The usual, I need price advice

1911fan

I have located a Smith and Wesson Model 10-8 4" Heavy Barrel in .38spl. The price is $300. The gun itself is in beautiful condition, no visible cylinder ring at all, bluing is consistent and undamaged. It was lying on its left side in the case so I could only see one stock, which showed some wear. It looked like somebody--probably a lefty--was working private security and never unholstered the gun. Casino Security used to be armed, back in the day...

I didn't get a chance to handle it because, just when I'd made up my mind that I wanted to do so, a bunch of chin-fuzz boys and their gum-snapping girlfriends showed up, wanting to fondle the black hi-caps. A couple were waving plastic, so poor little lookie-loo me got ignored.

I want this pistol for my wife. Right now, she has my Ruger stainless steel 6" Security Six with the factory rubber grip, which she made me take off and replace with original stocks (little pixie hands and she don't like Tupperware grips--ironic considering that her mother was district manager for them). She can shoot the gun okay but I think it's too much pistol for her. Not only does she not like rubber grips, the recoil and muzzle blast from my Charter Undercover 2" are not to her liking, either. I think a decent 4" would fit her nicely, with the added benefit that the gun is .38 so there's no worry about powder rings when shooting .357. PLUS, I get my Ruger back!:applause:

Here's my thinking: Researching Gunbroker last night showed prices all over the place. Generally, well-used Model 10's seem to go for around $300 more or less. However, the HB's seem to be a couple of hundred more. I think some casino security manager's widow took the gun in (they have ads everywhere--"we buy guns") and they paid her $100 or so, the went to triple their money, not realizing what they had.

This seems to be fairly common with their used guns. A couple of years ago, I picked up a Ruger Old Model Three Screw Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" in .44 Mag for $250 and passed on a 12 gauge Wingmaster for $200 and also missed a stainless Single Six 6" for $250. Being unemployed is NOT condusive for the collection!

So--S&W Model 10-8, 4"HB for $300. Deal or no deal?

No, I don't know what's behind the curtain.

ed

ken55

Deal. In the condition you described, I'd buy that revolver in a nano-second for $300. Naturally, I'd dicker a little first but I'd be willing to pay full price for it.

30-30shooter

do it before someone else does

Teach

Unless the counter guy is so used to taking plastic he doesn't know what real money is, wave $250.00 CASH under his nose and see if he bites. Just keep the other 50 in another pocket in case the price really is non-negotiable. Good buy either way! My brother bought a well-used 4" Model 10 for $225.00 about a year ago, and thought he got a really good deal.
Jerry

1911fan

Thanks for the prompt responses!

I hadn't mentioned that the gun was at Scheels because, for some reason, I had it in my mind that I was posting on the Nevada Shooters forum and I didn't want one of those guys to jump into the personal conveyance and motor on down there, just to hose me out of a deal.

Right now, I'm sitting in a room at Circus Circus in Reno, waiting for the wife to get back from church. I NEVER sleep well the first night in a hotel, so I was more than a little spacey when I posted this morning. I tried last night but all I got was gibberish--free cocktails while playing can be a menace in more ways than one!

When the wife gets back--I didn't go with her because she used to live up here and has a LARGE number of friends there (including the famous Channel Two weatherguy) and I get to stand there looking dumb, shaking hands with MANY strangers, then being bored while they "catch up". I love my wife and thank God daily that she's in my life, but about the fifth time I get to hear the stories, my eyes start to glaze and my tinnitis begins to roar...

When she gets back, we're going to swing by Bizarre Guitar and Guns (I met a guy who works there through the aforementioned forum) just to make sure, then head out for Scheel's. I just hope there's time to do the Brady along with everything else we've got to do today.

Questions:

What frame letter is the Model 10?

Can I shoot +P's? Not as a steady diet, of course but for an SD load

I figure with tax, Brady, a box of .38 spl. and a gun rug, we'll be out of there for about four bills. Now, to get her shook free timewise so we can shoot it.

As always, thanks for the input. Believe it or not, this is (along with showing her the GB auctions) exactly what helps to convince her.

AND, I get my 6" Stainless Steel Security Six with custom factory rubber grip BACK!!!

ed

30-30shooter

1911fan wrote: »

Thanks for the prompt responses!

Questions:

What frame letter is the Model 10?

Can I shoot +P's? Not as a steady diet, of course but for an SD load

I figure with tax, Brady, a box of .38 spl. and a gun rug, we'll be out of there for about four bills. Now, to get her shook free timewise so we can shoot it.

As always, thanks for the input. Believe it or not, this is (along with showing her the GB auctions) exactly what helps to convince her.

AND, I get my 6" Stainless Steel Security Six with custom factory rubber grip BACK!!!

ed

the model 10 is a k frame and you can shoot +p's

timc

Sounds like a good deal to me; I say buy it!

ken55

1911fan wrote: »

Thanks for the prompt responses!

I hadn't mentioned that the gun was at Scheels because, for some reason, I had it in my mind that I was posting on the Nevada Shooters forum and I didn't want one of those guys to jump into the personal conveyance and motor on down there, just to hose me out of a deal.

Right now, I'm sitting in a room at Circus Circus in Reno, waiting for the wife to get back from church. I NEVER sleep well the first night in a hotel, so I was more than a little spacey when I posted this morning. I tried last night but all I got was gibberish--free cocktails while playing can be a menace in more ways than one!

When the wife gets back--I didn't go with her because she used to live up here and has a LARGE number of friends there (including the famous Channel Two weatherguy) and I get to stand there looking dumb, shaking hands with MANY strangers, then being bored while they "catch up". I love my wife and thank God daily that she's in my life, but about the fifth time I get to hear the stories, my eyes start to glaze and my tinnitis begins to roar...

