Adopted another Model 64...a 64-3 with 3" barrel, made in the mid-80s. This came from a friend on a NC gun forum.

I can't imagine what the finish would look like if this had been a blued gun. It's been around, but the stainless steel holds up well. It is mechanically rock solid. Excellent lock up and trigger pull. The only problem...it was GROSS inside. Decades of congealed and hardened lubricant on everything. This is not the seller's doing...he only had the gun for a short while. It came to him that way.

My guess, is that this was some sort of private security agency gun. Shot little, carried a lot, and lubed with tar and bubble gum. The security guard types are not "gun people," almost as a rule, and will lube a revolver with any nasty old bottle of goo laying around, or use too much. A real police agency has armorers and other folks to look after things. All of this is speculation. Have no idea. Regardless, this is an excellent revolver and it cleaned up well.

Looks okay on the outside. I wiped it down, but that's about it:



"33" carved into the grip. Hmmmm.



Let's see what's going on in there....Oh man. This doesn't even tell half the story. It was in every crack and spring.





Had to tear everything down...Q-Tips, Goo Gone, CLP, Slip2000. Time to get to work.





Here it is. All clean (on the inside) with the appropriate about of lube. It took hours. It took a couple hours last night.







This evening with a new Hogue Bantam Grip at the range (Firepower - Matthews, NC)

"and will lube a revolver with any nasty old bottle of goo laying around, or use too much".

Well, golly, you can get a lifetime supply of gun lube with just one oil change for your truck!
I bought a M66-2 once that had lacked attention for several decades. The cylinder was hard to turn when open. It cleaned up real well though. I don't mind, as long as no permanent damage. I enjoy making them work right.

Best,
Rick

I've opened every sideplate in every used revolver I get and have seen some nasty stuff, but nothing like yours. I've never taken the whole gun apart though. Don't know how. I just blast brake cleaner into every crevice and follow up with compressed air and lightly lube. But I'm sure I'm leaving some sludge behind.

Yes, this was particularly nasty. It was like hardened cosmoline or a furniture finish. Funny thing is, it really did not affect function...at least not yet. CLP did not loosen it easily. Goo Gone followed by CLP did the trick.


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These are really great guns. I own two of them, bought as state surplus in CA many years ago. I altered one to a spurless hammer and DAO but left the other one alone. They carry well and shoot well.

Very nice! The 3" M64's are great shooters!

I have had a 3" 64-3 for 10 years or so and it has been one of my favorite S&W's

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Congrats and thanks for making a wonderful gun new again, at least on the inside!

Congratulations on the transformation! You should be proud of it! Bob

Love, love, love the 3-inch revolvers!

Nice catch you have there.

I just did the same with a 4" 64 that was pretty crusty inside. I put some Altamont stocks on it and is now my favorite shooter. Would love to find a 3" some day like yours. Nice piece.

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