S&W 1076 Initial Thoughts and Mods

[Mainsail]

So I finally found a nice Smith 1076 10mm and even though I haven't fired it yet, I think it'll be a carry gun. It's slim and feels great in my hand.

Discontinued guns are always hard to find parts for, and the 1076 is worse- even though they made a ton of them, it appears that most of the FBI ones were destroyed by the FBI.

I see Hogue makes wood grips for a 1006 and similar, but not for the 1076 due to the decocking lever sticking out under the left grip panel.

Has anyone ever modified a wooden grip to accommodate the lever? I read somewhere of someone doing it with the rubber grips and it seems wood should be easy. I don't want it to look like a hack-job so before I spend the money I'd like to hear if someone has tried it.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Should be simple enough with an Exacto knife and a very small wood chisel.

Just remember, patience is a virtue.

 

[Joe Demko]

Beautiful gun! I love the S&W 3rd Generation autoloaders. Congratulations on a good find.

 

[Fishbed77]

Should be pretty easy to modify with a router table and a sharp bit.

 

[gunlaw]

Since you haven't shot it yet try it and see how you like it. I had my 1076 out yesterday and it shoots great. Once you shoot it I doubt that you will see the need to change the grips.

 

[jamal28]

Oh wow u found a s&w 3rd gen with the frame mounted decocker which is rare . Smith only made those models for 3 years and look like its in good shape . Your one lucky guy ive been trying to find the 5926 9mm version with frame mounted decocker for well over 2 years. Anyway have fun with it

 

[Mainsail]

Once you shoot it I doubt that you will see the need to change the grips.

'Need' isn't the reason, and often isn't when it comes to guns

If I carry it openly the wood grips would look much better.

 

[Joe Demko]

I'm on my third 3rd Gen auto, and I've not yet encountered aftermarket grips that performed better than the one piece plastic OEM grips. Hogue's wooden grips may be more attractive, or not, depending on your taste. They are definitely thicker, just like Hogue's rubber offerings, and make .45 or 10mm frames to big for my medium-sized hands.

 

[gunlaw]

Mainsail, gota agree the factory grips are not the best looking grips.

 

[PabloJ]

I looked over one. The de-coking lever is pretty flimsy affair. I passed on it after knowledgeable salesman said years ago VaHP had nothing but problems with them. The ones that went to factory for modification have two small punch marks on frame around or below the lever. You would be better off with the more common 1006. It's 10x25mm version of the legendary 4506. These things were faultless.

 

[mavracer]

I was researching the same thing when I got my 1076 and found out thet the wooden Hogues are way to thick for my hand, luckily I got my hands on a 4506 with Hogues on it and figgured out that they make the trigger reach way too much for me. But it's easy enough to do just take your time.

 

[Big Shrek]

I'd suggest slinging some lead downrange before changing anything...
that way you have a baseline to work from...

Further, I'd suggest keeping a ammo log book,
to keep track of how well each load works, POI vs. aiming point, etc...

Can't count the amount of new 10mm buyers who shoot maybe one box, and give up.
Although, IMHO, if 10mm is too much for someone to control properly, they should go to the gym...

 

[tarosean]

The prices of these (3rd gen 10mm's) keep escalation like they are I might have to trade mine off..

 

[Dan-O]

Don't have a 1076, but I'm a big fan of 10mm S&W 3rd Gens.

 

[Mainsail]

Well after some advice here and a few other places, I think I'll stick with the factory grips. The gun will be sent to S&W for a tune-up and check. I'm going to have them evaluate the slide-to-frame play as well- seems a little loose to me.

 

[clang]

I modded Hogue Wood Grips for my 1076:


I used a low speed rotary tool and went slow. It works perfectly.

 

[Mainsail]

It's back from getting the once over at Smith & Wesson. I really don't know what they did but they gave me a magazine. It got new night sights too, as well as a replacement box, as the old one was broken and not original anyway.



I took a little time tonight to examine the magazines. I have nine total, one is new still in the S&W packaging; I suppose I'll leave it there for now.

I cleaned the crud film off the mag bodies with nevr-dull. Of the eight in my hand one has a yellow follower and the others are white. Three are marked ES, two are marked ES1, and three are marked MS1. Two of the three MS1 marked ones are also marked AccuGuide. I have no idea what any of that means.

Only two of the magazines have what I would consider 'strong' springs, so new magazine springs may be in their future. I want to shoot the gun first and see where it's throwing the brass- I'm pretty sure Smith put a new recoil spring in, but I may want to bump it up a pound or two depending on where the brass goes. Then I can order all the springs at once.

 

[Big Shrek]

I'd suggest slinging some lead downrange before changing anything...
that way you have a baseline to work from...

Further, I'd suggest keeping a ammo log book,
to keep track of how well each load works, POI vs. aiming point, etc...

Can't count the amount of new 10mm buyers who shoot maybe one box, and give up.
Although, IMHO, if 10mm is too much for someone to control properly, they should go to the gym...

Yeah, but those wusses make 10mm pistols in Slightly Used condition really easy to find

 

[barnbwt]

drool...

 

[Mainsail]

Yeah, but those wusses make 10mm pistols in Slightly Used condition really easy to find

I can't say I've ever found the 10mm difficult to control, although my experience is purely with the G20SF and G29SF. I think it recoils LESS than .40S&W, or at least it has the sensation of less recoil. The 10 has a slower impulse maybe? Feels more pushy than snappy.

I like the 10mm, because shooting someone a half dozen times is just flat-out cruel.

 

[Hometeached1]

Very nice!

This forum needs a like button.

I really like the 3rd gen S&Ws.

 

[Big Shrek]

I can't say I've ever found the 10mm difficult to control, although my experience is purely with the G20SF and G29SF. I think it recoils LESS than .40S&W, or at least it has the sensation of less recoil. The 10 has a slower impulse maybe? Feels more pushy than snappy.

I like the 10mm, because shooting someone a half dozen times is just flat-out cruel.

Anyone in decent physical condition with good hand strength isn't going to be bothered at all by 10mm,
especially out of a Glock 20/20sf or a 3rd Gen S&W



Although I found the 1911-based ones (Colt Delta Elite) a bit of a handful
until I slapped some Pachmyer wraparounds on it...
that metal 1911 frame kinda stings without something on it.

 

[Mainsail]

I got my order from Wolff Springs in today- ten-pack of magazine springs and a 20# recoil spring. I am into this gun DEEP! I have eight used magazines with new springs, and three brand new magazines still in their S&W blister-pack.

 

[Mainsail]

Finally got out to shoot the 1076 today and I was amazed at how great it shoots! Recoil wasn't bad at all. I think it was LESS recoil than the G20SF or even my XDs in .45 ACP, and I was shooting the heavy stuff. The 20# recoil spring kept the brass from flying all over the indoor range. 200 rounds of various HPs, FMJ, and some 200gr hardcasts. I even ran magazines of mixed and not a hiccup. I was pretty accurate with it too.

Once I get it cleaned and lubed it's in the carry line-up!

 

[mavracer]

Cool, I rarely carry my 1076 but it is very comforting when I do.