Just inherited a Smith and Wesson Pre Model 10 (similar pic below), I believe its from the late 40's or 50's. I cleaned it up and oiled it and everything functions properly, just a bit worried about loading modern .38 bullets into it and firing it at the range. Thoughts?

Barring anything mechanically wrong it should be safe. But you don't know what happened to that gun in the last 70 yrs. If you are not a gunsmith ( your post answers that question) you could always send it back to S&W for a once over. Who would be better qualified to determine the condition and handle any repairs?

Thanks Wolfy! Great advice

shoot wadcutters out of it

Nah - totally unsafe. Just hand it over >>here<< for disposal.

Guns age alot better than we do. I had a springfield trapdoor rifle from 1877 that I shot several times.

Just have Chumlee try it out for you

Good advice. Have it checked over by a qualified gunsmith. Make sure it is chambered in .38 Special, not.38 S&W.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

No offense to those who have posted but I am not aware of anyone who could make an assessment of the mechanical condition of a gun by it's picture.

Thanks Everyone, gonna take to to my favorite place, Bobs Gun shop and have them check it out...

No offense to those who have posted but I am not aware of anyone who could make an assessment of the mechanical condition of a gun by it's picture.

Not to mention thats a file photo, not one of the actual firearm in question. HOWEVER..I have guys in my SASS club that shoot original SAA's from Pre-1900 with no problems. YES have it checked by a good Smith..but also dont forget to keep the loads you shoot through it from around the same period

YES have it checked by a good Smith..but also dont forget to keep the loads you shoot through it from around the same period

 

+1. My Step father was a gun smith for many years(still is, long retired) and he'd get old guns brought to him. He'd look up the specs for the particular gun, do all the measurements, do a mechanical check, make some accurately powered loads for it and put it in a steel box shroud to remotely fire it into the tank. Never had one come apart but it's very important not to exceed the pressure specs for the ammo of the era a gun was mfg'd.

Its generally recommend not to fire +P or +P+ ammo out of older guns...

Its generally recommend not to fire +P or +P+ ammo out of older guns...

This..there are still folks who make the "Classic' 148 gr RNL loads.