Smith Model 10 arrives

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, actually, it's a 10-10 - probably manuf in the early 90's... might be a corrections gun. 38 Special of course. Anyhoo, here are the obligatory pics:





Again, this is from Bud's Gun Shop and I have to say that it is in Excellent condition. The bore is excellent, it's tight and the only appreciable wear is on the sides of the muzzle and on the finish of the grips = but no gouges or scratches, etc. Very nice! Trigger is very nice too - no work needed there.

I'm looking forward to taking it to the range and running a couple of factory loads through it - both 158 grain. Magtech HP's and Privi fmj flat points. I'd handload some rounds for this but all of my stuff is packed - can't wait to get moved into our new place!

[Sixgun]

Yep. That gun was Smith & Wessons "bread and butter" gun for about a century. It kept the plant going and food in the employee's mouths.

Like a Ruger S.A, you can't hurt a Model 10--they run and run and will take a decent load on a steady diet. 'Ya done well. --------------Sixgun

[stretch]

Nice gun!!

Mine is a 10-6, and was a former reserve police officer's gun.
The kids found it in his dresser after he died, and brought it
to the local gun shop. I don't think it had but a couple of boxes
of ammo through it.

They're great guns, and yours is in great shape. Maybe you'll
get some custom Miculek (or the like!) grips on it?! The stock
ones are a little small for my paws.....

-Stretch

[O.S.O.K.]

Thanks guys. The grips are fatter than it looks in the pic but they aren't exactly what I'd call "ergonomic"

My M64 (stainless M10) has a set of Eagle grips on it:



They're nice but I'll probably just leave the stock ones on this gun. Though, I may refinish it - they're in good shape but the finish is worn off in several places. This would be a light removal of the finish and then coat with polyurethane...

[Tristan]

Nice! And a Round Butt, too!

( I didn't mean that to sound how it came out... lol)

The Model 10 is one of those things that are just *right*.

[JerryB]

Nice model 10,I've gone through a bunch of them in past years. Were the later ones all heavy barrel? Don't see the pencil barrel much anymore.

[Old Ranger]

Glad you found a keeper! A round butt with a heavy barrel. Not one you see everyday either. Good catch! Myself, I shoot a 1956 M&P model with the old pencil barrel. And as the others have said so well; the mod 10 is a real workhorse and just simply a good all round good pistol. Wish I still had the 1-4 (I think, might have been a 10-3. Can't remember) that I was issued in the academy years ago, but I had loaned it to a retired officer and he moved without telling me! That one could light matches at 25 ft. with standard loads. But the old M&P is sweet, so I'm still a happy camper anyway....

Again, I am tickled to death that you found this pistol for you. Hope you enjoy it and shoot the X outta the target!!

Wade

[RIHMFIRE]

[O.S.O.K.]

Thanks - it is looking better and better to me And the "rare" comment has been heard elsewhere - I guess that configuration wasn't made in great numbers...

[pokey]

nice.

[model55]

Nice!California Corrections still uses them.

[Rusty]

Congratulations! The round butt always felt better in my hand.

[Streetstar]

Congratulations! The round butt always felt better in my hand.

Thats what she said !

Seriously though, neat pistol. I love KISS revolvers

[TNBigBore]

Hard to beat a good old Smith 10. Looks like you found a nice one.

[O.S.O.K.]

From what I'm hearing from others that have ordered them from Bud's - it's representative of what they're shipping right now. Don't know about the square butt version - condition-wise, but they've always been very good about their descriptions. This is the 6th or 7th gun that I've ordered from them.

[Tristan]

Went to bud's website, and they're still in stock, both square butt and round butt editions. Wish I had the scratch to get one of the round butt versions.

In the description of both, they state that these fine firearms are "Not California Legal".

For Pete's sake, why not? It has to be one of the most thoroughly debugged and safe firearms on the planet.

[Pitchy]

Cool, neat gun.

[MrMurphy]

I 'grew up' on a Model 10 heavy barrel.

Learned to shoot DA revolvers with one, a 4" square butt.

As others have said, a good all around gun. Not the most powerful, but with modern loads (or even old lead WCs) it'll get the job done. Wouldn't mind having one today. I'm an auto guy, but the classic S&W DA revolvers are just well made.

