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01-22-2017, 09:41 AM
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Help with my 'new' gun?
My grandfather recently willed his 80's? revolver to me. I'm not especially familiar with older guns and was wondering if anyone could help identify its age. I'm planning to keep for sentimental purposes and it looks like a nice shooter so it's value would only be a curiosity but would also help.
The gun's near perfect no holster wear or even scratches. Grandmother said he used it once or twice to shoot snake shot in FL other than that kept it locked up so condition seems to be excellent. Looks like he had several grip changes over the years too.
Thanks for any help!
Keith
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69HEMI-R/T, 755, 75Vette, AlHunt, cndrdk, DevilDog72, Fox4506, Frank46, g-dad, Glashaus, Hillbilly77, jaymoore, Jimmyjones, kaaskop49, klind45, montezumaz, muddocktor, Muss Muggins, revolver686, S&W Oldtimer, Shark Bait, will527 |
01-22-2017, 09:51 AM
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Not really old. 1984-85.
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01-22-2017, 09:56 AM
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Nice looking gun. That's a keeper.
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01-22-2017, 09:58 AM
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Thanks guys, so no problems shooting current ammo?
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01-22-2017, 10:01 AM
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Very nice! 3" nickel M13's are a bit scarce and any 3" K frame is kinda a hot ticket now. A great way to remember your Grandfather!
I found a 3" nickel M13 last Fall and it is a favorite of mine, I won an auction on Gunbroker for mine, I paid $485 which I think was a very good price, yours with the condition, box and if it still has all the paper work that originally came with it, I would think that it would be in the $650- $850+ on a good day at auction on GB.
Shoot all the .38 Special and any .357 Magnum that you find out of it.
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Last edited by Glashaus; 01-22-2017 at 10:04 AM.
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01-22-2017, 10:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glashaus
Very nice! 3" nickel M13's are a bit scarce and any 3" K frame is kinda a hot ticket now. A great way to remember your Grandfather!
I found a 3" nickel M13 last Fall and it is a favorite of mine, I won an auction on Gunbroker for mine, I paid $485 which I think was a very good price, yours with the condition, box and if it still has all the paper work that originally came with it, I would think that it would be in the $650- $850+ on a good day at auction on GB.
Shoot all the .38 Special and any .357 Magnum that you find out of it.
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Thanks for the reply, our guns look pretty much identical. You got yourself a great deal then. I plan to take it to the range soon and have some fun and make some good memories with it.
I have four grandchildren now myself, one may get it willed to them too if it lasts as long.
It's feels really well balanced and hefty in the hand - I've heard .357 is a hot load - we'll see!!
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01-22-2017, 11:03 AM
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Very nice gun! Also the sentimental value is great. Please post a range report after you shoot it.
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01-22-2017, 11:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glashaus
Very nice! 3" nickel M13's are a bit scarce and any 3" K frame is kinda a hot ticket now. A great way to remember your Grandfather!
I found a 3" nickel M13 last Fall and it is a favorite of mine, I won an auction on Gunbroker for mine, I paid $485 which I think was a very good price, yours with the condition, box and if it still has all the paper work that originally came with it, I would think that it would be in the $650- $850+ on a good day at auction on GB.
Shoot all the .38 Special and any .357 Magnum that you find out of it.
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I'd break my arm getting my wallet out to pay $650 for yours or the OP's!
To the OP, the Model 13, in blue & 3", was the last revolver issued by the FBI, to the best of my memory.
They are a great handgun and I have been searching for a 3", in my area, for a few years.
The only Model 13 I've found is a 4", which I bought.
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01-22-2017, 11:24 AM
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Great family heirloom... and one of the best open or concealed carry revolvers 'ever" made......
Market value...with everything...... IMO $600-900; as nickle 13s are at best fairly uncommon..... vs the much more common (at the time) and in demand stainless 3" 65s.
