Please help, concerned newly purchased revolver has wrong barrel installed

S

steveo-deagle

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Hello,

I recently purchased a US made Smith and Wesson Model 10-5 .38 Special. I have always loved revolvers and this is my first one. The dealer had to change the barrel so it could fall under the restricted classification, however when I got home I noticed the barrel states "S&W .38 CTG." Which is a slightly larger caliber found in the older break action revolvers. 38 Special rounds fit perfectly in the wheel but seem a little small for the barrel (The unfired bullet fits in either end of the barrel.)

Questions:

1. Did the S&W Model 10-5 .38 Special ever use a barrel that stated ".38 S&W" on it?

2. Is it safe to fire?

3. Is it legal to possess?

4. Does anyone have a .38 Special barrel for a S&W 10-5 they could sell me?

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.38 Special stats
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Parent case .38 Long Colt
Case type Rimmed, straight
Bullet diameter .357 in (9.1 mm)
Neck diameter .379 in (9.6 mm)
Base diameter .379 in (9.6 mm)
Rim diameter .44 in (11 mm)
Rim thickness .058 in (1.5 mm)
Case length 1.155 in (29.3 mm)
Overall length 1.55 in (39 mm)
Primer type Small pistol

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S&W .38 Stats
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Bullet diameter .361 in (9.2 mm)
Neck diameter .3855 in (9.79 mm)
Base diameter .3865 in (9.82 mm)
Rim diameter .440 in (11.2 mm)
Rim thickness .055 in (1.4 mm)
Case length .775 in (19.7 mm)
Overall length 1.240 in (31.5 mm)

PS I am a legal gun owner with RPAL, and the gun is registered
 
Last edited:
Firstly, I will assume that the cylinder is for a .38 special cartridge, but double check it.
If so, then you have a revolver with a slightly oversize barrel ( About .004 " ). This will not cause pressure issues
with a bullet size of .357 so my guess would be that the gun is safe to fire with .38 specials.
It would be legal to own as long as the barrel is longer than 105 mm's. Since it was changed
then you are okay.

My suggestion would be that after having the gun checked by a gunsmith, I would
go ahead and use it with .38 specials. Worst case scenario would be a lack of accuracy
which could be corrected by reloading .38 special cases with slightly larger ( .361 ) bullets.
 
The model 10-5 was never 38 s&w; however previous model 10 and the named K frames before numbering models were in 38 s&w.

Parker hale used to convert surplus 38 s&w into 38 spl by simply reaming the cylinder... ...should be safe to fire.

Certainly legal.

Don't have spare barrel, but have 38 s&w cylinder or two kicking around somewhere.

R
 
Thanks alot for the info guys appreciate it very much, Im considering getting the gun blued and restored cause I really like the gun, I just didnt want to waste my time, money isnt an issue. Sounds like i can live with that.
 
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