Smith & Wesson
Classic Wheelguns
New and Nostalgic
Newly released revolvers from S&W will jar you back to the
days when guns didn’t need safeties or warning labels and
people were responsible for their own actions.
Back in 1899, S&W released a mid-frame hand ejector revolver chambered in .38 Special. Geared for policemen and soldiers of the day, S&W called it the Military and Police. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the gun was referred to as the Model 10.
Still in production today, with a conservative estimate of over 6 million revolvers produced, the “K” frame M&P has seen service in two World Wars and is one of the most successful revolver stories in the history of guns.
S&W’s new model 10 harkens back to the days when their guns came in stiff blue cardboard boxes. The new gun sure looks natural in the old box.
New Release, Old Theme
At SHOT Show 2025, S&W released three “Classics” that will have nostalgic sixgunners drooling appreciatively. The first gun is a 4″ Model 10, complete with integral half-moon front sight. This gun is the granddaddy of the second gun, a 4″ Model 19. Last is a Model 36, Chief Special.
Happy Days
The guns look like past originals of older Models made earlier by S&W during the early Post-War days of the 1950s. The biggest news, and it’s huge — all three guns do not have side panel safety locks.
The guns are nicely blued, having smooth actions, especially by today’s litigious standards. All stocks are made by Tyler Gun Works in vintage appropriate styles, which are period correct for their era.
The Model 19 has a traditional ramped front sight, pinned blade,
with red insert. The words “357 Magnum – Combat Magnum”
still stir the souls of the men who carried them.
Why?
Why would S&W release remakes of classic guns when collectors can purchase so many “originals” listed on auction sites? The answer is simple. The new guns are made better. Before feelings of sentimental “snickery” start spouting slurs, insults and horns, let me explain.
Today’s guns have the advantage of improved steels and heat treating, making them stronger, particularly the cylinders. The internal lock-work is also improved; it had to be when the side panel lock was removed. While vintage guns are out there, wouldn’t you rather shoot a new gun as your everyday shooter, saving the condition of your prized collectible S&W for special occasions?
Lastly, the new guns are less expensive than some of the older original collectibles out there.
The Military & Police
Looking at the Military & Police instantly returns you to the days of gangsters and cops wearing long woolen overcoats. S&W’s Supervisor of Revolver Production, Andrew Gore, told me he chose the ’50s era M&P because he thought it was the best-looking version of this classic model.
Today’s Classic M&P
S&W did a fantastic job recreating the classic M&P. While the bluing isn’t a perfect match to vintage guns of yesteryear, it’s darn close, harkening back to the good old days when blued guns weren’t an option, but your only choice. The 4″ tapered barrel has the iconic integral half-moon front sight as well as a machined groove top strap for the rear sight.
For a cop on the beat or soldier in battle, this is the only way to go for ruggedness and reliability. The exposed ejector rod locks into the integral barrel lug, providing a tight lock-up and giving it a vintage flair. Smooth Magna walnut grips, sans medallions from Tyler Gun Works, give it the appearance of a custom gun. The DA trigger pull is smooth, breaking at 9 lbs., 2 oz., and 3 lbs. for the SA pull. The smooth trigger face provides comfortable DA shooting.
The gun has a frame-mounted firing pin and a full-sized, checkered cylinder release. Hammer and trigger are both color-case hardened, showing brilliant colors. These guns are marked 10–15 and are rated for +P factory ammunition. Weight is 34.6 oz.
Shooting
I shot from 50′ using a sandbag rest. Typical groups ran 2″ with most ammunition, proving these guns to be as accurate as their predecessors. Best accuracy was with Buffalo Bore Heavy .38 Special +P Outdoorsman ammo, which averaged 1.7″ groups and clocked at 1,257 fps. My handloads using Lee full wadcutters loaded over 4.2 grains of Winchester 231 at 928 FPS averaged 2″ for five shots.
Lost River +P 158-grain poly-coat bullets clocked at 1,178 FPS and routinely shot under 2″ as well.
The newly released Model 19 was largely influenced
by Bill Jordan. You can’t help thinking of one when
hearing the other; they’re so synonymous.
The Combat Magnum
This was the quintessential sidearm for Federal, State and local law dawgs in the mid-’50s and ’60s.
The Combat Magnum design stems from U.S. Border Patrol agent Bill Jordan, who was also an exhibition trick shooter and gun writer. He had the idea of coming up with a smaller version of the large “N” frame guns capable of shooting .357 Magnum loads.
