bought a 10-8 this last weekend.
It's 90-95% and I paid $250 for it and was very happy.
It seems in my neck of the woods, Atlanta, Georgia, they sell for about $300 in slightly worse condition than the one I got.


So, at least ONE sold well. (I knew I was going to buy it within seconds of picking it up.)

 

[Hawk]

I'm guessing there's two questions: whether they sell on the used market is probably a given. Whether new ones sell is quite another matter.

If S&W releases sales by model I haven't been able to find it. ATF's most recent listing (2006) shows S&W having made 185,000 revolvers.

Of these, 79,000 are .38 Special. (.357s are listed separately at 52,000).

The 79,000 figure includes the wildly popular x42 series. How much of the 79,000 constitutes "J" frames and other ".38 special only" models is a matter of conjecture until somebody comes along with facts.

My personal wild guess is that the x42 series accounted for 78,988 units, leaving the model 10 with an even dozen. So, "no" it's not selling well - it's right up there with buggy whips and gas lamps.

Of course, if S&W only sold 1,000 x42s in 2006, the model 10 at 78,000 might be selling like gangbusters. The real deal is no doubt between the two extremes but the x42 outselling the 10 by ten or twenty times isn't totally off the wall. That's what I like about the intertubz - it's a place where I can indulge in the grossest speculation provided I identify it as such.

 

[Timthinker]

In my initial posting, I was refering to new Model 10s and not used ones. I agree that used 10s sell very well, but I am curious about newly manufactured 10s. I hope this clearification helps.


Timthinker

 

[Hawk]

That being the case I'm sticking with buggy whips and gas lamps.

Given x42 sales, they're probably a pretty slim slice of a 79,000 pie.

 

[Bubba613]

They have a limited appeal and with so many used ones out there Smith is basically competing against itself.
The 4" revolver is dead as anything other than a competition gun (and very limited there) and an HD gun largely for women.

 

[Old Fuff]

Hawk is pretty close.

S&W keeps the model 10 in the catalog because they still get large customers such a private security companies and guard survices. Other buyers include people that want a simple "house gun." But the market is nothing like it was, and they have to compete with a substantial supply of used guns that it like-new condition often sell for less then they can make one.

This is one reason they transfered the name "Military & Police" to a newer line of firearms, including a polymer frame / large-cap line of pistols.

That said, if one wants a simple, reliable, mid-bore revolver; the model 10 Military & Police will always be the one others are compared to.

 

[Bearhands]

"The 4" revolver is dead as anything other than a competition gun (and very limited there) and an HD gun largely for women."

Oh I'm gonna go pop some popcorn for this one.

 

[JCMAG]

Like the Fuff said, the M10 is most often sold to private security firms. How many I do not know. It may be impossible to know. I know of prison guards who are still using model 66s and 65s (their claim, not mine). So I don't think the demand for new M10s is high.

I am, however, very pleased that the M10 is still in the catalog after all of this time. It says to we lovers of the spinny-gun: Some things have not yet totally changed.

P.s.: Clearly, Bubba613, you are a Communist. There, I said it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Here is a pic of my Smith & Wesson 10-5, manufactuered between the
years 1963-1965 as its C737xxx S/N indicates. Its a pencil barrel, square
butt model with the original walnut diamond-cut wood grips. It cost me
all of $200~! Enjoy~~!

 

[slustan83]

NYSDOCS still issues model 10's, atleast for another year, then we are going to the troopers old glocks. If you haven't noticed our old duty ammo getting closed out, the 110 gr REM SJHPs. Our department payed 36 dollars a box for that ammo, which was mainly the only reason we switched to the free glocks.

Sorry for the rant.

As far as bubba's comment...really?!?!

I've got one sitting in my night stand right now and I can assure you it isn't for competition and I'm not a woman.

 

[Daizee]

...and an HD gun largely for women.

who're you callin' a large woman, tough guy?



