• How To Look Up Gun Model By Serial Number
• Smith And Wesson Model 14 Serial Numbers 180

The Smith & Wesson Model 10, previously known as the Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899, the Smith & Wesson Military & Police or the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, is a revolver of worldwide popularity. In production since 1899, the Model 10 is a six-shot, .38 Special, double-action revolver with fixed sights. Over its long production run it has been available with barrel lengths of 2 in (51 mm), 3 in (76 mm), 4 in (100 mm), 5 in (130 mm), and 6 in (150 mm). Barrels of 2.5 inches (64 mm) are also known to have been made for special contracts.^[1] Some 6,000,000 of the type have been produced over the years, making it the most popular handgun of the 20th century.^[2]

During 1969 the Hi-Power pistol Serial Number code was changed to a two digit year and 'C' prefix. Serial Numbers for “T” prefix Hi-Power pistols exceeded T300000 and were shipped into 1970. # PreFiX COde 1969 69C prefix before Ser. 1970 70C prefix before Ser. 1971 196471C prefix before Ser. 1972 72C prefix before Ser. Smith & Wesson 14-3 Description: Smith & Wesson 14-3,6' 38SPL.,date of MFG 1977,bluing 95+%,wood 95+%,target trigger,target hammer,bore 95+%,Chambers 95+%,very light drag line no cylinder,box is not matched to this gun But is for a 19-3 blued 6' with the papers and tools,Payment with postal money order or add 6% for CC, shipping 55.00,We are a full time gun store and reserve the right to end.

S&W Model 19,.357 serial number question Have a Model 19 in.357. I am trying to find a year and month of manufacture. Has the diamond grips. Under the grips, on the frame, there is a stamped 3 902xx. On the “swing arm” for the cylinder there are two sets of numbers. One is: 902xx D5 Second one is K 3439xx. Smith and Wesson Serial Number Date of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions. 1950 = start at 1. .Note that a number of N frames with serials in the S138000-S140000 range (and the range may be wider either way) are seen that were shipped much later than the serial would suggest should be the case. In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958.

• 1History
• 2Model 10 Variants
• 4Users

I'll take a shot at it. If it is a Smith and Wesson and if it is a 38 Special Hand Ejector M&P, the serial number would put it between 1940 and 1945. This is according to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson - Second Edition - Jim Supra and Richard Nahas. Serial number for that model from those years ran from 700000 to 1000000. The Victory model was so named for the 'V' prefix which was placed before the serial number and represented 'Victory' against the Axis powers in World War II. Serial numbers for the.38 special Victory model began at about V1 in early 1942 and ran until VS811119. The S&W Model 10 military revolvers produced from 1942 to 1944 had serial numbers with a 'V' prefix, and were known as the Smith & Wesson Victory Model. It is noteworthy that early Victory Models did not always have the V prefix. Smith and wesson model 10 serial numbers, smith and wesson model 10-5 manufacture dates, smith and wesson model 10-5 serial numbers, smith and wesson serial number, smith wesson model 10 serial numbers. Click on a term to search for related topics. National Gun Forum. Smith and wesson victory model serial numbers, smith and wesson victory model value, victory model s&w 38 spl. Click on a term to search for related topics.

History[edit]

In 1899, the United States Army and Navy placed orders with Smith & Wesson for two to three thousand Model 1899 Hand Ejector revolvers chambered for the M1892 .38 Long Colt U.S. Service Cartridge. With this order, the Hand Ejector Model became known as the .38 Military and Police model.^[3] That same year, in response to reports from military sources serving in the Philippines on the relative ineffectiveness of the new cartridge, Smith & Wesson began offering the Military & Police in a new chambering, .38 S&W Special (a.k.a. .38 Special), a slightly elongated version of the .38 Long Colt cartridge with greater bullet weight (158 grains) and powder charge increased from 18 to 21 grains of gunpowder.^[3]

In 1902 the .38 Military & Police (2nd Model) was introduced, featuring substantial changes.^[1] These included major modification and simplification of the internal lockwork and the addition of a locking underlug on the barrel to engage the previously free-standing ejector rod. Barrel lengths were 4-, 5-, 6-, and 6.5-inches with a rounded butt. Serial numbers for the Military & Police ranged from number 1 in the series to 20,975. Most of the early M&P revolvers chambered in .38 Special appear to have been sold to the civilian market.^[3] By 1904, S&W was offering the .38 M&P with a rounded or square butt, and 4-, 5-, and 6.5-inch barrels.

