New vs old Model 10?

[DavidBevis]

I'm interested in buying my first S&W revolver, and I've settled on a Model 10 because there's something about the design that I've fallen in love with.
Is there a specific reason to spend the extra money (a few hundred dollars) on one new from S&W or buy an older model? Either way I'd be purchasing online and having one shipped to an FFL, so I was thinking my best luck with getting a nice one without having it in hand would be buying new, but I've read a lot about older S&W revolvers being better in general.
Thanks in advance!

[Arik]

Old used 10 is usually cheaper. Especially a police traded one.

Older stuff was built better but there were still good and bad eras. You're not going to wear out either one

[ThirdWatcher]

Definitely buy an older one. There are still plenty of them out there, they’re still reasonably priced, and they don’t have that idiotic and unsightly lock on the side. Take your time looking and buy one that is “gently used”. (FWIW, I have a 3”, a 4” heavy barrel, & a 5” pencil barrel. I’m not a collector, they’re just good, reasonably priced firearms that I enjoy shooting).

[gaijin]

Definitely get an older one.
Check timing before you close the deal.

Not much better in double action than a broke in K frame.

[jmoore]

Older - NO lock


geezer john

[Stickman]

Are you going to include the model 64, which is the SS version of the model 10? I prefer my 64s to my model 10s, primarily due to the finish and not worrying about punishment to the blueing.

[Ron3]

I'd want an older one for reasons stated.

But read up on proper inspection. Any gun can be worn out, damaged, or abused.

I know a now- retired cop who loved talking about his old Model 10 HB. He was not the original owner. He tried to qualify with it for off-duty use. (Issue gun Glock 22) in front of several people the barrel fell off during his qual. I never saw the gun and cant tell you what went wrong but it was the talk of the week. Or two.

My guess is corrosion or someone (and maybe S&W) had worked on it / removed or replaced the barrel and messed it up. But then again he said he'd had it for years and had fired it at least some.

I'm just saying inspect well because guns do wear out and / or can have problems.

Hell my Beretta Tomcat just killed itself recently and now I have a gun for a church gun-buy or something.

Car-fax? Gun-fax? Gun-fox? 🤔

[DavidBevis]

I'd want an older one for reasons stated.

But read up on proper inspection. Any gun can be worn out, damaged, or abused.

I know a now- retired cop who loved talking about his old Model 10 HB. He was not the original owner. He tried to qualify with it for off-duty use. (Issue gun Glock 22) in front of several people the barrel fell off during his qual. I never saw the gun and cant tell you what went wrong but it was the talk of the week. Or two.

My guess is corrosion or someone (and maybe S&W) had worked on it / removed or replaced the barrel and messed it up. But then again he said he'd had it for years and had fired it at least some.

I'm just saying inspect well because guns do wear out and / or can have problems.

Hell my Beretta Tomcat just killed itself recently and now I have a gun for a church gun-buy or something.

Car-fax? Gun-fax? Gun-fox? ��

I probably wouldn't want to talk to anyone that seen that for a while if my BARREL fell off during range day lol
That is the main reason I'm hesitant to end up buying a used on from the internet, because I've rarely seen them used locally

[Ron3]

No doubt about it, the very next time you are in your LGS you will find one...

Definitely.

Want to see some great deals on guns? Go to a gun show on a Saturday morning with $20 in your pocket. You'll leave crying.

Bring $1200 next time? Nothing but $619 gen 4 Glocks, $399 870 Express shotguns, and $999 "custom" AR's from "Larry's Tactical".