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Sam
04-28-12, 09:45
A friend called me up and asked if I am still interested in the 3" model 65 that I've bugged him about for over a year. I said may be if the price is right. He told me the price and I said, "when can I get it"?

It started out as a 65, and he performed a very nice double action trigger job, bobbed the hammer, lightly chamferred the cylinder, checkered the back strap and had Cerakote finish applied over the stainless steel.

The DA pull is very smooth and light. The gun points well and even better balanced than my 2.5" 66. It came with an Uncle Mike's grips.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/unclemikes-IMG076.jpeg

I've never been fond of those Uncle Mike's. So I slipped on my old trusty Hogue Bantam Boot Grips. It feels much better. I've shot thousand of rounds on my 66 with the Hogue and it has good control and nice feel.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/hogue-IMG077.jpeg

For comparison, I put the Ahrends boot grips on. It looks great but feels a bit more rounded and slightly thicker than the Hogue. I think it carries better since the smooth wood doesn't stick to the garment.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/ahrends-IMG084.jpeg

SeriousStudent
04-28-12, 12:11
I am solid green with envy. I really do love those 3-inch K frames.

Maybe it is a bit of nostalgia, or maybe I am just an old fart. But I think they are a great all-around revolver.

I had an old Model 66 for years that I used as a teaching gun. Filled it with .38 Special loads using 3 grains of Bullseye. It recoiled not much more than a .22, and was wickedly accurate. Awesome for new shooters.

What are you going to carry it in? A pistol that nice just begs for something in sharkskin or another exotic leather. Maybe a pebble-finish ray skin?

I guess you have your new BBQ gun. :D

Sam
04-28-12, 12:47
Serious student:

Thanks for your kind comments.

I wouldn't call it a bbq gun. I posted the pictures on a S&W revolver forum and a few of those guys commented negatively about the cerakote and that I should remove the finish.

To me it's a tool and not a safe queen. The checkering on the backstrap was an extra, even the owner/gunsmith himself forgot about it since he covered it up with that Uncle Mikes rubber.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG086.jpeg

I need to order an IWB that really fits it. Right now I'm testing a variety of existing rigs in my collection. They're not really made for it but it fits and the trigger is covered.

The one on the left is a Milt Sparks Summer Special for my 66 (2.5").

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/ms4.JPG

A 5shot leather by John Ralston:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/DSCI0074.JPG

A CCC Looper:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Looper_002.jpg

That's a model 10.

Beachboy
04-28-12, 14:23
Very, very nice. I am still looking for a good 3" 65 or even a 3" 13 to add to my stable. Always had a weakness for K frame S&W's. My very first handgun was a brand new Model 15 4", before I could legally buy ammo for it, had to get my dad to buy my ammo.

But the round butt, bull barrel, fixed sights guns are to me damn near bullet proof (forgive the pun) fighting tools.

I recently bought a Ruger SP101 3.1" .357 to fill that slot until I can fins a 65 or 13. Novak's is supposed to be (maybe have already) coming out with a drop-in tritium and a fiber optic front sight for the Ruger, that I'll be adding to the SP.

Sam
04-29-12, 10:40
So how does it shoot?

Here is the 7 yard groups.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG088.jpeg

The 10 and 15 yard groups were fist sized and the poa/poi is dead on. Bust the caps every time. I'm happy with it.

drsal
04-29-12, 15:22
Nice revolver..enjoy !

Sigaholic
05-03-12, 11:41
Great looking pistol. I've got an old Model 10 that's seen better days and had often thought to have it refinished/coated. How's the cerakote holding up?

Sam
05-03-12, 15:35
Thanks.

The cerakote was the choice of the gunsmith/original owner. He had the gun with the coating for about a year before he sold me the gun. There were some finish wear near the muzzle, I am not sure what caused the wear, I assume it's from the muzzle being rubbed against the holster. There were powder burn marks at the cylinders on the bullet end. I can't wipe them off, they're on there really good. There is very little finish wear on the gun. Keep in mind that the owner carried and shoot other guns, and this gun only got carried and shot sparingly.

Do I like the finish? I think I like it. I have very little experience with cerakote so I will need some time to see how durable it is. I have other guns with Black T finish by Birdsong and Armor Tuff by Wilson Combat. Those guns are carbon steel and not stainless steel like this 65. I like those finish as they protect the guns from corrosion.

SkiDevil
05-03-12, 19:31
I am solid green with envy. I really do love those 3-inch K frames.

Maybe it is a bit of nostalgia, or maybe I am just an old fart. But I think they are a great all-around revolver.

