I traded my Model 36 3" for a Model 10 2"

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ckpj99

New member
After buying a using a bunch of different handguns over the years, I settled on revolvers about 4 years ago. I've owned a Model 10 4" heavy barrel for about five years, and a Model 36 3" in nickel for about 2 years. Despite lots of practice, the Model 36 trigger never became natural for me. I can hold really tight groups with it at 7 yards, but I have to really, really think about it. Under stress, my groups open up quite a bit.

My 4" Model 10 on the other hand is like an extension of me. A big part of this is that it has a great trigger. So I started looking for a K-frame I could carry. I wanted a 2" barrel (even the 3" j-frame had it's limitations due to length). Some of you brilliant folks on here suggested a 2" Model 12, others a Model 64 or Model 19. I put the word out to my local shop to keep an eye out. I pretty much only buy guns from one shop in town because they treat me really well because I'm loyal to them. It's a small place and they carry weird stuff, and I love going in there to chat.

Today, I went in for some gunsmithing work on another gun and they had a 2" Model 10. It's blued, which I prefer, and the lock up was tight. It had a Pachmayr grip adapter, which I'd never seen before. It's sort of a cheap Tyler-T, but it works well and fits my hand. It also had a trigger shoe on it, but I took that off, don't like 'em.

I'm loving it! I can't wait until to get it out to the range.
 
If the 3" wasn't working for you, finding another barrel length was the thing to do.

I grouped as well with my old S&W642 as I did with any 4" or 6" revolver I tried.
 
Generally speaking, K-frame triggers are much easier for most people to use than are J-frame triggers, especially in da mode. And if you're looking for a Smith K-frame just about perfect for concealed carry use, continue keeping your eye out for a Model 12. You can still find nice ones in the $400.00-$450.00 range. The only real downside for some is that the Model 12 is not recommended for +P loads-not a big deal in my book.
 
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I can see why the LGS made the trade - 3" M36/37's are very hard to find (especially in good condition), for those wanting them, and are usually appropriately-priced (aka: worth more than the M10).


In any event, you have the essence of a deal - both parties walk away happy.




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That 2" Model 10 is a good choice. I used to have a 5 screw, 1955 M&P, 2" barrel, unfired still in it's blue/gold box. Man that was a nice gun. I couldn't bring myself to shoot it, so I sold it to a collector out around Roanoke.

Generally speaking, K-frame triggers are much easier for most people to use than are J-frame triggers, especially in da mode. And if you're looking for a Smith K-frame just about perfect for concealed carry use, continue keeping your eye out for a Model 12. You can still find niceG oGnes in the $400.00-$450.00 range. The only real downside for some is that the Model 12 is not recommended for +P loads-not a big deal in my book.
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I've never warmed up to "J" frame size revolvers at all. I do like K-frames. A few years ago I stumbled onto a near new, Model 12-2 in the box. I really had no idea what it was at the time, I jiust bought it. It pretty much sat in the safe for several months, before one day I stuck it in a holster and carried it around a bit. Man, I quickly fell in love with that gun. Shoots great, but is light as a feather. I don't think I've carried another gun since. When I sold off most of my "collection" it was the one I wouldn't sell.



It shows a bit more wear these days, but I don't care. I shoot mostly 158 gr. lead bullets it, but have fired a few P+ rounds, and that's what I carry in it. No big deal. I've never figured out why anyone wants to use P+ ammo to punch a hole in a piece of paper anyway.
 
2" Model 10s are pretty rare in my area. I've only seen two or three in the past five years. That being said, I've only seen two 3" j-frames, and mine was the only one I'd seen in nickel. The 3" j-frame is perfect for what (I recall) it was originally designed for, being a kit gun. It's light on the hip, easy to throw in a pack, and the extended sight radius makes it easy shoot straight.

However, after carrying it for close to six months, I've decided it's not really built for concealed carry, at least not now. Finding holsters for a 3" j-frame is next to impossible. Obviously, any open muzzle holster will work, but I didn't like the idea of that nickel finish being that exposed. I mainly ended up using a Galco Lite shoulder holster, which worked pretty well, but if I'm going to carry in a shoulder holster I might as well have a bigger gun. I also found a traditional style belt holster from Galco, had a custom IWB holster made by Lobo Gunleather and bought a nice ankle rig for it.

The 2" Model 10 doesn't suffer from the same problems. it's actually shorter than the 3" j-frame. The grip isn't that much longer, especially if you run your j-frame with an extended three finger grip. Plus, you get an extra shot.

You may not know this, but a 3" j-frame is pretty much the same length as a Kimber Ultra Carry 1911. I know people say that length doesn't matter much for carry, but for me, it is my main concern. IWB, long guns make it hard or impossible to sit. OWB, long guns need longer shirts to cover them. In a shoulder holster, the barrel can print on your back, or you have to cant the gun, which makes it hard to draw or makes it so the muzzle is pointed in your armpit.

Anyway, all my guns serve a purpose. Maybe once I have tons of money, I'll have more than one carry gun, but for now, I'm happy with just one. After a lot of research and gun handling, I decided I wanted a k-frame, so the j-frame had to go. lol. It was a great gun, but the trigger was not super great and it was too long.

I'm still going to look for a Model 12, but it could be years. I've still never seen one in real life. I know about the +P thing, but depending on who you talk to, a Model 10 isn't rated for +P either, lol. I shoot all standard pressure loads anyway. I reload with Trail Boss, which is about as low pressure as you can get. I carry Buffalo Bore (those standard pressure 158gr HP), but those suckers kick so hard I believe a standard diet of them would bring on horrible end shake after a few hundred rounds. I also load a standard pressure lead hollow point just cuz I can.

I hope to get to the range on Monday or Tuesday.
 
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