S&W 1076 / 1026

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Recently the topic of the 10mm cartridge came up on this forum and, as is common, my mind started to wander. I remembered the early 3rd generation S&W 10mm pistols, in particular, the models 1076 and 1026. Those two variants had short careers but an interesting place in history.

For those of you that may not be familiar with those models, the 1076 was an all stainless, 3rd generation S&W pistol chambered in 10mm with a 4.25” barrel. It had a frame mounted de-cock lever (a’ la SIG) and no slide mounted safety. The 1076 was a special order for the FBI and “the bureau” ordered 10,000 pistols but only took delivery of about 2400 pistols before they canceled the contract. The total production for the 1076 was about 31,000 pistols but only a small portion went to the FBI.

The 1026 was a special order specifically made for the Virginia State Police [VSP] and they took delivery of about 2200 pistols of the roughly 3100 made by S&W. The 1026 was identical to the 1076 but with a 5” barrel & slide. In 1990 the model 1026 replaced the S&W model 64 revolvers previously used by the VSP.

The VSP only issued the S&W model 1026 from 1990 to 1994. When you talk to troopers and agents from that era, you will find two distinct groups: Ones that say when fed the correct ammo, the gun was reliable and accurate. And ones that will say the gun was plagued with problems. Most of the officers that were “Gun Guys” will tell you the ammunition was the problem. In any event, the 1026 was the last S&W issued by the VSP and they went with SIG after that.

The S&W model 1006 (slide mounted safety/de-cocker) is far more commonly encountered than the 1076 or 1026. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s there was a scramble to switch from revolvers to pistols. A lot of agencies adopted some semi-auto pistol only to quickly un-adopt it and move onto another type of pistol. The 1026 was one of those pistols from that era whose time in the sun was brief.

Examples of the 1076 and 1026 are rarely encountered these days but they did have their place in history.
 
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I have only shot the 1006. Shot a few quite a but. Decided I liked my Delta better. (At the time. Then started reading about cracked frames. So I kind panicked and bought the Glock. (About '93 ish)
The S&W is a more stought chassis then the Colt. I was not making top loads. But it is a 10mm and factory Norma was what you could buy then.

Today these pistols command some good $$.

Im really wanting to get my hands on the new S&W MP 10mm.

CW
 

BBerguson

Official Pennsyltuckian
I owned a 4506 31 years ago. I was carrying it the first time I met my wifes father. He was a gun guy! We shook hands, he pulled my jacket aside and said “What you carrying?” He became my best friend and shooting buddy. Sure do miss him. Not the gun but I miss my FIL…
I can't say I’m looking for a pistol chambered in 10mm but if I came across a nice 645 or 4506 (2nd & 3rd Gen full size S&W in 45 ACP) for the right price, I may be tempted
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
The 645 and its 3rd Gen brother the 4506 were outstanding pistols. I've never seen a bad model 645 or 4506 - Those pistols can hold some small groups.

They are both a bit "Old School" in today's world. All Stainless and therefore rather heavy for their size, not the lowest bore axis I've seen and fairly big for the class - but they hold up well and shoot straight.
The model 1026 formerly used by the VSP had similar traits to the 645. Big and heavy but solid guns. Perhaps if they had been fed better ammo they would have had longer careers.

The model 1026 pistols probably had one of the shortest runs of any gun used by a large agency.

Troopers that retired during those years (1990-1994) could buy their pistol for a $1 but that would be a small percentage of the total order. I think the majority of the model 1026 pistols were turned in when VSP went with the SIG 228.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
In have owned one each of the 1006 and 1026 model S&Ws. I sold both after S&W stated that the factory would no longer support the original-series S&W autopistols and sold their spare parts inventory to Brownell's. This occurred about the time of the M&P autopistol roll-out. The 10-- series pistols were AWESOMELY STURDY, and built for a life of Norma-level loads (200 grainers @ 1200 FPS). They are a CHUNK to carry around, but the caliber is an awesome felon dissuader and one of the few conventional autopistol calibers capable of humanely harvesting species like deer. Full-up, the 10--series pistols held 10 rounds; my Glock 20SF full-up carries 16. It is also heavy, but heavy with 16 on board and 30 more in two mags is more comforting than onerous--and 46 vs. 28 isn't even a fair race. YES--I like large bullets and lots of them for social engineering venues, add in that said bullets are prompted along at or over the speed of sound is just gravy.

I'll venture a guess why VSP had trouble with their ammunition--the FBI Lite 10mm loadings that FBI came up with (180 grain JHPs @ 1030 FPS). My S&W pistols were heavily-sprung critters, and I don't think my pistols would have run reliably with loads that light. I never tried them in my S&Ws, but i have tried them in my Glocks (20 and 29). They run reliably, but ejection isn't vigorous at all. With three 40 S&Ws on hand, a 10mm running at 40 S&W intensities is kinda superfluous.

There has always been a 10mm pistol at my house for 30+ years. It is an awesome defensive caliber, but is not for everybody. Recoil? It's 45 ACP hardball X 1.25, at worst (Norma loadings). The most common loadings (180 grain JHPs @ 1125-1150 FPS) are 45 ACP X 1.1.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The only S&W auto pistol I have ever owned is the 5946, all stainless DA only. Got to shoot some of the RCMP pistols with +P+ ammo that was a hoot! They certainly liked them, seven pound triggers, fast cycling and little recoil; but pretty loud. Don't carry it, but it lives in the truck.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
...........
I'll venture a guess why VSP had trouble with their ammunition--the FBI Lite 10mm loadings that FBI came up with (180 grain JHPs @ 1030 FPS). My S&W pistols were heavily-sprung critters, and I don't think my pistols would have run reliably with loads that light. I never tried them in my S&Ws, but i have tried them in my Glocks (20 and 29). They run reliably, but ejection isn't vigorous at all. ..................
I think that's a solid guess.
The VSP was clearly influenced by the FBI in those days. Proximity to Quantico didn't help matters. The troopers that I knew to have some knowledge about firearms all said the problems were due to the ammunition and not the pistols.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
That "Proximity to Quantico" effect cannot be healthy, in the same way that most of southern California LE ignores LAPD's stuntwork with great enthusiasm. Both FBI and LAPD can and have produced some great work and leading innovations, but they have also produced some colossal messes and huge misunderstandings as well. The latter half of that anecdote has mostly to do with both shops' HUGE bureaucracies, and the swamp creatures that infest those environments.

Ahem.

I can't really fault the FBI for misunderstanding the 10mm Auto--most of the gun-buying and gun-using public doesn't understand it either. While it is not quite the ballistic equal of the 41 Magnum in a revolver (despite fanboi insistence to the contrary), it resembles the 41 Magnum in one respect--it is a niche caliber enthusiastically supported by its users, and poorly accepted by the firearms community at large. That's a shame--both calibers are well thought out and their makers take pains to build them well. (One exception--Colt's 10mm offerings weren't given sufficient R&D before release upon the market. More's the pity.)
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Organizations breed bureaucracies. The larger the organization, the larger the bureaucracy it produces; it seems to be an inevitable fact.

Competent people can and do exist in large organizations but as the organizations get larger it becomes easier for incompetent people to survive (sometimes even thrive) within the ranks.
 
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