I had an old Model 66 for years that I used as a teaching gun. Filled it with .38 Special loads using 3 grains of Bullseye. It recoiled not much more than a .22, and was wickedly accurate. Awesome for new shooters.

What are you going to carry it in? A pistol that nice just begs for something in sharkskin or another exotic leather. Maybe a pebble-finish ray skin?

I guess you have your new BBQ gun. :D

I used to own a Model 13 with 3" barrel. It too was eerily accurate with heavy .38 Special rounds. I kick myself on the few occasions that I see one of the compact K-frames at the range.
I regret selling that revolver.:eek:

OP, nice pistol. Who cares what the S&W guys say as long as you're happy with the gun.

Sam
05-03-12, 20:50
Thank you SkiDevil.

I owned a 64 with 3" barrel a few years ago. The trigger wasn't as smooth and light as this one, it wasn't terribly accurate (or may be I wasn't accurate with it), and the cylinder kept binding. I sold it at a gun show.

This one, I am happy with. Glad I planted the seed in the original owner's head a year ago. My patience paid off.

TiroFijo
05-04-12, 07:19
VERY nice and practical revolver. I love the 3" K frames.

cobb1873
05-04-12, 08:54
I have a friend I keep trying to talk out of his 3in 13. It would be a good match for my 3in 36. That is a nice 65 you have there.

David Thomas
05-04-12, 09:39
So how does it shoot?

Here is the 7 yard groups.


The 10 and 15 yard groups were fist sized and the poa/poi is dead on. Bust the caps every time. I'm happy with it.

I love it!!

PriseDeFer
05-10-12, 10:18
That looks good enough to be a cataloged item, the special catalog that goes straight to the Outback. Collectors don't read it.

Jake'sDad
05-22-12, 01:01
Great looking gun Sam!

I've got three of the 3" 65's, and if another one came around at a fair price, I'd own four.

Yup. They're that good.

SpankMonkey
06-12-12, 06:42
Nice gun. I really need to buy a 3" revolver. Kind of miss the old days.

SpankMonkey
06-12-12, 06:48
Nice gun. I really need to buy a 3" revolver. Kind of miss the old days.

Hawgleg44
06-17-12, 21:19
My first carry gun was a 3" M65 built for me by Karl Sokol at http://chestnutmountainsports.com/ . I made the mistake of trading it away when I joined the PD and my Chief refused to allow me to carry a modified handgun, even for off-duty use. So, I had Karl build me a few replacements.

Here is my 3" M13. It's a Century Arms re-import that was in horrible cosmetic shape. Being an ex-French police revolver it was obviously dropped more than fired. I had Karl bob the hammer, chamfer the chambers, round the trigger and install an overtravel stop, smooth the action without lightening the pull and lightly dehorn all sharp edges. The front sight was badly bent so Karl milled it off and dovetailed in a Millet blank. To finish it off, it got a simple beadblast and parkerize job.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll204/Hawglegf44/SWM13.jpg

I had this pinned and recessed 2-1/2" M66, no dash, sitting in the safe, so I had Karl work that one over at the same time. Pretty much the same work except no chamber work since it's recessed and he just ran a dovetail mill through the front sight and installed a orange inlay.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll204/Hawglegf44/100_2079-2-1-1.jpg

Someday I'll have to give him my 3" M65, 3" M64, 3" M10 and my other 2-1/2" M66 for some custom work. There's nothing better than a 3" or less K-Frame.

Tango Charlie145
06-17-12, 21:35
Very nice pistola. To me, your revolver is the Glock 19 of the revolver world; Simple, reliable, combat accurate. Even with the ceracoat, that is a very nice package. I really like the black finish.
TC

skyugo
06-17-12, 23:46
that's a cool gun!

The matte black cerakote is different but in a good way.

skipper49
06-21-12, 19:27
Be hard to imagine a better "working" revolver for defensive purposes. That's a beauty to me, Sam, finish and all.

Skip

Frailer
06-21-12, 19:41
...I've got three of the 3" 65's, and if another one came around at a fair price, I'd own four.

Not if I saw it first. ;). I love my 3" 60-4, but I'd love to own one of its K-frame siblings.

Sam
06-22-12, 21:12
Thanks gentlemen for the compliments. I have not shot it much in the last month, mainly from the lack of ammo. I shot up all of the practice ammo and was waiting for my Dillon caliber conversion kit and bullets so I can start reloading.

Meanwhile, I picked up a couple of carry holsters from Lobo Gunleather. I am quite impressed with the quality, price and delivery time. Ray (the owner/maker) communicated well and made my two holsters to my specifications and in shorter time than originally quoted.

