I got this one (.38 Special Model 10-8) in '85, from the LAPD Revolver Club. I carried it during the winter months (where the temps in LA would get down to a bone-chilling 50 degrees at night) as my off-duty gun. Summers I reverted back to my 649 or later, my Airweight.


When it was "denutted" (LAPD slang for double action only) I had master LAPD armorer Harry Davis polish the trigger face and smooth the double action slightly. It rode in a old Bianchi high-ride, with a Tyler T and S&W magna stocks. It was a NICE carry gun.


I didn't use it much later in my career because I bought a 442 Airweight for undercover work and just carried the little 442 on and off-duty. Too easy.


Fast-forward to 2015. Retired, lots of time to shoot...took the old 10-8 out, liked it mucho and sent it to S&W for a slick-up and a new hammer, so I could have single action capability again. Master S&W gunsmith Gene did this one just before he retired. It needed a new hand and some other small parts, but now it's REALLY slick. Tight, perfect carry-up, with no end-shake...the ultimate S&W 3". I added a set of my favorite old Pachmayrs and I'll be good to go for another winter's carry.
Bob


Just back from S&W...still a great-looking revolver after a career of crushing crime


Trigger face was polished long ago at the LAPD Armory for DA work


A new hammer was installed by Gene at S&W, giving me SA capability again. Not really needed, but nice to have


What my 10-8 looked like "back in the day"...DAO, Bianchi high-ride, Tyler T and plain magnas. An ultimate cop-carry gun


Ready to go again, with an updated DeSantis holster and Pachmayrs. Load is the old LAPD-issued 125 grain +P Remington


Oldest daughter doing some DA work, shooting the S&W with wadcutters. An easy and fun revolver to shoot. Also an excellent house gun for the family

Very nice!

Yes!

I've been shooting a fair bit of 38sp out of my 357 lately.

Everyone should have at least one good 38. (needs to get me a K-38 one of these days)

Never was an officer, but the revolver is my favorite handgun..

458 Lott, funny you mention that. I've been doing the same. The trigger on my 686+ is just plain sweet after S&W did a trigger job on it. Too much fun.

I carried essentially that model IWB for years, i.e., a Model 13 (3" bull barrel, round butt) loaded with hot .38 Special. It's definitely my preferred revolver for daily concealed carry. Carries and conceals just fine in a proper holster and belt, so could not much justify switching to a lightweight J-Frame, or even a steel one, as cool as those little guns are. The 13 just shot so much better, and once you get used to it, it's perfectly comfortable to carry all day. Not just comfortable, but also very comforting.

A Glock 17 is even more comfortable, and even more comforting, though, even if far less classy, and even if it lacks that just right feeling in the hand.

Love the K-frame round butt 3" guns. There is a cult like following for them for good reasons.

Very cool.

RGK,

Good to see that there are still committed revolver shooters out there. And a nice, efficient rig too...

Great to see a father teaching their kids how to use a rig--especially so when its a DA revolver.

I recall a pic that you posted awhile back where a daughter was shooting some bullseye too--mighty fine medicine.

Still wish I had my Smith Model 15. Paid well under 2 bills for it back in the late 80's. Virtually new.
God that was a sexy revolver.

"Revolvers Still Rule!"
` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

I've always liked DA revolvers, and not long ago acquired a beautiful like-new S&W Model 19-3.

I didn't care too much for SA revolvers when I was young - but they're probably my favorite now!

3 inch K frames are a Holy Grail for me. Some day...

Found one of those at a gun show 2 years ago. Still looked like new. Cost me more than 2 bills but worth it.

That is a very nice set up. Thanks for sharing the history.

That Smith is straight UBER.




Travis

Times have changed with the advent of many outstanding modern semi-autos, but a good revolver full of history still rules the roost in my heart.

RGK: Smith and Wesson Model 10's and I go WAY back (late 1960's when I joined a large west coast PD).
They are reliable and sturdy.
My first Model 10 was also quite accurate (when shot off sandbags!)
It took me two years to qualify high enough (Expert) so's I could then put in a request for an upgrade to a Smith and Wesson Model 15 (Combat Masterpiece?).
I carried that Model 15 for many years until our department (city council actually ok'ed the change) changed over to 357 Magnums.
I then carried Smith & Wesson Model 66's.
Then our department went to all Glock's in 40 S&W.
It was like pulling teeth to get me to switch over from the S&W revolvers to the foreign made semi-auto Glocks but after a couple of years I became a "Glock Believer"!
And after carrying my Glocks both professionally and personally for 25 years now I won't go back!
Revolvers are still reliable and sturdy and fun but the amazing firepower and reliability of the modern semi-autos (especially the Glocks!) for "life protection", revolvers, now take a back seat to them.
By coincidence two of my friends in the last couple of months sought out and bought Smith & Wesson 2" Model 10's - and they were NOT cheap!
I remember when Smith & Wesson Model 10's on the used market were $40.00 to $50.00.
Those days are long gone - of course I also remember my first Smith & Wesson Model 60 costing me $95.00 new.
So I disagree with your contention "revolvers still rule" - they are reliable, accurate, increasing in value and prideful to own but Glocks now rule for most useages.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I agree...the statement was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Notice I was discussing "off-duty" when I mentioned the M10. If I were back in patrol, I'd carry a 9mm and a bunch of ammo on my belt. The day of the revolver for general police work is long-past. When we transitioned to autos in the late '80's, I was happy to carry a Beretta 92 and 45+ extra rounds on my gunbelt. More ammo is always better when you're a street cop.