World War I[edit]

The .38 S&W Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, introduced 1915, incorporated a passive hammer block and enlarged service sights that quickly became a standard across the service revolver segment of the industry. The M&P revolver was issued in large numbers during World War I, where it proved itself to be a highly reliable and accurate weapon. Although WWI saw the rise of semi-automatic pistols, revolvers such as the M&P were often the weapon of choice, as they were generally considered more reliable and easier to use than automatic pistols.

After the War, the M&P would become the standard issue police sidearm for the next 70 years. It would also become very popular with civilian shooters, with several new models being made, including the first snubnosed 2-, 2.5- and 3-barrel models being made in 1936.^[1][4]

World War II[edit]

The S&W M&P military revolvers produced from 1942 to 1944 had serial numbers with a 'V' prefix, and were known as the Smith & Wesson Victory Model. It is noteworthy that early Victory Models did not always have the V prefix. During World War II over 570,000 of these pistols were supplied to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa under the Lend-Lease program, chambered in the British .38/200 caliber already in use in the Enfield No 2 Mk I Revolver and the Webley Mk IV Revolver. Most Victory Models sent to Britain were fitted with 4-inch or 5-inch barrels, although a few early versions had 6-inch barrels.^[5][6]

The Victory Model was used by United States forces during World War II, being chambered in the well-known and popular .38 Special cartridge. The Victory Model was a standard-issue sidearm for United States Navy and Marine Corps aircrews, and was also used by security guards at factories and defense installations throughout the United States during the war.^[7]

Smith And Wesson Model 10 38 Special

Some of these revolvers remained in service well into the 1990s with units of the United States Armed Forces, including the United States Air Force and the Coast Guard. Until the introduction of the Beretta M9 9mm pistol in 1990, U.S. Army helicopter crew members and female military police officers were equipped with .38 caliber Victory Model revolvers. Criminal Investigation Division agents were issued .38 caliber revolvers with two inch barrels. The Victory Model remained in use with Air National Guard tanker and transport crews as late as Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and with United States Navy security personnel until 1995.^[8]

Some Lend-Lease Victory Model revolvers originally chambered for the British .38/200 were returned to the United States and rechambered to fire the more popular and more powerful .38 Special ammunition, and such revolvers are usually so marked on their barrels. Rechambering of .38-200 cylinders to .38 Special results in oversized chambers, which may cause problems. Lee Harvey Oswald was carrying a re-chambered Victory Model when he was apprehended on November 22, 1963.^[9]

The finish on Victory Models was typically a sandblasted and parkerized finish, which is noticeably different from the higher-quality blue or nickel/chrome finishes usually found on commercial M&P/Model 10 revolvers. Other distinguishing features of the Victory Model revolver are the lanyard loop at the bottom of the grip frame, and the use of smooth (rather than checkered) walnut grip panels. However some early models did use a checkered grip, most notably the pre-1942 manufacture.^[10]

Model 10[edit]

After World War II, Smith & Wesson returned to manufacturing the M&P series. Along with cosmetic changes and replacement of the frame fitting grip with the Magna stocks, the spring-loaded hammer block safety gave way to a cam-actuated hammer block that rode in a channel in the side plate (Smith 1968). In 1957, Smith & Wesson adopted the convention of using numeric designations to distinguish their various models of handguns, and the M&P was renamed the Model 10.^[8]

The M&P/Model 10 has been available in both blued steel finish and nickel finish for most of its production run. The model has also been offered throughout the years with both the round butt and square butt grip patterns. Beginning with the Model 10-5 series in the late 1960s, the tapered barrel and its trademark 'half moon' front sight (as shown in the illustrations on this page) were replaced by a straight bull barrel and a sloped milled ramp front sight. Late model Model 10s are capable of handling any .38 Special cartridge produced today up to and including +P+ rounds.^[8]