]http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG097.jpeg

I ordered the IWB with two snaps and a pancake. I chose not to order the optional fat guard for simplicity. I wore the IWB several times with just a t-shirt for cover garment. It is comfortable and hide the gun really well. I've also worn the pancake. I noticed that the pancake was formed into a curve shape to follow the contour of the body, it is a nice feature. The pancake is very comfortable and makes me forget that I'm wearing the gun.


IWB:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG099.jpeg

Pancake:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG101.jpeg

Self portrait is not easy:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG104.jpeg

SW-Shooter
06-22-12, 22:41
It has that distinct old era Gangster's look and appeal to it. I love it, and am quite jealous of its owner(:nono::stop::ph34r:). That's a crazy nice piece.

Up1911fan
06-23-12, 13:15
That's awesome! I've been wanting a 3" K-Frame for a while now.

Sam
06-23-12, 22:12
It has that distinct old era Gangster's look and appeal to it. I love it, and am quite jealous of its owner(:nono::stop::ph34r:). That's a crazy nice piece.

I never thought that it has a gangster's look, but I like your reference. :) It does have a different look from the pure factory model 65. Totally different character.

Sam
07-02-12, 20:38
I hate shooting at indoor ranges but the record setting 100 plus degree temperature and other reasons kept me from going to the gun club. I've been loading up some mild .38 special loads and have been anxious to try them out. This afternoon I couldn't stand it any more, drove to the nearest indoor range and shot 50 rounds of my new handloads. At 7 yds. I struggled with the poor lighting condition and barely kept the shots in 2.5" groups. The load (4.4 gr. W231 and 125 gr. round nose lead) was not as accurate as the factory loaded wadcutters and my hands were not as steady as the previous range trip. But I'm happy with the handloads and was happy to hear the old gangster wheelgun bark again.

turbo38gn
07-02-12, 21:01
very nice Sam, I'm partial to the 3" revolvers myself. Have several including 2 of the 65's, a 64, 2 - 60's, 686, 36 and looking for a few more in 44mag and special.. my S&W 500 is in 4"... not sure if I want it any shorter... :)

Love the looks of the coating, I'd like to get something coated or parkerized is pretty neat looking..

CAVDOC
07-05-12, 08:37
a 3 inch round butt 13 has been my "grail gun" for a while- just can't find one that is in my price range

turbo38gn
07-05-12, 09:47
a 3 inch round butt 13 has been my "grail gun" for a while- just can't find one that is in my price range

I just saw a Model 66 no dash 3" for $625.00 shipped... I said I wasn't buying anymore guns this summer... after the last one, Savage 338 Lapua....... gotta stop looking...

Sam
08-24-13, 09:09
Someone mentioned how much he likes "blacked out K frame" revolvers, so I thought I'd resurrect my thread. I didn't want to hijack Mr. Smith's thread on his beautiful 3" model 13.

Since last year, I've put probably 1000 rounds of handloaded ammo through this gun and it's been super fun. The gun shoots where it's pointed as long as I do my job of pressing the trigger correctly.

Had to slow down my shooting some this year because of the lack of small pistol primers. For awhile, all the local gun stores and all online dealers were out of primers. Just recently ONE store got a pallet of small pistol primers. I jumped on 5000 of the Winchesters. I'm back in business. :)

DocH
08-24-13, 09:27
Sam,I'm glad you brought this back up as I guess I missed it the first time you posted.That's a very nice and ultra practical revolver for sure. I wouldn't worry too much about the S&W forum opinions.
There's some knowledgeable people there but I think there are more collectors than shooters.I think some of them hang their shiny classics on the wall and kneel daily on a prayer rug.
Congratulations on that great wheelie.:cool:

mayonaise
08-24-13, 10:23
Nice blaster RT!

Miami_JBT
08-24-13, 11:49
A friend called me up and asked if I am still interested in the 3" model 65 that I've bugged him about for over a year. I said may be if the price is right. He told me the price and I said, "when can I get it"?

It started out as a 65, and he performed a very nice double action trigger job, bobbed the hammer, lightly chamferred the cylinder, checkered the back strap and had Cerakote finish applied over the stainless steel.