I carry a 2" .38 in retirement now; same gun I carried for UC work in LA. It was easily concealed and I was never "made". I don't feel under-gunned in retirement. A Glock 17 would end up mostly in the glove-box now; having a gun actually on you is the 1st rule of gunfighting.
Bob

My Step-mother has my Dad's Mod 10 that I will get some day in the hopefully distant future.

Good shooting guns.

Mike

This attitude always baffles me. I've mostly conceal-carried service sized handguns over the last fifteen years or so (before that I was into pocket sized guns, mostly, for carry), and in the last couple of months, it's been a Glock 17. It's an absolute pleasure to carry, and only prints a bit when I thoughtlessly lean forward or squat to reach for something, but even a J-Frame prints under those circumstances.

That they are. Only revolver I shoot better double action is a Colt Official Police, but then that's a good bit bigger in proportions and heavier.

There is something inherently appealing, maybe even visually comforting, about the cylinder turning and the feel of the lockwork, of a good revolver. The Freedom Arms come to mind; they feel almost like a 3 lb Swiss watch. A good tight SAA is also an inherently appealing gun. K frame Smiths, and 5" N frames come to mind, as well.

Let's see if I can un-baffle you. Just like in the Army, you tailor the weapon and equipment to the mission at hand. Deep undercover work requires a VERY small handgun, hidden well. Believe me, you'll easily be spotted with a service-type pistol. Especially in the summer months. Since I did it for a living, I got pretty good at it. A 2" revolver or at most, a 3913 9mm S&W (some guys carried them; I still thought it was too big) is about all you can get away with. No holster. No spare ammo. It's jammed into your back pocket, or taped to your inner thigh so it's missed on a security guard pat-down when you enter a border-brother bar.

You need to recognize the limitations (as well as the advantages) of the weapon you're working with and train around it, in the situations you'll use it in. A shooting will happen literally within bad-breath distance; mozambique drills and mag changes don't happen. Small guns and deep concealment have a place. Getting spotted can result in a gunfight (to be avoided if possible) or ruining a good narcotics transaction.

Dangerous, but it beats working uniformed patrol. And you get to eat wherever you want during your tour.

Now that I'm retired, I carry the same handgun I did at work. A familiar J-frame and a speed strip is all I need. Carried in my old waistband holster, it's never been spotted, even under a T-shirt. It got me through 24+ years in LA, so I think it'll do in the small town I now live in.

I don't carry a full-size pistol, 3 spare mags, a flashlight and two tac knives. I also don't sit facing the door when I eat at the local IHOP, glaring at customers while planning a gunbattle after my short-stack. Maybe I'm too lax, but I'm still here. I must confess that I have upgraded somewhat, though...with all the ISIS-related threats, I have decided to carry two speed strips. Should be enough.

RGK, I was referring to your assumption that if one chose a Glock 17, it would end up in the glove compartment a good percentage of the time. Where it's legal for me to carry, I'm carrying my regular EDC. The only rare exception would be for something like a dentist visit, where someone is going to be right next to me for an extended period while I'm seated. In that case, I generally find something that prints less to carry, typically a pocket sized gun, but those cases are extremely rare.

Glad to know that you're well-protected.
Bob

Reference your “Revolvers Still Rules”, Though I’ve past my retirement, I’ve yet to retire and am still active. I began with issued revolvers and have lived through the transition to the semi-autos and all the differing theories of fast light bullets vs. slow heavy bullets. In ‘96, due to a policy change, I retired a previously carried UC pistol for the then “new and improved” J-frame in a short barrel package to carry concealed. I’ve used this pistol ever since, and even today, it is my single favorite “one size fits all” conceal carry pistol for most any situation, from suit and tie to swim trunks. Because I did not retire, I am now going through a semi-auto transition for a conceal carry pistol, being a G43. Excellent pistol, but it has taken much work to develop muscle memory along the lines of the J-frame. No question, when shooting difficult drills, executing either tactical or retention reloads, or just keeping the gun hot during a drawn out engagement, that new G43 does get more rounds down range in a faster time than the old J-frame. But, the J-frame, for whatever reason, always feels just right to me, and I am always comfortable when I have this pistol on my person.

later

I like seeing pictures of rigs like this showing years of actual wear. So many photos of someone's "favorite" holster show something brand new or barely worn.

