Scrolling thru and using the search, I find fewer references to Model 65 than most any other . Are they unloved, not needed, scarce, or what?

Model 64's were the stainless version of the model 10 which many LE agencies used back in the day. By the time the model 65 came out, the model 66 was also on the scene. The small increase in expense provided adjustible sights and target stocks with the purchase of the 66. This was my experience with my dept and I would expect many others.

The 3" RB HB 65 is very loved! It is one of the best carry revolvers ever and I'm not alone in thinking so. I have a 65LS and will never part with it. I'm looking for a standard 3" 65 RB to buy just in case my wife claims my 65 Lady Smith because it says "Lady" on it.

...Don't believe old Ken there ....there are plenty of us that absolutely love the 65's. Here is one of mine

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On the Oak Savannah

The S&W 65 was one of my grail guns. No reason it should have been, since I think they're pretty common and they 'only' have fixed sights, but nevertheless I had my eye out for one for quite a while.

I traded a Model 10-9 for this Model 65-2. Its original finish was pretty bad, as was its lock-up; a trip back to S&W (and some $$) for some bead-blasting and some gunsmith attention and it was good to go:

Great response! I'm a new owner of a 65-1, all original except it has had the grip frame modified to round butt. I have a set of Uncle Mikes square butt adapter grips on it, as I prefer SB. I say all this because I'm assuming that a 4"HB 65-1 was originally a SB.
Is the 65-1 in the same category as 19s in that they should not be subjected to a steady diet of full power 357 ammunition?

My first duty gun (1981) was a Model 65. It's always been one of my favorites, and I do not ever plan to part with it. It's a basic workhorse, and I've never been particularly fond of adjustable sights on a duty gun. A few years ago, I picked up one of the coveted 3" RB 65s from a fellow forum member, just because I wanted it! The 65 is not necessarily 'glamorous' and may not generate a lot of discussion, but it is certainly not unappreciated or unloved. I think it has a pretty devoted (but apparently quiet!) following.

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LEO since 1981.

"Is the 65-1 in the same category as 19s in that they should not be subjected to a steady diet of full power 357 ammunition?"

My understanding from previous threads is that the high velocity 125 grain stuff is what tends to cause problems. While there has been some debate about the K frame and .357s, it was pretty much designed (or at least intended at the time) for the 158 grain magnum round. Or, some departments (like Cincinnati PD) used it to carry the then-new .38 special +P+. (They avoided the social and political stigma of carrying a "magnum" load, but selected the stainless .357 guns figuring they were sturdier than the existing Model 10s.) Of course, the practice was for most department to qualify with .38 special ammo (often pretty mild reloads), so a lot of guns didn't get a steady diet of any type of magnum ammo as a matter of course.

I always cleaned mine regularly and throughly, so any wear or damage should be readily apparent. I would have no qualms at all about taking it out right now and putting about any magnum rounds through it.

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LEO since 1981.

Sure.. They're on the same size frame, and the flat at the bottom of the barrel (inside the frame) remains a weak point.

You should be okay if you keep any accumulation of lead cleaned out of the forcing cone (where it will otherwise increase pressures) and if you stay with 140-158 grain bullets and shoot roughly 15% of magnum loads. Use the gun mainly like a .38 that will accept .357 ammo when really desirable. I lack time now to explain why you should avoid the 125 grain and lighter bullets. But I got that info from factory spokesmen long before it appeared on gun forums. I believe that this caveat is valid.

If the K-mags are weaker when firing sustained doses of magnum ammo, they are handier than the heavier .357 guns, and you don't need to be burning hot .357 loads just to shoot at targets, cans, and small game. It'd also take a pretty big snake to need magnum ammo. One of those Burmese pythons now breeding in Florida might qualify, and I'd sure consider .357's for any of the really large constrictors. Or, alligators, although some hunt them with .22's. (The circumstances are then different than in an attack.)

If nothing else, the jolt of the powerful bullet might break the snake's neck on impact, if your bullet misses the brain. But how often do you find yourself where big pythons and anacondas reside?

I'd also load .357's where cougar or bear or big wild dogs might be a threat, or where I might find a chance to shoot a deer, if legal under the circumstances. A fisherman or camper might have such an opportunity, and Elmer Keith (to name one famous person) did at times shoot deer with his four-inch .44 Magnum while angling for trout.

