Tell me about vintage S&W Model 10's

[Trebor]

My wife tried a 1950's (we think) S&W Model 10 Sunday and really liked it. It had the standard size grips and a tapered 4" barrel that was pinned to the frame. I didn't get a good enough look at the front sight, but I don't think it was the half-moon type and was maybe more of a partridge style? I didn't think to check for a "dash" number so I'm not sure exactly what series M10 it was.

She really liked it, and we'd like to find her a 4" Barrel gun as close to that one as possible. Any thing else I should know before we start our hunt for a vintage Smith?

Any good suggestions as to where to look?

Thanks

Rob

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Rob-

A Smith & Wesson that always facinated me was the
"Victory Model", with a 4" barrel. Most of these
will have the parkerized finish, with U.S. Government
marking's; and were made between 1942 and 1945.
If you can find one in LNIB condition, expect to pay
between $275.00 to $400.00 for this gem. One way
to tell a S&W "Victory Model" will be that the serial
number will always start with the letter "V".

FootNote: You want one chambered for the .38 Special
and with a 4" barrel; some were made for export to the
British government that were chambered for the .38/200
and some variations in barrel lengths do exist.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Mike Irwin]

Auction Arms and Gun Broker are two places to start your search.

 

[444]

Trebor, not much to add other than to say you are a lucky man. The gun you desire is readily available at very good prices. I see them all the time. I have three of them myself. I am sure I didn't pay more than $150 for any of them.

 

[foghornl]

I don't own one, but when I hear the term "Service Revolver", a 4" Mdl 10 is what pops to mind. Hard to think of a better designed, more popular .38Spl revolver. There have only been what....a few hundred million of these made ? ? ?

 

[bountyhunter]

My 10 is from (I think) late 60's. It has the thin barrel, patridge front sight, bright nickel plating and walnut grips. They are great guns, solid, tight , indestructable. There are probably tons of them available from police surplus.

 

[Tom B]

I saw a NIB older pencil barrel M10 4in at Bernies Sports near Atlanta today. I just looked at it in the case so I have no other details. Tag price was $400. I also heard the gunstore clerk quote of the day there today. Customer asks clerk "may I look at that Colt there in the display case"? Clerk says "certainly thats why we have the glass display cases". Turns out the clerk knew the customer well and was only joking him.

 

[Longbow]

My under the pillow gun is an M10 1946 vintage. I got it at a show for $160. I was surprised that it actually shot to point of aim even with different brand of ammo. They must have really sighted it in the factory with great care . I think they are great bargain pieces! I would get one again if I find one at the same price range (<$200).

 

[Trebor]

Thanks for the info guys.

SaxonPig: Thanks for the run down on all the various K frames. I was wondering about that. Now I know that else is comparable.

Bountyhunter: Other then the finish, sounds like your gun is the twin to the one she shot. This gun had a blued finish and looked new. The owner bought it from a newspaper ad. I think it was someones "nightstand gun" and wasn't fired much, if at all.

Now I'm going to download the "revolver check out" post, get some feeler gauges and practice on my 28-2, so I know my stuff when I look for a Model 10.

Anyone know how late they made the skinny barrels?

Rob

 

[mec]

here's one from 1938-39

 

[mec]

rt

 

[Frenchy]

...And a vintage 1953 pre-10 M&P...

 

[Trebor]

Man, those are some nice looking guns in those pics. I'm especially drooling over that 1938 revolver.

Can anyone post of pic of some front sight variations? The sight on the M10 my wife shot wasn't a ramped sight, but I don't think it was the half-moon style of the older guns in these pictures either. I'm familiar with the term "partridge sight" but not sure exactly what that looks like. Any have a pic of a gun with that sight, or any other non-custom front sight variations, to post?

Also, would it be OK to shoot limited amounts of +P ammo through the older guns? Not a lot, but if we use it as a defensive gun that would be our load of choice. Is there a certain manufacturing date where after that +P is ok, but where it should be avoided in guns made before that date?

It's going to be fun hunting down the right gun for her.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Frenchy]

This is a 1989 version of the mdl. 10. This sight has been the standard from the mid 50's on.

 

[Trebor]

Frenchy,

Yeah, that looks about right. Looks like they modified the old half-circle sight by kind of ramping one end. Do you noticed much of a difference shooting it compared to the older half circle sights or newer full ramped sights?

Thanks

Rob

 

[Thirties]

As a practical matter, the old half circle sights are harder to get a good picture on.

Go for a ramped (m10,15) or Patridge (available on the target models) front sights.

 

[mec]

"Also, would it be OK to shoot limited amounts of +P ammo through the older guns? Not a lot, but if we use... "

I've heard the year 1959 mentioned in regard to +p but don't really know. When I started reloading, I got a Speer #3 Manual that listed loads that would be +P and a bit over with 158 grain lead. We fired thousands of those in a 1948 M&P and a 1959 K 38 and got away with it. The bullet was the Lyman 358429hp and it would expand at what ever speed we were actually getting. Speer listed 1050 fps from a 5" M&P. Several references listed loads for the .38 N Frames and Colts and it was fairly common for people to disregard the stipulation that they were for heavy frames and go ahead and use them in K frames as well.

But I wouldn't do that anymore. The 1938 gun gets nothing but standard pressure loads.

 

[Frenchy]

Frenchy,

Yeah, that looks about right. Looks like they modified the old half-circle sight by kind of ramping one end. Do you noticed much of a difference shooting it compared to the older half circle sights or newer full ramped sights?

Thanks

Rob

Rob,

The newer ramped site does give a slightly better sight picture due to the serrations on the ramp, but I've had no problem with the half moons.

Steve

 

[Ky Larry]

Speaking of S&W Model 10's..........
Way back in 1974 I was in the U.S.Air Force and was stationed at RAF Mildenhall in Great Britian. I stopped by the welding shop to see a pal and while I was there 2 A.F. security cops came in with 20 brand new S&W Model 10's still in their boxes and packed in cosmoline. They had my friend cut them up with a torch into pieces. I asked one of the cops why they were cutting up brand new revolvers. They said there were too many in the supply room.
Your tax dollars in action.

 

[Corelogik]

Years ago, a friend gave me an S&W M10-5. It had wood grips and fixed sights.

I kept it for a few months but never shot it. I traded it away if I recall for an S&W 4013.

I wish now that I had kept it as I am developing a new respect for revolvers. I am slowly starting to build my collection, and I think the M10 would have been an excellent edition.

Oh well, guess I'll just have to buy a new one,...

 

[Frenchy]

The 10's are one of the best buys on the market, IMO. They’re underestimated by much of the gun buying public, and are priced accordingly.

 

[Tamara]

Just to get in on the love-fest...

... an early '50s Pre-Model 10 M&P:

They just don't make 'em like this any more.