Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
From the time I was old enough to own firearms, I’ve always had some type of DA revolver chambered in 38 Special. Often that category was filled by a S&W model 10 of some type. The S&W Model 10 is ubiquitous, and it deserves the label iconic.
A 4” barreled DA revolver chambered in 38 Special is about as close to a “Universal” handgun as one can get. It isn’t perfect at filling every role, but it fills a LOT of roles. They are reasonably accurate, can be used for self-defense, easy to carry, somewhat concealable, economical to load for, not too expensive to obtain and fairly common. Of the guns that fit the description, the Model 10 may be the one that best epitomizes the type.
The Military & Police [M&P] and later Model 10, isn’t fancy. Fixed sights, blued finish, typically rather plain. Barrel lengths could range from 2” to 6” but I’m certain the 4” type was by far the most common. They were made in staggering numbers and pressed into service for countless needs.
The later model 64 had the same attributes as the model 10 but was made with stainless steel.
There were many variations of the Model 10. The grip frame could be had in square butt or round butt configuration. Barrels could be tapered (sometime called pencil barrel) or heavy barrel. There were design changes over the years, but the core design never changed.
So how about a big shout out the ubiquitous, universal, useful, and undeniably iconic Model 10.
A 4” barreled DA revolver chambered in 38 Special is about as close to a “Universal” handgun as one can get. It isn’t perfect at filling every role, but it fills a LOT of roles. They are reasonably accurate, can be used for self-defense, easy to carry, somewhat concealable, economical to load for, not too expensive to obtain and fairly common. Of the guns that fit the description, the Model 10 may be the one that best epitomizes the type.
The Military & Police [M&P] and later Model 10, isn’t fancy. Fixed sights, blued finish, typically rather plain. Barrel lengths could range from 2” to 6” but I’m certain the 4” type was by far the most common. They were made in staggering numbers and pressed into service for countless needs.
The later model 64 had the same attributes as the model 10 but was made with stainless steel.
There were many variations of the Model 10. The grip frame could be had in square butt or round butt configuration. Barrels could be tapered (sometime called pencil barrel) or heavy barrel. There were design changes over the years, but the core design never changed.
So how about a big shout out the ubiquitous, universal, useful, and undeniably iconic Model 10.