S&W Model 10:

[momsworry]

I picked up a Smith & Wesson model 10 with a 4" barrel at a gun show last spring.  Since then, I have really enjoyed shooting it, it turned out to be a really good shooting .38 spec.  I would be interested in knowing if anyone else out there own any of these old revolveres and if they enjoy shooting them/what kind of accuracy are you getting, what kind of ammo?

[L-Roy]

Hello,
You have one of the best revolvers made.  They will continue to give excellent service with reasonable care.  I doubt it could be worn out in a normal lifetime's use!

They were regulated to shoot point on at about 10-15 yards with moderate 158 grain loads.  "Accuracy"- better than any human can hold.  Seriously, wrist rest groups of 2" at 25 yards are not uncommon.

Enjoy your piece of history!

[John Traveler]

L-Roy is right -ON!

The S&W Model 10 Military and Police .38 Special revolver is truly a classic.   It was THE American police sidearm for several generations.

As for accuracy, it's built on the K or medium frame and is/was the basis for the K-38 Masterpiece (M14), Combat Masterpiece (M15), Combat Magnum (M19), .22 Masterpiece (M17), and all the stainless steel variations of the same guns.  These K-frame guns dominated the PPC competition for generations, and right out of the box, many guns could give near one-hole accuracy when fired from a machine rest.

Years ago, I built several PPC competion revolvers, and showed the pistol machine rest target groups to the customers.  Many were astounded that the stock 4" barrel could shoot groups nearly as well as the custom ribbed, target-sighted, thick-barreled piece they paid several hundreds of dollars for!

[jerry6stl]

The S&W Model 10 (Military & Police) is still one of the best handgun designs of all time.

Mine lives in a bedside nightstand most of the time -- except when it accompanies me to the pistol range for practice.  Used versions are a very good buy since police departments adopted semi-auto's.  A nice one can usually be bought in the $200 to $250 range.

It is easy to overlook several of its advantages: no safety to fumble with, no clips, easy to determine if its loaded, fixed sights which are foolproof, and simple for a spouse to use with minimal training.

[Mikey]

momsworry:  I have had a bunch and have loved every one of them.  I have had them in 2", 4" heavy barrel, 5" tapered barrel, Victory Models and currently have an older Police trade-in with the 4" tapered barrel.  It outshoots me.  The only one that didn't outshoot me was the 5" and I still can't figure that one out.  Mine prints to point of aim at 25 yds using 200 grain slugs over factory velocity duplication loads and 2" low at 50 yds with the same bullets.  Those Model 10s seem to fit me the best of all revolvers.  They just keep shootin', and shootin', and shootin'.  There was once a 'shoot-off' between a Model 10 and the comparable Colt revolver - both went for 50K rounds before something broke and were cleaned only after they started gumming up at the many hundred round mark.  

I wouldn't consider the Model 10 design 'old', it's still a matter of current manufacture.  Hvae fun.  Mikey.

[southernshooter]

In semi autos I have a glock, sig, kahr, and a colt mustang. I only have 1 revolver, an old Astra 357 mag I bought back in 1971. Want to know an embarrassing secret? Of all these guess which one is the most accuracte at 25 yds? Yep, the old Astra. With 158 grain 357 mags it will shoot the smallest group.     oops, meant to put this under d/a revolvers and not under s/w model 10 discussion. can't delete it now.

[Horsefeathers]

MODEL 10 s&w .SPL.  one of thebest revolvers evermade. the mainstay of the NYPD as many others. I have over 10,000 rounds through mine since 1957with no problems. It shoots like the day it was new. Target shoot or combat shoot.Pop tin cans from the hip it does it all. old modells 1950s or earlier were slicker,but an action job will enhance todays modells. My son will inherit mine.   Enjoy. Horsefeathers!

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got a model 15 model 64 and a 10 and there all great the 15 is probably my most used gun. They are all accurate and reliable. The 15 will shoot the little lee 105 grain swc into an inch all day long. so will the 10 but i cant get it to shoot to point of aim.

[L-Roy]

LLoyd,
The model 10's from Smith were regulated to point of aim with the 158 grain load, commonly called the FBI load.  Try it!

Shoot straight, and often!

[Kenneth L. Walters]

J&G is selling a new model 10 with a tapered 4 inch barrel.  First tapered barrel model 10 I've seen new in years.  I asked Smith.  They said that they were overruns from a foreign contract.  VERY nice gun.  You can see it on their web site.