As of 2012 the Model 10 was available only in a 4-inch barrel model, as was its stainless steel (Inox) counterpart, the Smith & Wesson Model 64.^[11] Some 6,000,000 M&P revolvers have been produced over the years, making it the most popular handgun of the 20th century.^[12]

Model 10 Variants[edit]

.357 Magnum variations[edit]

After a small prototype run of Model 10-6 revolvers in .357 Magnum caliber, Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 13 heavy barrel in carbon steel and then the Model 65 in stainless steel. Both revolvers featured varying barrel weights and lengths—generally three and four inches with and without underlugs (shrouds). Production dates begin in 1974 for the Model 13 and end upon discontinuation in 1999. The Model 65 was in production from 1972-1999.^[1] Both the blued and stainless models were popular with police and FBI, and a variation of the Model 65 was marketed in the Lady Smith line from 1992 to 1999.

.38 S&W variations[edit]

From the Late 1940's to early 1960's Smith & Wesson made a Variation of the Model 10 chambered for .38 S&W called the Model 11^[13] that was sent to British Commonwealth countries to supply their armies^[13] and police forces.^[14] they were also sent to Canada as well.^[15]

Replacement[edit]

The S&W Model 10 revolver was a popular weapon before the semi-automatic pistol replaced the revolver in many police departments, as well as police units and armies.

• Certain units of the Ireland's Gardaí (Irish Police) had replaced the Model 10 by the SIG Sauer P226 and Walther P99C semi-automatic pistols.
• Victoria Police replaced the K frame model 10 with the M&P in .40 S&W.
• New Zealand Police replaced the revolver with the Glock 17.^[8]
• New South Wales Police Force replaced the Model 10 with the Glock 22, Glock 23 and Glock 27.
• The weapon was used by Norway's Home Guard until 1986 and the Norwegian Police Service until 2008, being replaced by the Heckler & Koch P30
• Portugal police replaced the weapon by the Walther PP, subsequently by the Glock 19.^[8]
• Royal Malaysia Police used Model 10 as standard sidearm from early 1970 alongside Model 15 before it fully replaced by Beretta PX4 and Walther P99. It was used by Police Volunteer Reserve as standard sidearm and also by RELA Corps for training and self-defence purpose for their officers alongside with Smith & Wesson Model 36 2 inch barrel.^[8]
• The Model 10 was formerly the standard issue for many firearms-trained police officers in the United Kingdom and in many forces they were replaced by the Glock 17.^[8]
• The weapon was used by United States Army and United States Marine Corps, only to be replaced by the M1911A1 and the M9 pistols.^[8] Prior to the introduction of the M9 pistol in 1986, the Army issued Model 10s to helicopter crew members and female military police officers. Snub nose versions were used by Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents.

Users[edit]

Many of the S & W Military & Police revolvers were captured and used by some of the police forces, such as the Austrian Police, during the occupation after World War II. It is incorrect to refer to them as 'the Model 10' as model numbers were not introduced by Smith & Wesson until 1957. Note that, during First World War, copies (slightly undersized) of the Military & Police were produced in Eibar and Guernica (Spain), in 8mm 1892 caliber for the French armies; the Milice man on the right holds such a copy.

The weapon is currently^[when?] used by French cash couriers and banks, Disciplined Services of Hong Kong, Myanmar Police Force officers and other Burmese paramilitary units, Peruvian National Police and other police units.

A few copies of Smith & Wesson Model 10 were produced in Israel by Israel Military Industries (IMI) as the Revolver IMI 9mm. The weapon was chambered in the 9mm Luger caliber, instead of .38 Special, the original caliber.^[16][17] Also, Norinco of China has manufactured the NP50, which is a copy of the Smith & Wesson Model 64, since 2000.

