K-Frame Longevity using standard pressure and +P loads?

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bricz75

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What is the typical longevity of a S&W K-frame (like a Model 10 or one of it's variations) using standard pressure .38 ammo in terms of rounds fired?

How much less longevity would there be using the typical +P ammo?
 
Hmmm . . . don't know but my 1952 M & P is still going strong . . . but then so is my 1920ish M & P Target Model as well . . . but then so is my 1910 Colt Army Special . . . I wouldn't have bought any of them if someone would have told me they'd wear out . . . :eek: :D :)
 
Let's kill this right now....

It will fall apart if you shoot it.

You can't uses a K frame the forcing cone will crack...

It's not a "Blackhawk" - don't use bullets in it.

The bluing falls off if you pick it up.

The stupid screws on the side will fall out if you cycle the gun double action.

No one make parts for it and you can't get it fixed anyway.

Did I forget any?

(sorry just spent two hours doing 4th grade homework with someone who has decided that "school isn't for me")

My mother is looking down at me from heaven and laughing............
 
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jglsprings is riight.

The gun is a menace.

So just box it up and send it to my FFL holder.

We will dispose of it for you for just a nominal fee.

Deaf
 
Shooting them doesn't hurt them near as much as improper cleaning and care. There's no way to measure that--some of the sorriest K-frames I've ever seen are old revolvers that were used by police in Columbia. They had been used as hammers far more than they were shot. With a fair supply of spare parts, they could be fixed.
 
I recall reading somewhere...some gun guys back in the 40s, speaking about .38s and the ammo of the day (lead bullets) and expecting somewhere between 30-40 thousand rounds before the barrel would be worn out.

Other parts would likely need to be replaced sooner.

It's a lot like a car, its not just the gas you use, its also how you drive it that determines what needs to be repaired first.
 
I would like, just once, before I die, to have the time and the money to shoot enough ammo through a K frame to wear it out.

Man I would brag about it!
 
A friend here shoots PPC, has for decades, which uses up a LOT of wadcutters.
He figures he had about 150,000 rounds through the one with the rifling gone about 1/3 of the way up the barrel. A new barrel and action tuneup fixed it right up.

His Fred Schmidt short cylinder gun is mechanically sloppy from somewhere near the same wear, which is a shame because Mr Schmidt is since deceased.

Bill Jordan did a lot of his exhibition shooting with a "long action" M&P and had a spare gun in reserve. But I never heard of him having to use it.
 
I've been shooting mine for about 35 years. Never counted rounds. Didn't even count pounds of Unique and 231. Used to shoot Blue Dot loads that were probably pretty warm.
Recently noticed that the bluing is showing some wear around the muzzle and the front edges of the cylinder.
 
I just completed an LEO instructor course in which we also had to bring a revolver for one day, (leo still use revolvers for backup/off duty.) I used my 1968 police trade in S&W model 10. While this was not a torture test I did fire about two hundred and fifty rounds during some "hard use" drills. I can only imagine how many rounds have been put through this firearm in the last forty six years. While it's kinda rough on the outside it runs great, smooth action and tight lock up. I was shooting 125 grain +P and 130 jacketed round nose.
 
Actual back in the 70s, when I had my gun shot, S&W did put out a warning to not use ammo like .357 Supervel in the Model 19. They suggested the heavier framed Model 27 for high pressure .357 Magnum ammo. My model 19 has had a lot of .357 Magnums through it, but 100 times as many wad cutters and a good cleaning is all it has needed. Still nice and tight.

Bob
 
What is the typical longevity of a S&W K-frame (like a Model 10 or one of it's variations) using standard pressure .38 ammo in terms of rounds fired?
Click to expand...

I saw first hand Model 10s, 64s, and 65s with well over 60,000 rounds and still serviceable. The training academy used them and you would have one student after another do their live fire training and qualification then pass the revolver to the next student to do it all over again. The biggest problem we would have was students putting oil into the cylinder stop (even though they were told not to) and the resulting crud would shear the pivot pins off after a while. We fixed the problem by taking the side plates off 2X a year and cleaning them out. The were very durable revolvers. YMMV
 
"We won't know until somebody wears one out."

That's classic.

I have heard competition shooters say that around 100,000 rounds most handguns start to need attention.
 
PERSONAL HISTORY: probably put 10,000 standard 38 Spl- 158 SWC through and about 1,500 full strength 357 magnums. I miked the frame when I bought the gun (bought used). No stretch so far. This notion a K frame chambered for the 357 magnum will stretch in time- if all you shoot is 357 Magnums then maybe after 10,000 rounds but if you go to a range once a week and shoot 200 38 spls. and once or twice a year shoot some 357 magnums- you can pretty much figure you can shoot the gun for your lifetime. I Have J frames, L frames, and N frames. Because the K frame is lighter than the L frame I usually pack a K frame out in the woods- easier to carry.
 
Mine is from 1937 and still works fine.

It has been shot enough that the rifling has gotten a little shallow, but it is still very functional and locks up tight.
 
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