Thanks; I do too. I got this holster on probation. Vic Perez made it for me in his garage in Burbank, CA. I still use it daily. When I'm in CA later this month I might have Vic make me another.
Bob

Preferences will always exist. If I had to give up all but one type of handgun, I would stick with the Colt SAA.

Law enforcement doesn't always pick a weapon on the merits of the gun alone. I've always marveled at how many LEO are not proficient with their sidearm.

Around here, any competitive shooting matches are always won by non-LEO shooters. This is not a criticism but an observation...

I also have a weakness for Colt SAAs...

I have long been a fan of the J frame. They definitely have some drawbacks, as they are not easy to shoot well, sights are abysmal, and slow to reload.

With that said, they are very easy to carry and conceal. Every day at work I run one in the front pocket of my non dominant (left)side. One reason for this is if I am struggling to maintain control of my primary handgun, I can deploy the J frame from the off side and end the weapon retention struggle with a close quarters shot.

I "semi-jokingly" call it my ear nose throat gun, because those are the places I will try to stick it into prior to pulling the trigger.

I have practiced this (dry firing) while doing ground fighting and grappling, and I have found this method easier to retrieve the J frame than other methods such as attached to a ballistic vest.

Another reason for the off side carry is that when an unknown threat/threats approach me and I do not know their intent, I can slide my left hand into my pocket, and acquire a full firing grip. I keep my hand in my pocket until I determine that they are not a threat.

This not only gives an element of surprise, but prevents people from freaking out, versus having a full firing grip on my duty gun that is visible.


More often than not, the person approaching is not fully committed to an attack and does not require a gun being pointed at them, after receiving verbal commands, and being informed of consequences of further actions.

For these reasons, I really like the J frame and will continue to carry one as my second gun that is carried off side.

CHEERS

+1 to the above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

And yet, there are still people that prefer a Glock...

I have a 3 inch S&W J-frame .357 that I primarily shoot .38 Spl from, great little gun

Mackay, do you have any kind of holster in you left hand pocket?? I often stick my J in a pants pocket, but felt it would quickly wear a hole in the pocket if I carried it that way all the time..

Wyo,

I am required at work to have a pocket holster that covers the trigger guard, so I do. On my own time, I just slide it in my pocket.

While I have worn holes in more than a few jacket liners due to rough textured grips or sharp hammer serrations on belt guns, I have yet to wear a hole in a pants pocket due to the muzzle.

Hope that helps

No bet.

Model 25-7



some more N frames



And a fairly new J frame

I wanted a Colt New Frontier for years, and finally grabbed one of the 3rd Gen guns from the 1980's - a 5½" .44 Special just like Skeeter Skelton favored. But I was underwhelmed by it, and finally let it go. Years later I handled one of the USFA guns, and was surprised at how much better it felt. When they are tightly fitted, the SAA comes across much better.

MacKay, Thanks!!!!!

Exactly what I did in patrol. My J-frame rode in a pocket holster on my weak side, for the same reasons you mentioned. Your primary hand must be able to protect and retain your weapon; the weak hand (now called "support hand") had immediate access to the back-up gun.

I carried my little gun in a Mika holster, which was sold at the academy store. There are versions for front and rear pocket. They mask the gun's outline and keep it from moving around in your pocket.
Bob

Mika holster for the front pocket is on the left

Ruger Rimfires...





Tore-ass Titanium and a couple K frames..

Nice, but not what I'd want for a full on [bleep] out.

So all you have are guns that are designed for a full on [bleep] out?

No Glock works this fast...

I bet I could hit 8 targets faster than he could.

I bet I could even beat you on 10 targets, and my dad can beat up your dad...

Like it!!...a lot!

Very practical looking setup there Bob.

The funny thing is that at the academy these days, they teach weapon retention, but there is no mention of shooting someone off your gun with a second gun.

Must not be lawyer approved curriculum...

It is Mackay approved though!

What's the story on the bottom one? Love the beveling and hammer.
Bob

I like ur way a thinkin RGK...ScottyO.

They are not only very nice rigs, but if you ever saw Scrappy Shrappy run those rigs, you would truly know why he has such disdain for count Glockula--and much of the other modern wares.

I've watched him skip cans with near perfect delivery and coordination--Bob Munden style. Of course his unknown weakness is, that he must first swig down a can of Coca Cola--and then draw and shoot...