Of course, a .357 is an outstanding defensive load against human foes. But how many of those do you need to shoot, in an average year? The K-mags can be carried loaded with .357's, in case of need. But you'll seldom require that power, unless you're a handgun hunter. Then, you'd be advised to use a heavier gun.

The beauty of the K-mags is that they're easy to carry, and have the punch if really needed! They make superb all-round revolvers when you add the array of .38 ammo to the mix.

T-Star
P.S. It may be useful to add that many feel that the stainless steel barrel throat of your gun abrades less than a blued steel M-13 or M-19 under the furnace heat of firing .357 ammo. Some writer published that years ago in a gun mag, after an interview with an S&W engineer. Stainless also has, of course, got maintenance advantages, especially in a humid climate.

My 65-2 is my favorite revolver. They are loved.

My Model 65 is one of my prized revolvers. I attended S&W Police Armorer School back in '86 or so. During the course, all of the class were tasked with building four of the Model 65's from unfinished parts and certifying them for duty. Then, the guns were marked with an "arrow" stamp under the grip to designate that the weapon had been made during the Armorer's class and offered for sale. All class participants were offered the chance to buy one of the revolvers that we had made during the course. I snapped mine up at the factory price of $192 at the end of the course. I've put a lot of rounds through it since then, including plenty of Magnums, without a problem. Haven't fired the gun in several years, but now you've got me thinking. Great gun that I'll be sure to pass along to my son.

I'm sure my 65-3 with 3 inch barrel with RB feels loved. I take it out and talk to it and shoot it as much as I can. With the fixed sight it is easy to balance and handle and is a great shooting gun.

A lot of the Mod 65s were police dept issue and you see some of these offered for sale from time to time.

Hey - I didnt say I didnt like them... got one of my own. But I answered the question that was asked!

When I was in the armorer's school, we made model 64's and I think the one I bought cost under $150.

I love my 65 3" round butt. Sold my first one. Regretted it terribly and finally found this one.

I have noticed that there really isn't very much discussion or people having problems with their 65's. I'm gonna take that as a positive sign.
I ain't never had a lick of trouble with this one. I shoot only 158 grain .357 magnum through it. Got to keep that forcing spotless, or at least I do.
This is the .357 I am going to keep. I use it quite a bit.

Peace,
gordon

Attached Images

65-4.jpg (59.7 KB, 664 views)

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better have that checked

My 65-5 3-inch is my favorite S&W for all the reasons cited above. (I know, where are the pictures; some day!)

My 65-3 RB 3" has been my nightstand gun for years. Loaded with 158 grain silver tip 38 specials. I have always slept well. This little gun would be one of the last ones to go.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

of all the S&W,s I carried (1960-1990) my 3" rnd butt 65 is still my favorite Chief Larry Marsell (Ret)

You betcha!!

Nearly all the replies have referenced newer 65s; -2, -3. Mine is a -1, P&R, 4" HB. It is a round butt; did it come from the factory as a RB or has it been modified?

IIRC, the 4" versions were SB and the 3" versions had round butt. Then again, someone could have put a 4" tube on a 3" RB, ya never know.

I love my Model 65 3" and will buy 'em when I find 'em in nice shape. They are highly regarded for many of the best reasons . . .

1. Fast from the holster
2. Amazingly accurate
3. Very fast recoil recovery time to the next target when firing double action handgun matches
4. Fantastic LOOKING
5. Fast pointing
6. Great balance and handling
7. Relatively easy to conceal and carry!
8. Mine shoots dead-on to correct point of aim!!! Most of 'em do too!!!

I'll never get rid of mine . . . and have won many a handgun match with it.

