Smith & Wesson Model 10

About the Smith & Wesson Model 10

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 is a six-shot, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .38 Special, built on Smith & Wesson's medium-size K-frame. Originally introduced in 1899 as the '.38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899,' it was later known as the 'Military & Police' (M&P) before receiving its numeric Model 10 designation in 1957. It is the most-produced handgun of the 20th century with over 6 million units manufactured. The standard configuration features a 4-inch heavy barrel, carbon steel construction with a blued finish, fixed blade front sight, fixed notch rear sight, and wood grips. The double-action trigger pull is approximately 10 pounds (44 N) with a clean single-action pull of approximately 4 pounds (18 N). The revolver incorporates a rebounding hammer with internal hammer block safety and two cylinder locks for secure lockup. Standard barrel lengths have included 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 inches over its long production run, with the 4-inch heavy barrel being the current production standard. The K-frame design established the template for the modern medium-frame service revolver.

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 defined the concept of the modern police revolver. For over 70 years, from the early 1900s through the 1980s, the M&P was the standard by which all law enforcement sidearms were measured. The Victory Model variant armed Allied forces throughout World War II, with production running around the clock to meet wartime demand. The transition from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols in U.S. law enforcement during the 1980s and 1990s ended the Model 10's reign as the dominant police sidearm, but it remains in limited production as a classic.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 specifications

The Model 10 is one of the most historically significant firearms ever produced, serving as the standard-issue sidearm for countless police departments worldwide for over 70 years. Its WWII production variant, the 'Victory Model' (distinguished by a 'V' serial number prefix), saw approximately 570,000 units produced between 1942-1944, chambered in both .38 Special and .38/200 (for British Commonwealth forces). The transition from the M&P name to the Model 10 numeric designation occurred in 1957 when Smith & Wesson standardized its model numbering system. The current production model (Model 10-14) features a 4-inch heavy barrel and weighs 36 ounces. The Model 64 is the stainless steel version. Base specifications listed are for the 4-inch heavy barrel model. Weight varies significantly by barrel length and profile: 2-inch models approximately 28 oz (794g), 4-inch heavy barrel 36 oz (1021g), 6-inch tapered barrel approximately 31-32 oz (879-907g). The loaded weight estimate includes six .38 Special cartridges at approximately 12.6g each.