I just picked up a S&W 65-2 that the barrel is marked 38 S&W Special CTG only, now I thought it was supposed to come in .357, am I wrong? I would post photographs but it is pretty standard, stainless, marked 65-2, and is pinned and recessed. Anyone give me some info on this pistol?

Welcome to the Forum.

Sounds like a M64 built on a M65 marked frame. Have you checked to see if a .357 Magnum cartridge will chamber? If the cylinder is indeed recessed, the barrel could have been changed.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Interesting, a .357 round will chamber. So I guess the barrel was changed?

Another possibility is that it was part of a special run made for some agency (possibly foreign) who wanted their guns in .38 Special only. Does it have a 3" barrel and / or a round butt?

One note:
Production on the M65 started in 1972, so it would be appropriate to ask an Administrator to move this thread to the 1961 to 1980 Revolvers Forum.


Edited to add: Since a .357 Mag will chamber, it sounds like Muley Gil was right - barrel swap.

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You're shy a few manners.

Pretty sure it is modern, has the 7D30XXXX serial number and the 4 inch barrel. I attached a few photos, I removed the grips since it needs a real good cleaning.

Attached Images

	SW65-2.jpg (98.7 KB, 89 views)
	SW65.jpg (85.6 KB, 100 views)

Or, it could have a mis-marked barrel.

Or it could have been marked thataway for a police department that wanted to carry .357s, but also wanted to tell the public and the media that, "My officers only carry .38s"

There was a bunch of stupid stuff done just to be "PC".

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks War Eagle, appreciate the info. Last question, does it impact the value? Is it worth less due to the barrel marked as it is.

The second scenario seems a bit too contrived. I doubt, just for legal reasons, that S&W would knowingly allow a gun to be shipped with an incorrect caliber marking, just for a very easily revealed stunt like this. I think your first suggestion of a mis-marked (or mis-matched) barrel is more likely.

As for the impact on value, purists and inexperienced buyers alike might view this gun with suspicion and be less willing to pay a decent price. I’d actually find it attractive as a curiosity, and not only be inclined to pay more, but I’d letter it. But that’s just me

When you hear hoof beats, look for horses not zebras. Recessed chambers that accept 357s and frame marked M65 then it is a Model 65. Now the barrel is odd. Most likely swapped due to the original being damaged or because a different barrel length was desired. Unlikely some secret government program or whatever.

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I will never be accused of being a fount of knowledge like Hondo, or many others here, but wouldn't the barrel stub (not sure of correct term) on a .38 barrel have to be considerably shortened in order to allow a 357-length cylinder to work? This is an interesting case - I have a 65 and a coupla 64's but have never seen or heard of an animul like this!

I didn't mean it was some double secret government program or such. Countries like France, Peru and probably others actually had S&W sell them M19s, M13s, whatever that were normally .357 Mag revolvers chambered for .38 Special only.

I'm not saying it makes sense, I'm just saying it was done.

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You're shy a few manners.

Yes, the barrel shank would have to be shortened and the forcing cone re-cut.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!