I was at a local gun show this weekend looking for an Ak which I found when I came across this. It was being offered by a local shop that I'm well known in when I saw this. I'm usually not a fan ob bobbed/hammerless revolvers but I liked the look of this one. It fit my hand nicely and when I checked the trigger out it was so smooth that I had to buy it. I put in on layaway and will pick it up this coming payday. Don't know much about it yet, but I will once I get it home. It does have what I think is the original owners name engraved on the barrel which I'm not that keen on, but with the trigger it has I'm willing to overlook that. Plus the price was right at $385. Serial number of ID678xx puts it around 79-80 time frame. So, did I do good?

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Tim, USAF Ret.

You did real good. 3" 65's are about as good as it gets for a concealed carry revolver. I'm not a fan of a bobbed hammer either, but I could live with it.

I'd gladly give $385 for one of those.....then I'd change the hammer and the action springs.

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It is....what it is!

Not a bad idea. Lol

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Tim, USAF Ret.

I've found that not only are the 65-2's extremely hard to find, they all have wonderful triggers and a quick action job can make them even better. Mine was a PD trade-in, cosmetically rough but mechanically perfect, and cost me all of $318 OTD ten years ago. I bobbed the hammer myself after the rear corner of the spur chipped off, and don't miss the spur, since this one only gets shot DA. Shown with another favorite 3" gun, my Rossi 44 Special, both get carried a lot. Enjoy yours!

Hmm. As a carry gun there was just enough "wrong" with the gun that you did not have to pay any kind of collector price. You simply got as good of a carry revolver as ever invented for less than $400. Pinned and recessed to boot!

For serious carry, the bobbed hammer is a wise modification. This is a gun that should always be practiced in double-action mode anyway. By bobbing the hammer there is a better chance of a snag-free draw and less for the bad guy to grab in a tussle. With practice, one can shoot just as well in DA anyway (safe dry-fire is critical). The grips are also practical, although I would prefer a wood set. Got Craig Spegels on mine, BTW.
The K-frame 357 is a little light for a steady diet of 357 mags. Practice with 38s, but try to finish some of your practice sessions with a few 357 magnum loads. This keeps your brain and body familiar with what it will feel like in a fight.

I dont know what it is with 13's and 65's, but every one I have come across have decent double action but seemingly very stiff single action hammer pull, I attribute it to the fact that most of them use the thin "combat" hammer.

M65 3" FS 357 mag= as good as it gets. Congrats on scoring one.

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Sure you did

Good for you! Good deal.

Ya know, if it bothers you; you could probably sand the name off the barrel and replace the hammer. At that price; it's a great score!

Or, perhaps, it might be easier to just change your name to "Stuart Skversky"...

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But then, what do I know?

Doesn't bother me that much nor does the bobbed hammer. Lol. Once I pulled the trigger they were all but forgotten

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Tim, USAF Ret.

Picked it up today, it is one sweet gun. I've got some pictures I took today. The gun is magna ported which I forgot to mention, and the engraving on the barrel actually says "Cameo Lounge" and I was dead on on the name "Stuart J. Skversky". Here are some pic's I too.....









I'll post a range report as soon as I make it to the range. Also, figured I post this question here as this is my first pinned barrel, recessed cylinder Smith. The guy at the local gunshop where I bought it said he and a few others had considered buying it for IDPA (which I don't do) but it was magna ported so it can't be used. They were in the process of seeing about getting a replacement (non-magna ported) barrel for it. Which would remove the engraving's..... What are your thoughts on this? Would it be worth it if I could find a replacement barrel and have them swap it out. Not given it much thought you, but I am curious as to what the consensus is here on the subject.

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Tim, USAF Ret.

Finally hit the range with it over the weekend, been crazy at work and with my night classes range time is hard to come by. Anyways, the gun shoots as good as it looks. My groupings were all in the 8-9-10 range and recoil was easily managed, even when firing 357 magnum loads. I shot my SP101 for comparison and while its always a joy to shoot, it paled in comparison to the 65-2. Showed it to a guy I'm friendly with at my local shop/range and he offered to buy it off of me right then and there. LOL Don't worry, it's back home in my safe. All nice and cleaned/lubed up till I take it out next time. Will add pic's of my target later........

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Tim, USAF Ret.

You did well on this one. Bobbed-hammer is really an asset, not a detriment. Enjoy and be safe.

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

Very nice!...could be the twin-brother of mine seen here along with the 13-2 also in 3". And for what its worth, I too like the bobbed hammer DAO modification for a carry revolver, for the reasons already stated.

I am sooooo jealous!!!!

thanks! I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and it fell into my lap........

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Tim, USAF Ret.

I love mine.......I got it for a song too. Only 5,000 or so made too from what I can tell. Mine has some holster wear but that's about all.

Attached Images

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This is my business gun, the 3" 65-5

I'd keep the mag-naported bbl. You already know it shoots well and the modification will improve felt recoil. Since the gun is stainless, you may be able to buff out the engraving (if it is shallow enough), but I would not worry about it.
The Mag Na Port is a good modification to control felt recoil, although some criticize some gasses going upwards rather than out front. This may be a hindrance in low light, but I'd have to experiment with that to form a personal opinion.
Shoot it in a variety of controlled conditions and swap out the bbl only if you discover a true disadvantage. You will likely prefer the magnaport though.

I swear I've seen that gun before, either on this forum or another. That engraving is pretty unique.

Mine is the 4" version. The newer versions have the SW Logo on the left side, the older ones are on the right side.

Does anyone know what year they swapped these and also how many 3" and/or 4" versions were made by year?