I recently came into a deal I couldn’t refuse and I’m now the proud owner of a model 65-2 and a 64-3....Both are very clean and tight. They both shot excellent as well. I was somewhat apprehensive about buying them from the cracked forcing cone horror stories I’ve read about over the years about the K frames but it seems the consensus is that if I don’t hot rod either of them they will be fine. I will be loading for them myself but plan to keep the 38 at around 700-800 FPS with 158 grain jsp’s (because I have a ton of jsp’s to shoot Up). And I’ll keep the 357 at around 1100-1150 with the same bullet. I think I’d be safe if I stayed around those numbers (I believe...I’m no expert haha). They’re nice and tight and I plan to keep them that way.

The fellow I got these from has a near mint model 19-2 I have my eyes on as well. If the price is right I’ll own it very soon as well.

Anyway, I just wanted to show them off a bit. It sure is hard to beat the feel and look of the older Smith & Wesson wheel guns

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They are very nice - enjoy! Just stay away from heavy Magnum use and when you do shoot magnums, use 158 grain bullets.

I own a M65 3" bbl and a M 10 & M15 (basically the same as the M64 but in Blue) and they won't shoot Magnums so no concerns.

Very nice.


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Great find,
Many really nice revolvers in the valley. Great people also.

Great find,
The main concern I believe was when people shot a lot of cast bullets and had a build up in the forcing cone of lead and then shot jacketed ammo with out cleaning the cone that you ran into cracking. I'm sure there were other reasons but that one comes to mind. Enjoy them!!
Jim

Whino83,
Nice guns! I see some orange on the front sight of that 3-incher. Is that just paint or did someone install an orange insert there?

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low speed, high drag

They both have inserts in the front sights.

First, those are two nice revolvers. Deb and I both own Model 64s, although both are older than yours. I also have a 65-2. All of them are fine pieces.

Now let's get some clarity into this discussion.

The so-called "cracked forcing cone" issue is not a concern on the .38 Special K frames. Never has been. So forget about that part.

The problem on the .357 has only been reported with respect to heavy usage of magnum ammo loaded with light bullets (110 grain and 125 grain) pushed to high velocity. Even then, it generally takes lots of rounds for the problem to develop. The loads you mentioned should not create a problem because the 158 grain slug seals the gap sufficiently. Depending on the Brinell hardness of the leaded bullet, leading can be a problem too, but so far as I know that has not been a major cause of barrel cracking, certainly not to the extent some have experience from using light bullets in magnum loads. Just pay attention to leading issues and clear it when necessary.

I predict you will get many years of good service from these two guns.

Do try to get that 19-2 if you can. I've had several over the years (still own a few) and they are fine pieces of equipment.

Be safe and have fun.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318