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S&W model 10..
SilentRage
Member Posts: 103 ✭✭
NIB for $600. Is that too much to pay for an older handgun even though it is new?
Comments
IMHO, $600 is way to much. Sight unseen,even NIB it shouldn't top out ar more than $400.
I think I'd want to know the details such as finish, barrel length, barrel type, revision #, etc before rejecting a NIB gun from consideration. A wise person once said that there's no such thing as paying too much for a gun, there's just paying it too soon.
Neal
NIB for $600. Is that too much to pay for an older handgun even though it is new?
If its a rare variant (or has an unusual provenance), in true 100% condition (ie not a visible mark on it anywhere), and comes with original box and all papers, than that wouldn't be "too high".
Edit: Comparisons to Colts are a bit misplaced here, because the Colts aren't being made any more and the ones that usually command the big bucks were never put out in the massive numbers that the Smiths were. Believe it or not, S&W is still cranking out new Models 10, same as it has been doing since 1899(!).
If you look at it from THAT perspective, the NEW models 10 (ie ones with MIM parts and built in locks, etc) that are rolling out of the factory TODAY still cost upwards of $600.
IMO if you want a "Shooter" there are so many great condition USED models 10 out there for half that price that it doesn't make sense to pay top bucks for a new one. So if you're actually interested in shooting the gun. . .$600 is definitely too high.
But if you did want a NEW gun, it probably DOES make more sense to buy a classic old-build pinned barrel model 10 from the better days of Smith hand craftsmanship than to buy a true factory new gun for a similar price.
So the question is, which "dash" model is this and is there anything else interesting about it?
Well, I guess it could be a new factory model 10. I did not know they still made these, so I assumed that it is older. I really don't know for sure, tho, there's nothing in the description that specifies. I do want one that I can plink with, so ill just keep looking for a nice used one. Thanks for the advice everyone
Well, you could always contact the seller and ask for more info, though it sounds like that won't be worth your trouble in this case.
As already mentioned, literally millions of models 10 were made over the years, and a lot of them were used for their nominal purpose as military and police revolvers all over the world. When the military and police largely abandoned revolvers and went almost entirely to semi-autos, around the end of the 1970s, a huge number of these revolvers were diverted to the surplus market. Since fixed sight .38 special revolvers just aren't particularly "hip", the price of these remains relatively low. .
Of course the old school Smith revolvers basically last a lifetime, and as a result you can still find cosmetically ugly but perfectly serviceable models 10 for on the GunBroker auction site for as little as $200. Slightly worn but still nice looking and 100% functional ones cost maybe $300. Nickel plating, 2" snubnose versions, and other variants also add to the cost. And of course like new guns in the original boxes (especially really old ones) potentially have appeal to collectors and command more money yet.
If you're interested in a slightly more maintenance free gun, Police trade-in models 64 (which are basically identical to the model 10, but in stainless steel) can be had starting at $250, and in my opinion in terms of bang/buck these are probably amongst the best bargains in service type guns out there today (period).
IMO, if you're looking at medium frame .38 revolvers, you might want to kick in just a little more money and step up to the Smith model 19, which can be had in the $400 price range right now. These are basically like a model 10, but have much-easier to see and adjustable combat sights. The 19s are also chambered in .357 magnum, which means that you can safely run either .38s (for practice) or .357s (for "business") through the gun at will, making these excellent defense and even potentially hunting revolvers as well.
EDIT #2, responding to below:
quote:I have been looking at the Taurus model 82s, also (I have an 85 ultralite) but there's just something about the s&w model 10 that appeals to me. I will look into the model 19 and see what I can find. Thanks for the great advice beantown
You're welcome. Smith hasn't been making and selling Model 10s (or its ancestors) for 110+ years because the guns "suck". . .[;)]. These are basically the "gold standard" in medium frame .38 special revolvers.
I'm not going to turn this into a "* Taurus" thread, but IMO its just unwise to buy a Taurus 82 in 38+P when for basically the same money or maybe only a few dollars more, you can get a Smith instead.
Taurus is notorious for quality control issues with its revolvers, and bad ones are, unfortunately, fairly common. While no company is perfect, and bad Smith revolvers are out there, they are just much less common, and the chance of you getting one is fairly small.
If you did have a problem with a Smith revolver, Smith is right here in the USA and will take care of you. Smith spare parts are also readily available, for a non-Smith and Wesson gunsmith to work with. Meanwhile, I believe the new American subsidiary of Taurus does NOT honor its warranties on older (ie non "Braztech" labelled) guns, meaning if you buy an older one that goes bad, you're on your own.
Smith revolvers are easier to resell (should you ever want/need to do that), and tend to hold their value better than Taurus ones. Lastly, while stuff like holsters and reloaders should be effectively interchangeable between the two, in particular aftermarket grips and certain other accessories for Smith K frame revolvers are easier to find, and in greater variety than for Taurus.
Bottom line, while its certainly possible to get a good Taurus revolver, I think you'll be happier with a Smith. When it comes to revolvers in particular, "Buy American" is actually good advice.
On Smith model 19, I really like those. Obviously the ability to take .357s is an advantage, but IMO the biggest advantage is just the SIGHTS. Smith models 10 have thin front sights and shallow "notch" rear sights. They're adequate, but the model 19 combat sights, are IMO just MUCH easier to see. Obviously you can also adjust them too, which is good, though probably not strictly necessary for a "combat" type gun. The Models 10 will typically hit within a few inches of point of aim at 25 yards, which is "good enough". Upgrading model 10 sights is possible, though not cheap, and you might as well just get a gun with the sights you like out of the box.
quote:If you don't need 357 and 38 special is all you want. Look at the model 15 it is basically the model 10 with adjustable sights
Great suggestion. Smith and Wesson model 67, which is the stainless steel version of the model 15, would also be an excellent choice, and sometimes you can pick up police surplus trade ins of these on the cheap from the auction site (or elsewhere).
Smith model 66 is like the 19, but stainless, and arguably the "best" of this series (though also the most expensive).
Basically this comes down to how much you want to pay, and what features you want, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.