I do wonder how the new ones sell... You can get a mim-less classic for 1/3 the MSRP of a new production unit. It's a great configuration for the many folk who want a little recreation at the range and a reliable low-maintenance HD piece, but the reason I caved in for mine was the price. S&W is unlikely to sell me a non-PC gun at their current prices.

-Daizee

 

[Feanaro]

Whatever the figures are, they are much too low.

That's what I like about the intertubz - it's a place where I can indulge in the grossest speculation provided I identify it as such.

You don't even have to do that. We see evidence of that every day.

The 4" revolver is dead as anything other than a competition gun (and very limited there) and an HD gun largely for women.

I'd like to see you call my 10-9 a girl's gun to "his" face. He would probably curse you out in Chinese he picked up during that stint with the Royal Hong Kong PD.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I think the guns are exported as well. Don't the Japanese police departments still use revolvers?

 

[Feanaro]

I know that into the 80's the Hong Kong police were using them. Don't know if they continue to do so.

 

[Will5A1]

This thread instilled an unsettling thought - S&W could stop producing the Model 10. Smith producing Model 10's has always been a constant, known thing, they were the bread and butter for the company for a long time, but could those cold hearted suits and bean counters cancel the 10, a la the Winchester 1894?

The HKP are still using HB M10's, at least the uniformed constables are (were) the last time I checked.

A local store keeps a new 10 on the shelf, selling mostly to folks with little to no interest in firearms wanting a house gun.

 

[Old Fuff]

This thread instilled an unsettling thought - S&W could stop producing the Model 10.

A possibility indeed. If the present security business customers switch to pistols in place of revolvers. They dropped an obvious hint when they moved the name "Military & Police" to a line of polymer pistols and AR-15 style rifles.

However the Old Fuff is not worried, there are more then enough M & P/model 10 revolvers out there to go around for a long, long time.

Of course if you want one with a lock ....

 

[Hawk]

Of course if you want one with a lock ....

...and, as we all know, rarity = collectibility.

 

[Old Fuff]

You are right of course, and I never thought of it. I'll go out and buy a pair and put them away - new in the box.

 

[Hawk]

And don't lose either the fired case in signed envelope or the keys.

I could have sworn I saw on exchange on a Performance Center anib auction where a bidder was inquiring if all gizmos and geegaws were intact, specifically mentioning the fired case.

'Course I can't find the link now. Hopefully it was just a dream following too much pizza late at night.

But maybe I shouldn't find somebody wanting the fired case to be unusual - had I gotten a S&W in the 1950s and somebody told me to be sure to hang onto that 5 cent brush and gimme screwdriver I would have thought them certifiably nuts. Seems they were right.

I wonder what legislature demanded that S&W provide signed and sealed cases for a revolver? It conjures up a vision of an extraordinarily cooperative criminal.

Way after we're both gone I can easily imagine collectors devaluing an anib because the fired case envelope was unsealed and getting the thing lettered to verify the signature.

 

[JCMAG]

Way after we're both gone I can easily imagine collectors devaluing an anib because the fired case envelope was unsealed and getting the thing lettered to verify the signature.

As humorous a thought as that is, there is absolutely no reason to believe that that will not certainly be the case

And I believe the fired case is used by some states for some kind of registration. I don't know which one, but I'm thinking it's Massachusetts for some reason.

 

[slustan83]

New york uses fired cases as well. Pointless, hasn't caught one criminal yet.

 

[SGW42]

Few years ago when I decided to learn about revolvers I had settled on a Model 10, NIB (had no experience buying a used gun then).

I wanted the "quintessential" S&W with no frills or anything.

Thing was I couldn't find one at any shop. Still have never seen a NIB 10 for sale in person. Never seen one at a show either.

(Was sold a used, misbehaving 19-3 instead and still wouldn't mind having a 10.)

 

[Dienekes]

The older I get the more sense a Model 10 makes.

Doesn't say much for me but it does for the gun.