Hey all,

I have a M65 with a 3 inch barrel. I got it for me and my Dad to shoot and have as his bedroom gun. Right now it is my only revolver. I don't count this Italian "J-Frame" that is marked EIG or some such.

Anyway, this 65 is a great revolver for sure. I really like it. I was just looking up a few things and came across a M65 LADYSMITH. It is slightly different and I like that version too. Can anyone tell me what the weight of both of these handguns are, both the 65 3 inch and the Ladysmith 65 3 inch? Also, it looks like the only difference is in the underlug that houses the ejector rod. It looks slightly more "beefy" than on the standard 65. Is there anything else?

Lastly, I bought this gun about 10 years ago and it was a police trade-in. It has a beautiful trigger and I keep the factory stocks on it with Tyler T-Grips and love the look and feel. What I am SHOCKED about is what these are currently selling for. I had to pick my lower jaw from the floor a few minutes ago when I saw some of the auctions. I wish I would've bought every one that place had those 10 years ago....

I bring this up because I toy with the idea every now and again of trading my 65 3 inch for another revolver that I really like....the 627 BLOODWORK Gun. I handled it at the NRA Show and decided that I MUST OWN ONE someday.
Others on the list I think about trading for are the 686+ TALO 3-inch, a 3 inch 66 and a 629 Mountain Gun.

Would you all mind in giving me an idea of what kind of deal I would get if I were to trade for a 627 Bloodwork? I'd like see what I would have to give up if I were to find someone that wanted to trade or found a nice used one and had to sell mine to get it.
What kinda BOOT would I have to kick in to get one do you think?

Thank you all for the help.

Nalajr

A 3" 65 is a near-perfect revolver for CCW. It shoots superbly, and carries very comfortably outside the belt. K/L and N frame 3" revolvers have been commanding big prices the past several years, so you might want to think twice about parting with your 65. Go with your heart not your wallet if you decide to sell or trade for something else.

I have a 3" 65 and it is staying with me. Not interested in parting with it for a Bloodwork or anything comparable.

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I'm with the banned ...

Can you post a few pics ?
The most important factor in estimating gun value is condition and originality .

Without pics its like saying " Whats my 78 Camaro worth ?"

The 65 and 65 LS can't be more than 1-2 ounces different in weight. The LS has a bead-blast finish and seems to have a lighter/smoother trigger, along with smooth stocks.

Nothing wrong with current guns, but short of an older 627 UDR I'd be inclined to keep your 65. Even at the prices you see (by the way, look for sales instead of asking prices), you'd be looking at $500-800 extra, especially for an early production 627.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Keep the model 65's and buy anything else outright!!

+1...because you won't get anywhere near the value of your 65 in a trade.

Correct, and to which I'll add that the standard 65 has a heavy barrel, whereas the 65 LS has a standard profile barrel (with aforementioned ejector shroud).

In my hand the 65 LS feels a touch lighter upfront, swings a little faster and seems more pointable as a result; all told a little more compact and light compared to the heavy barreled 65.

Must keep the 3" 65. Must. A very desirable and wonderful gun. Forget about value. To many of us, it is priceless. I saw one this weekend at a show: $650 and it looked like it had been tumbled in a cement mixer. I passed... Keep the 65. Please.

Hey all,

Yeah I'm gonna keep it. The 65LS is no doubt a nice piece too, but I don't think I'd like it nearly as much as I like mine. Mine is in really good shape too. Whomever had this prior to me liked a really nice trigger cause this one's got one. I don't know if it has had any work done on the internals or any parts replaced, I'm not gonna take the sideplate off to see. Besides, I can never get those darned things back on without a tiny mark or smudge.

I'll post a picture tomorrow. I've never posted a pic of it before. I'd like to get your thoughts on it too.

Thanks all.

Nalajr

I have a pair of model 13s with 3 inch barrels. The blue version of your 65, of course. A keeper, for sure. The 3 inch Model 13 was the FBI's last revolver, and a great choice for a service revolver that is nearly full size, with all the advantages of a full size gun, yet, due to that shortened barrel, very suitable for plain clothes work. The 65 is, perhaps, even more practical, due to its Stainless Steel construction. The Ladysmith is a fine variant. I like the idea of the underlug to protect the ejector rod on a self defense gun. It might limit holster choices, if going with a precisely fitted holster (and that's the way to go!) as the Ladysmith variant is less common then the original 3 inch Model 13/65 and I don't know if every revolver holster maker offers holsters for it. I'm sure, though, there are fine makers able to supply good leather for the Ladysmith.

The .38 Special remains a good self defense choice and a fun gun to shoot as well. And, naturally, in any Model13/65, you can use any .38, from wad cutter target loads, up through +Ps...and through the range of .357 Magnum loads.

For self defense, I'd go with a good +P .38 load. Very controllable and effective.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

I've got both the 3" model 65 and the 2 5/8" model 627 and they are both keepers. My advice echoes the others here... Keep the 65 and save an extra month or two to buy a 627 outright...don't trade the 65!