Hogue grips are going for about $100 new these days.The (looks like) round to square butt target grips...... w/ football cutout.......I have no idea but a WAG ........ $100-200 range.
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01-22-2017, 11:36 AM
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Hi Keith:
Welcome to the Forum. Your 3.0 inch barreled, factory nickeled Model 13 is a very desirable handgun. The excellent condition of the piece, along with the original grips, box, etc. are definite plusses. I agree with Glashaus' comments. As to value, on a good day, to the right person, I think you might be able to realize $1,000.00 on its sale.
If you keep and shoot the piece, which I hope you do, you'll want to limit the use of 125 gr. rounds in .357 Magnum. Back in the day when revolvers ruled, the 125 gr. JHP round was a highly regarded as a "man stopper" round. Unfortunately, extensive use of this round lead to frame cracking just below the barrel where the famous flat is located.
Congratulations on a great inheritance, and my condolences on your loss.
Regards,
Dave
PS - I've added a photo of my 3.0 inch barreled Model 65-3 beside my Model 13-3. The blued steel Model 13 with 3.0 inch barrel was the last revolver issued by the FBI to their agents, while the 3.0 inch barreled Model 65 was issued by the DEA to their agents.
Regards,
Dave
Last edited by Double-O-Dave; 02-03-2017 at 02:03 AM.
Reason: added photo
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01-22-2017, 11:53 AM
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As you should already know, you have a treasure in your hands. Highly desirable, perfect balanced, and a great way to remember your grandfather. Start off with a few boxes of 38 specials and reserve the .357 for the end of your shoot.
Head to YouTube and find a "how to clean my____" and clean it properly. Research and learn what chemicals may cause harm to your nickle finish, ammonia being one of the most prominent.
Store the gun properly and above all. Keep that box and everything in it safe and protected.
Your grandfather obviously had an eye for the best. I hope my grandchildren are posting on this forum the very same comments someday.
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01-22-2017, 12:06 PM
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You have a gem there! I lucked into a 3" M65 at a pawn shop. The same configuration as yours except in stainless. I fell in love with the way it felt and shot immediately. I've been looking for a M13 ever since and haven't seen one nor another 3" M65. That was a couple of years ago. Hang on to that one!
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01-22-2017, 12:24 PM
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Help with my 'new' gun?
Wow!! There's some knowledge on this forum, thanks for the advice. Didn't know about the larger 125 loads, the cleaning solutions or the significance of the box and oiled paper it came in, grips etc. thanks guys!!!
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01-22-2017, 12:41 PM
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Keith, for a lot of fun, shoot 158gr .38 Specials out of your M13, if you can find some .38 wadcutter's, even more fun. very mild loads for the 3" heavy barrel!
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01-22-2017, 01:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ispcapt
Not really old. 1984-85.
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Capt you know your gettin up there when a 33 year old gun is not really old. I am there too
Great inheritance that one deserves to stay in the family.
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01-22-2017, 03:04 PM
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Keith:
I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but if you shoot .38 Special ammo out of your revolver, you will get a build up in the charge holes in your cylinder. This build up is normal, and is the result of carbon, as well as lead from the projectile. You will need to remove this residue prior to trying to load and shoot .357 Magnum ammo. You can, of course, fire the .357 Magnum ammo first, and then fire the .38 Special ammo, but eventually you will have to remove the residue. There are different methods to remove this build up including the use of an oversized gun cleaning brush (use a brush 1 caliber larger - so a .40 S&W brush in this case), or you can use a Lewis Lead Remover - which is an excellent tool. Also, if you use a FMJ bullet, the build up won't be quite as bad as it would be if you use lead bullets.
Good luck,
Dave
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01-22-2017, 03:12 PM
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Your Grandfather had great taste. In my opinion, a model 13 3" in nickel is a great .357 to have. Probably would be on the top of my list for a .357. A rare piece.
