Value of a police trade in S&W model 10

In the central valley of California model 10's are scarce. I lucked out and found a model 10-5 3" Aussie trade in for an active LEO. Who was exempt from the safe gun roster. He asked $350. As I am not able to travel much I paid an additional $50 for him to come to my nearest FFL to do the PPT. I am quite happy with what I recieved. I have been looking for another model 10 for several months and can't find one. Bottom line what a gun is worth is what someone will pay for it and be happy. At $400 I was able to get what I wanted.
 
$250-$350 in Az. however, be advised that many of the S&W Model 10 and Model 64 "Police trade-ins" have the hammers "bobbed" for DAO and are worth much less than original condition models. Subtract even more $$ for later models with an IL. The ideal models are usually surplus "State Prison" models that are unmodified and were simply passed out on the range twice a year to the officers for qualifications, most of these don't even have holster wear. The typical State Prison facility would keep dozens of these in the armory, and maybe put 10 aside in a tower for issue to transport officers. Most state prisons have transitioned to Glock 22's in the last 10 years so the guns are out there for sale. Both models ( these are mostly 4", heavy barrel, in both 10 & 64) are usually capable of great accuracy with the loads they like and are "best buy" handguns.
 
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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.
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They do seem like they're a dime a dozen, which contributes to the ease at which they can be bought, and the inexpensive prices. Heck, the collectors ought to leave one model along to be affordable to shooters, anyway.

The model 10 is proof that a decent S&W revolver doesn't have to cost 5 bills. They're solid guns, built for shooters, and they work admirably.

I recovered a 6" model 10 from my dad's estate recently, and the administrator had it priced at $220.00. Light bluing wear (mostly put there by me in my teen years), but it's still tight as a bank vault, even after having many thousands of rounds through it. It is, in fact, the tightest revolver I own; the others being someone newer.

Daryl
 
It all depends, I suppose.

I picked up a Mod 10-5 with the 4" tapered barrel a couple of months ago for $330. Looked nearly new. This was not a police trade in but probably a gun that sat in someone's nightstand for years. Not a scratch to be seen, no holster wear of any kind, tight as a tick, and the blued finish just dazzles.

I've probably put more rounds through it in a couple of months than the previous owner(s) in 40 years.

Sweet shooter with that buttery smooth SW trigger. Even if I overpaid, which I don't think I did given its condition, the value will only go up.
 
As you can see here your buyer will depend on your sale price. I will assume you have one which it a 4" heavy barrel blue with nothing intreresting like a special police stamp.

Like new, I think $350 is reasonable.

Some wear from light holster use drops to $275.

Light working wear, light scratches, holster wear, etc $260.

Heavy working wear $230-$240

Any light surface rust $220

Pitting $200

Hard scratch bad scratch marks bluing under 50% $150

I say this based on these guns still come here locally in decent condition for $225. Notice Bud's has had these for a long time at $270. If they like storing guns, more power to them. Selling guns makes money!
Subtract 10% to move within 2 weeks. Add more than 10% and it will sit on gun broker until someone bids on it after 6 or more beers!
 
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