RCMP Revolver Question

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xlq771

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Does anyone know why the RCMP used to carry the Smith Wesson Model 10 revolver with a 5 inch barrel, as opposed to a 4 inch barrel like most police services? One inch can't make that much of a difference in accuracy under the conditions in which an officer involved shooting would occur.
 
xlq771 said:
Does anyone know why the RCMP used to carry the Smith Wesson Model 10 revolver with a 5 inch barrel, as opposed to a 4 inch barrel like most police services? One inch can't make that much of a difference in accuracy under the conditions in which an officer involved shooting would occur.
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I think it is the tradition and good looking on uniform , besides 38 SPECIAL needs 5 inch of barrels to perform its character .
 
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... Model 10 with the 5" Barrel for Uniform use. The model 10 2" for Plain clothes use. ( Preceded by the Model 49, and few model 36 and way back, Colt Detectives )..... David K
 
The S&W Model 10 5" barrel .38 Special revolver has nice 'balance' and also makes a nice looking wheelgun. A classic piece of Canadiana for sure..... :cool:

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
xlq771 said:
Does anyone know why the RCMP used to carry the Smith Wesson Model 10 revolver with a 5 inch barrel, as opposed to a 4 inch barrel like most police services? One inch can't make that much of a difference in accuracy under the conditions in which an officer involved shooting would occur.
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M&P vs M&P Pro
G17 vs G34
XD "Service" vs XD "Tactical"

Some would disagree, it seems.
 
David K said:
... Model 10 with the 5" Barrel for Uniform use. The model 10 2" for Plain clothes use. ( Preceded by the Model 49, and few model 36 and way back, Colt Detectives )..... David K
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NWMP/RNWMP/RCMP Colt New Service revolvers were 5-1/2"
BCPP & SPP (which were absorbed into RCMP) S&W HD (N-Frame) revolvers were 5"
 
I myself think there is something to it (the shootability of 5 inch pipes)
I have a S&W 629 and an older Heavy Duty with this length of barrel. I find I can shoot them much better, with less effort, than a friend's 3 inch 629 & and a 3.5 inch Model 28.
 
Plainclothes used the model 10 with a 2" barrel? I learned something new as all I ever saw was the model 36.
 
... Very few were the model 36, mostly the Model 49 ( Bodyguard ) which were withdrawn when the +P ammunition became widely issued. Hence the switch to the Model 10, 2" Round butt. .... David K
 
Who else used the 5" Model 10?

I think it was a large US city police department and something makes me say either Chicago or Detroit.

The 5" Model 10 was the first handgun I ever shot, and many years later when I saw one on consignment it was the first gun I ever bought. I still think it's a great gun and is a "never sell" for me.
 
The Canadian Government purchased primarily 5" barreled Military and Police Smith & Wesson 38 S&W revolvers during WW2, there were small batches of 6" barreled revolvers also purchased. The issue of 5" barrel model 10 Smith & Wesson revolvers is a carry over form the wartime purchases. I have had both 5" and 6" Military and Police model Smith & Wesson revolvers in my collection...the Military and Police revolver became the Model 10, based on the K frame revolver.
The Canadian military also purchased a very small quantity of the New Century (Triple Lock) and large number of the MkII (Second Model Hand Ejector) revolver during WW1, both were N frame revolvers chambered in 455.
 
I suspect the reason has to do with cost. They went with a 5 inch barrel as the firearms the Model 10 replaced had a 5 inch (or 5 1/2 inch) barrel.

By going with that barrel length, the RCMP wouldn't have to incur the cost of replacing all the issued holsters as well as the guns.
 
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