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, I took a peak at Alliant's loading page and they list a +P load for 158 grain lswc's going 1041 fps - 6.0 grains of Power Pistol - 17,500 psi. I think I'd go with a 170 grain Keith SWC at about 950 fps - about 5.5 grains or so... that's plenty of penetration

[win7094M1]

Smith Model 10s, especially round butt ones, make me want to get out the credit card....I already have a RB 4" pencil barrel one that I carried on duty in the late 1980's - a heavy barrel one like yours would be great to have as well. Try a Tyler-T-Grip on it if you have small hands like I do. They are supposedly back in production and shipping back ordered products. My Model 10 is still the most accurate handgun I own. Enjoy yours!

[O.S.O.K.]

Thanks. My medium sized hands like it as-is... not the most ergonomic grips but they should be fine. And speaking of enjoying... the sun is out and it's a nice day out - might have to sneak off to the range over lunch...

[Dave]

The Model 10 is a perfected revolver no doubt. I carried a skinny barrel model in my youth. Your gun looks like a nice one

[Tristan]

Hmmm, I wonder if they ever made a version with a round butt and a 3" heavy barrel?

That might make a handy piece!

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, duty called and I stayed in the office and took care of business. Maybe tomorrow...

And thanks guys. Tristan, for $269 shipped, you could easily justify the expense of having 1" lopped off and a new front sight pinned on... I would think.

Of course, that would ruin it's collectibility... but if you really like it and shoot it and carry it, then the utility and use make up for that IMHO.

Besides, as many of these that have been made, they probably won't go up in value too quickly...

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, played hookie and went to the range over lunch. Shot about 75 rounds - all 158 grain.

Performance was as expected - 100% function. Shot both loads to point of aim at 7 and 20 yards and seemed too be spot on at 30 when I was shooting at pieces of clay pigeon on the burm.

I was able to get 3" groups, off-hand at 20 yards. It seemed to favor the Magtech hp's a tad over the S&B fmj's.

After shooting it, I'd say a new set a grips would improve my double action shooting some as my hand tended to want to climb up the grip as I shot. But it was very easy to squeeze off rapid fire shots and place them in double action mode.

All in all, I'm very pleased with it! Definately a good, basic KISS defensive revolver.

Looking forward to working up some 170 grain Keith lswc loads for it.

[Pitchy]

Sounds like good shootin to me, glad it`s a good one.

[stretch]

Sounds like it shoots fine.

I find the 158 gr. shoot to point of aim.
125 gr. don't. Dunno about 170 gr. - I've
never tried 'em in a 38 Special. Please
report back!

-Stretch

[Dave]

Hmmm, I wonder if they ever made a version with a round butt and a 3" heavy barrel?

That might make a handy piece!

Yes they did. I bought this one from a guy at a gun show. I wish they made a 3" skinny barrel round butt.

[GoatGuy]

Congratulations O.S.O.K. Great handgun, well conceived and executed, time proven and with more than adequate caliber. In your new neck of the woods you'll find it a fine companion and enjoy it greatly! And while I'm at it, belated and hearty congratulations on your commitment to step into a new life experience. I'd be surprised if you and you family ultimately find it anything other than an exercise in "why'd it take so long for us to do this". Fine stuff indeed!

As you may guess, I can certainly and personally relate to your new adventure! Good luck, best wishes, have fun and keep all here posted on your progress.

[KCSO]

On my M10 HB I milled off the front sight and milled a dovetail into the barrel and then put in a big white bead sight of the right height. Made shooting some easier for my old eyes.

[O.S.O.K.]

Thanks Goatguy. It's just me and the wife now but the kids will come visit Yep, empty nesting. We've lived in the country on 20 acres before, so we know what it's all about - and really looking forward to the new place - much more "lush" and hilly and of course, almost three times the land to roam around on. I have all kinds of ideas for projects, from a shoot house with built-in baffles to lower the outside noise to guest houses, etc... really looking forward to getting there.

Stretch - I think it will probably shoot just a bit higher but that'd be OK - it literally shoots to right on top of the sight with the 158's, so a couple inches higher would be just dandy.

KCSO, I find the sights to be very good - the rear notch is wide enough to allow a little light on either side of the front blade when sighting - which is what i prefer. It's actually just like my new Ruger 44 Flat Top.

They really did make a good one with the M10. And its obvious to me that they just about perfected it's design and manufature. Grips are just too personal to nail on a revolver like that, so I give em a pass on that point.

[WCF3030]

I've the 15-4 version and its the pistol I learned to shoot with. Paid only $150 for it but it shoots very well. I'll be small game hunting with it soon.

Yours look nice. I'd like to find a nice set of the factory grips for mine.

[O.S.O.K.]