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01-22-2017, 03:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Double-O-Dave
Keith:
I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but if you shoot .38 Special ammo out of your revolver, you will get a build up in the charge holes in your cylinder. This build up is normal, and is the result of carbon, as well as lead from the projectile. You will need to remove this residue prior to trying to load and shoot .357 Magnum ammo. You can, of course, fire the .357 Magnum ammo first, and then fire the .38 Special ammo, but eventually you will have to remove the residue. There are different methods to remove this build up including the use of an oversized gun cleaning brush (use a brush 1 caliber larger - so a .40 S&W brush in this case), or you can use a Lewis Lead Remover - which is an excellent tool. Also, if you use a FMJ bullet, the build up won't be quite as bad as it would be if you use lead bullets.
Good luck,
Dave
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I wasn't, thanks Dave!
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01-22-2017, 04:40 PM
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What you have there is a Holy Grail gun to many. Gramps did right by you! A 3" Nickle Heavy-barreled Model 13 with box and tools would easily bring $1K here in So Cal; probably more if you didn't mind waiting a day or two.
Really, really nice gun. The only thing that would make it better is if it were mine. Congrats.
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01-22-2017, 05:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith.lambert.37
I have four grandchildren now myself, one may get it willed to them too if it lasts as long.
It's feels really well balanced and hefty in the hand - I've heard .357 is a hot load - we'll see!!
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Really nice revolver. That it was your grandfather's gun, pretty much makes it priceless. Hope you cherish it.
With a little care that S&W will outlast the grandkids.
And yes, if you touch off a few full house magnums, you'll know you got a handful of something!
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01-22-2017, 05:35 PM
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Nice, very nice. Congratulations.
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01-22-2017, 05:51 PM
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Your Grandfather had EXCELLENT taste in firearms, probably had a Buick Grand National to terrorize Corvette drivers with. Because that is sort of the Grand National, Revolver Edition. Nickle K frame that just says Old Geezers Barbeque Gun, but a 3 inch barrel for near perfect hip carry and balance in a 357 Magnum means top rate PERFORMANCE.
In regards to what ammunition to use in this treasure, first an explanation. There is an expression of energy in Newtonian Physics called Kinetic Energy. The formula for Kinetic Energy is 1/2 times Mass times the Velocity Squared. This means a bullet moving faster can impart MORE energy than a slower moving heavier bullet. One area where the K frame S&W is a bit marginal in strength is the flat on the barrel extension inside the frame window. If a bullet hits this Forcing Cone with too much Energy too many times it can cause the barrel to split and in time also cause the frame to split as that crack extends into the area retained by the frame.
History has demonstrated that a 125 grain bullet loaded at the top of the pressure curve for 357 Magnum can cause the forcing cone to split. Some reports have this happening with the first box of 125 Grain 357 Magnum used but it usually take at least a year of shooting and sometimes never happens. Probably a result of variations in the Ultimate Strength of the steel used from batch to batch. Note, this ONLY applies to 357 Magnum ammunition because the 38 special operates at a much lower pressure that is completely safe at any bullet weight. So, to add a bit of a safety factor there is just one rule you need to remember when contemplating the use of 357 Magnum in this revolver, only use loads that feature 158 grain bullets and do NOT use any high power version (Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, and other "maximum" energy loads).
I would recommend American Eagle 158 grain Semi Jacketed Soft Point. I also suspect that you will find the first round of this ammunition you fire is a LOT more powerful than you expected. It will also be loud enough out of that short barrel than every single person in the range will know you are shooting a REAL Magnum, the muzzle blast will be nearly as loud as a 12 gage shotgun. BTW, I tend to avoid using 357 Magnums with any handgun with a barrel shorter than 4 inches because IMO they are just too loud for an indoor range. I also find shooting 38 special in my 357 Magnum revolvers and rifles is quite rewarding and enjoyable even if I do have to spend a bit of extra time cleaning up the powder ring due to the shorter case.
