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05-13-2018, 03:49 PM
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Finally located a nice model 13 3"
After several years of keeping my eye out for a nice 13 I located one locally which appears to have been purchased and placed in a safe somewhere. Came complete with original box (matching SN) and all paperwork. Don't know if the photos will reflect the "like new" condition, but there aren't even any cylinder stop scratches.
I just received the Tyler T-Grip adapter after a very reasonable 4 week turn-around and added it today to complete the package.
This find is special to me as this was the weapon we were issued at the FBI Academy in the early 80s and I carried for many years. I still think it was one of the best revolvers we ever issued (my humble opinion of course). Thought I might share the photos.
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05-13-2018, 04:00 PM
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That's fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Did you have an opportunity to purchase your issued 13? Enjoy.
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05-13-2018, 04:01 PM
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That's a very nice pinned/recessed 13-2, a highly sought after version (as you know) .
Thank you for your service, enjoy!
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05-13-2018, 04:20 PM
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Nice find...what kind of ammo were you issued?
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05-13-2018, 04:29 PM
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As soon as posted, I thought of Clarice
Starling (aka Jodie Foster) with her
Model 13 in "The Silence of the Lambs."
Still love for a movie her fast reload with
an HKS after expending six at the predator.
According to the Internet Movie Firearms
Data Base, several scenes of her training
with the gun at the academy were deleted.
In a closeup of the gun when she visits
Hannibal the first time, the gun has a Packmayr
grip adapter but the ammo is SJHP, not the
SWCLHP, the famed "FBI load."
Last edited by UncleEd; 05-13-2018 at 04:34 PM.
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05-13-2018, 07:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog
That's a very nice pinned/recessed 13-2, a highly sought after version (as you know) .
Thank you for your service, enjoy!
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And the round butt too ...
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05-14-2018, 12:39 PM
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Thanks for the comments, fellows.
To answer a few of your questions:
1. When we switched to pistols the Bureau tried to work a deal where Agents could purchase our revolvers but the deal was nixed at the last minute. Never learned exactly who was responsible for that decision. My last information was that the revolvers (and all that history) were destroyed.
2. During all our revolver training we used good old wadcutter. Our issued "carry" .38 Special ammo was a SWCLHP +P. We were allowed to carry .357 ammo in our speed-loaders or dump pouches which I recall as being SJSP. Carrying the .357 ammo was optional.
3. Ah yes, Silence of the Lambs. That was a really interesting movie based on the Behavioral Science Unit at Quantico. The Agents that worked there became know as "profilers" and did some incredible work to assist us "street Agents" in our investigations. Great movie.
4. All our revolvers were issued with the Pachmyer adapter and it really was a great asset. Wish they still made them! Been trying to find one for a round butt K frame but they are really scarce as you know.
Thanks again and best regards.
Last edited by tmont; 05-14-2018 at 12:43 PM.
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05-14-2018, 02:06 PM
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As to the destruction of the Model 13s,
I'll just suspect without proof Sessions,
Reno, Clinton.
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05-14-2018, 02:24 PM
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Mine didn’t come with any of the extras and is not p/r but has one of the smoothest actions off all my Smiths. The 3” is just perfect.
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05-14-2018, 04:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmont
the "like new" condition, but there aren't even any cylinder stop scratchs
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You're going to fix that and give us a range report aren't you? Don't forget a food pic (shrimp boil?) guarded by the 13. Be careful, down there on the coast, crab boil and salt air are corrosive!
Very nice 13, and thanks for your service!
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05-14-2018, 04:50 PM
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Really great find and history lesson! I’ve been on the 3” hunt with a lot of others. Heres a close find (top) is a 65-5 and botton my 13-1 4” nickel. Enjoy yours!!
Gripgrabber
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05-14-2018, 05:28 PM
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You betcha, the pristine cylinder will not last long.
And you are most welcome, I was blessed to serve.
Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W ucla
You're going to fix that and give us a range report aren't you? Don't forget a food pic (shrimp boil?) guarded by the 13. Be careful, down there on the coast, crab boil and salt air are corrosive!
Very nice 13, and thanks for your service!
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05-14-2018, 06:42 PM
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Three inch .357 revolvers are the perfect combat handgun.
I foolishly let a 3" Mod 13 get away from me, and have been kicking myself ever since. Last year I filled the gap with a 3" Kimber K6S.
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05-14-2018, 06:56 PM
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Congrats on your find. The Model 13, three inch, round butt was my agency's last issue revolver before going to semi autos. It was the best carry gun we ever had. Ours were issued with the round butt target grips (still on mine) aka "Banana" grips. Unlike the FBI, we were allowed to buy our guns when they were replaced. I still have mine.