List[edit]

• Algeria^[18]
• Australia^[19] - Was used by police across the country. Replaced by multiple different semi-automatic pistols between 1990-2010.
• Canada- Various Police Forces.
• China^[8]
• Costa Rica^[8]
• France^[8]
• Hong Kong- Hong Kong Police Force.^[8]
• Iceland- Armed officers of the Icelandic Police, Replaced by the Glock 17. The Icelandic Coast Guard has also used the Model 10 in the past.
• Iran^[20]
• Ireland- Armed units of the Garda Síochána (To be phased out).
• Israel^[8]
• Jamaica
• Japan - Used in some prefectural police headquarters since late 1940s.^[21]
• Jordan
• Kingdom of Laos: Received from US Government during Laotian Civil War.^[22]
• Latvia
• Libya^[23]
• Malaysia^[8]
• Myanmar
• New Zealand^[19]
• Norway - standard firearm of Norwegian Police Service from 1981 until about 2007.
• Paraguay - used during the Chaco War.^[24]
• Peru^[8]
• Philippines^[8]
• Portugal^[8]
• Saudi Arabia^[8]
• Singapore: Used by the Singapore Police Force before switching to the Taurus Model 85 revolvers in 2002 and the Model 85 revolver's are still in service today.
• South Africa^[19]
• South Korea^[8]
• South Vietnam^[25][26]
• Vietnam^[8]
• Thailand^[8]
• Turkey- Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü (Turkish National Police).^[27] Used between 1951 and the mid 1990s.
• United Kingdom - formerly a police-issue weapon.^[8]
• United States- Various Police Forces, Different prisons who had armed guards, Also used by the US Army.^[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcdSupica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2001). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 1068.
2. ^Boorman, Dean K., The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms (2002), p. 46: 'The .38 in Military and Police Model 10 has historically been the mainstay of the Smith & Wesson Company, with some 6,000,000 of this general type produced to date. It has been described as the most successful handgun of all time, and the most popular centerfire revolver of the 20th Century.'
3. ^ ^abcCumpston, Mike (2003-01-16). 'The First M&P'. Gunblast.com. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
4. ^http://sportsmansvintagepress.com/read-free/smith-wesson-hand-guns/sw-terrier/ Smith & Wesson did not succumb to the fad for short-barreled revolvers until 1936, when the firm brought out what was termed the 'S&W .38/32 2″,' later christened the 'Terrier' which was simply the round butt Regulation Police Model with a two-inch barrel.
5. ^Shore, C. (Capt), With British Snipers to the Reich, Paladin Press (1988), p. 55
6. ^Dunlap, Roy, Ordnance Went Up Front, Samworth Press (1948), p. 142
7. ^Ayoob, Massad (15 March 2010). Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 71. ISBN978-1-4402-1503-2.
8. ^ ^{abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw}Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 141–143, 174, 210–211. ISBN978-0-89689-293-4.
9. ^Martin, Orlando (January 2010). JFK. Analysis of a Shooting: The Ultimate Ballistics Truth Exposed. Dog Ear Publishing. pp. 118–119. ISBN978-1-60844-315-4.
10. ^Hunter, Hunter (2009). 'S&W Victory & Colt Commando Revolvers'. American Rifleman. 157 (6): 36–37. ISSN0003-083X.
11. ^Shideler, Dan (7 August 2011). Gun Digest 2012. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 420. ISBN978-1-4402-1447-9.
12. ^Boorman, Dean K., The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms (2002), p. 46: 'The .38 in Military and Police Model 10 has historically been the mainstay of the Smith & Wesson Company, with some 6,000,000 of this general type produced to date. It has been described as the most successful handgun of all time, and the most popular centerfire revolver of the 20th Century.'
13. ^ ^ab'Wiley Clapp: The .38 S&W—Isn't That Special?'. www.americanrifleman.org. Retrieved 2018-08-09.
14. ^'Info on s&w model 11 needed'. smith-wessonforum.com. Retrieved 2018-08-09.
15. ^'Anybody have a S&W Model 11 revolver?'. forums.gunboards.com. Retrieved 2018-08-09.
16. ^'The Mystery of the IMI 9mm Revolver'. 12 May 2015.
17. ^'Rock Island Auction: I.M.I. (Israeli) - M&P'. www.rockislandauction.com.
18. ^'World Infantry Weapons: Algeria'. 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016.
19. ^ ^abcArnold, David (28 February 2011). Classic Handguns of the 20th Century. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 33. ISBN978-1-4402-2640-3.
20. ^'WWII weapons in the Ayatollah's Iran'. wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 16 October 2016.^{[self-published source]}
21. ^Sugiura, Hisaya (September 2015). 'Pistols of the Japanese police in the postwar era'. Gun Professionals: 72–79.
22. ^Conboy, Kenneth (23 Nov 1989). The War in Laos 1960–75. Men-at-Arms 217. Osprey Publishing. p. 15. ISBN9780850459388.
23. ^'World Infantry Weapons: Libya'. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016.
24. ^Alejandro de Quesada (20 November 2011). The Chaco War 1932-35: South America's greatest modern conflict. Osprey Publishing. pp. 18, 44. ISBN978-1-84908-901-2.
25. ^'Smith & Wesson .38 / NAM 64-75'. www.nam-valka.cz.
26. ^'Army of the Republic of Vietnam 1955–75'. United States.
27. ^Schwing, Ned (5 November 2005). Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 323. ISBN978-0-87349-902-6.

