New to me " working man's revolver".

[ontarget]

Well, the recent thread asking about a "working man's" revolver got me thinking.
I have many that fit the description but I had no pre model number S&W revolvers.
A local shop had a 6 inch barrel pre M10 advertised so I stopped in to look. I'm not a big fan of the 6 inch barrel. I much prefer a 4 inch with fixed sights.
Guess what they had on consignment?

S/N puts it around 1930.
As you can see the grips are not original but feel pretty good with the Tyler adapter.
I will track down some period correct grip panels sooner or later.
It shows significant wear of the bluing but locks up nicely with no real end play.
I can't wait to shoot it.

 

[Armored farmer]

Don't you wish that one could talk?
Nice revolver indeed.

 

[horsemen61]

Nice looking revolver!!!!

 

[JeffG]

Very nice!

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Very nice

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Being so old, that particluar guns collector’s value and historical interest keep that specimen from being a TRUE workings man’s revolver IMHO.

 

[Rexster]

Sweet! Congrtulations!

 

[bannockburn]

ontarget

I have many that fit the description but I had no pre model number S&W revolvers.
A local shop had a 6 inch barrel pre M10 advertised so I stopped in to look. I'm not a big fan of the 6 inch barrel. I much prefer a 4 inch with fixed sights.
Guess what they had on consignment?

I know that feeling! Picked up a Pre-Model 10 at a gun show on a Saturday. It had a 6" barrel and was in need of a thorough make-over. Got it all cleaned up and decided I didn't like the way the gun balanced with the longer barrel. Went back to the gun show on Sunday and traded it straight up for this .38 M&P!

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Great find. They are really nice shooters. Like you,I’d eventually like to find some original grips. Mine is wearing Herretts for the time being and they are great grips but I’d like to return it to original.

 

[CajunBass]

First congratulations. That's a fine looking Rosco.

I've owned a dozen or more Model 10's over the years. They come and go in trades and such. Pretty hard to beat one. I guess they were the Glock 19 of their age...or maybe the Glock 19 is today's Model 10.

I don't have one anymore. I do have a Model 15, which is just a Model 10 all dressed up to go to the dance.

Drat. Now you got me wanting a Model 10.

 

[Pat Riot]

Ontarget,
Very nice find. I like the silver T-Grip. It gives it a more nostalgic look while giving a better grip.

 

[AK103K]

Love the older S&W's, especially the "half moon" guns, HE's, M&P's, etc. That one looks to be in pretty good shape. Nice find.

The Smiths are becoming more and more collectible anymore and not usually found "cheap", especially in a shop.

If youre looking for some nicer original grips, eBay and Gun Broker often have some decent deals, but you had best get to looking quick. They too are becoming very collectible, and prices have shot up considerably in just the past few years. Ypu can still get the occasional deal if you look there regularly. I picked up a couple of nice pairs of used, but decent Magnas in the past year, and for around $35-40, instead of some of the crazy prices.

I too prefer the T grips with the Magnas, especially for carry. The ugly rubber Houge Mono grips are still the best for heavy shooters though.

 

[P89DCSS]

You're in good company!

 

[ontarget]

Being so old, that particluar guns collector’s value and historical interest keep that specimen from being a TRUE workings man’s revolver IMHO.

Not sure if it shows in the pics but someone took an abrasive to the metal just above the grip panels. Also the cylinder and barrel show significant bluing wear.
I wouldn't consider this particular gun to have much collector value.
Hope it's a good shooter though.

 

[ontarget]

I too prefer the T grips with the Magnas, especially for carry. The ugly rubber Houge Mono grips are still the best for heavy shooters though.

Yes. The rubber grips have their place, just NOT on one of these.

 

[chicharrones]

Guess what they had on consignment?
S/N puts it around 1930.
I can't wait to shoot it.

Nice find. Congrats!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Looks like a great example of what I classify for my own purposes as a: Security Guard Gun.

I love working guns from Military to Cop through Security on to "I gots ta EAT!" guns.

Yours looks the part for sure.

Todd.

 

[Armorer 101]

A lot of those original 10s were converted to PPC guns, Smolts and the like. They were the least expensive of the Smiths to build custom revolvers on, and when the various police departments dumped them onto the market, they were even less expensive for several years. I have owned a few, obtained in trades, over the years, a very good serviceable and tough carry gun.
Most of the 38spl’s reputation comes from the bullet choice by the military and the police, one based on FMJ requirements and the other trying to limit penetration. Civilians are not bound by these limits on performance.

The 38spl has been around for decades and has been improved substantially for target and performance over the years.

 

[sgt127]

This is the Ford, Chevy, Dodge picture I took the other day.

Just basic working guns.

I have long held that 99.9% of gun owners and toters would be perfectly served for the rest of their lives with a good .38 Special revolver.

Yours is a dandy example. I love the skinny barrel.

 

[bannockburn]

sgt127

Ahhh...the .38 Special Service Revolver Trifecta!

Well done sir!

 

[Speedo66]

Nice score!

I don't know what you paid for it, but those polished Tyler T-Grip inserts are worth quite a few bucks in themselves.

 

[ontarget]

Here it is with the rest of my K frame family.
All of them got to stretch their legs today. The 64 has the best trigger but the M10 groups the best. The HE is pretty good too but feels like it needs a thorough cleaning.

 

[sgt127]

What’s the disc on the 10 HB?

 

[ontarget]

It is a tag. The gun is a trade in from NY Dept of Corrections. It is also stamped in the frame.

 

[Waveski]

Pretty much anything bad that can be done to that old iron has already been done - and there is a freedom that comes with that. You can do anything you want with it , within reason ... shoot all you want , holster it , practice quick draw , get it a little dirty or wet without freaking out about it , or carry it in a tackle box.
A quick rub down with an oily rag afterwards and you are good to go.

Great gun!