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05-14-2018, 08:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WCCPHD
The Model 13, three inch, round butt was my agency's last issue revolver
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Do you have an idea how many were in the run for NCALE? (NC Ale, lol) What year? Thanks
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Last edited by S&W ucla; 05-14-2018 at 08:37 PM.
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05-15-2018, 06:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W ucla
Do you have an idea how many were in the run for NCALE? (NC Ale, lol) What year? Thanks
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We had 104 agents at the time and we also kept spare guns, so a "guesstimate" would be no more than 120. I think they were done about 1984 or 1985. They were replaced in late 1987 or early 1988 by the Beretta 92.
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05-15-2018, 07:17 AM
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Tmont, nice find, with box and docs no less!! I found a nickel M13-3 when I wasn’t really looking, I put a bid on it and it stuck, I was actually shocked that I got it for what I did, right time, right place, works out sometimes.
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05-15-2018, 07:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleEd
As to the destruction of the Model 13s,
I'll just suspect without proof Sessions,
Reno, Clinton.
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I doubt that Jefferson Davis Sessions, who is a good South Alabama boy, and has only been the Attorney General since 2017, had anything to do with destroying FBI handguns that were phased out many years ago.
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Last edited by Muley Gil; 05-15-2018 at 07:34 AM.
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05-15-2018, 07:43 AM
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Outstanding, I sure envy you that. And nice to have the agency seal on the sideplate. I know what that means to you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WCCPHD
Congrats on your find. The Model 13, three inch, round butt was my agency's last issue revolver before going to semi autos. It was the best carry gun we ever had. Ours were issued with the round butt target grips (still on mine) aka "Banana" grips. Unlike the FBI, we were allowed to buy our guns when they were replaced. I still have mine.
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05-15-2018, 08:08 AM
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it was William Sessions back then
not Jefferson "Beauregard" Sessions of todays fame ......and misfortune
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05-15-2018, 09:15 AM
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I'm a huge fan of the 3" K-frames and consider them to be the best carry revolver ever made. I've had a 13-4 3" for many years and its my first choice for carry when I'm in a revolver mood. Just recently, I picked up a 3" Model 10-8 to add to the pile.
Congratulations on an excellent find.
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05-15-2018, 10:57 AM
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At the time the 3" M13's were FBI issue I bought a blued one which I subsequently gave to my then financee'. When we agreeably went our separate ways a year or so later, she declined to sell it back to me.
I consoled myself with a 3" M66-2 which I still own.
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05-15-2018, 11:10 AM
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OP - Congratulations on getting a Model 13 back in your life.
I think the 3" model 13's & 65's were "Perfection" before another gun company started using that word!...
This one goes out on the town often!
Bob S.
Last edited by Messer; 05-15-2018 at 11:12 AM.
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05-15-2018, 11:13 AM
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My first 3” M13 was purchased new around 1981, before I came on the job. It was a P&R dash 2. Of course, something “better” came along and off went the 13-2.
Several years ago I was committed to replacing it and I came across a couple of dash 3s, until I found this 13-2 with box and papers! I sold the dash 3s here on the Forum and still proudly have this one in the safe...
This one’s has some honest wear, but is rock solid mechanically. I today’s day of high cap pistols, I’d still be confident carrying the M13 with a couple of HKS speedloaders....
Incidentally, I recently, unexpectedly, came across this 3” M10 while visiting a LGS. It had to come home with me to keep company with the 13 and a 3” CS-1 I bought BNIB years ago...
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Last edited by demkofour; 05-15-2018 at 11:30 AM.
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05-15-2018, 02:52 PM
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I certainly agree with you. Bet you recall when we used to fire our first 12 rounds in a qualification course from the 50 yard line with our revolvers. When we transitioned to pistols they dropped the 50 yard altogether as most folks had a hard time hitting the Q from that range with a pistol. Now I sure like my 1911s but if I had to choose one to go in harms way with, it would be 13 and a couple of speed loaders.
Quote:
Originally Posted by demkofour
My first 3” M13 was purchased new around 1981, before I came on the job. It was a P&R dash 2. Of course, something “better” came along and off went the 13-2.
Several years ago I was committed to replacing it and I came across a couple of dash 3s, until I found this 13-2 with box and papers! I sold the dash 3s here on the Forum and still proudly have this one in the safe...
This one’s has some honest wear, but is rock solid mechanically. I today’s day of high cap pistols, I’d still be confident carrying the M13 with a couple of HKS speedloaders....
Incidentally, I recently, unexpectedly, came across this 3” M10 while visiting a LGS. It had to come home with me to keep company with the 13 and a 3” CS-1 I bought BNIB years ago...
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05-15-2018, 06:54 PM
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I love my 13-3, my main carry gun. You have to jump on them when you see them. The older Smiths are special.
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