His philosophy entailed practicing with cheaper, easier recoiling .38 Special ammo and saving the .357 Magnum loads for duty carry. Border Patrol field agents, street cops and other badge carriers liked this idea, but especially liked carrying the lighter gun strapped on their hip during long tours of duty.
Jordan’s idea was influenced by S&W’s Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, which came out in 1949. By adding a bull barrel with an enclosed ejector rod housing and chambering it in .357 Magnum, you have the Combat Magnum.
Bill Jordan got his wish, and the Combat Magnum was released in 1955. Again, the gun’s heritage can be traced back to the original Military & Police, which had been around since 1899. The K-Frame cylinder has a smaller turning radius than the larger N-Frames, so it cycles faster for quicker shooting.
The Combat Magnum’s success spread to outdoorsmen who wanted a proper gun for carrying afield. Homeowners also liked the idea of having a “Combat Magnum” for protecting their family from intruders. In 1957, the Combat Magnum was called the Model 19.
Nice close-up of the deep bluing, diamond checkered walnut
target stocks, and smooth trigger face that come on the Model 19.
Today’s 19
Once again, S&W reached deep into their bag of tricks by bringing us a gun anyone would be proud to own. The bluing is excellent, as are the checkered diamond target stocks made by TGW. The Model 19 has adjustable rear sights for fine-tuning sight-in for those participating in competition shooting or simply wanting to hit what they shoot at. The action is smooth and lock-up is tight.
Sights are pinned ramped front sight with red insert, with adjustable rear for both windage and elevation. Hammer and trigger are both color case hardened. The Combat Magnum has a heavyweight barrel with half lug, which houses the extractor rod.
Shooting
The adjustable sights made shooting more pleasant as the sight picture was that much better than the fixed sights of the Model 10. Buffalo Bore’s Heavy .38 Special +P 20H/20 was used and clocked out at an impressive 1,270 FPS with a 158-grain SWC bullet. Accuracy ran at 1.6″ at 50′.
High Desert ammo’s 148-grain HBWC ammo ran at 830 FPS and grouped under 2″. Their 125-grain .38 Special clocked 916 fps with fine accuracy at 1.5″. My handloads using Lee wadcutters loaded over 4.2 grains of 231 averaged 838 fps with groups going under 2″.
The S&W Military and Police has been around since 1899 and
has spawned generations of service guns for military, police
and Federal agencies for well over 100 years.
The Chiefs Special
The Chiefs Special got its name during the 1950 meeting of the International Chiefs of Police. S&W reps held a contest for naming their new, smaller, 5-shot revolver, with the winner receiving a free gun with their name engraved on it. Chief Edward Boyko of Passaic, NJ, was the winner, coming up with the name “Chiefs Special.” Pretty imaginative group, eh?
These small, “J” framed shooters are the handiest of all carry guns. They’re easily carried concealed in ankle, belt, or shoulder holsters, or simply slipped in a coat or pants pocket.
As a wide-eyed rookie, I noticed our detectives and executive officers wearing these guns as badges of honor around the station, exemplifying “the smaller the gun, the more important you were.” Most carried their guns in cross-draw holsters.
Guys and gals carrying “J” frames don’t feel shorted by having five shots; they know how to make each shot count and adjust tactics accordingly.
Today’s 36
This latest rendition also has the vintage looks and the style any gumshoe “Dick” carried in the 1950s. The barrel is a short 1.88″, with an integral half-moon front sight and grooved top strap rear sight. Although made for close-quarters shooting, the gun can be shot accurately with practice. Full wadcutter loads at around 800 fps are perfect for such a gun, as the small grip-frame and light weight accentuate recoil.
The stocks are classic diamond checkered round-butt style. DA pull was 11 lbs., 3 oz., but smooth, while SA broke at just over 2 lbs. These guns are also rated for +P factory ammunition.
Shooting 2″ groups at 10 yards is no problem with this gun, and going to 50′, groups opened to around 3″. Ammo used was High Desert 148-grain HBWC ammo. Their 125-grain .38 Special clocked 838 fps and shot around 2″ at 10 yards.
Tools Of The Trade
As you can see, S&W revolvers played a huge role in keeping our country safe while in the hands of soldiers, peace officers, Federal agents and citizens. S&W did us a favor by letting us experience and relive the good old days with the newly released Classic guns, which are reminiscent of the times when a good man with a gun was respected and trusted.
