A Factory Nickel Smith & Wesson Model 10-8

Last year after my father died, my brother and I split up his gun collection. Among the large number of Smith & Wesson double actions was this factory nickel Model 10-8, chambered in .38 Special, of course.

Over on AmericanFightingRevolver.com, "Bryan with a Y" did a video covering the 10-8 variant of the Military & Police and noted it as being one of his favorites, for several reasons. Based on my sample of one he's absolutely right.

The action on this revolver is exceptionally smooth. Dad wasn't one to tinker. His idea of a trigger job on a K-Frame was putting 1,000 rounds through it double action. I don't think he fired this one all that much, though because it was very clean when I got it. In his later years he got less meticulous with cleaning, and this one was pretty much spotless.

As indicated by the "TWC (redacted number)" stamped on the left side of the frame, the gun formerly belonged to The Wackenhutt Corporation, a provider of security services. It appears to have spent most of its time in the armory.

When I got it the gun wore a set of S&W Magnas and I shot it like that for awhile. However, even when fitted with a grip adapter I find the old Uncle Mike's Combat grips more comfortable for long shooting sessions.

When looking at the back of the cylinder you can see that although the gun is nickeled, the ejector star and ratchet are blued. There is an "N" stamped between the top two charge holes, indicating that it came from the factory in nickel.

S&W matted the top of the frame and barrel but for improved visibility I painted the front sight using a white base coat topped with 2 or 3 coats of lime green nail polish. I blacked out the rear sight with a Sharpie marker to reduce glare.

Yesterday I got together with a friend to shoot on his property and put 100 rounds through the Model 10-8. From 10 yards in rapid double action it was easy to blow out the black on a B-8 repair center target.

The loads were a Speer 148 grain BBWC over 2.9 grains of Accurate No.2 in W-W wadcutter brass, and Servicio Aventuras primers. This is a very pleasant load to shoot in a K-Frame, and cleaner burning than the equivalent when loaded with Bullseye.

Summer of Love 2?

Based on what's going on in Los Angeles now, it looks like Summer of Love 2: Electric Boogaloo may be kicking off. Ten things you should do if you live in or near a city controlled by Democrats:

1. Make sure you're armed for self defense.
2. Check and replenish your fire extinguishers.
3. Check and replenish your first aid kits.
4. Keep all vehicles gassed up.
5. If you've been putting off vehicle maintenance, do it ASAP.
6. If you've been putting off medical or dental procedures, do them ASAP.
7. Have sufficient water, food, and other household supplies on hand in case you need to hunker down.
8. If you don't have a get home bag / sustainment bag in your vehicle, build one and put it there.
9. Keep cell phones charged.
10. Do an area study. See Mike Shelby's (@grayzoneintel) book, The Area Intelligence Handbook. This will help you identify potential threats and resources in your area.

.32 Snap Caps

Last week I went looking for snap caps in .32 S&W. I wanted a set I could use in anything from my antique S&W No.1-1/2 Single Action up to my guns in .32 H&R, or a .327 Federal if I ever get one.

On eBay I found the seller Lynx Arsenal which had what I need. I ordered a set of 10 and they came within a week. The "bullets" and "primers" appear to be 3D printed. They are loaded into Starline brass.

I've been using them for dry fire practice and so far they are holding up. If the "primers" ever break down I'll replace them with RTV silicone, which I've done in the past.

Snubbie Skill Assessment

Courtesy of American Fighting Revolver on Facebook, I came across this Snub Skill Assessment from The Shooting Wire.

In connection with a shot timer, this is a nice way to see how competent you are with a snubbie revolver. Methinks it would work as well with pocket autos like the Ruger LCP and Keltec P32.

The assessment uses NRA B8 centers for targets. You can download a couple variants of the B8 center from Targets4Free, here.

Many trainers are now using B8 centers in classes, because it approximates the size of where you want to place shots on an adult male in a defensive shooting encounter.

Some Chronograph Results with .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, and .38 Special

This week I've been off and thus had time to hit the range a few times. I've taken a few revolvers and run several loads over my Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph.

