RANGE REPORT: Smith & Wesson pre-model 10

[Ansgar]

As I mentioned in my Kel-Tec PF9 range report I traded it in for a Smith & Wesson pre-model 10 revolver and took it out to the range on Saturday:

Condition: Used, Good: Numbers matching, minor wear in a few places.
Caliber: .38 special
Capacity: 6
Barrel: 6"
Ammunition: 150 rounds
Breakdown:
Box 1: Winchester white box, 50 Rounds
Failure to Fire: 0, 0.000%
Failure to Eject: 0, 0.000%
Failure to Feed: 0, 0.000%
Misfires: 0, 0.000%
Hangfires: 0, 0.000%
Injuries: 0
Box 2: Federal American Eagle, 50 Rounds
Failure to Fire: 0, 0.000%
Failure to Eject: 0, 0.000%
Failure to Feed: 0, 0.000%
Misfires: 0, 0.000%
Hangfires: 0, 0.000%
Injuries: 0
Box 3: Remington UMC green box, 50 Rounds
Failure to Fire: 0, 0.000%
Failure to Eject: 0, 0.000%
Failure to Feed: 0, 0.000%
Misfires: 0, 0.000%
Hangfires: 0, 0.000%
Injuries: 0

All firing was done at 25 meters.
First was 18 rounds on a standard target using only in single action: You couldn't have made this trigger smoother if you played smooth jazz while I fired. If it was pointed somewhere when it fired, that's where the bullet went. Period. 15 hits (83.333% accuracy), given the shooter's level of skill, it is extremely likely that all misses were operator error.

Second was 18 rounds on a standard target using only double action: Still ridiculously smooth on the trigger and definitely outperformed the user. 7 hits (38.889% accuracy), again, all misses my fault.

Third was a full size silhouette, still at 25 meters:
SA/DA mixed shooting
Shots fired: 50
Hits on Paper: 37 (74.000%)
On paper, outside silhouette: 9 (18.000%)
Inside silhouette, outside 7 ring: 11 (22.000%) [Headshots: 1 (2.000%){grazed}]
7 ring: 8 (16.000%)
8 ring: 4 (8.000%)
9 ring: 4 (8.000%)
10 ring: 1 (2.000%)
x: 0 (0.000%)

Review: This thing ate everything I fed it. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the greatest shot with a handgun. The revolver was outshooting me and I was pleasantly surprised by how little felt recoil there was. I'm planning to keep it as primarily a range toy, but also as a nightstand gun. The speedloader I purchased for it performed flawlessly and was probably the best $12 I've spent in a long time. I find this to be an all around excellent firearm and a pleasure to shoot. I'll be keeping this one until someone else gets it via my will. I have also purchased a set of snap caps to do dry fire exercises.

Now to convince the wife to let me get some custom grips made...does anyone know of a good place to get custom wood grips? I have a design in mind, but it would have to be completely custom made.

<Will add pics once the camera finishes charging>

[squinty]

Glad you're bonding well with your new revolver . Bet it takes good care of you. Google around for custom wood grips, there are plenty of people who'd make some to order for you, I bet.

Brief google search turned up these:

http://funggrip.jnb.com/revolver.html
http://www.herrett-stocks.com/album.htm
http://www.keithbrowngrips.com/
http://www.altamontco.com/experimental/ ... nd_wesson/
http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/revolver.htm

And check out Hogue as well, I've only ever used their rubber grips but they make well fitted wood grips too.

http://www.getgrip.com/main/overview/hardwood.html

[Trebor]

The proper name for a "pre-model 10" is the S&W Military and Police.

Post some pics and serial number and we might be able to date it for you.

[clc]

WE NEED PICS! lol
I would love to add a model 10 to my collection but cant seem to find any for a decent price. My S&W Victory is one of my favorite pieces.

[Florida_Tony]

Were you just fucking with us with the whole 0% Failure to Feed and Failure to Eject thing?

[squinty]

Were you just fucking with us with the whole 0% Failure to Feed and Failure to Eject thing?

Revolvers can have failures. I've had brass stick tight in the chamber and cylinders go out of time.
But yeah, I think that was a last cheap shot the kel-tec he traded away:lol:

[Ansgar]

Notice: Pictures are massive.

Side View with Speedloader
Grips
Butt of Grip
Rear View with Cylinder Open
Cylinder
Barrel

Also, the FTE and FTF being on there is because I am developing a standardized format for my range reports, as I hope to start doing them with more firearms of different varieties (I'm trying to keep them as objective as possible).

[Trebor]

From what I can find online, the C prefix Military and Police revolvers in that serial number range were manufactured between 1948 and 1952.

[Trebor]

Btw, I don't think I said it before, but that's a nice looking gun. Good find.

It is probably sighted in by the factory to shoot point of aim/point of impact at 25 yards with a 158 gr standard pressure load. Try some 158 gr wadcutters or lead semi-wadcutter loads and I bet it'll shoot right on target.

[doc66]

ALL kinds of things can go wrong with a revolver.

But regardless, that is one fine piece. I love SW revolvers.

[Trebor]

ALL kinds of things can go wrong with a revolver.

Oh yeah, I got over my "revolvers never jam" idealism when I became an instructor. I had my first revolver failure in my very first class. The worst was in a small class of 8 people where two students with relatively new S&W J-frames had their guns fail.

But regardless, that is one fine piece. I love SW revolvers.

Me too. The trick is the realize that nothing mechanical is perfect and recognize that applies to revolvers as well.

[Tetra Grammaton Cleric]

That's a stylin' M & P.

I want a Combat Masterpiece and a Combat Magnum soooo bad. I thought I'd convinced myself I didn't also want a Mililtary & Police in addition to the Masterpiece and the Magnum but your damned pretty pistol pictures have reminded me that that was originally deliberate denial on my part.

K frames R kewl.

-

[Ansgar]

I personally believe that if an object both exists and has moving parts, it will, without fail, eventually fail, therefore I should prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Also, if you click on the pictures again while viewing them, it will display them in their full 14.1 megapixel glory (cropped for relevance).
My wife's little camera is so awesome.