Note, that is a hint to consider using 38 special as a primary ammunition because in a revolver as light as your model 13 the 357 Magnum is rather brutal and WILL lead you to starting to flinch. Take that advice from a now Old Geezer with more that 40 years of handgun shooting experience, shoot too many "Hot" loads in one session and you WILL develop a Flinch, that is 100% guaranteed.
Last edited by scooter123; 01-22-2017 at 05:55 PM.
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01-22-2017, 05:55 PM
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Very nice revolver. As others have said, limit or avoid totally those hot 125 grain .357 magnum rounds and you'll be fine. The 3" Model 13 is a very desirable firearm.There are a lot of gun guys and gals out there looking for one for their EDC piece. Enjoy.
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01-22-2017, 06:16 PM
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Wow I SURE am glad I joined the forum and got this advice before heading to the range with my 'new' gun... here are the only two boxes of ammo I got with it. Yup... 125gr. JHP 357... they're still full boxes tho at least.
Any thoughts on the +P's are they not recommended either?
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01-22-2017, 06:21 PM
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+P's are fine, as are a limited amount of the 357 125 gr. Personally though I just shoot standard 38 Special through mine - it will do the job just fine and is a lot easier on the hands.
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01-22-2017, 08:35 PM
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Shoot any 38 specials and you will be fine. I prefer anything with a full or partial copper jacket which can make cleaning easier. I don't think you have a great worry about shooting the shorter 38's rather than the slightly longer. 357's.
Clean the gun frequently and you will avoid any carbon buildup issues and the advice to use a 40 caliber brush in the cylinder chambers is a good one.
Keep asking questions we are all full of answers.
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01-22-2017, 11:54 PM
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That's a beautiful 13!! The closest I have come is a 4" nickel 13-1! But I did come close recently with a 3" 65-5! And a 3" 64-1.
3" smiths rule!
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01-23-2017, 12:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith.lambert.37
Wow I SURE am glad I joined the forum and got this advice before heading to the range with my 'new' gun... here are the only two boxes of ammo I got with it. Yup... 125gr. JHP 357... they're still full boxes tho at least.
Any thoughts on the +P's are they not recommended either?
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The Plus P's are fine... Save the 125 grain .357 JHP's for the Model 28 you will invariably search out and buy.
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01-23-2017, 12:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith.lambert.37
My grandfather recently willed his 80's? revolver to me. I'm not especially familiar with older guns and was wondering if anyone could help identify its age.
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Based on my understanding of the Special Order number, your gun was built on March 5, 1985.
The way it works is this:
The first number in 4-digit Special Order number denotes the year of manufacture. It is assumed that you know the decade. You can usually figure that out with the serial number.
The next 3 numbers are the day of the year.
In your case, 5064 - the 64th day of 1985 = March 5.
P.S.
Welcome to the forum.
Last edited by Hillbilly77; 01-23-2017 at 12:55 AM.
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01-23-2017, 10:36 AM
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Welcome to the FORUM! That is a beauty! Hang on to it! They are desirable, and should shoot well. I have a -2, 4" blue. It feels so good in my hand, and shoots well. It has never had a magnum round through it as far as I know. Bob
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01-23-2017, 11:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hillbilly77
Based on my understanding of the Special Order number, your gun was built on March 5, 1985.
The way it works is this:
The first number in 4-digit Special Order number denotes the year of manufacture. It is assumed that you know the decade. You can usually figure that out with the serial number.
The next 3 numbers are the day of the year.
In your case, 5064 - the 64th day of 1985 = March 5.
P.S.
Welcome to the forum.
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Thanks for that detailed info on the gun and the explanation too - much appreciated. March 5, 1985 that's great.
Keith
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01-23-2017, 11:52 AM
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I like it! Congratulations on a nice gun!
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01-24-2017, 12:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith.lambert.37
Thanks guys, so no problems shooting current ammo?
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None what so ever.
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