The Garmin is so compact and easy to use I just leave it in my range bag.

Among the guns I've taken is a new S&W Model 432UC. This is an Airweight J-Frame in .32 H&R Magnum. My intention for this is to replace my 1990s-vintage Model 632 Airweight as a carry gun. The 632 is a collectible, but more importantly, was a gift from my late father. I wouldn't want it taken into evidence should I ever need to use it.

I ran a few loads over the Garmin from the 432UC.

Factory loads:

High Desert Cartridge Company .32 H&R Magnum 98 grain wadcutter:

811 FPS / 143 ft. lbs.

Black Hills .32 H&R Magnum 85 grain JHP:

948 FPS / 170 ft. lbs.

A couple handloads:

.32 H&R Magnum, Lee TL314 90 grain SWC

3.6 grains Accurate No.2

930 FPS / 173 ft. lbs. ME

.32 S&W Long, Lee TL314 90 grain SWC

2.2 grains Titegroup

682 FPS / 93 ft. lbs. ME

Of these, the HDCC 98 grain wadcutter is my choice in a carry load. It's very controllable in the Airweight and should give plenty of penetration, enough to poke a 5/16" diameter hole well into an attacker's vitals.

I also chronographed some .38 Special.

Colt Detective Special 2"

Hornady 148 grain HBWC over 2.7 grains of Red Dot

697 FPS / 160 ft. lbs ME

Colt Detective Special 2"

Hornady 148 grain HBWC over 2.9 grains of Accurate No.2

750 FPS / 185 ft. lbs. ME

S&W Model 66-2 2.5"

Hornady 148 grain HBWC over 2.9 grains of Accurate No.2

748 FPS / 184 ft. lbs.

NOTE: The Colt is chambered for .38 Special while the S&W 66-2 is chambered for .357 Magnum. The longer chamber with .38 cartridges leads to some velocity loss.

S&W Model 15-3 4":

Hornady 148 grain HBWC

3.0 grains HP-38

727 FPS / 174 ft. lbs. ME

S&W Model 1905, 4th Change .32-20 4"

Desperado Cowboy Bullets 96 grain RNFP over 3.5 grains Titegroup

792 FPS / 134 ft. lbs. ME

S&W Model 10-8 3"

Hornady 158 grain LSWC over 3.5 grains Titegroup

726 FPS / 185 ft. lbs. ME

This load does about 775 FPS from a 4" barrel.

I've found that 3.5 grains of Titegroup under a 158 grain bullet in .38 Special approximates factory loads and is both accurate and pleasant to shoot in K-Frame and larger guns. The same bullet with 3.5 grains of Bullseye is roughly equivalent but in 2025, Bullseye is nearly impossible to find. In contrast, Titegroup is readily available.

Black Powder .32 S&W Loads

Today I loaded up a box of .32 S&W ammo to shoot in an antique S&W No.1-1/2 Single Action revolver that was built in 1878. I cast the bullets yesterday using the mold built into the antique Ideal loading tool. Powder charge was 5 grains of Swiss 3Fg black powder (original .32 S&W BP loads held 9 grains but modern solid head cases have less capacity than the old balloon head cases).

The gun is 147 years old but was properly cared for and works just as well as it did when it left Smith & Wesson's factory.

Guns for Jews v5.0 Now Available

The latest version of my free PDF book Guns for Jews v5.0 is now available!

Version 5.0 brings an increased emphasis on revolvers because of ongoing antigun legislation in states with large Jewish populations. Revolvers may be easier to get than semiautomatic pistols in those states. I’ve also added information about defensive drills, dry fire practice, a brief discussion of the use of deadly force in America, expanded the discussion of mindset, added a section about performing an area study, added a section on communications, and added an appendix about putting together a sustainment/get-home/bugout bag.

Guns for Jews v5.0.

Yom Hashoah 2025

Without arms, "Never Again" is a mere plea. It should be a warning. See my PDF: Guns for Jews.