Thinking about picking up one of those S&W Model 10s on Bud's. What are the pros and cons of having a round butt or square butt on this revolver? Is it just a matter of personal preference? I would mainly use this as a range toy or night stand piece. Since I can't handle either model in person, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
Round Butt vs Square Butt Model 10
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
I like the feel of a square butt revolver, it fills the hand better IMO and aids in recoil control. The round butt revolver is much easier to conceal and it doesn't stick you as much as a square butt will.
If you can I would shoot both but if you can't and you don't intend upon carrying that revolver concealer I would buy the square butt model.
If you can I would shoot both but if you can't and you don't intend upon carrying that revolver concealer I would buy the square butt model.
forindooruseonly
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Personal preference, I think. For some reason the round butt fits my hand better than a square butt, especially with factory stocks. Aftermarket grips on square butt revolvers work well for me too. Try both.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I've owned both round and square butt K-frames (which the Model 10 is).
I prefer the square butt grip. It fills my hand.
Of course, I prefer an arched mainspring housing over a flat one on a 1911 as well.
It gets my hand higher on the backstrap of the revolver, giving me a better grip and control.
Which conceals better . . . Doesn't matter if you're buying it as a night stand piece or range gun, does it?
I have a 3" Square Butt Model 10 I've managed to conceal just as easily as my 1911 when I carry it around town.
I prefer the square butt grip. It fills my hand.
Of course, I prefer an arched mainspring housing over a flat one on a 1911 as well.
It gets my hand higher on the backstrap of the revolver, giving me a better grip and control.
Which conceals better . . . Doesn't matter if you're buying it as a night stand piece or range gun, does it?
I have a 3" Square Butt Model 10 I've managed to conceal just as easily as my 1911 when I carry it around town.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Guess I'm the odd man out. I prefer the round butt. I practice a lot of one-hand point/snap-shooting with DA revolvers from the midpoint between waist and shoulder level...both in the DA and SA mode...and a round butt K-Frame just seems to fall on target more naturally for me with the old-style Magna stocks...which I also prefer.
Using the sights with two hands, it doesn't seem to make any difference.
Using the sights with two hands, it doesn't seem to make any difference.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
They're not exactly X-frames. My 2" model 15 weighs a mere 32oz and I carry heavier guns all the time.
I would say personal preference, but you won't know that until you have some experience. If you buy one with the round butt and don't like it you can make it a square one by simply buying a different set of stocks. Won't work the other way around though...
Guillermo
member
^^^^^^
this
in addition, the round butt is not as common
mesinge2
Member
For me, I feel the barrel length matters. For 3" or less I prefer RB, but for longer than 3" I like a SB.
BSA1
member
It sounds like you are not familiar with the K-frame grip. The square butt can be easily converted to round butt with a hacksaw or grinder and a file. I have several this way. I'd get the square butt first.
BSA1
member
Modifying from square to round butt only requires a couple of basic tools, wet or dry sandpaper for final finish and some dabs of cold bluing.
evan price
Member
I prefer square butt K's. That said I have some round butt K's also. The square butt guns are better target guns imho and the round butt guns are better carry guns. Again, however, you can train yourself to either.
Something like a Mod 10, buy a couple of them, they're cheap, for now.
Something like a Mod 10, buy a couple of them, they're cheap, for now.
tryshoot
Member
As said round for carry, Square for shooting. Square points better for me naturally, so better night stand gun too.
MCgunner
Member
I wish I had a round butt. It conceals better. I don't carry mine, but if I ever stumble upon a decent M10 with a round butt and 2-3" barrel, I'll be sorely tempted. Would make a fine carry piece.
MCgunner
Member
True enough, but I ain't messin' with my Grandpa's old gun.
sgtstryker
Member
Both of my M10's are square butt models. One is HB and the other tapered. Just what they were when I saw them. They shoot great like they are, 4" ers.. I've been looking at a 64 in 2" that is also a square butt. My J frames are round butt and I do like the feel, so, I'm sure if I run into a M10 round butt in my part of the world, I will probably try to deal for it. I did have a snubby Model 19 years ago that concealed well, but with a 4" I don't see the advantage, it's a personal thing as usual, I guess.
Lawdawg45
Member
Just from a personal observation, my square butt felt like a larger framed gun, and the round more resembled a J frame. The square was a little more difficult to conceal.
LD
LD
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I have had a few square butt guns and either sold them or traded them. One I ground it to a semi round butt along with grinding off the under lug.
rbernie
Contributing Member
You can make a round butt feel like a square butt with the right grip, but you can't make a square butt feel like a round butt without altering the metal.
I always buy round-butt and then fit it to me via grip selection.
I always buy round-butt and then fit it to me via grip selection.
Jim NE
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The only reason I might buy a round butt is because my collection doesn't currently include one. Otherwise, it's my impression that the square butt is one of the things that make traditional K frames among the best feeling guns to hold - in my hands, anyway. Even my J frames are square butt.
Truth is, you can't go wrong with either, and there IS a slight concealibility advantage with the round butt.
Truth is, you can't go wrong with either, and there IS a slight concealibility advantage with the round butt.
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