The DA pull is very smooth and light. The gun points well and even better balanced than my 2.5" 66. It came with an Uncle Mike's grips.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/unclemikes-IMG076.jpeg

I've never been fond of those Uncle Mike's. So I slipped on my old trusty Hogue Bantam Boot Grips. It feels much better. I've shot thousand of rounds on my 66 with the Hogue and it has good control and nice feel.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/hogue-IMG077.jpeg

For comparison, I put the Ahrends boot grips on. It looks great but feels a bit more rounded and slightly thicker than the Hogue. I think it carries better since the smooth wood doesn't stick to the garment.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/ahrends-IMG084.jpeg

http://www.blissfulvida.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Jealous.png

moonshot
08-24-13, 12:56
Wow, that's beautiful. I am looking at several round guns, and two of them are the 3" SP101 and the 3" model 60 (leaning towards the Ruger). There is something about a small 3" revolver that seems to be just the right size.

Sam
08-27-13, 10:31
Thanks moonshot, Miami_JBT, DocH and Mayo. I still like carrying the square guns but the round guns have a special place.

Stay tuned, I'm working on getting a very special gun, as soon as we can locate it.

Miami_JBT
08-27-13, 11:41
Wow, that's beautiful. I am looking at several round guns, and two of them are the 3" SP101 and the 3" model 60 (leaning towards the Ruger). There is something about a small 3" revolver that seems to be just the right size.

3 inch, fixed sight, round butt wheel guns are the "Detective/Investigator" gun for me. I grew up around 'em when my old man was a plain clothes investigator. They hold a special place in my heart and are great all around defensive guns with the right load.

Miami_JBT
08-27-13, 11:45
Thanks moonshot, Miami_JBT, DocH and Mayo. I still like carrying the square guns but the round guns have a special place.

Stay tuned, I'm working on getting a very special gun, as soon as we can locate it.

I like them both so post pictures! Round butts, square butts, latin butts, etc... LOL :happy:

turbo38gn
08-27-13, 19:49
I know I said it before... but I have to say it again...... Love it, just a sweet looking carry gun that looks like it's all business.. I'm almost tempted to take one of my old M-10 4" blued guns with the beat up blueing.. get the hammer bobbed, the trigger worked, the barrel cut down to 3" and PARKERIZED!!!

Sam
08-27-13, 20:30
I know I said it before... but I have to say it again...... Love it, just a sweet looking carry gun that looks like it's all business.. I'm almost tempted to take one of my old M-10 4" blued guns with the beat up blueing.. get the hammer bobbed, the trigger worked, the barrel cut down to 3" and PARKERIZED!!!

Sounds like a plan ... :)

I wouldn't chop the barrel down, leave it as is.

I do like this 3" 65 even more than my 2.5" 66. I think the 3" balances much better.

williejc
09-12-13, 18:57
Various federal agencies issued this version in the late 1970s.

I have the same revolver as yours but in 9mm.

Since the hammer spur was removed, you might consider having the single action notch on the sear removed to prevent cocking. I have a M64 rb 2" that came from the factory with spur removed and single action notch deleted. That's where I got this idea.

I bought my first K frame in Jan. 1971 and have owned many over the years. There is no finer revolver. Right now they are sleepers but will soon be priced out of reach. As an old guy, my advice is start buying police trade in and any others that you can find. Revolvers like this will never be made again at any price.

TiroFijo
09-13-13, 07:02
Revolvers like this will never be made again at any price.

Sad, but true...

Sam
12-10-13, 20:20
Got a new pair of Hogue wood, checkered, boot style grips.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/securedownload28.jpg

My buddy Rosco Benson wanted to know how the cerakote on the cylinder fared after lots of shooting, here you go:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/securedownload_9_1.jpg

G woody
12-13-13, 16:39
A fine "catch", & you're treating it well. A lot of us tend to drift to the latest high capacity auto, but if we're lucky & wise we visit our roots & it's fun. A 3" K-frame is just about right in a lot of ways. Thanks for sharing !!

weggy
12-13-13, 16:42
Please excuse me while I go cry. God, I love the old Smiths, Great buy!!!

Sam
12-14-13, 13:54
G woody:

I can't say that I'm treating it well :) It is a very low maintenance gun with the cerakote finish. It is one that I can neglect and still feel comfortable that it goes off everytime.

walkin' trails
12-15-13, 10:38
OP, you may not consider it a BBQ gun, but it will certainly stand out when showcased in quality gunleather. Although I admire custom finishes and engraving and the likes, it is the working revolvers, the ones carried and shot a lot, the ones monified by working men (and women) to perform to their exacting individual standards that really catch my eye. I've got a 19-5 and a 66-1, but four inchers that I want to play with some day. Both have action jobs, but the 66 was done over a little more extensively internally by some unknown cop or smith back when wheel guns were the norm. The 19 had worked on myself and carried for a spell.