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Smith and Wesson Pre model 10 38sp questions
- Thread starter BLIP
- Start date
Model numbers began in 1957. Supposedly any model marked S&W handgun is safe with +P ammunition. A .357 cylinder should be too long to fit inside the frame unless you also change the barrel or shorten it at the forcing cons.
Factory K-frames had issues with a regular diet of 357... Not sure I'd go down that road with a gun was gunsmith jury-rigged to take it.
Just buy a GP-100 if you want a gun strong enough to shoot 357 all day.
Just buy a GP-100 if you want a gun strong enough to shoot 357 all day.
First you don't want to mess up a vintage weapon. Second if it's not originally designed for said cartridge, it's probably not a good idea. I only know of a small select few weapons you'd be safe doing that to. Plus it would cost a lot of money to change it. That's why I usually by a 357 to start with. Then you can shoot whatever you want and it's always worth more money as well. As long as it's a good quality weapon.
Here's the strange thing the 357 actually fits yeah, I saw that Smith had made some of these for the New York police department with a simple modification for 357. I'm curious if this was one of those that made it through modification already again
S&W made the 10-6 in .357 magnum for some LE agency; it was then replaced by the model 13.
Not all K frame guns and barrels have the same contours along the top strap and forward portion of the frame. You might possibly fit a barrel and cylinder but it not look correct.
You say .357 magnums chamber in your guns cylinder? Have the chambers been reamed to remove the shoulder?
Not all K frame guns and barrels have the same contours along the top strap and forward portion of the frame. You might possibly fit a barrel and cylinder but it not look correct.
You say .357 magnums chamber in your guns cylinder? Have the chambers been reamed to remove the shoulder?
Blip, is your cylinder original to the gun or has it been replaced with a 357 magnum cylinder?
S&W cylinders made for the .357 magnum should be 1/10 of an inch longer because the cartridge is 1/10 of an inch longer (actually I believe it's .125 is the actual difference in cylinder length.)
This also allows for the magnum cartridge to sit deeper into the cylinder in case the cylinder's chambers are recessed --to allow the rim to fit flush.
Is it possible that you have a standard model 10 cylinder (1.65" long) made for 38 special ammo that somebody has reamed out so that the longer 357 magnum cartridges will fit in it? If those cartridges are loaded with lighter weight or blunt tipped bullets they may not give you the problem of physically sticking out the front end of the cylinder and locking up the gun.
A .357 load that features a 158 grain or even 200 grain round nose lead bullet might do that if this were a 38 special cylinder.
S&W cylinders made for the .357 magnum should be 1/10 of an inch longer because the cartridge is 1/10 of an inch longer (actually I believe it's .125 is the actual difference in cylinder length.)
This also allows for the magnum cartridge to sit deeper into the cylinder in case the cylinder's chambers are recessed --to allow the rim to fit flush.
Is it possible that you have a standard model 10 cylinder (1.65" long) made for 38 special ammo that somebody has reamed out so that the longer 357 magnum cartridges will fit in it? If those cartridges are loaded with lighter weight or blunt tipped bullets they may not give you the problem of physically sticking out the front end of the cylinder and locking up the gun.
A .357 load that features a 158 grain or even 200 grain round nose lead bullet might do that if this were a 38 special cylinder.
FWIW, all modern S&W (post WW I ) will safely shoot .38 Spec. +P. S&W just likes to advertise that for newer firearms.
The gimmick is that today's *P .38 Spec is yesterday's standard load. Somewhere along about 1978, SAAMI changed the specifications for .38 Spec and down rated it. So an old standard police load .38 Spec. is today's +P load.
In fact, there were commercial high powered .38 Spec loads with various commercial names that reached light .357 magnum specs, the .357 not having come along yet,
Whether to shoot .357 in your gun is a toss up. Personally, I don't see a reason to do it.
If you do, be aware that the L frame was developed because K frames shot loose with extended .357 use.
The gimmick is that today's *P .38 Spec is yesterday's standard load. Somewhere along about 1978, SAAMI changed the specifications for .38 Spec and down rated it. So an old standard police load .38 Spec. is today's +P load.
In fact, there were commercial high powered .38 Spec loads with various commercial names that reached light .357 magnum specs, the .357 not having come along yet,
Whether to shoot .357 in your gun is a toss up. Personally, I don't see a reason to do it.
If you do, be aware that the L frame was developed because K frames shot loose with extended .357 use.
Say thank you guys for all the input and I did make a mistake and took this down the wrong path. The pistol is 38 Special it is not been chambered in 357 that will not fit. There are a couple things though oh, I understand it is a PRE model 10 and it does have the serial
389XXX but I'm still not too sure what to refer this as except for a pre model 10? Here's a couple more pictures if you guys can lend a helping hand. Oh by the way these are the original grips they're kind of chewed up on the bottom, the revolver works great I replace the hammer spring but the Finish is what it is.
I do appreciate all the input.