I've the 15-4 version and its the pistol I learned to shoot with. Paid only $150 for it but it shoots very well. I'll be small game hunting with it soon.

Yours look nice. I'd like to find a nice set of the factory grips for mine.

I'd go with some target loads using 148 grain hbwc swagged boolits for small game hunting.

And go here to check out their grips: http://www.eaglegrips.com

I just ordered a set of "classic" rosewood grips for mine. You may want to go with the heritage if you want to keep it stock looking.

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, the Eagle Grips arrived and here's the "new" 10-10:




Not only do they look good on it, they feel great and will keep my hand in place when shooting double action. They also enhance accuracy because they have a swell on the right side that puts your trigger finger in the correct position on the trigger - the first pad. Unless you have small hands, with the stock grips, your finger tends to wrap around to the first joint... which pulls the shot left (for right handed shooters).

The fit and finish are excellent. The seam between the two halves matches up perfectly. Nice. Again, these are the rosewood Classic grips - $80. http://www.eaglegrips.com

Now, just need El Paso to get me the holster and this rig will be complete.

Those are the S&B fmj rounds shown fyi.

[damienph]

Perfect! Those grips really set it off. I find that the "target" sized grips really help me to shoot better.

[Old Ranger]

Those new grips just set that baby off right! Love rosewood grips anyway. Now you're gonna make me get a set fo my old M&P 4" pencil barrel! And those grips look similar to the ones that old Skeeter used to have on many of his Smiths. Again, they look great and I know that your shooting has improved as a result of good fitting grips. Salute!!

Wade

[O.S.O.K.]

Thanks guys, I think it looks a bit more balanced now. Eagle states that these grips are based on of Skeeter's, Jordon's and Kieth's.

[rjohns94]

Very nice. I like that configuration best

[Old Ranger]

O.S.O.K.,

Well you got me off my duff and inspired. Here I was doing ok with the Pack's Gripper grips in place from an old duty piece I had way back when.....But I missed the feel of rosewood and so I ordered a set of Target Smooth Rosewood from Handgungrips.com. They're slightly less flaired at the botton than the Eagle and that was what I was looking for....Now if I can ever learn how to post pictures here I could show ya what they look like when the arrive....Trust me, I was a far better gunsmith and officer in the day, than a computer guy now Think if they look as good as I believe they will, I might just inlet one of my little miniture badges into the grip to give it that personal touch! See what you started?

Thanks for the inspiration and I look forward to your posts in the future,

Wade

[O.S.O.K.]

Glad I could "help"

I believe these are what your ordered?



Nice!! I should've checked this out first - a little better pricing...

You just click on the picture on the hangungrips site to enlarge it, then right click and select "properties" and then "copy" the url address - come here, click n the Img button at the top of the post dialog box and right click in the box and select "paste".

[Old Ranger]

O.S.O.K.,

Yeppers, those are the grips I have on order. Should do well with that 56 year old pencil barrel M&P I have. Now as to the computer thing. Years ago when they installed computers in out patrol units, I asked what that thing was. I was advised that it was an "MDT". I told the tech guy at the city garage that I don't watch MTV and get that garbage outta my unit and put the shotgun rack back there. I wanted my SPAS 12 to be handy! I could have cared less if I had a dinky screen on a thing that looked like something from Star Wars. Two months later I was able to sign on and run cars, people, and such, but without a locking shotgun rack, while on call at a house, some puke broke out the window of my unit and stole my SPAS 12! It had cost me $450 as a dealer! Did the city replace it? Nope. Did they offer to help with an insurance claim? Nope. But I still had that MDT there to comfort me Love my guns, bows, and guitars and amps....tolerate computers as such, but not fond of 'em!...I'll see if I can click things and do that stuff to post a picture one day.

Wade

[O.S.O.K.]

[jazman]

I had been looking for a nice Model 10 for quite a while, and was surprised and happy to see this one come up a few months back, so it turned into my Christmas present. Rare to find them in this kind of shape here in California in my experience, I jumped on it soon as I saw it.
Model 10-6, has the wide target hammer, but the smooth trigger, just what I wanted. Nothing better than a Model 10.

[O.S.O.K.]

Nice. And that is in good shape! Like the Tyler grip too.

[Tristan]

Hmmm, I wonder if they ever made a version with a round butt and a 3" heavy barrel?

That might make a handy piece!

Yes they did. I bought this one from a guy at a gun show. I wish they made a 3" skinny barrel round butt.

Dave,

That's a beaut!

I'll have to keep my eyes open...

Thanks for the pic!

- Tristan