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AR15.COM
1/30/2008 12:56:51 AM EDT
So here's my quandary. I have a S&W model 10 I inherited from my grandfather about 5 years ago. Its has the tapered (6 in?) barrel and is nickel plated, and .38 cal. I would say its about 85%. It has been sitting in on of my cases not getting any use. I have been kicking around the idea of putting a heavy 4 in bbl. on it and getting it converted to .357 and having a new finish put on it since I am not real big into nickel. If this is possible do you guys think it would be disrespectful to modify an heirloom like that or is worse to to let a perfectly good gun just waste away?. I would like to pass it on to one of my children as well some day. So what do you guys think. Am I way out of line, or should I not feel guilty about these thoughts. If all this is possible who do you guys recommend that is reputable and reasonably priced. Thanks for lending me your brains. Sgt Bell

edited spelling
1/30/2008 12:58:41 AM EDT
[#1]
You can't convert it to .357 and that kind of work is cost prohibitive. Go buy a model 19/65/66.

Also I would not modify an heirloom. New guns are cheap, my families guns are priceless.
1/30/2008 2:41:08 AM EDT
[#2]

Quoted:
You can't convert it to .357 and that kind of work is cost prohibitive. Go buy a model 19/65/66.

Also I would not modify an heirloom. New guns are cheap, my families guns are priceless.


+1
1/30/2008 2:48:32 AM EDT
[#3]
         Like they said gunsmith work to swap out barrel and refinish will cost more than a brand new gun and you can't make a 38 into a 357 because the frame is to short .
         Use grandpa's gun for what it is , they can be real sweet shooters.
1/30/2008 3:00:38 AM EDT
[#4]
If you want an M&P in .357mag why don't you just buy and M&P Magnum.  They called it the Model 13.  It is exactly what you are trying to make.  They don't pop up very often but they usually run about the same price as a Model 10.
1/31/2008 6:02:04 PM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:

Also I would not modify an heirloom. New guns are cheap, my families guns are priceless.


+1

You'd be nuts to modify that gun.

Feed it a steady diet of quality cast bullets, take proper care of it, and see if it doesn't grow on you.
2/1/2008 6:32:55 PM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Also I would not modify an heirloom. New guns are cheap, my families guns are priceless.


+1

You'd be nuts to modify that gun.

Feed it a steady diet of quality cast bullets, take proper care of it, and see if it doesn't grow on you.


+ eleventy billion

While I'm not fond of nickel finishes, I LOVE the old skinny barrel model 10's. Figure in that it's a family heirloom, and there is absolutely no way I would even considering tampering with it.
2/2/2008 10:31:20 AM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
          you can't make a 38 into a 357 because the frame is to short .


FYI,

Model 10's used the "K" frame which incidentally is the very same frame size as the 19. The frame is not too short.

The conversion would wreck the gun, however, as neither the frame nor the cylinder were made sufficiently strong at the time to handle 357 pressures. The Model 19 was heat treated differently to handle the stress. Even if one installed a model 19 cylinder onto the 10's frame, the frame would stretch in a short order rendering the gun useless.
2/2/2008 1:47:16 PM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:
You can't convert it to .357 and that kind of work is cost prohibitive. Go buy a model 19/65/66.

Also I would not modify an heirloom. New guns are cheap, my families guns are priceless.


+100
2/2/2008 2:14:56 PM EDT
[#9]
I'd say fix it up and refinish it to its former glory if it is possible.  Put it in a velvet lined glass top presentation box and enjoy.
2/4/2008 7:31:07 PM EDT
[#10]
Thanks fellas. I think I will maybe just have it restored and retire it to a glass case of some sort. I appreciate all ofthe the input. Sgt Bell