| TECHNICAL DATA |
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2-Inch Barrel |
4-Inch Barrel |
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| Alternative Designations | Smith & Wesson Model 10 Military and Police Revolver |
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| Country of Origin | USA |
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| Date Of Introduction | ? |
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| Caliber | 0.38 in (9.65 mm) |
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| Cartridge | .38 Special |
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| System of Operation | Rotated chamber |
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| Number of Chambers | 6 |
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| Weight |
1.66 lb (0.75 kg) |
1.91 lb (0.86 kg) |
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| Length |
7.25 in (184 mm) |
9.25 in (235 mm) |
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| Safety Features | No manually operated safety |
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| Trigger Pull | Single-Action: 2.5 to 5 lb (1.1 to 2.3 kg)
Double-Action: 16 lb (7.3 kg), maximum |
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| Basic Load | 18 rounds |
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| Performance |
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2-Inch Barrel |
4-Inch Barrel |
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| Muzzle Velocity | 950 fps (290 mps) |
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| Maximum Range |
950 yd (869 m) |
1085 yd (992 m) |
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| Maximum Effective Range |
50 yd (46 m) |
65 yd (59 m) |
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| Sights |
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| Front Sight | Fixed 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) serrated ramp |
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| Rear Sight | Square notch |
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DESCRIPTION
The M10 is a six-shot, breech-loading, manually operated, hand-held weapon. The M10 has a solid, one-piece frame; a swing-out cylinder
with six chambers; and a hand-actuated extractor for easy unloading.
Built-in mechanical devices are provided to prevent the revolver from firing except by a deliberate pulIing action on the trigger.
No manually operated safeties are provided.
The sights are fixed, the trigger is serrated, and the hammer thumbpiece and forward portion of the extractor rod are knurled. The
grips may be checkered or smooth.
The M10 revolver is a selective double-action type since it may be fired by drawing the hammer back with the thumb to the cocked
position and releasing it by squeezing the trigger (single action); or by squeezing the trigger to allow the hammer to be cocked and
released (double action).
Replaced in U.S. service by the M9 9mm pistol.
VARIANTS
- Round Butt, 4-Inch Barrel (NSN 1005-00-937-5839)
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The 4-inch barreled revolvers are used by aviators and military police.
- Round Butt, 2-Inch Barrel (NSN 1005-00-937-5840)
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The 2-inch barreled revolver is used mainly by Army CID and counterintelligence personnel.
- Square Butt, 4-Inch Barrel (NSN 1005-00-214-0934)
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The 4-inch barreled revolvers are used by aviators and military police.
OPERATION
The M10 revolver fires only when the trigger is pulled all the way back (the hammer block is lowered by the rebound slide only
when trigger is pulled all the way back).
Firing Single Action.
- When hammer is pulled back, sear engages full-cock notch in hammer.
- Pulling the trigger lowers the hammer block allowing hammer to fall.
Firing Double Action.
- When the trigger is squeezed, it engages the sear raising the hammer to nearly full-cock position.
- Continued pressure on trigger allows sear to escape from trigger and the hammer to fall.
- When the trigger is squeezed, the rebound slide pivots the hammer block downward. The hammer block strikes the cartridge primer.
Action of Cylinder Stop.
The cylinder stop prevents the cylinder from making more than one-sixth revolution each time the revolver is cocked.
- The cylinder stop withdraws from the cylinder as the trigger moves.
- Trigger hand pivots and engages the ratchet on the extractor portion of the cylinder.
- The trigger slips off the cylinder stop as it continues rearward. The cylinder stop engages the next notch.
AMMUNITION
Ammunition for the M10 is issued in the form of a complete .38 Special round. A complete round (cartridge) consists of all the components
(cartridge case, bullet, propellant powder, and primer) necessary to fire the weapon once.
Click here for more information.
- .38 Special M41 Ball
- .38 Special Wad Cutter
More M10 Art
M10 revolver assembly
M10 barrel assembly
M10 receiver assembly.
Click on image to see full size: 770x640, 43K, GIF
M10 Photos - Click on image sample to see full size image.
U.S. Army Photo
537x400, 27K, JPEG