I recently had my M-65 4" Square butt altered to a round butt (I do like them round butts on my Smiths and women) Using the old PPC baracade position I was able to hit a 4" gong one shot out of six at 115 yards, the other five were close enough to make the target think about a cover position. I have a 3' M-13 that is my carry gun on my place here. It can put all shots in the chest area at any range I have tried, up to 125 yards, double action over the hood of my pickup. Great guns........great guns. Keep shootin'

Back in June, 1978 when I reported to the Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, GA. we were issued Colt .38 Spls., 4” blue) with “U.S. Border Patrol” stamped on the backstrap. It might have been an Official Police model. The issued revolver that you trained with was the gun you took back to your duty station.
About halfway through the academy (8 or 9 weeks), they took back all the Colts and issued brand new S&W Model 66s. The qualification course was the old PPC course. We fired left side and right side barricade from the 25 and the 50 yard line (strong hand from the strong side, and weak hand from the weak side of the barricade at both distances). Most of the course was fired using wadcutters except for the 15 yard line where we had a timed reload (fire 6, reload, fire 6, strong hand supported by weak hand, all in 20 seconds) using magnum ammo. Also we had to reload from our belt loops. Speedloaders were expressly forbidden.
When I got back to my duty station at Laredo, I decided that I didn’t like the profile of that 66 as much as I liked the look of that fat barrel on the Model 65. I called some outfit in California (might have been named Wilson) and ordered a 4” Model 65 but I had them add a blued S&W adjustable rear sight with white outline and a blued Patridge front sight pinned into the barrel. I just loved that gun and it shot like a laser. I carried it in a Rodgers holster that was made from kydex, lined with suede leather, and split up the front so that the draw was just break the thumb break and a forward sweep. Rodgers later sold out to Safariland I think and that is where their plastic lined holsters evolved from.
In 1984 when I transferred to investigations in Chicago, I sent my 65 back to California and had them cut the barrel back to 3” (I was working in plain clothes then) and reset the front sight. I also had them round the butt and bead blast the entire gun. Still shot like a laser. In 1987, when I transferred to Dallas, I still carried it until the entire Immigration Service switched over to autos. Then I retired the 65 to be used as a house gun.
I still take the gun to the range periodically, just for nostalgia. Recently, I had the forcing cone split at 6 o’clock. I tried for a long time to find another pinned barrel to replace it. I finally found a 3” Ladysmith barrel from Numrich Arms that was already bead blasted. I had a gunsmith fit it and even pinned the barrel. Although I now carry a double stack .45 here at the Sheriff’s Office, I still qualify with my 65 twice a year. I still love this old gun and will pass it down to my grandson one of these days as I tell him about its rich history.

I own both a 3 inch and 4 inch 65.
They are both great packing guns!!!!

What are the differences in the "dash" in a model 65 with a 3" pistol. I have a 65-5, 3" but see other models like 65-3 also in 3"?

I just got my 65-2 a couple of weeks ago, and I'm just now getting acquainted with it. I got it with the factory grips and a Hogue Monogrip, which was installed and has been replaced with a set of Collins "Fancy Walnut" boot grips. I finally made it to my reloading room tonight, and managed enough daylight to put about 25 rounds down-range. This is one sweet shooter that is going to become a carry gun as soon as I shoot it a little more and get a good concealment holster for it. So far, I love my 65!

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Gotta love N-frames...

I have a 65-4 police trade-in that is one of my favorite revolvers, it is smooth and I love the low profile over the comparable model 19/66 for faster shooting.

No frills, all business...

I love my 3" RB model 65-3. They are definitely loved. However, I agree with the original poster that for whatever reason, they are not seen for sale that often. My 3" RB is the only one I have encountered in person, which is why I bought it. I have seen only one other a 4" SB. I also have a 3" RB 13-4 in blue as well. Like the 65, it is the only 3" RB I have seen in person. Like the 65, I have seen only one other 13 as well, a 4" SB blue. Here's a pic of the 3" twins:

model 65 that i paid $300 for from a gun shop about 5 years ago.





with spegel grips:

I love my 65 as I said earlier. The reason you don't see many or hear a lot of discussions about them is the simple fact that the "K" in K frame stands for "keeper". At least that's what I believe.
Peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

The number after the dash designates which 'modification' it is. Each subsequent number indicates some sort of engineering or production change. So, first was the 65, then the 65-1, 65-2, etc. There may be a "sticky" somewhere on the forum to explain them more fully. The dashes have nothing to do with the barrel length.

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LEO since 1981.

my 13-3 from1986
and my 65-5 from 1990

The S&W Model 65 ".357 Military & Police Heavy Barrel Stainless":

Apparently, there was no "no-dash" variant, according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition.