Smith And Wesson Model 10 Victory Serial Numbers List

External links[edit]

Smith Wesson Ctg Serial Number

• Smith & Wesson Model 10 at the Internet Movie Firearms Database

Smith And Wesson Model 10 Victory Serial Numbers

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 Military and Police .38 Special Revolver

By Chuck Hawks

Smith & Wesson is currently marketing a semi-automaticpistol as a Military and Police (M&P) model, but the name is taken from thedouble action (DA) revolver that made it famous. Later, the same revolver wasassigned the model number '10,' when S&W stopped naming theirhandguns and gave them numbers, instead. To this day, shooters over 30associate the M&P name primarily with the forged steel Model 10 revolverthat is still going strong and was the mainstay of the S&W police (andcivilian) handgun line for decades, not the more recent plastic-framed semi-auto.

The S&W .38 Hand Ejector, fixed sight service revolverhas, in one form or another, been a best seller in the S&W revolver linesince 1899. The Military and Police tag was added immediately after the gun'sintroduction, as a result of an 1899 order from the U.S. military for thousandsof Smith & Wesson's new revolvers in the then U.S. service standard .38 LongColt caliber.

In addition, in 1899 S&W introduced a new caliber in the M&P,the .38 Special. (The actual bullet diameter is .357'). This was an enlarged andmore powerful cartridge designed to address the stopping power deficiencies ofthe .38 Long Colt service cartridge. The M&P revolver and the .38 Specialcartridge have been associated ever since.

As a historical note, the S&W Military and Police wasengaged in an intense competition with Colt's best selling Police PositiveSpecial service revolver for both the civilian and police markets during thefirst half of the 20th Century. Ultimately, S&W finally achieved market dominance dueto their ability to undersell Colt.

M&P revolvers have been periodically updated. Thefirst major change came in 1902, when the lock-work was simplified and anejector rod locking lug was added beneath the barrel, latching the cylinderinto the frame at front and back.

Starting in 1904, customers had a choice ofsquare or rounded grip frames. In 1915 the mechanism was again improved by theaddition of an automatic hammer block that rendered the revolver completelysafe with all six chambers loaded. The fixed sights were also improved at thesame time.

S&W began heat treating cylinders in 1919. M&P revolversproduced between 1942 and 1944 had a 'V' prefix added to their serialnumbers and were known as 'Victory' models. Incidentally, the S&WMagna grips were introduced after the end of World War II and, at some point,the hammer block actuation was changed from a spring to a cam.

The Model 10 designation was introduced in 1957/1958, so the revolver became known as the'.38 Military & Police Model 10,' the designation used by the Gun Digest, the Shooter's Bible and practically everyone else until 2010. Whateverit is called, this .38 Special, fixed sight revolver is the most popular in history, with over 6,000,000 sold and production continuing today.

How To Look Up Gun Model By Serial Number

Model 10's made at various times between 1958 and 2010 wereavailable with 2', 3', 4', 5' and 6' barrels. Therewere also limited production 'distributor special' versions with2.5' barrels.

