Well used S&W Model 10s...

M

Mike Irwin

Staff
Bud's gun shop has gotten a large shipment of 4" Model 10 S&Ws, police trade ins.

Exterior condition is described as fair to poor, but mechanically sound.

$300.

Very, very tempting to get myself a project revolver/beater.

Very tempting...
 
4

44 AMP

Staff
If the guns are mechanically sound, exterior finish is a matter of cosmetics not related to function, so how is a $300 S&W .38Special K frame a bad deal on today's market??

I seriously doubt they will get cheaper, or that you will find a better deal in the future.

Never a bad idea to have a spare .38 or three lying around, just in case, and S&W is about as good as it gets for value.
 
S

Sevens

New member
My local massive gun store chain had a large supply of these about a decade ago, they were former Ohio DOC guns. The one I snagged was a heavy barrel 10-10 with a round butt frame and wearing a set of Uncle Mike’s rubber in great condition. I was able to look over 8 examples to make my selection and though it would have annoyed the counter guy, I probably could have asked for more examples but I didn’t need to, this one was a keeper.

Point of my tale? I paid $250 plus tax! That was every bit of ten years ago and Bud’s has them for $300?!?!

That’s amazing. I am absolutely flush with awesome K-frame .38’s, so I’m not after another… but this sounds like a “must buy” for anyone that doesn’t have at least a couple K-frame .38’s already.
 
K

KyJim

New member
I would jump on one of these --- if I didn't already have six K-frame .38s, including three model 10s. The standard four-inch models and the three-inch heavy barrel model fit my hand and balance perfectly for me.
 
L

littlebikerider

New member
I bought a model 10 at the LGS just after Christmas for $250, I would rate in good to very good cosmetically with some faded bluing and a little holster wear. The owner said a retired security guard brought it in just to make a few bucks for Christmas.
 
S

SIGSHR

New member
Back in 1972 I asked a gun guru about a Colt Trooper .357, I told him it had some holster wear, he replied:
"You don't shoot bluing."
 
S

shurshot

New member
S&W model 10's are some of the best balanced revolvers I have ever encountered. Not too big, not too small, superb trigger and excellent accuracy for a fixed sight revolver. Perfect trail gun, small game thumper with 148 grain wadcutters. Far too many people today underestimate how accurate and effective a .38 special can be.

Had my Sheriff's Department trade in 4" Heavy barrel with a target hammer for 3 decades now. Had to reblue it as a Deputy had obviously dispatched a deer or something and put the blood splattered gun back in its holster... had lots of splotches when I first got it, looked terrible. Action was tight though and the bore was mint. Still is. Exactly why I hand picked it out of a cardboard box full of LEO trade in model 10's. The roughest looking one, but the most mechanicaly sound. Tyler T-grip makes the square butt grip fill my hand just right.

It isn't going anywhere. ;)
 
Last edited:
B

bedbugbilly

New member
SIGH . . . . NUTHIN' like a Model 10 ............ I have a 5: M ^ P - born the same year as me so it's an old geezer, but, if I could only have one - I would choose it!

I also have a Model 36 snob and a 3" - both good carry guns. I love them both but the 3" is a great kit gun for hiking, etc. I carried it a lot on the farm - usually loaded with my 38 Colt Short cast reloads - a great plinker and a good little critter gun.
 
H

highpower3006

New member
The oldest K frame Smith I have was made in 1901. While it has very little original finish left, it still locks up tight and has a great bore.
 
H

Hawg

New member
300 isn't bad for todays prices. I paid 275 for a 10-5 about 6 months ago. The seller paid for the shipping but with the FFL fee it was a little over 300.

xtp9U20l.jpg
 
D

dgludwig

New member
Mr. Irwin, do the revolvers have the heavy barrel? Even if they don't, three hundred bucks is a terrific deal for a mechanically sound Model 10. The heavy barrel would only sweeten the deal for me.
 
Last edited:
D

Driftwood Johnson

New member
Howdy

I have lots of K frame Smiths. Many are older 6" 38 M&Ps.

This Model 10-5 is one of my favorites. Shipped sometime around 1964 I believe. I prefer the tapered barrel to a bull barrel. I have always thought it was a police trade in because the number 54 stamped on the frame above the trigger looks like a police armorer's rack number, but I have no documentation about that.

Best deal I ever got on a S&W revolver, $125 out the door. Of course that was probably around 15 years ago now.

po9aWckHj
 
D

Driftwood Johnson

New member
The oldest K frame Smith I have was made in 1901. While it has very little original finish left, it still locks up tight and has a great bore.
Click to expand...

highpower3006: If it was made in 1901 it is one of these. 38 Military and Police 1st Model, also known as the Model of 1899 Army-Navy Revolver. Made from 1899 until 1902.

This one shipped in 1899, the same year they were first made, and it is the oldest K frame Smith I have. The nickel plating is still in really good shape, and it still locks up tight. Notice the lack of a lug under the barrel to secure the front of the ejector rod. That did not come about until 1902 with the 2nd Model.

pmtsb2fDj
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top