S&W M10 vs Colt DS

[JellyJar]

Recently I learned about the existence of a short barrel, round but version of the S&W M10. The picture I saw showed a gun with a very short barrel that appeared to be about the same size as a Colt DS.

Has anybody owned such a M10 and if so how does it compare ( size and weight, shootablilty ) to the Colt DS.

Thanks.

 

[MCgunner]

There will be pictures forthcoming I'm quite sure. I prefer the Smith design to the colt. It's less fit intensive and IMHO should hold up over time better. But, I've never owned a Colt, so whadda I know? LOL Can't go wrong with a M10, though.

 

[1KPerDay]

Recently I learned about the existence of a short barrel, round but version of the S&W M10.

You mean like this one?

 

[DougDubya]

The M10 2" is a skosh bigger. But, it's a classic.

Definitely on my "must have" list.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have had both:

The Smith & Wesson K-frame Military & Police (aka Model 10) is noticeable heavier and larger then a Detective Special. I consider it to be a holster rather then a pocket gun, and much prefer it with a longer 3" barrel, that also has the advantage of a full-length ejector rod. Because of the larger frame and cylinder, combined with a 2" barrel, the snubby version feels unbalanced to me. To its credit, the handle is longer and you have more to hold on, and most users prefer the S&W double action over the Colt's.

The Detective Special is slightly smaller and lighter. It has a longer ejector rod even with a 2" barrel because there isn't a lug on the bottom of the barrel in front of it. On most you come across the double action could use some improvement. Qualified gunsmiths and parts are getting harder to find.

I bought my first Detective Special during the mid-1950's and it's still going strong. It will keep its shots inside of the K Zone of a B-27 police silhouette target out to and beyond 100 yards.

Both are classic revolvers. It's a matter of picking which ever one you like best.

 

[marano35]

I have never had a Colt

but I like my snub Model 10 square butt a lot. I have a four inch pencil barrel, I like em all.

 

[Ala Dan]

I had a 2" round butt factory nickel S&W model 10; but never warmed
up to it, so its long gone - used in trade bait~! However, I do own 3
Colt Dick Specials; two 2" blued models from 1966, and a 2" factory
nickel model from 1971~!

The '71 model has only been fired a total of six times~!

 

[MMCSRET]

I like both because there is a noticeable difference in them. I don't consider them interchangeable except in caliber.

 

[Guillermo]

Old Fuff has spoken. Might as well close the thread

 

[Old Fuff]

The Old Fuff is magnanimous in his superiority, and does allow dissenting opinions on occasion…

 

[jad0110]

The Smith & Wesson K-frame Military & Police (aka Model 10) is noticeable heavier and larger then a Detective Special. I consider it to be a holster rather then a pocket gun

As usual, I gotta agree with Fuff on his assessment.

If you are going to carry it on your belt (IWB or OWB), either will do fine, though you might find the slighly slimmer DS to be more comfortable to carry IWB. For pocket carry, well, I'm not sure that many pocket carry S&W K Frames; the grip frame is just too big for that. The Colt DS is very doable in this role, but I myself prefer the even smaller/ligher J-Frame airweight 642.

I'd love to own a DS, but as Fuff points out, the big drawback is the difficulty of finding qualified gunsmiths and when you do, be ready to pay top dollar for their services.

BTW, here is a picture of what is basically a square butt 2" Model 10 with adjustable sights, the Model 15. This 15-2 is my favorite carry gun, in fact I'm carrying it now in a FIST #20 IWB holster. Hardly noticeable at all:

 

[Gordon]

When I was issued a 2" Model 10 I couldn't wait to get the Model 12 when I served around Arlington Hall they were carried in Bucheimer shoulder rigs. Then later in the DEA issued a 2.5" Model I got to wear it on a belt. We actually got Detective Specials issued as a back up, the Model 19 (and the 10 ) and the DS can use the same speedloaders BTW. When I got my first Agent , a lightweight small gripped DS I thought I was in Nirvana. I have been carrying an Agent for 30 years+, and likely will till I die. The K frames make wonderful Bar-B-Q guns however.

 

[Old Fuff]

I'd love to own a DS, but as Fuff points out, the big drawback is the difficulty of finding qualified gunsmiths and when you do, be ready to pay top dollar for their services.

I didn't mean to scare people away from what is an excellent revolver. The Detective Special I mentioned before has gone through a half-century of regular service, and has had only one tune-up and no parts replacements.

I would hasten to point out that literally thousands of them were used by the military services and law enforcement agencies for decades - something that wouldn't have happened if the were easily prone to get out of order.

The real problem is that they are now only available on the used market, and some have suffered abuse as well as use. The most common issue is a sprung crane, caused by flipping the cylinder out like a Hollywood movie detective. Among other things it affects how the cylinder rotates from chamber to chamber. Fixing this usually takes less then 5 minutes and involves no part(s) replacement.

If a perspective purchase passes the checklist submitted by Jim March, and posted in the High Road's revolver sub-forum, it is likely good to go.

 

[Guillermo]

Old Fuff,

Please scare people away from all post war Colt double action revolvers. In addition to being among the finest revolvers ever made they are among my favorites and I want to buy all I can while I can afford them.