However, the 4' and 6' barrel lengths have alwaysbeen the most popular. These were elegantly tapered barrels, without atop rib and only a small bottom lug (about ½' long) to serve as a latchfor the tip of the ejector rod. There was also an otherwise identical 4'heavy barrel (no taper) M&P version.

Prior to 1981, the barrel wasthreaded into the frame and pinned in place, while current Model 10 barrels aresimply threaded into the frame sanspin. The gun reviewed here has a 6' barrel, my favorite length for .38 revolvers.

The caliber is marked on the right side of the test gun'sbarrel, reading '38 S&W Special Ctg.' while 'Smith &Wesson' is stamped on the left side. The serial number is stamped on thebottom of the grip frame.

Our test gun's serial number indicates that it wasprobably made in 1977, before the 10-7 engineering change took place(later in 1977). The model number is stamped inside the frame behind thecylinder crane; thus, the cylinder must be swung open to see the model number.In the case of the test revolver, it reads 'Mod. 10-5.' That standsfor Model 10, 5th engineering revision. The fifth engineering revision (-5) wasa change from a 1/10' wide 'half moon' front sight blade to a1/8' wide ramp style front sight blade; this was instituted in 1962. Ourtest gun was therefore part of the Model 10-5 production run, manufactured between1962 and 1977.

Between 1958 and 2012 there were a total of 14 engineeringrevisions made to the Model 10. The lockwork has remained the same after the -4revision, in which the earlier leaf spring powered trigger returnmechanism was replaced by a more durable coil spring powered slider.

The Model 10 was temporarily discontinued in 2010, only tobe immediately reintroduced in the current 4' heavy barrel version without the historic M&P tag. Theblued steel Model 10 revolver is offered today in pretty much its originalform, but only with a 4' heavy barrel and a rounded butt. All Model 10's from1958 to the present are suitable for use with .38 Special +P ammunition, aswell as all standard pressure .38 Special loads.

The M&P is built on Smith's medium size 'K'frame, which is an appropriate size for a six-shot, .38 Special revolver. Thesmall 'J' frame was designed for .32 caliber cartridges (such as the.32 S&W) and the big 'N' frame for .44/.45 caliber cartridges.

None of these S&W frame sizes were originally intended for use with Magnumcartridges. Thus it was that when the .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in1935, it was chambered in a big N frame gun, which was unnecessarily large forthe caliber.

Later, the .357 was adapted to K frame guns, but it tended toshake them apart and the recoil is ferocious. It wasn't until much later, whenS&W copied the Colt Python size frame, calling it the 'L' frame,that they finally had a frame appropriate for the .357 Magnum.

The sights on the M&P are fixed (non-adjustable). Thefront sight is the angled (quick draw) front blade introduced with the -5series and the rear sight is the traditional square notch machined into the topof the frame. This is a durable, but limiting, sighting system that wasbasically regulated for use with the traditional 158 grain LRN 'policeservice' factory load. Good revolver sights should be user adjustable forwindage and elevation, since otherwise the sights can be properly regulated at the factory foronly one load at one distance.

The K38 Masterpiece (Model 14) is S&W's K-frame, adjustable sight .38 revolver.It is generally similar to the M&P, but supplied with a fully adjustablerear sight and undercut target type front blade that allows accurate use of thewide range of .38 Special loads on the market.

Most Model 10's came with a high polish, luster bluedoverall finish with a color case hardened hammer and trigger, although nickelfinish was also available for most of the gun's life. The nickel plated finishwas discontinued in 1991, well after the satin stainless steel Model 64 M&Phad been introduced, which effectively replaced the nickel finish. Thestainless Model 64 is otherwise the same as the Model 10. (S&W pads theirmodel list by using different model numbers for otherwise identical stainlessand blued finish guns.)

Previously supplied with a either a round or squarebutt and checkered wood grips, current production Model 10's come with a roundbutt (only) and wood grip panels, while Model 64 revolvers are supplied withUncle Mike's combat style rubber grips. The test gun has a square grip framewith S&W Magna walnut grip panels; it is in completely stock form.

