stumbled on consecutive pair of 3" 65-3 revolvers

kwikrnu · #1 10-26-2009, 10:41 PM

I was looking for a cheap .38 special and stumbled on to a pair of 3 inch M65 's for $800 shipped. I know these aren't rare or anything, but new guns are always fun. I'm pretty excited and was thinking about sending them in to get bead blasted once I get them. I've read there is no real big value to consecutive serial numbers, but to me it was neat. Especially since they weren't even listed together.

link.
They still had a few 3" 65's left for around $360-$385 each.

pdmcghinnis · #2 10-26-2009, 10:49 PM

Those may be old NC Dept. Probation/Parole guns. I had to turn mine in when they switched to the .40S&W M&P and we were not given the opportunity to buy them.

When I left there and went to the police department, I swore I would one day have another 3" model 65. I'm gonna buy one from these guys ASAP!

manny25 · #3 10-27-2009, 07:31 PM

thats neat u got a consective pair

tekarra · #4 10-27-2009, 08:23 PM

What a stumble! Please post a photo.

HAWKEYE10 · #5 10-28-2009, 03:18 PM

Those model 65's looked great on your link. You
came out on top on that deal. Don

kwikrnu · #6 10-30-2009, 02:49 PM

I picked them up today and the guns look better than I thought they would and everything on them is nice and tight.

brucev · #7 10-30-2009, 03:37 PM

I am bone ignorant about the in's and out's of collectable/non-collectable and/or shooter grade S&W revolvers. But I think it is neat that you were able to find these revolvers with consecutive serial numbers. I would clean them up, maybe do something about any real finish flaws, etc., put some nice grips on them and then head for the range! Sincerely. brucev.

kwikrnu · #8 10-30-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucev

I am bone ignorant about the in's and out's of collectable/non-collectable and/or shooter grade S&W revolvers. But I think it is neat that you were able to find these revolvers with consecutive serial numbers. I would clean them up, maybe do something about any real finish flaws, etc., put some nice grips on them and then head for the range! Sincerely. brucev.

I can't collect because I don't have the patience. I'm trying to find someone local to bead blast them. I'd also like to get some ebony grips for both, but that may have to wait until I have the cash and figure out which grips I like. I'm leaning towards black maybe some ahrends silver-black dymond wood in a retro banana grip or bot grip, or maybe eagle ebony in finger position, secret service, magnas, or target. I'll figure it out though.

HEADKNOCKER · #9 10-30-2009, 06:31 PM

Nice Pair!!
I notice in this pic that the sideplate seems to be not fit completely on the upper one..
You sure are lucky to have scored those for that kinda booty..
Congrats
Gary/Hk

tekarra · #10 10-30-2009, 06:35 PM

Very nice!

hittman77 · #11 10-30-2009, 06:43 PM

So are these a pretty good deal at roughly $400 each?

kwikrnu · #12 10-30-2009, 07:37 PM

After shipping ($32.50) and transfer fees ($31.00) They come out to around $415 each. I thought it was a pretty good deal, but I'm not a professional collector.

I took the pics when I got home of how I received the handguns. The screws on both side plates were loose and messed up. I ground down a couple of bits to fit the heads and tightened the screws and the side plate for the one you noticed fits snug now. It looks as if someone took a hammer to it though. That is the price you pay for buying a difficult to find service gun sight unseen for a good price.

jimmyjoe · #13 10-30-2009, 07:55 PM

You might call Smith&Wesson. Sometimes they will send you new sideplate screws for free. You did a good job on that side plate.

kwikrnu · #14 10-30-2009, 11:14 PM

I've been playing with them on and off today. I wanted to get rid of the pitting which was under the grips. I tried hand sanding with 800 then 400 then 220 paper for a couple hours and they weren't coming out. I remembered my dewalt orbital sander and stuck some 220 on it. The marks came out in about a minute and it looks pretty good now.

No more rust or pitting just need bead blasting or to be sanded and polished out and finished with some good looking grips.

ShakyJake · #15 10-31-2009, 07:18 AM

Hi kwikrnu,
Just a great package all around. You did not pay too much if you are happy with the results. By the way your pictures are outstanding. It was great you could rescue twins and keep them together. I am sure that with a bit of TLC they will return the favor many times over after a little rehab. It looks like their previous owner(s) was a bit of and abuser. Hard to believe that could have been a professional armorer or LE 'smith.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

sw44spl · #16 10-31-2009, 07:27 AM

very sweet I like them.

kwikrnu · #17 11-28-2009, 08:14 PM

They look better now that they were bead blasted.

2hawk · #18 11-28-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwikrnu

They look better now that they were bead blasted.

Wow, I'll say!
Well done, sir!

j38 · #19 11-28-2009, 10:14 PM

Good job! They look great now and are range-ready! Enjoy,

Jerry

jholder · #20 11-28-2009, 10:27 PM

They now look exactly like my late father's 65-3, 3" round butt.

He was issued the weapon when he was a sergeant at Topeka PD and bought it for the massive sum of $125 upon retirement (actually, it was deducted from his final paycheck, accrued vacation and sick pay for umpteeen many years, etc.). When he passed away in 2001 I received it.

It too is now semi-retired, doing HD duty in the sock drawer.