65-1 (1972): model introduced
65-2 (1977): move gas ring from yoke to cylinder
65-3 (1982): delete pinned barrel, delete recessed cylinder
65-4 (1988): new yoke retention system, floating hand, hammer nose bushing, radius stud package for the 4" square-butt
65-5 (1988): new yoke retention system, floating hand, hammer nose bushing, radius stud package for the 3" round-butt
1991: Model 65 "LadySmith" introduced with 3" barrel and shrouded ejector rod
1994: change extractor
1995-6: round-butt only, limited run of grooved grip-frame backstrap and frontstrap
1997: MIM trigger and thumb-piece
65-6 (1997): MIM hammer, frame-mounted firing pin
65-7 (2002): internal lock
65-8 (2005): Model 65 LadySmith with two-piece barrel
2005: Model 65 discontinued

I shoulda read this thread first and posted here, with all you 65 lovers, but here's my thread on my gussified 65: A Plain Jane Gets Gussified It's a work in progress.

I like the 4" and the square butt, m'self. I'm a tall guy so concealment is not an issue with a 4", and I just like the square butt feel in my hand better.

Best carry .357 ever!

I prefer a SB also, but my 65-1 has been rounded, I have a set of grips the squares it for me. I keep the wood grips and a set of grippers in the drawer, out of sight, consequently, out of mind. I'm warming to the 65-1, 4" HB since it was a bequest. Can't say the same of the 66-5 that came with it. Just put it in the back and leave it, until?

I have (2) M-65's, a -2 & a -4, both of them being 4" police trades. The -2 was a Texas Dept. of Corrections gun, and the -4 was a training gun of some sort (had the nasty orange Pachmyar's on it, since replaced). These are the ones that get the nod when I need a good, dependable, no-nonsense sidearm. Plenty of power, no worry when in the weather, no adjustable sights to get knocked around and damaged. My constant companions when hiking & fishing. The Fobus paddle holster for the 4" K-frame is excellent, as it doesn't retain moisture. 145 gr. Winchester Silvertips work as a good all-around load on the river or in the woods.
The 65-2:


The 65-4:

I picked up a pinned & recessed 65 with 3" barrel and round butt this summer. Like the previous posters have stated, the accuracy and balance of this revolver is amazing. It can outshoot my 66 all day long. The 65 is currently pulling duty on the nightstand.
Desantis makes a nice holster for these 3" 65/13's.

I believe that the 3" 65 is one of the most perfect carry revolver ever, and many savvy shooters seem to agree. Since they have little collector value so far, the vast majority of those of us who own them would much rather have the gun than the money it would bring...hence few on the market.
Interestingly, the 3" 65 was the DEA's last issue revolver, ending in about 1988 if memory serves. At the time, the FBI (training next door at Quantico, no less) was also on its final issue of the wheelgun with the identical gun ecept in blue: the M-13.

I'd like to get a nice 65 SB with a 4" barrel (longer is better).
and a RB 2" (if they even made them)

P&R of course

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John 3:17
<><

Thank you for the detail on the modifications. I stumbled on an LS65 for sale yesterday and after reading this forum thread, I believe I'll jump on it before it's gone! Haven't seen many 65's in circulation, much less an LS.

Try looking for references for 547s to feel better about lack of 65 references, or 13s for that matter.

Here's mine, it's a 65-5 LS. All the features of the 66 without the encumbrance of adjustable sights. Perfect for a carry gun.



As rare as the 65 is, the LS is even more rare.

No argument here

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Sure you did

I gave this 65-5 to my brother a couple of Christmases ago.

The matte rubber grips compliment the bead blast finish quite well.
All business for sure!

Since this thread started, I aquirred a second 65. I now have a 3" and a 4".

i have a 65-2, 4''bl. that was a police trade in that i use when i go camping,hiking and atv riding. rubber pacs on it, as stated earlier no sights to get knocked out of place and the weather won't hurt it. a very good ''workhorse'' of a gun...

I've got 2, a 3"er with factory bobbed hammer 65-3:

and a 4" 65-nothing that was converted to round butt by the original owner (sorry no pics).

These are great revolvers.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs