1909 M&P .38 Special Pre Model 10 Revolver

[Mizzoujohn]

Hi guys. I'm new to the forum and S&W ownership also! I wanted a wheel gun for awhile and found this at the gun how last week. Paid 230 for the gun and got the s&w holster from a different table for $8. The serial numbers do match. What do you guys think of the gun itself and was it a good price? Thoughts appreciated.
John







Thanks,
John

[mmitch]

John,

Welcome!
I was gonna say, "Show me," but you stole my smallish thunder and gave us the pics, already. The gun has some character, if it's mechanically good-to-go, I'd opine you did fine on the price.
Here's an M&P, circa 1948, that recently joined my fold:



I love these old long action gun's feel, I wish they could tell us their stories.

Mike

[Wiregrassguy]

You done good, John! to the forum from the Wiregrass!

[Waidmann]

(click to enlarge) It appears you have a Military & Police Model of 1905 Change 2, likely built in 1909. A caution or two is in order. Your gun lacks a hardened cylinder so if all else is okay I'd stick to light wadcutters. The gun is not equipped with the improved hammerblock. You may wish to keep the firing pin resting on an empty chamber.

As to value you are likely at about market. We are speaking of the most prolific revolver of all time and unless they are in pristine condition, an odd variant, uniquely marked or possess some other desired characteristic, they are not prized. My 1902 and 1905 pictured sold for similar money.

Again welcome,

Waidmann

[Mizzoujohn]

Thanks all. Anything specifically I can sight check to make sure it's sound to fire? Guy I bought it from did mention he fired it last week.
John


Thanks,
John

[Waidmann]

If it is not shaving lead as of last week I suppose it is still in time properly locking on each chamber which is the most critical aspect. I repeat my caution on using wadcutters, avoid jacketed ammo and no +P or high performance stuff. This piece is about 103 years old and from about the dawn of smokeless.

[grasshopper]

I have a 1902, first change, shipped in 1904.
I fire it often, but only with factory velocity wad cutter reloads. The gun is extremely accurate and fun to shoot, but like Waidmann said, NO +P or high performance stuff. It's a black powder gun and they continue to go up in price every year. $238.00 out the door for a functioning M&P Hand Ejector & holster is a fair deal.

[Mizzoujohn]

Thanks for all the info. Sorry if this is a stupid question but how can I tell if the ammo is +p? Will the box say? I mean the grain seems to be 158 grain on regular and +p so how to tell the difference? Is this regular or +p?




Thanks,
John

[RDLouks]

Yes all ammunition that is rated +P is marked on the box.

[Scruffy49]

You can also buy low pressure rounds for the old guns. Prior to when S&W started heat treating the cylinders? Buy Cowboy Action class loads. It will say it in the box. My early one should have a treated cylinder and the experts here told me to stick with cowboy loads in it as well. Cheaper Than Dirt seems to have the best selection of Cowboy and obsolete caliber ammunition, I can even get get .38 Long Colt for one of my oddballs there. Track of the Wolf has black powder .38 Special if you wanted to try that instead of modern ammo, but it's a mess to clean up after a range day.