Value of a police trade in S&W model 10
- Thread starter Coach Z
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ScottRiqui
New member
I see a lot of those police trade-in Model 10s in the $275-299 range.
Crunchy Frog
New member
Bud's has them for $269 so I'd suggest that is market price.
Depends. The Bud's guns are generally kind of beat up in the finish department. They advertise them as 70-80%. Then you gotta pay the transfer, so you're looking at $300 for a gun you don't even get to inspect or even see an actual picture of before buying. I'd pay $325 in a store or in a private sale for a nice model 10. One store near me has a PD trade in model 10 for $289. It has the bobbed hammer (DAO), and the finish is maybe 70%. it's sat there for over a year.
carguychris
New member
Barrel length is important.
The vast majority of recent LE trade-in M10s are 70s or 80s production with 4" tapered or 4" heavy barrels. One of these guns in average LE trade-in condition- heavy holster wear, some scratches, and awful grips, but mechanically tight with a good bore- should sell for $200-$275. DAO lockwork and/or glaring cosmetic modifications (such as huge etched inventory numbers apparently applied by a drunk chimp
) will push it to the lower end of this range or even into the sub-$200 neighborhood. Better-than-average condition and extras such as boxes and holsters will push the value higher. FWIW well-applied and subtle agency-specific marks usually won't affect the value much (e.g. "D.P.D.", that sort of thing).
2", 5", or particularly 3" barrels are a lot less common and will push the value up by $25-$75, as will 60s or earlier production.
You'll notice there's a lot of slack in these numbers; local market conditions seem to have a big effect with old S&Ws. It helps to go to a few gun shows and talk to the folks at your local gun stores.
The vast majority of recent LE trade-in M10s are 70s or 80s production with 4" tapered or 4" heavy barrels. One of these guns in average LE trade-in condition- heavy holster wear, some scratches, and awful grips, but mechanically tight with a good bore- should sell for $200-$275. DAO lockwork and/or glaring cosmetic modifications (such as huge etched inventory numbers apparently applied by a drunk chimp
) will push it to the lower end of this range or even into the sub-$200 neighborhood. Better-than-average condition and extras such as boxes and holsters will push the value higher. FWIW well-applied and subtle agency-specific marks usually won't affect the value much (e.g. "D.P.D.", that sort of thing).2", 5", or particularly 3" barrels are a lot less common and will push the value up by $25-$75, as will 60s or earlier production.
You'll notice there's a lot of slack in these numbers; local market conditions seem to have a big effect with old S&Ws. It helps to go to a few gun shows and talk to the folks at your local gun stores.
carguychris
New member
I agree with you, and this is consistent with values in my area, but posters in other parts of the country have reported being unable to touch any pre-1980s S&W for less than $300.
A LGS here recently had an early 70s 5" Model 10 in flawless ANIB condition, original box, papers, tools, the whole kit and caboodle. IIRC it sold for $375.
FWIW the exception is 3" guns; they're legitimately uncommon and will sell for over $300 in VG condition.
I keep hearing about those "less then $300" Model 10s but I never found one.
I wanted (and still want) a 4 inch pencil barrel but couldn't find one at a reasonable price.
Had to settle for a Model 64, which turned out to be my number one target pistol.
Anyway, I think the value of the Model 10, or any other gun depends on where you are and the availability of that gun in your area.
I wanted (and still want) a 4 inch pencil barrel but couldn't find one at a reasonable price.
Had to settle for a Model 64, which turned out to be my number one target pistol.
Anyway, I think the value of the Model 10, or any other gun depends on where you are and the availability of that gun in your area.
armoredman
New member
Years ago I found a Model 10 for $175, TERRIBLE finish, but when I popped the cylinder I knew I had to have it. It had been carried with one empty chamber for so long without being fired that five chambers bore the rings of cartridge rims resting one them...and one didn't. It was mechanically the same as the day it left the factory. Insanely accurate and fun revolver, had to sell it for my girlfriend's, (wife for the last 14 years), rent. Oh well.
Love my Model 10 I have now, very underrated revolver in today's hi-cap world.
Love my Model 10 I have now, very underrated revolver in today's hi-cap world.
I agree. I live in Lexington, Ky. where the retail store for Bud's is located. Shooter Model 10s were on the high side around here and then Bud's started getting the police trade-ins priced at $269. I grabbed a three inch model when they had them. I was able to pick from four or five.
It does not matter where you live in the states. The model 10 and pre-10 short action revolvers are a dime a dozen. S&W made a ton of them. I would not pay more than $250 to $300 for one. Again one unfired and with box maybe $350. Thats it. A lot of guns shops these days are just plain robbing consumers. The model 10 is a great revolver no question. But they are not rare and not a collector item. Real collectors won't consider buying one unless that get them cheap.
If a person is serious about collecting the S&W K frame 38, they need to go from 1900 to 1946. These revolvers were the M&P Hand-Ejector first to fourth change. These had the long action hammers. One of the smoothest actions I have ever handled. Some of these can be worth $400 to $450 depending on condition and other features that make them rare. Some Victory models in War II are worth more in good condition than the current model 10 or pre-10 short action hammer revolver.
Bottom line: I would pass on any model 10 or pre-10 that a gun shop is pricing above $300.
Example: My S&W pre-10 38 special 4 inch tapered barrel. Short action hammer. This revolver has original grips, no box and is 90 percentage.
$270
If a person is serious about collecting the S&W K frame 38, they need to go from 1900 to 1946. These revolvers were the M&P Hand-Ejector first to fourth change. These had the long action hammers. One of the smoothest actions I have ever handled. Some of these can be worth $400 to $450 depending on condition and other features that make them rare. Some Victory models in War II are worth more in good condition than the current model 10 or pre-10 short action hammer revolver.
Bottom line: I would pass on any model 10 or pre-10 that a gun shop is pricing above $300.
Example: My S&W pre-10 38 special 4 inch tapered barrel. Short action hammer. This revolver has original grips, no box and is 90 percentage.
$270
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I guess I over paid.
Mine had a lot of finish wear when I bought it.
But I don't plan on selling it, even for twice what I paid.
It is such a fine shooter.
One of the few revolvers I can keep all my shots within 12" at 50 yards standing while shooting the thing double action.
Mine had a lot of finish wear when I bought it.
But I don't plan on selling it, even for twice what I paid.
It is such a fine shooter.
One of the few revolvers I can keep all my shots within 12" at 50 yards standing while shooting the thing double action.
Shadi Khalil
New member
I too have never seen one of the phantom under $300 model 10's. Buds is the least I've seen them list for and those are police trade in's.
armoredman
New member
Phantom Model 10?
I beg to differ with most people...
I think the average 10 is worth $300. minimum any day of the week. A nice one worth even more. These are masterpiece weapons. Some close to 100 years old, and still functioning perfectly. As far as police trade in's Does everyone think that cops didnt take care of their guns?... We had to bet our lives on those guns every day. So there will be some holster wear... those are working guns. Worked in any weather, any situation... They worked, and worked well. As far as grips... Grips are personal... I'm sure what ever grips are on the gun fit the origonal owner just fine.
You get a model 10, or a Colt OP... you've got a fighting gun thats been there seen that, and is still around to take someone else through the wars. I still have my origonal model 10 service revolver. Yes it has some holster wear, and the grips are plain wood with a tyler grip... but the only reason I'm here posting is that Model 10.
I think the average 10 is worth $300. minimum any day of the week. A nice one worth even more. These are masterpiece weapons. Some close to 100 years old, and still functioning perfectly. As far as police trade in's Does everyone think that cops didnt take care of their guns?... We had to bet our lives on those guns every day. So there will be some holster wear... those are working guns. Worked in any weather, any situation... They worked, and worked well. As far as grips... Grips are personal... I'm sure what ever grips are on the gun fit the origonal owner just fine.
You get a model 10, or a Colt OP... you've got a fighting gun thats been there seen that, and is still around to take someone else through the wars. I still have my origonal model 10 service revolver. Yes it has some holster wear, and the grips are plain wood with a tyler grip... but the only reason I'm here posting is that Model 10.
I had to do quite a bit of searching to find a Model 10 locally. I live within the city limits of pretty big city, so all firearms are marked up here.
I paid WELL over $300 for mine, and it's a police turn-in (a model 10-6 with 4 inch heavy barrel). Came with some of the crappiest plastic grips I'd ever seen. I've probably put over 3000 rounds through it, and it just keep chugging along.
It was money well spent. If you're not sure you're going to like it, or if you're just looking for a .38 revolver, paying more than $300 might be a bad idea.
But as I say with all guns and cameras, if it's what you're sure you want, spend the money.
You'd have to offer me a once-in-life-time deal for me to sell or trade my Model 10 or my Nikon F3HP. And I probably "overpaid" for both.
**I'm a photojournalist by trade, if you could tell. Digital by day, film for what's important.
I paid WELL over $300 for mine, and it's a police turn-in (a model 10-6 with 4 inch heavy barrel). Came with some of the crappiest plastic grips I'd ever seen. I've probably put over 3000 rounds through it, and it just keep chugging along.
It was money well spent. If you're not sure you're going to like it, or if you're just looking for a .38 revolver, paying more than $300 might be a bad idea.
But as I say with all guns and cameras, if it's what you're sure you want, spend the money.
You'd have to offer me a once-in-life-time deal for me to sell or trade my Model 10 or my Nikon F3HP. And I probably "overpaid" for both.
**I'm a photojournalist by trade, if you could tell. Digital by day, film for what's important.
The police trade-in Model 10 I picked up at Buds is a good shooter and I really like the three inch barrel. I have one other revolver that I'm pretty sure was a police trade-in; a Model 65 (.357) which I really, really like. It's my bedside gun. So, I don't know why people put down police trade-ins either. Both of these guns had some wear and handling marks but no major cosmetic issues.