Smith & Wesson Model 10

Lore & Background

The Model 10 originated as the .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899, ordered by the U.S. Army and Navy in .38 Long Colt. That same year, Smith & Wesson began offering it in .38 S&W Special. The 1902 model introduced internal lockwork changes and a locking underlug. The 1905 4th Change (1915) added a passive hammer block and enlarged sights. After World War I, it became standard police issue for 70 years. During World War II, Victory Models (with V-prefix serial numbers) were produced; many were supplied to Allied forces under Lend-Lease. Post-war, the M&P was renamed Model 10 in the late 1950s. The Model 10–6 series (early 1960s) replaced the tapered barrel with a bull barrel. As of 2012, only a 4-inch barrel model was available.

In Their Own Story

The rain-slicked cobblestones of Oakwood reflected the flickering neon of a bar sign. Tommy pressed his back against the brick wall, the Model 10's grip slick in his palm. Across the alley, a silhouette moved—a cop, maybe, or a rival. He'd taken this revolver off a flatfoot two weeks ago, after the shooting at Salieri's bar. It smelled of gunpowder and oil. He thumbed back the hammer, the click loud in the quiet. 'Just one shot,' he whispered, 'and it's over.' The silhouette stepped into the light—it was Paulie, grinning. 'Put that pea-shooter away, Tommy. We got work to do.'

Reader's Guide

The Model 10 is a six-shot revolver with a swing-out cylinder, allowing simultaneous ejection and reloading of all chambers. It is chambered in .38 Special and uses fixed sights. Late model Model 10s can handle any .38 Special cartridge up to and including +P+ rounds. The revolver has been available in blued or nickel finish, with round or square butt grip patterns. Victory Models typically have a sandblasted and parkerized finish, a lanyard loop, and smooth walnut grips (though some early models had checkered grips). Rechambering .38-200 cylinders to .38 Special results in oversized chambers, which may cause problems.

Did You Know?

• Over 6,000,000 M&P/Model 10 revolvers have been produced, making it the most popular handgun of the 20th century.
• The Victory Model was a standard-issue sidearm for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircrews during World War II.
• Some Lend-Lease Victory Models originally chambered for .38/200 were later rechambered to .38 Special.
• The Model 10 was renamed from the Military & Police in the late 1950s when Smith & Wesson adopted numeric designations.