Who says you can’t go home again? Bringing out this 10-8 (1985) K Frame revolver not only takes me back but makes me want to spend some time with it at the range. With over 6 million of these produced since 1899, the S&W Military and Police Model is still available today. Model 10 | Smith & Wesson (smith-wesson.com) Some of you might remember my review on my Model 13. (7) Smith and Wesson Model 13 .357 Magnum | Indiana Gun Owners - Gun Classifieds and Discussions.
Let me explain the ambience of this piece.
Starting with the history of engineering and it being essentially the same for the last 123 years, it is amazing that the dependability, accuracy and power that one can get out of this easy for me to carry revolver is legendary.
There are no sights to break off, loose gas, eject screws, need batteries or snag on clothing or cut skin. Just plain old fixed sights. And this one shoots em right down the middle. Otherwise I would have it fixed or replaced. In a world where sights are big business, and I do like all my Bo-Mars, I find that it is the carpenter, not the hammer, that gets the job done. Street fighting simply does not require adjustable whirligig hoopla sights when speed is needed. This gun has and will perform when handled properly.
As far as defense goes, it is comforting to me that my spent cases go home with me. Doing reloads on the clock in the shooting sports is fun and the practice may save your life someday. However the second best gunfight to be in is the one where your efficiency has neutralized within a few rounds. The best gunfight is the one you stayed out of.
The 4 Inch heavy barrel on the Model 10 and the Model 13 are winners for strength, stability, along with sometimes needed cranial impacts and I find it rounds out a perfect balance. I know, I know, there are those that complain of how heavy this piece is. This piece tips the scale at over 34 ounces and when asked why I would carry a gun of this weight, I simply say, because they didn’t make it heavier. Just me.
At the range, from a standing position. I can ring the 12 inch gong pictured all day long at 100 yards. The gun will do it if I do my part. Sorry for some of the lint and such that shows up in the close up pics, but if you will notice, I love the font that the factory roll marked into the steel back in the day. I know, it doesn’t make it shoot any better than the laser etched cartoon letters used today, but it is home to me.
This gun easily digest Plus P ammo should I want to use it. The rifling’s are cut deep into the barrel and it cleans up super easy. What you will not find on this gun are porting, butchered charge holes, bobbed hammers and springs that will only light Federal primers. The finish is deep blue from the factory and there has been no reason to spray paint poly coating all over it. Don’t need flags, naked women, grizzly bears eating tigers, or any other theme painted on my gun.
One of the things I liked about a production change of the Model 10-8 is the factory moving the trademark meatball to the left side and making it somewhat smaller in size and less obtrusive that on the side plate.
Sometimes, less can be more in a world where we have to have $15 cups of coffee and instant gratification even if it means making the product cheaper. I find that this old revolver finds our way home time and time again.
Let me explain the ambience of this piece.
Starting with the history of engineering and it being essentially the same for the last 123 years, it is amazing that the dependability, accuracy and power that one can get out of this easy for me to carry revolver is legendary.
There are no sights to break off, loose gas, eject screws, need batteries or snag on clothing or cut skin. Just plain old fixed sights. And this one shoots em right down the middle. Otherwise I would have it fixed or replaced. In a world where sights are big business, and I do like all my Bo-Mars, I find that it is the carpenter, not the hammer, that gets the job done. Street fighting simply does not require adjustable whirligig hoopla sights when speed is needed. This gun has and will perform when handled properly.
As far as defense goes, it is comforting to me that my spent cases go home with me. Doing reloads on the clock in the shooting sports is fun and the practice may save your life someday. However the second best gunfight to be in is the one where your efficiency has neutralized within a few rounds. The best gunfight is the one you stayed out of.
The 4 Inch heavy barrel on the Model 10 and the Model 13 are winners for strength, stability, along with sometimes needed cranial impacts and I find it rounds out a perfect balance. I know, I know, there are those that complain of how heavy this piece is. This piece tips the scale at over 34 ounces and when asked why I would carry a gun of this weight, I simply say, because they didn’t make it heavier. Just me.
At the range, from a standing position. I can ring the 12 inch gong pictured all day long at 100 yards. The gun will do it if I do my part. Sorry for some of the lint and such that shows up in the close up pics, but if you will notice, I love the font that the factory roll marked into the steel back in the day. I know, it doesn’t make it shoot any better than the laser etched cartoon letters used today, but it is home to me.
This gun easily digest Plus P ammo should I want to use it. The rifling’s are cut deep into the barrel and it cleans up super easy. What you will not find on this gun are porting, butchered charge holes, bobbed hammers and springs that will only light Federal primers. The finish is deep blue from the factory and there has been no reason to spray paint poly coating all over it. Don’t need flags, naked women, grizzly bears eating tigers, or any other theme painted on my gun.
One of the things I liked about a production change of the Model 10-8 is the factory moving the trademark meatball to the left side and making it somewhat smaller in size and less obtrusive that on the side plate.
Sometimes, less can be more in a world where we have to have $15 cups of coffee and instant gratification even if it means making the product cheaper. I find that this old revolver finds our way home time and time again.