S&W Model 10 question

M

mattf765

Inactive
Hello all. Longtime reader, first time poster. Please be gentle.

I have a small but budding, purpose built collection of handguns and rifles of which I'm rather satisfied with. One of the guns is a S&W Model 10 M&P that I inherited from... you guessed it, my grandfather who may or may not have acquired it through the most wholesome of transactions in a bar parking lot in the '50s. I've had it checked out through different channels to verify that it hasn't been used in any known illegal dealings, at least that have been reported, and would require its confiscation.

My question is, would anyone consider this a viable personal carry gun? I normally IWC a Bodyguard but have also found a renewed interest in revolvers and wanted to be able to switch things up occasionally. I know most of this comes down to personal preference but I haven't shopped for ammo and just am not sure how viable of an option a .38 is these days.

Thanks for any input!
 
I personally would not consider a Model 10 to be a viable carry weapon. Unless it is a snubbie, it will be too long to be easily concealed.
 
As far as your question about the .38 being a viable caliber in a carry gun I will say yes it is, a lot of us here have and (at times at lest) do cary it. As to the carrying of the M.-10 that is more a matter of are you comfortable carrying one? The S&W M.-10 is an outstanding revolver, they are strong and reliable. How ever as with any cary gun you do need to practice, drawing from your carry holster while wearing your normal street wear, with an unloaded pistol to start with please, and a lot of dumping the empties and reloading drills are a must for revolver carry as well.
 
I'm carrying a Model 12 right now. A Model 12 is nothing more than a Model 10 with an aluminum frame so it's lighter but that's the only difference. I would have no trouble at all using a Model 10 as my self defense gun, and have in the past. Even with a 4" barrel, they're not that hard to conceal.
 
If you do decide to carry, I highly reccommend the Simply Rugged pancake holster. Bought one for my 2.5" S&W 19-5, and it does a great job!
 
A three inch Model 10 from the '50s?
Hmm.
The model numbers were assigned in 1957.
Three inch barrels were not regularly made until about 1980, although SCSW says there were some special orders and a lot of sawn off Victory models.

I would want to see some close clear pictures before making a recommendation.
 
Thanks all for the replies. I have a limited knowledge of .38 as a caliber. I did a simple search of the forums for .38 and found some people saying .38 and .38 spl are interchangeable in most guns but I'm not sure if I believe this. Should I be shooting .38 s&w?

Jim Watson, you are correct. My rudimentary measuring skills proved it is a 4 inch barrel.
 
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What does it say on the barrel (usually on the right side)?

Hint, CTG is the S&W abbreviation for Cartridge, it is not a secret symbol or a model designation.

A series of close clear pictures would shortcut the 20 questions stuff.
 
I would definitely consider a Smith & Wesson Model 10 with 4-inch barrel a viable and capable carry gun. I don't think it would be the easiest thing to carry concealed and I wouldn't choose it, but I would feel well armed with it.

However, in this situation, I would either wring this thing out HARSHLY or I would simply buy a newer Model 10 and ensure that it is completely and utterly functional and reliable. As this is -THE- single most successful handgun ever built (and estimated SIX MILLION produced), I would not dwell on an older one if I could spend just a simple three hundred bucks and handle that duty with a newer one.
 
On the barrel it should say something like .38 Special or considering the age .38 S&W Special. The .38 Special and the .38 S&W are not compatible. The .38 S&W has a larger diameter than the .38 (S&W) Special. As for be a viable carry gun it should be able to handle that duty with very respectable results. In the early 1990s I did entrance security at a federal courthouse and carried a S&W 10-8 with 125 gr. SJHP .38 Special +P. I never felt outgunned. Check the serial number through S&W and find out when it was made. They will give you this information over the phone. If it was made in or after 1957 it is safe to shoot .38 Special +P ammo in it.
 
First . . . you say "Model 10" - is it marked Mod 10 under the crane? Or does it show Mod 10 - ? (dash something?) indicating it is one of the dash number models indicating changes made as production progressed? Or are you calling an earlier M & P a Model 10? The models weren't marked until 1957. Not that it makes that much difference but if marked Mod10, you can bet it's post 1957. Regardless, you have a good revolver and a good shooter if in good mechanical condition.

As far as 38 spl. as a carry caliber - it's an individual thing. I love the 38 spl. and have no problems at all in using that caliber as a CCW. Some will disagree . . . some won't. For my purposes, it works just fine.

I carry a S & W Model 36 snub. (J frame) which is 5 round cylinder of 38 spl. I also have a Smith Combat Masterpiece 4" - basically like your Model 10 only with adjustable sights and a 1952 M & P with a 5" barrel and a 1920's M & P Target model with a 6" barrel - all fine revolvers. I normally carry the Mod. 36 OTB - and cover with a shirt tail or jacket. I am licensed in two states - both AZ and MI in which "open carry" is legal but I don't like to "advertise".

As far as a 4" Model 10 - it all depends on what you are comfortable with in the way you carry. I don't consider a 4" too long to carry inside the waist but I'm just not comfortable in carrying that way. Either a 4" or a 5" barrel length Model 10 style can be carried in a shoulder holster covered by a jacket fairly easy. I like my J frame Model 36 as it is small but I think that a K frame is just about the "ideal" frame size - at least for me.

