Plinker time! Model 10 or model 15?

feets

New member
Between these two guns which would you get and why?


Intended use is chasing tin cans, getting low cost trigger time, teaching inexperienced shooters, and (naturally) killing those evil smiley faces that appear on my target stand.

Random pics to represent the models...

Model 10:

M10HB_160125_large.jpg


Model 15:

2845615-3_Left.JPG
 
Got both of them and love them both. Only advantage to the M. 15 is the adj. sight if you don't want to play the WAG windage game.
 
If I'm picking just between the revolvers with no outside factors pushing their way in, I'm taking the 15 because I prefer the sight picture with the S&W adjustable rear sight. However... especially in my area, gondolas chock full of trade-in, LEO, DOC and other former issued guns have been filling the market for a bunch of years, so it's the Model 10's we see many more of.

I've got a pair of pre-Model 10's (one from 1921 & the other is a bit older), a nickel dash-6 from '83 with a 4-inch pencil barrel and a 4" heavy barrel 10-10 from '94 that was an Ohio Dept of Corrections gun with a thoroughly abused exterior. That gun is pure joy on a range day, and I tend to run it with a nasty 125gr load that I developed harsh on purpose for another very specific task. I wouldn't run that load in any other .38 Special, but I feed a heap of it to my ugly duck 10-10.

The two pictures you attached-- if I'm asked to pick ONE of them up and perform a task, it would absolutely be the Model 10, simply because of the Uncle Mike's rubber grip. The OEM wooden stocks on the Model 15 are attractive, but I can't help but wonder if the guy who designed them (and EVERYONE who agreed to let them be shipped out attached to revolver, for that matter) was any manner of a shooter. I'd rather shoot a Rohm with a proper grip than suffer through a gorgeous Model 15 with those as-issued classic (awful) stocks. My 10-6 was wearing them when I got it a handful of years back, and they were yanked off ASAFP.
 
I like fixed sight revolvers (for the most part), so the Model 10 gets my vote.

I actually own a 10-10 with heavy barrel and Uncle Mike's grips similar to the one in your picture. It's my HD weapon. It's also a favorite at the range and shoots great.
 
I don't mind S&W Magna grips, as a matter of fact I rather like them with a Tylers T-grip adapter.

For a general "plinker" I'd get a Model 10, but I'd rather have the tapered "pencil" barrel. They're a little lighter and I just like the way they look more. Just stick with 148-158 grain bullets and you won't have to worry much about "Kentucky windage."

I used to have a bunch of Smith & Wessons. When I sold them off, I only kept two. A Model 12-2 that's my everyday carry gun, and an old 38 M&P, with a 4" tapered barrel from 1955. That M&P is the straightest shooting gun I've ever owned.



I've got a set of Pachmyer grips on it now. I didn't want to beat up the diamond Magna's in the picture.

The Model 15 is a great revolver, but around here they'll sell for quite a bit more than a Model 10/M&P.
 
More than likely the Model 10 will be $100 or more lower priced, so I would go for that one. However, if the price is the same, or only a few dollars different, go with the Model 15. You can't go wrong either way. Like CajunBass, I prefer the tapered barrel on the 10. I am also a fan of the stock magna grips with a t-grip. Look for a pinned barrel no matter which, just 'cause.;)
 
The Model 10-6 with the 4" tapered barrel I mentioned above came to me wearing a Tyler T-grip. I can easily admit that it was far better than simply the original Magna stocks. But the look was (IMO, of course), atrocious and a working set of rubber grips felt far better. (of course, the look of those grips is nothing to write home about, especially on a smaller framed, lighter & shorter barreled revolver)

Very subjective, no doubt.
 
Yessuh, very, very subjective.:D

To me, the look of an old 5-screw, half-moon sighted pre-Model-10 with a t-grip is the classic look for a S&W revolver of this type. Functional, too.

"Back in the day" (early 70s), when we bought a new k-frame or j-frame, a Tyler T-grip was an automatic add-on. I believe I still have a couple of old t-grip boxes around marked at less than $5.

Here is "a pair to draw to," as they say.

 
Either will do for casual shooting but I don't think it's even arguable that adjustable sights are better for sporting use.
 
My vote is for the 10. No sight adjustment needed. No blade to get out of adjustment. Less sharp edges sticking out of your holster.


Sgt Lumpy
 
POA=POI is always good.
If handgun is mainly for fun/range -- adjustable sights.
If handgun is mainly for defense -- probably fixed sights.

So, I vote S&W model 15.
 
I think the M15 is the better choice. It will give new shooters the chance to use the better sights and possibly a nice target trigger. The adjustable sights also make sense for plinking, as distance and conditions will vary out in the field.

Also, they made a ton of M&P .38 revolvers in the last 100 years, but not nearly as many of the target versions. The Combat Masterpiece is still worthy of its name.
 
I can vouch for the Model 10. Mine is a 10-5 with a tapered barrel and shoots like a dream with my handloads. 158gr semi wadcutters over 4.3 grains of Unique.

The Model 64 which is the stainless twin of the Model 10 is also a great shooter. I hardly ever see either in gunshops around here which is probably why I don't have more than I do of them.
 
If you like adjustable sights and heavy barrels, the Model 19 would give you both and the added benefit of being able to shoot .357 Magnum ammunition (stay away from .357's with <140gr bullets though). Another model to consider would be the Model 14 which was available with both adjustable sights and a heavy barrel though only with a 6 or 8 3/8" barrel.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top