When she gets back, we're going to swing by Bizarre Guitar and Guns (I met a guy who works there through the aforementioned forum) just to make sure, then head out for Scheel's. I just hope there's time to do the Brady along with everything else we've got to do today.

Questions:

What frame letter is the Model 10?

Can I shoot +P's? Not as a steady diet, of course but for an SD load

I figure with tax, Brady, a box of .38 spl. and a gun rug, we'll be out of there for about four bills. Now, to get her shook free timewise so we can shoot it.

As always, thanks for the input. Believe it or not, this is (along with showing her the GB auctions) exactly what helps to convince her.

AND, I get my 6" Stainless Steel Security Six with custom factory rubber grip BACK!!!

ed

It' a K-frame and you're not going to hurt it with +Ps. That's a sturdy gun.

Gene L

It's a $250 revolver, which is what I'd offer. A steady diet of +Ps will loosen the frame, which is why they came out with the L-frame. When I first got in to LE, that was the standard issue weapon. We had to change them every three years or so, and that was just from shooting regular ammo.

That being said, I wouldn't hestitate to put a few cylinders of +Ps through it. Just don't make it a habit.

If you don't see a cylinder ring, check to see if it's been reblued.

Big Chief

I thought they came out with the "L" frame in .357 because of the pounding model 13/19s were getting shooting .357s magnums from a "K" frame, but no issues for model 10/14/15s using .38 spl or .38+P.

Try and talk him down, at least, $25-50 bucks. However, considering prices of used S&Ws these days, one in the condition you describe may well sell for $300 easily.

breamfisher

You're right, Chief. The L frame was because of .357 battering, not .38.

I doubt the OP will shoot enough +P to really worry about it.

I'd get it for $300. In my area, that's a good deal.

shotgunshooter3

Around here they'd probably be asking $500 for a revolver in that condition, $600 or so in a Pawn Shop...

Big Chief

If ya wanna get your BP up, just go to Guns America and look at the ridiculous prices they are asking. Maybe they charge for the asinine comments in the description ".............This is a .38 spl revolver that fires .38 spl ammo...................." duh morons:conehead: and they cling to every model engineering change Dash - or lack thereof as a selling point to add $$$$ value to the asking price. I'm not just talking "Pre" this or that either.

Occasionally, someone will have a fair (ish) price among several asking $200-300 more for the same model/condition gun. I thunk they eat mushrooms with their morning cereal, all wanna get rich quick. Makes you wanna **** slap a few of them:punch:

snake284

1911fan wrote: »

I have located a Smith and Wesson Model 10-8 4" Heavy Barrel in .38spl. The price is $300. The gun itself is in beautiful condition, no visible cylinder ring at all, bluing is consistent and undamaged. It was lying on its left side in the case so I could only see one stock, which showed some wear. It looked like somebody--probably a lefty--was working private security and never unholstered the gun. Casino Security used to be armed, back in the day...

I didn't get a chance to handle it because, just when I'd made up my mind that I wanted to do so, a bunch of chin-fuzz boys and their gum-snapping girlfriends showed up, wanting to fondle the black hi-caps. A couple were waving plastic, so poor little lookie-loo me got ignored.

I want this pistol for my wife. Right now, she has my Ruger stainless steel 6" Security Six with the factory rubber grip, which she made me take off and replace with original stocks (little pixie hands and she don't like Tupperware grips--ironic considering that her mother was district manager for them). She can shoot the gun okay but I think it's too much pistol for her. Not only does she not like rubber grips, the recoil and muzzle blast from my Charter Undercover 2" are not to her liking, either. I think a decent 4" would fit her nicely, with the added benefit that the gun is .38 so there's no worry about powder rings when shooting .357. PLUS, I get my Ruger back!:applause:

Here's my thinking: Researching Gunbroker last night showed prices all over the place. Generally, well-used Model 10's seem to go for around $300 more or less. However, the HB's seem to be a couple of hundred more. I think some casino security manager's widow took the gun in (they have ads everywhere--"we buy guns") and they paid her $100 or so, the went to triple their money, not realizing what they had.

This seems to be fairly common with their used guns. A couple of years ago, I picked up a Ruger Old Model Three Screw Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" in .44 Mag for $250 and passed on a 12 gauge Wingmaster for $200 and also missed a stainless Single Six 6" for $250. Being unemployed is NOT condusive for the collection!

So--S&W Model 10-8, 4"HB for $300. Deal or no deal?

No, I don't know what's behind the curtain.

ed

Dude, there is nuthin on God's green earth anymore beautiful than a S&W revolver, except a S&W revolver in the condition you described. But I would take Teach's advice. Ain't no use in giving the farm away if you can get it cheaper. However, if push comes to shove, that's still a great deal.

DoctorWho

Gene L wrote: »

It's a $250 revolver, which is what I'd offer. A steady diet of +Ps will loosen the frame, which is why they came out with the L-frame. When I first got in to LE, that was the standard issue weapon. We had to change them every three years or so, and that was just from shooting regular ammo.

That being said, I wouldn't hestitate to put a few cylinders of +Ps through it. Just don't make it a habit.

If you don't see a cylinder ring, check to see if it's been reblued.

If you were having to change them out every two or three years, and shooting regular ammo, it was for reasons other than normal wear.
My experience with the S&W M-10 (circa issue 1980's models) with +P Federal LE issue ammo was good, 15,000 rounds no problems.
Regular LEO's were not doing enough shooting to cause problems.

1911fan

I'll refer you guys to my other thread entitled "Got it!"

ed