I consider the M & P (Model 10) to be one of the finest revolvers made. Sturdy, accurate and dependable. I carry spare cartridges in a drop pouch on the belt. They are fantastic revolvers - I'm an old geezer and was brought up shooting SA revolvers so I am partial to wheel guns. The only time I carry a semi is if we are going to be traveling out in the boonies in southern AZ. Our place there is about 45 miles north of the border and if we were to "break down" - I just feel more comfortable with a higher capacity handgun in that situation as there is a big smuggling problem back and forth across the border - never know what could occur if nobody else was there to help. In that case, I carry a 9mm SR9 with double stack magazines - one in the pistol and 2 spares.

If your revolver is chambered for the 38 S & W Special (38 Special) then that is what you need to use. 357s will not fit in the chambers and don't even try it - too much for the Model 10/M & P. You can use a .38 Colt Short and .38 Colt Long in a pistol chambered for the 38 spl. The 38 Colt short preceded the 38 Colt Long which preceded the 38 Spl. which of course preceded the 357 Magnum. The 38 Colt Short and Long have the same body dimensions as the 38 spl. but their lengths are shorter than the 38 spl. (Think of it like the 22 Short, Long and Long Rifle cartridges - same concept). If you can find any .38 Colt Short or Long on the dealer's shelf (hard to find) they will work in your .38 Spl. which has a .357 (normally) bore size. However, for normal shooting, I'd stick to the standard 38 spl. cartridge - the 38 Colt Short / Long cartridges will probably run more than a box of 38 spls..

I cast my own bullets and reload all of my 38 spls. As such, my experience is primarily with "lead only". I have read many times on different forums that on "vintage" Smiths, you should stick to lead. If you are going to shoot jacketed bullets out of your Model 10, I'd suggest that you have it checked out by a competent gunsmith and follow his suggestions for what you can use in it. I have used FMJ ammo in my Smiths with no problems but stick to lead for my shooting because of the fact I cast my own and reload. In my del 36, I carry with FMJ HP ammo. This model served many LE officers for a number of generations and there was a reason why it was held in high esteem. Again, I am very confident in a 38 spl. - especially at SD range but it is also a "personal thing".

Good luck and I hope you'll post some photos of your revolver. We all love pictures . .. . especially of S & Ws! :)
 
I would carry that M10 3" in a heartbeat.

In an OWB belt holster with a cover garment of some kind (coat, flannel shirt, Hawaiian shirt, etc), and you're good to go.
 
If you can carry a 4" K frame than you can carry a 4" K frame. All a matter of personal taste. I would find it a bit large and heavy, but others carry much bigger guns.

I agree that some have a habit of calling pre-model M&Ps "Model 10s" when they are not.

The M&Ps and Model 10s are an addiction of mine. I have bought a bunch over the years as all the hip folks switched to plastic auto pistols. Here's a couple.

A 5" blued 10-7. I bought it new in 1979. It lived in my mother's nightstand until Christmas Day 2011 when I reacquired it. I haven't been able to bring myself to shoot it. May never be able to do it.

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Bought these one month apart.

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Nickel 10-7 that was a birthday present from my wife a few years ago. I added the ivory stocks a couple years back.

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I carry a 10-7 3" from time to time. It's a wonderful gun that is well balanced, accurate and has a great trigger.

I prefer to carry it in an OWB pancake holster. A good belt is a big plus as the Model 10 is not exactly a lightweight but manageable.

A couple of decent holsters that don't break the bank are Simply Rugged and Lobo Gun Leather.
 
Thanks all for the replies. I have a limited knowledge of .38 as a caliber. I did a simple search of the forums for .38 and found some people saying .38 and .38 spl are interchangeable in most guns but I'm not sure if I believe this. Should I be shooting .38 s&w?
Click to expand...

Howdy

This is the standard way S&W marks the caliber on their barrels for 38 Special. S&W developed the 38 Special cartridge in 1899, so they like to call it the 38 S&W Special. This is the same cartridge as 38 Special. It is NOT the same as 38 S&W. And just so you know, the funny looking ampersand (the & symbol) is known as the Lazy Ampersand by S&W collectors.

LazyAmpersand02_zps51f173a0.jpg




S&W does the same thing with the 44 Special cartridge.

triplelockextractorrodshroud_zps5bfe6093.jpg
 
There are numerous calibers designated as "38." Some are interchangeable, most are not. Most Americans are referring to the 38 Special when they say "38." S&W calls it the 38 S&W Special because they designed it. There is the older 38 S&W (no Special) and it is NOT interchangeable with the 38 Special.

S&W made hundreds of thousands of M&P revolvers in 38 S&W for Britain in WW II. You need to confirm what caliber you need. As noted above, look at the barrel. If it says 38 S&W it's likely a military pistol used by Great Britain and will not shoot 38 Special ammo. If it says 38 S&W Special then that's what you use.
 
The barrel is marked .38 S&W CTG. After a more thorough examination of this gun, I'm absolutely confused as to what it is. I'll attempt to post some photos later this afternoon of it's markings and maybe some of you can help me ID it. The serial number under the barrel in front of the cylinder is in the 58,000 range and I can't find where S&W even used anything between 30,000 and 60,000 as serial numbers. There's no letter prefix/suffix on the number either. No lanyard loop and the grip is checkered.

EDIT: I can't find where S&W used that range of serial numbers for the Model 10. Not that they never used those numbers for any gun, just not the Model 10.
 
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