S&W Model 10 "Prison Guns"

[hddeluxe]

I live in Arizona and am visiting my brother in Lancaster, OH for the holidays, and as is my usual practice I visit the local gun shops and pawn shops. I found it interesting that both the local gun shop and pawn shop had S&W Model 10 .38 spl revolvers for sale. Both individuals behind their respective counters had the same story.

"This is a prison gun used by the guards. Shot only for requalification. They came up for sale when the prison replaced them with new weapons."

Almost the same story word for word.

A close inspection of the weapons at each establishment did in fact reveal very little evidence of actual wear or use. Mostly holster wear. The price for the weapons was the same in both establishments - $285- which I felt was high and asked if they would consider coming down on the price. The response from both establishments was "No. You know these are worth it."

My reason for posting this thread is to inquire if anyone else has had an experience with the quote "Prison gun" story. I am not saying it is not true, it just seems odd that it would happen in two establishments, since in my neck of the woods a single FFL Dealer would buy the whole lot of weapons when they came up for auction. Hmmm.

 

[PRM]

Can't say for your specific story, but it is not uncommon. J&G sales from time to time has offered police trade-ins. Revolvers that were trade-ins were pretty common a few years ago when everyone started going to semi-autos. Could be the shops bought from the same wholesaler.

I have bought two Walthers and one CZ 83 that were sold as European Police trade-ins by the importers.

Bottom line - what does it matter if the gun is serviceable , high quality, and what you want. Both of my Walthers were 97+ percent and have functioned flawlessly. The CZ 83 was like new, if it was ever issued, it sat in a desk. On the CZ, I saved around $300 over the cost of a new one. At least $200 each on the Walthers.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Buy the gun, not the story.

Model 10 Smiths from cop trade ins were $185 around here a few years ago. Price has trended upward a little since. But $285 better get you an awfully nice one.

Not to knock the deal; I got one of those ex-cop Model 10s and I love it. WAY more accurate than I expected, outstanding trigger, and built like a Rolex.

 

[MMCSRET]

I have a 10-6 that was a trade in, paid $220.00 and feel that I got a good deal. I also have a Colt Official Police trade in from 1952, paid $100.00 for it in 1992. The Colt is a slicker hammer/trigger and so much smoother but not really any more accurate than the Smith. I like Smiths but I love the old Colts.

 

[revolverforums]

My local shops are the same but with a ton of model 64's. The story I got was they are brinks guns that were all traded in at the same time. The price is right on them, I picked up a pair for less then $200 each. But while they have been shot very little they are beat up pretty hard from holster wear and banging against door jambs and other impacts. The pair I got I selected by going through about 30 of them they had in the back room. They each still required several hours of hand sanding and a set of grips to make them right but they are both excellent shooters.

 

[bannockburn]

hddeluxe

Not that unusual of a story. I remember back in the early 90's when the Hong Kong Police Department traded in their S&W Model 10s. They started to show up at local gun shops, usually 4 or 5 of them, all with the proper HKPD markings and with a swivel lanyard loop on the bottom of the grip frame. Most were in decent shape, and most were priced considerably higher than what a typical used Model 10 would go for. Basically you were paying for the limited quantity and rarity of the piece, not how accurate it was or how smooth the trigger felt. If you're looking for a documented police trade-in for collectibility, then that might be the way to go; if your just looking for a decent shooter, you might find a better selection at a gun show.

 

[SaxonPig]

Police, security company, and prison guns routinely turn up on the used market. Just last year a bunch of S&W Model 64s stamped "CA Corrections Department" (or something like that) came onto the market. The story is absolutely plausible and yes, often the guns get carried a lot and shot very little. I have bought a large number of them over the years.

The $285 price is not outrageous for a decent Model 10. I have seen them going for a lot more recently.

 

[krs]

Nothing suspect at all. The S&W Model 10 M&P or Military and Police ("Meat and Potatoes" for Smith and Wesson) was the standard issue sidearm for large and small agencies for years. Police, Corrections, Security, USPS, and untold others bought them, and the 64's to a lesser extent. They appear on the used gun market in considerable numbers when a large user decides that it's time to upgrade or renew it's armament.

Those two guys probably split the opportunity to buy the whole batch and they wouldn't reduce the price because they know that they'll all sell more sooner than later.

 

[hddeluxe]

Thank you for the replies to the thread. It is not that I doubted the story from one dealer, but from two seemed odd. As I said, in my neck of the woods ONE dealer would buy the whole lot. I didn't give much thought to both of the dealers going in together to buy them. Makes sense.

Though the guns are in very good condition, I still think the price is a little high. I would have bought one or two on the spot if either of the gentlemen would have come down to the $250 range. However, as one poster pointed out they are confident in selling them at that price, and don't feel the need to come down in the price.

Tomorrow I will go back and look at them again. I have always liked the Model 10 and wouldn't mind adding a couple more to my collection of Smiths, if they would be willing to talk.

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

Those Mod. 10's were used by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction ans most were former Ohio State Patrol pistols from back in the day. When I was a corrections officer, prior to moving over to LEO, we carried either a blued or stainless Mod. 10. These pistols seen on average, 500-rounds per year during pistol qualifications, since 250-350 officers had to qualify using a lot of 40 or so pistols. Our qualification if memory serves me correctly was in the area of 60-80 rounds. Those pistols were carried a lot and shot little, there was absolutely zero practice with them, only qualfications. However, the SRT teams got to shoot a little more with them, but not a lot to be overly concerned about.

 

[dwave]

Hey there hddeluxe, did you visit Ohio Valley Trading and Exchange(http://www.ovte.com/) or Ohio Valley Outdoors(http://www.ovoutdoors.com/) in Lancaster? I live about 45 mins from Lancaster. The prices are mostly the same between the stores in this area. The stores are owned by the same company to my knowledge.

 

[hddeluxe]

DWAVE:

Yes, I have visited both stores. I also used the shooting range at Outdoor while I have been here. You are right about the prices.

 

[hddeluxe]

grtmtnbiker98:

Thank you for the info. Very informative. I see you were in the Corps. I did a little time there myself from 1966-1992. Semper Fi.

 

[TimboKhan]

My S&W Model 66-I is stamped "SD Sheriff", which I assume is San Diego Sheriff, given that the gun was purchased originally in California.

I LOVE police trade-in revolvers as a general rule. Generally not shot to pieces, but shot enough that the actions are worn in nicely. My 66 is a delight in that regard. Plus, I can live just fine with holster wear. If a gun can shoot, I don't care if it is a little ugly!

 

[krs]

hddeluxe,

The whole effort may be moot if you are not a resident of the state that you're visiting.

If you're thinking of having your brother buy guns for you it may qualify as a "straw dog" purchase even though you're related.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

hddeluxe,

The whole effort may be moot if you are not a resident of the state that you're visiting.

If you're thinking of having your brother buy guns for you it may qualify as a "straw dog" purchase even though you're related.

krs,
He can always have the gun sent to his FFL in his home state. Nothing "straw" about that!

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I've got a trade in 10-8 from the 80's I purchased through J&G this last February. It's dinged, gouged, and has plenty of holster/handling wear...but it locks up tight and everyone who's shot it likes it. Came with Pachmyr Presentation grips as well. I paid about $220 for it delivered.

Before you go back you might give J&G a call as they always seem to have a larger stock of used guns than make it onto their website and the Shotgun News ad. My buddy got their flier that detailed most everything they had and it listed these.