smith model 10 or 13-2

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jimbombo

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Messages
203
Location
NE Ohio
Hello All.
looking at two guns when i go to a local shop friday.
1.Smith 13-2 looks to be excellent with 3" barrel for $400(Pachmayr grips)
2. Smith model 10, 4" LW barrel wood grips looks to be very good $300

I don't believe either gun has the original case, From a previous post everyone says to jump on the model 13 b/c of the 3" barrel, how much does the Pachmayr grips detract from the value? Also if the model 13 does NOT check out the model 10 will be my backup choice! Honestly both guns look to be cherry, But I know that is a very good price on the model 13, but is the model 10 priced competetively?
Not too familiar with Smith revolvers, anything other that the normal overall cosmetics, barrel wiggle, gap, and barrel to check out?

Thanks all...
 
If you have a chance to get a 3" 13 in excellent shape for $400, you need to do it. Either that, or post the phone number of the store...

;) ;)


Oh, and read the sticky at the top of the page with the Jim March article on checking out used revolvers.
 
I would definitely go with the Model 13:
1. Chambered in .357 Magnum, so you can shoot .357s or .38 Specials in it.
2. 3" barrel S&W's are in vogue right now, so you could get your money back out of it easily if you decide to sell.
3. Model 10's have got to be the most common revolver on earth, so you should have no trouble finding one later if you want one.
4. A nice set of K-frame wood grips should not cost more than $50-75 if you want to really dress up that Model 13.
 
Being as the 13 is a .357 and has the more desireable, for many, 3 inch barrel I'm not surprised at the difference in price.

The choice comes down to what ammo do you want to use and what will be the primary purpose for the gun.

You used "LW" for the barrel on the 10. I take it that you are reffering to a tapered barrel with the small lower lug that only holds the spring loaded plunger. If so this style commonly known as the "pencil barrel" or tapered barrel.

If you intend to be happy shooting .38Spl and do not need to worry about concealment I can say for sure that the 4 inch Model 10 is a delightful gun. It balances in the hand wonderfully and when clean and with a crisp muzzle crown they are crazy accurate.

Both of these guns have fixed sights. This will limit your ammo choices to options which use 158gn bullets in the Model 10 for the most part. Using a lighter bullet will work but the powder charge in such rounds needs to be lowered to allow the round to recoil and spit out the bullet at the proper point in the recoil cycle. Otherwise you're stuck with 158gn options or the gun won't shoot to POA. The classic 148gn HBWC round is a perfect example. The classic loading for this round shoots to the Model 10's aim point but it does so with a mouse fart like load that spits out the lighter 148gn bullet at the right point.

The 13 would have a few options for ammo. With .357Mag rounds you'll again need to stick to 158gn rounds. But when shooting .38Spl you can go down to a 124gn load and power it to just the right speed to achieve the same POI as the 158gn .357Mag load that shoots to the sights POA. Likely you will need to get into reloading to achieve this happy combo.

All of which is why so many folks prefer the models with adjustable rear sight. But if you're not afraid of getting into reloading then either of these guns would serve you very well.
 
I agree with others about the model 13-2. I have a model 13-2 4 inch. The 3 inch is worth more. The 3 inch was the carry weapon for many FBI agents back in the 1970s.
Regards,
Howard
 
Seriously, most of the time I think it's a silly response, but at those prices get both. You could get your money back easily out of the one you don't want and could most likely make a little extra. I've been hunting for a 3" or 4" M66 or 13 at a reasonable price for weeks.
 
Last edited:
3" 13-2 all day long as the first purchase. No hesitation whatsoever. THEN put some money down on the 10 to hold it.

Yeap. That's the ticket. Both eventually. But the 13 first.
 
at those prices...BOTH!!!
Click to expand...
Hard to argue with with.


Lots of Model 10's around, not so much with 3" barreled Model 13's. Get the Model 13.

You back with it yet? :)
 
I will add if you can afford it get both, if only one can be purchased the 13 is a little less common so get it and a 10 later if you want to.
 
Bud's Gun Shop has Model 10s for $269 w/ free shipping.
So $300 isn't necessarily the best price.

If it were me?
I'd be all over that M13!!!!!
 
Bud's Gun Shop has Model 10s for $269 w/ free shipping.
Click to expand...

Getting a used police/security/ foreign military surplus gun is not always worth what you save, I got one last time around and it has electric pencil all over it, getting your hands on it in a shop is priceless.
 
Bud's Gun Shop has Model 10s for $269 w/ free shipping.
So $300 isn't necessarily the best price.
Click to expand...

You have to remember that you'll pay a transfer fee, too, and like crazy-mp said, it won't be hand-picked like the one at the shop.

Were it me, and I could afford both of the ones at the shop, I'd get both. I paid a lot more than $400 for my 3" 13-3, and don't regret it. If I saw another in that kind of shape for $400, I'd be whipping out my credit card so fast ...
 
I've owned both. I sold the Model 13 (never fired a shot through it), and kept the Model 10 ('s). I don't know if all 13's have the heavy barrel or not but I found I did not like it. Much to muzzle heavy. Now this was a 4", 13-2, not a 3", so that might have made a difference, but overall, I like the Model 10 better.

I've come to the conclusion that I don't really like the K-frame .357's. I know everybody else in the world loves 'em, but I don't. For the .357, I'll stick to "N" frames.
 
Cajun, the 13 is called a "heavy barrelled Magnum." The 3" balances, for me, similarly to a 4" tapered barrel Model 10.

For hiking and hunting backup, which is mostly what my 13 is for, I prefer the K frame because of the weight savings over an N frame. I also prefer the K frame dimensions, but that's another issue.
 
For those of us that shoot mostly .357's I'd have to agree with Cajun that the N frame is a nicer option. But most of us generally shoot mostly .38Spl out of these guns. For that use there's certainly nothing at all wrong with the good ol' K frame.
 
No L-Frame love Cajun?
Click to expand...

Not a bit. I just never warmed up to them. The guns I like are the ones that I used to drool over in an old dog eared copy of "The shooters Bible" I had back when telephones still had to be "dialed." The "L" frame hadn't even been thought of back then. :D As soon as I find out it's got a three digit Model number (586, 686) that's it. Put it back. :D

Cajun, the 13 is called a "heavy barrelled Magnum." The 3" balances, for me, similarly to a 4" tapered barrel Model 10.
Click to expand...

I had figured that was true. I had handled a 3", RB, 13 once in the store, but passed on it for one reason or another. Probably didn't have the money at the time. I remember that I liked it, so when I found the 4" one later, I jumped on it. The more I handled that thing at home the less I liked it. It didn't handle close to the way the Model 19 I had did, but the 19 had a lighter barrel. FWIW, I've never cared for the heavy barrel Model 10 either.

Nothing at all wrong with a K frame .357. I said everybody else in the world likes 'em.
 
It is hard for me to find a K-frame that I do not like. (of course I mean among the pre-lock, pre-injection molded internal part models)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

rs525
  • Locked
  • Poll
INACTIVE: Smith and Wesson Model 13: 3 or 4 inch
Replies
3
Views
314
Riomouse911
Riomouse911
S
  • Locked
Smith Wesson 29 worth?
Replies
9
Views
730
Gator
G
S
  • Locked
Smith and Wesson model 13
Replies
8
Views
859
Srigs
S
L
  • Locked
Price check S&W Model 13-2
Replies
15
Views
3K
lee n. field
L
agent89
  • Locked
Smith 13-4 $
Replies
9
Views
872
george29
george29
Back
Top