2016 Model 10 Heavy Barrel Specifications

• SKU: 150786
• Caliber: .38 Special +P
• Action: SA/DA
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Barrel: Threaded into frame
• Barrel length: 4' heavy
• Front sight: Fixed blade
• Rear sight: Fixed notch
• Overall length: 8-7/8'
• Frame size: Medium (K), exposed hammer
• Weight: 36 oz. (catalog)
• Grips: Wood, rounded butt
• Material: Carbon steel frame and cylinder
• Finish: Blue
• Purpose: Military and police service, home protection
• 2016 MSRP: $739

1962-1977 Model 10-5 Specifications (as tested)

• Condition: Used, excellent
• Caliber: .38 Special +P
• Action: SA/DA
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Barrel: Threaded into frame and pinned in place
• Barrel length: 6' tapered
• Front sight: Fixed blade (1/8' wide)
• Rear sight: Fixed notch
• Overall length: 11-1/8'
• Frame size: Medium (K), exposed hammer
• Weight: 31 oz. (catalog); 32 oz. (actual)
• Grips: Walnut, Magna square butt
• Material: Carbon steel frame and cylinder
• Finish: Blue
• Purpose: Military and police service, home protection
• 1976 MSRP: $109

Like all S&W revolvers with swing out cylinders, thecylinder rotates counter clockwise, or out of the frame, because thehand that rotates the cylinder is on the right side of the frame and the cylinder swings out to the left. This is whyS&W revolvers have two cylinder locks, one in the form of a spring loadedpin at the front of the ejector rod and the second a hole in the recoil shieldat the rear of the frame window for the spring-loaded cylinder pin. The handtrying to rotate the cylinder out of the frame is also why S&W revolver cylindersare not quite as tight, with the trigger pulled back, as equivalentColt revolver models.

The firing pin is pinned into the hammer using a roll pin.There is rebounding hammer with an internal hammer block that positivelyprevents the firing pin from hitting the primer of a chambered cartridge untilthe trigger is pulled back, thus rendering the gun safe to carry with thecylinder fully loaded. The main (hammer) spring is a leafspring inside the grip frame, secured by a screw in the lower front of the grip frame.

The trigger pull of the test gun measured a clean fourpounds, per my RCBS pull scale. Like all S&W revolvers G&S Online has reviewed,the DA pull exceeded the eight pound max reading of my scale. It is probably onthe order of 12 to 14 pounds, so heavy that when dry firing I could not keepthe sights correctly aligned, no matter how slowly and carefully I tried topull the trigger.

This revolver's DA trigger function is adequate for use at contact range and not much else. If you want to hit what you are shooting at, cock the hammer manually for a SA trigger pull.

It is no secret that S&W has turned out a lot of poorly machinedand fitted revolvers, especially during the 1970's and 1980's. However, thistest gun has a tight and uniform cylinder gap, tight cylinder crane to frame fitand a uniformly machined cylinder star. The frame is straight and the barrel iscorrectly aligned in the frame. The side plate fits the frame perfectly, with anearly invisible line where the two meet. The hand ejector rod is straight, theaction is tight and there is very little cylinder play. The locking bolt doesnot drag between the cylinder locking notches and the cylinder indexes correctlyduring rapid DA fire. The grip panels correctly match the shape of the frameand are a tight fit. It is one of the good ones!

For the shooting part of this review I had .38 Specialstandard pressure Remington/UMC 130 grain Metal Case (MV 790 fps) and Winchester/USA125 grain JSP (MV 850 fps) factory loads. To represent .38 Special +P loads I used the Winchester/USA 125 grain JHP Personal Protection factory load (MV 945 fps). Groups were five shots at 25yards at slow fire pistol (bulls eye) targets, fired from a sturdy shootingbench using a Pistol Perch rest.

Guns and Shooting Online staffers GordonLanders, Rocky Hays and Jim Fleck helped me with the shooting chores. We did our test shooting at the Izaak Walton outdoor shootingrange south of Eugene Oregon. Overcast skies with a high temperature in theupper 50's F during our day at the range with the Model 10 were typical ofWestern Oregon weather in mid-March. The maximum wind velocity was 10-15 MPH. At least it did not rain.

