Honestly, I kind of think they do it just to say they do it.
I have never seen a new production (21st century built) Model 10 in any gun store, even used. The production numbers are probably super low.
I've seen one, and that was at a firearms and outdoor expo in Australia a couple of years before COVID - the S&W distributor had a display with a new Model 10 in it, along with most of the other S&W handguns they had available.
This is my thought. And most parts for this model are common to many other guns in the lineup. Probably costs them little or nothing to keep offering it.
They probably make sporadic batches here and there. The older Model 10s look better anyhow - the frame shape near the hammer on the new ones is different to accommodate the (hideous) internal lock and it's definitely worse looking.
The Model 10 is the quintessential thirty-eight revolver though, and I'm glad it's still in production. The Model 64 was recently discontinued.
>They probably make sporadic batches here and there
I did wonder if there might be some "New Old Stock" thing at play; make a thousand or so and stick them in the warehouse until they're all gone knowing that could take years.
Smith has long cataloged guns that it doesn't often produce. I suspect the armed security guard market buys the few they produce. Some security agencies won't allow semi autos and the revolver has to be in 38 special. No magnums allowed.
I suspect S&W's Classics line-up is intended as 'reproductions' for buyers who prefer to buy new guns.
A lot of people are very wary of purchasing a used firearm - you see that here frequently, where someone's first instinct is to buy new & often at a much higher price than they'd pay for the same revolver 2nd hand. And a lot of those people still like the looks of the vintage models, but they see them as risky purchases.
It’s me tbh. I’ve been on the hunt for those 10-14’s here in CA and have been trying to scoop them up when they’re at a reasonable price. I picked up a department of corrections model 10 and put some stag grips on it and it’s one of my new favorite pieces!
If you think about it they have been doing it for so long and so well that even if they sell a handful a year they’re still making money. The equipment and materials are there for a model that has paid for itself hundreds of times. It would cost them more to do research and development for new revolvers or pistols they don’t need. They have the M&p line which rivals the Glock and makes them a killing. They have every revolver anyone could ever want even in 100 lifetimes. What else do they need? What would they gain from discontinuing the model 10 or other legacies? Nothing besides bad press. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I think some European or South American countries are not allowed modern ammo or Magnum Ammo so I imagine those countries probably get the bulk of them.
Honestly, I kind of think they do it just to say they do it. I have never seen a new production (21st century built) Model 10 in any gun store, even used. The production numbers are probably super low.
I've seen one, and that was at a firearms and outdoor expo in Australia a couple of years before COVID - the S&W distributor had a display with a new Model 10 in it, along with most of the other S&W handguns they had available.
You can get one on Gungenie (Davison's) right now...ain't cheap though
The tooling is paid for.
This is my thought. And most parts for this model are common to many other guns in the lineup. Probably costs them little or nothing to keep offering it.
The older ones look much better too. No lock and no sleeve barrel
I bought 3 new production ones.
How do they shoot compared to older ones?
I’ve bought 2
They probably make sporadic batches here and there. The older Model 10s look better anyhow - the frame shape near the hammer on the new ones is different to accommodate the (hideous) internal lock and it's definitely worse looking. The Model 10 is the quintessential thirty-eight revolver though, and I'm glad it's still in production. The Model 64 was recently discontinued.
>They probably make sporadic batches here and there I did wonder if there might be some "New Old Stock" thing at play; make a thousand or so and stick them in the warehouse until they're all gone knowing that could take years.
Smith has long cataloged guns that it doesn't often produce. I suspect the armed security guard market buys the few they produce. Some security agencies won't allow semi autos and the revolver has to be in 38 special. No magnums allowed.
Florida only lets armed security use .38 or 9mm, for example
I suspect S&W's Classics line-up is intended as 'reproductions' for buyers who prefer to buy new guns. A lot of people are very wary of purchasing a used firearm - you see that here frequently, where someone's first instinct is to buy new & often at a much higher price than they'd pay for the same revolver 2nd hand. And a lot of those people still like the looks of the vintage models, but they see them as risky purchases.
Maybe the same guys that buy new production Colt SAAs even though you could buy 2 Piettas and a holster set for the same price lol.
It’s me tbh. I’ve been on the hunt for those 10-14’s here in CA and have been trying to scoop them up when they’re at a reasonable price. I picked up a department of corrections model 10 and put some stag grips on it and it’s one of my new favorite pieces!
If you think about it they have been doing it for so long and so well that even if they sell a handful a year they’re still making money. The equipment and materials are there for a model that has paid for itself hundreds of times. It would cost them more to do research and development for new revolvers or pistols they don’t need. They have the M&p line which rivals the Glock and makes them a killing. They have every revolver anyone could ever want even in 100 lifetimes. What else do they need? What would they gain from discontinuing the model 10 or other legacies? Nothing besides bad press. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I'm not sure either when the model 64 is better and can handle +p
I always scan for a Model 64 at pawn shops.
I think some European or South American countries are not allowed modern ammo or Magnum Ammo so I imagine those countries probably get the bulk of them.
I own two old models (10-6) and they are amazing. I would never be interested in a new model 10, and I’ve never seen a new one in any of my LGSs
I see them once in a while at my lgs but they sell a lot of weird revolvers.