Smith & Wesson Model 10
Smith & Wesson · Pistol · Discontinued · 1899
Also known as: .38 Hand Ejector, Military & Police, M&P, Victory Model, K-38
Overview
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.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1021 g (36.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1097 g (38.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 226 mm (8.90") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Height | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Width | 37 mm (1.46") |
| Sight Radius | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Action Type | Double Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Trigger Pull | 18 N (4.0 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 264 m/s (866 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 282 J (208 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 476 mm (18.74") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Carbon Steel |
| Barrel Material | Carbon Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .38 Special · primary — also known as .38 Spl, .38 S&W Special, 9.1x29mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Block Safety, Cylinder Latch
- Features: K Frame, Fixed Sights, Blade Front Sight, Notch Rear Sight, Heavy Barrel, Exposed Hammer, Six Shot Cylinder, Wood Grips, Counter Clockwise Cylinder Rotation
Variants
- Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector (Pre-Model 10) — Original Production
- Smith & Wesson Victory Model — Military
- Smith & Wesson Model 10 (2") — Compact
- Smith & Wesson Model 10 (5") — Long Barrel
- Smith & Wesson Model 10 (6") — Long Barrel
- Smith & Wesson Model 10 Heavy Barrel — Standard
- Smith & Wesson Model 64 — Material Variant
Service history
Operators
- United States Armed Forces · adopted 1899 · as Standard Issue Revolver
- U.S. Law Enforcement (Various Departments) · as Standard Issue Sidearm
- United Kingdom Armed Forces · adopted 1940 · as Pistol, Revolver, .38/200
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police · as Service Revolver
- Australian Armed Forces · as Service Revolver
- Israel Defense Forces
- French National Police
Production
Estimated total produced: 6,000,000 · Production years: 1899-present
Over 6 million produced, making it the most-produced handgun of the 20th century; approximately 570,000 Victory Model variants produced during WWII (1942-1944)
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
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.
Background
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.