So as I sit here with a 72 DS on the desk next to my computer I ask you to supress those prices Old Fuff.

 

[Old Fuff]

You have a good point...

I shall hereafter take the position that ALL Colt double-action/hand ejector revolvers are absolute junk. Any that have fired more then 6 rounds of required low power ammunition should be considered non-functional. In fact none should ever be fired, regardless of age or condition, with any ammunition whatsoever.

If you own any of the above described handguns, you should take them to a dealer and trade them in for something else, and be more then happy to get whatever few pennies they may offer you for them.

Of course those that have nickel plated examples can keep them as long has you have hooks attached and use them exclusively for fishing lures.

Blued ones are still useful as paperweights or doorstops.

There! Now that I’ve come clean I feel much better…

 

[Guillermo]

actually I am willing to dispose of them for you. Send a PM and I will tell you where to send them.

 

[texagun]

The Colt cylinder rotates clockwise.

The S&W cylinder rotates counter-clockwise......like God intended.

 

[clang]

I've had a S&W 2" Model 64 (the stainless steel version of the M10) and a few Detective Specials. The Colts feel noticably smaller and lighter and the Colt action has a feel of precision to it that the S&W does not.

They have similar accuracy - as far as I can tell from a gun with 2" fixed sights. S&W has a larger grip frame, but many aftermarket grips give many choices for both guns.

The S&W design is probably more durable (it would last 2-3 lifetimes, vs Colt only lasting 1-2 without a tune up). I would also think the S&W would be more friendly to beefier loads. Smith & Wessons are also easier to work on, easier to find a knowledgeable Gunsmith and easier to find parts. Their Customer Service is also great, but they may not work on older guns any more. I have no experience with Colt Customer Service.

S&W still makes plenty of revolvers based on the same design, while I think you can only get the original Colt action guns from their Custom Shop. This means competant Colt gunsmiths will continue to get harder to find. It also probably means old Colts will continue to rise in value as they get scarcer.

It's a tough call on which is "better". If the added weight and size of the M64 is too much, you might want to consider their J frame revolvers - which are even smaller than the DS. But than you have to worry about 5 shots or 6.....

Did I mention - even wth all the negatives I pointed out about the Colts - I still have 2 DSs and an SFVI. I sold the M64, but I do have a Model 60 with a 3" barrel.

 

[Guillermo]

The S&W cylinder rotates counter-clockwise......like God intended

So you are saying that God messed up on the clock?

 

[MCgunner]

So you are saying that God messed up on the clock?

That depends on whether you're left eye dominant or right eye dominant.

 

[texagun]

Quote:
The S&W cylinder rotates counter-clockwise......like God intended

So you are saying that God messed up on the clock?

No. He actually got it right. On a S&W the rifling is clockwise. The counter-clockwise rotation of the cylinder harmonizes with the magnetic flux of the earth's magnetic field resulting in a smoother action and improved accuracy.



A Colt cylinder rotates clockwise (from the shooters perspective) and the rifling rotates counter-clockwise.

On a Smith, the cylinder rotates counter-clockwise, and the rifling rotates clockwise.

 

[Guillermo]

The counter-clockwise rotation of the cylinder harmonizes with the magnetic flux of the earth's magnetic field resulting in a smoother action and improved accuracy

What you say would be true if the revolver were in the southern hemisphere. As we are above the equator the clockwise cylinder rotation and counter clockwise rifling makes for better harmonics. This harmonic effect is amplified by the oustanding tuning of the vented rib of the Python (Diamondback, Anaconda) which is why their smoothness and accuracy are legendary.

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt’s early hand-ejectors had cylinders that rotated counter-clockwise, but unlike they’re competitor in Springfield, MA. They realized that the torque of a clockwise-turning cylinder would help hold the crane against the frame when the revolver was fired.

Caught off guard, Smith & Wesson responded by advertising that their extra lock at the end of the extractor rod made a clockwise spinning cylinder unnecessary.

Colt fired back with high speed, X-Ray photographs showing that recoil forces actually caused a S&W cylinder to unlatch for a mini-second during the firing sequence.

And so it went….

Take your choice.

 

[Slamfire]

I have handled M10 snubbies, and I prefer the Colt DS.

I would hasten to point out that literally thousands of them were used by the military services and law enforcement agencies for decades - something that wouldn't have happened if the were easily prone to get out of order.

These were purchased by the Palisades Parkway Police around 1930. The Chromed DS was the personal use of Chief Pfeiffer.

These were carried when exchanged for 9mm autopistols (from Lawman Supply) in the middle 80's. Fifty years is a long time for continuous service.

Palisades Interstate Parkway Police No 35 J





Palisades Interstate Parkway Police No 36J

 

[capttom]

I've owned a multitude of D frame Colts from the Dick Special to the Viper and Commando. I've never done more than handle and fire the 2" Mdl 10. The Smith always seems badly balanced because of the frame and grip size. A short barrel does not a compact make. Ask anyone who puts a stub barrel on a massive Dan Wesson. The Model 10 is a classic, but not in short form. I'll take every Colt D that comes my way.