Smith And Wesson Model 14 Serial Numbers 180

Shooting results

• Remington 130 gr. MC: Smallest group = 1-3/4'; Largest group = 2-3/8'; Mean average group size = 2.13'
• Winchester 125 gr. JSP: Smallest group = 1-3/4'; Largest group = 2-3/4'; Mean average group size = 2.08'
• Winchester +P 125 gr. JHP: Smallest group = 1-1/8'; Largest group = 2-1/4'; Mean average group size = 1.79'

AVERAGE GROUP SIZE FOR ALL LOADS: 2.0'

This time out Jim shot the smallest individual group. Notethat none of our test loads were the 158 grain LRN factory loads (MV approx.800 fps) for which the Model 10's fixed sights were presumably regulated. Idetest plain lead bullets and almost never shoot such ammo in my revolvers, soI don't keep it on hand. Unfortunately, none was available for sale locally,due to the Obama ammo shortage.

The sights, although fixed, present a decent, Patridge typesight picture in daylight conditions. Point of impact with a two hand hold, forme, was 1.5' low and 1' to the left at 25 yards with the 125-130grain standard pressure ammo. The Winchester 125 grain +P loads grouped about1.25' low and approximately centered in windage.

Shooting a bit low withthese 125-130 grain loads was not surprising, as I figured the gun was intendedfor use with 158 grain police loads. If only the Model 10 had an adjustablerear sight it would be easy to zero this revolver to hit dead on at 25 yardswith 125 grain +P JHP ammo.

The SA trigger pull releases the hammer crisply, without anytake-up and very little over-travel. All shooters appreciated the cleantrigger. At a measured four pounds, the pull weight is about 1.5 pounds heavierthan I would like, but it is so crisp it feels lighter.

The wide trigger has a comfortably gentle curve and a grooved face. I prefer a smooth triggersurface. Never in my life can I remember my trigger finger slipping on a smooth trigger!

As with all S&W revolvers, the checkering on top of thehammer spur is too sharp and tends to abrade the skin of the shooter's thumb pad after alot of single action shooting. All of our test firing for ourrecorded groups was done single action, of course, to maximize accuracy. I havenever understood the gun manufacturers' fascination with sharp edges on handguns.

S&W's two-piece Magna grips have to be among the mostuncomfortable ever designed from the standpoint of handling recoil and theyprovide no fill between the front of the grip frame and the back of the triggerguard. (Well, okay, they are better than the earlier S&W wood grips--faint praise, indeed.) However, the Magna grips servedsatisfactorily on the relatively heavy for caliber Model 10 with both standard pressure and +P .38 Special loads. Therevolver's 6' barrel and good balance helped minimize recoil and muzzle jump.

My only real complaint was that the S&W cylinder latch (slideforward to swing open the cylinder) was too tight and a bit difficult to operate. It tendedto hesitate or stick about half way when pressed forward, the only rough machine workwe found on this gun.

Despite its age, this revolver showed signs of havingbeing shot very little prior to this review, with no signs of wear due to use,or even from being carried in a holster. I doubt it had fired a full box ofammo (50 rounds) in its entire life. It had been purchased by G&S OnlineTechnical Assistant Nathan Rauzon's Grandfather for home defense and spentvirtually its entire life in a gun case. Thus, we had the pleasure of shootingwhat was functionally a new Model 10-5 revolver.

The S&W Military and Police Model 10 is a good choicefor police service and home defense, just as advertised. It is the right sizefor the .38 Special cartridge, which particularly in +P hollow point form, is anexcellent choice for both purposes.

Like any revolver, it can be leftfully loaded with all springs relaxed for years and still be ready forimmediate action at a moments notice, without any preparation. Just cock thehammer and squeeze the trigger to fire accurate SA shots, or simply pull thetrigger for very short range DA use in an extreme emergency.

For home defense, nothing is safer, more accurate, more reliable or more ambidextrous than a revolver. A good S&W Military and Police Model 10 is more than adequate for the job.

Note: This review is mirrored on the Product Reviews page.