Model 65, 4"

Ceapea · #1 06-23-2017, 05:56 PM

Aim surplus has trade in 65's for $400.
I just ordered one.

Don't know what "-" number...

cporfe · #2 06-23-2017, 07:34 PM

I ordered one too. Wonder what LEO organization they're from?

Just checked and they are sold out. I think I was one of the last purchasers. I missed out on some Md 19s a week or so ago so I jumped on this one.

Warrior_Scholar · #3 06-24-2017, 09:08 AM

Hey everyone. New to the forum, but not new to S&W revolvers! I ordered one of these 65 LEO trade ins as well. Can't wait to get it!

Spokes · #4 06-24-2017, 09:55 AM

I was late also..

bananaman · #5 06-24-2017, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior_Scholar

Hey everyone. New to the forum, but not new to S&W revolvers! I ordered one of these 65 LEO trade ins as well. Can't wait to get it!

Welcome to the FORUM! Make sure you post pictures of it after you give it a beauty treatment! Bob

zipty6 · #6 06-24-2017, 07:01 PM

I jumped on one also. They don't seem to show up very often any more.

zipty6 · #7 06-29-2017, 11:58 PM

My Model 65 from AIM Surplus arrived today. It is a 65-7. I was a little disappointed. I was hoping it would be pre-lock, like every picture on their page. I understand that AIM didn't specify the revision, so I can't really cry foul over the deal.

The lockup on the revolver is very nice. There is very little end shake. The trigger feels a bit sluggish, but I expect a good cleaning to straighten things out.

cporfe · #8 06-30-2017, 12:17 PM

Yours looks really good for a trade in. I pick mine up tomorrow and will post pictures when I can. Like you, my first order of business will be a good cleaning. From the looks of the grip area pic, there may well be enough crud in the lock work to grow flowers.

Good luck and good shooting!
Chris

zipty6 · #9 06-30-2017, 04:49 PM

I took the sideplate off and everything looked great in the action. The hammer block safety was stuck yo the sideplate with gunk. I cleaned the hammer block & the back side of the sideplate. The action is now nice and smooth.

cporfe · #10 06-30-2017, 07:54 PM

That's great! I can't wait to get mine tomorrow and see what is what.

Ceapea · #11 06-30-2017, 09:39 PM

Heck, I haven't even received a shipping notice from Aim. My FFL hasn't received it yet...???
And I'll be a might PO'd if mine has a lock. I vowed never again to buy the uglied up version of any S&W revolver.
They said the pics were typical of what you'll receive.

cporfe · #12 07-01-2017, 02:15 PM

Picked up my 65-3! today. It's filthy. It barely functions. It was a struggle to get the cylinder open and it barely rotates. If some LEO was relying on this to save their life, they are lucky it wasn't needed. I can't tell if there is end shake or if it locks tight because of the crud. There is an etched 5 digit number on the right frame grip. It also has an etched "43" on the crane so it doesn't show when it's closed.

It's soaking now in Hoppe's new foam bore cleaner. Pictures, quality of which is the best I can do, are attached, I hope.

Chris

UPDATE: First step cleaning done. Used a full can of spray gun cleaner with dry lube. Haven't removed the side plate or crane though. Gun is now functional. It's got nice lockup and minimal end shake. Bore is pretty shiny after a long cleaning but some lead residue still resides. That's for another day. Cylinder now opens properly. Ejector works good. Nice trigger for a duty weapon. I'll probably leave the Pachmyr (sp?) grips on it after they dry from being cleaned. I have some nice original wood S&W grips but I don't like to shoot with those.

zipty6 · #13 07-02-2017, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cporfe

Picked up my 65-3! today. It's filthy. It barely functions. It was a struggle to get the cylinder open and it barely rotates. If some LEO was relying on this to save their life, they are lucky it wasn't needed. I can't tell if there is end shake or if it locks tight because of the crud. There is an etched 5 digit number on the right frame grip. It also has an etched "43" on the crane so it doesn't show when it's closed.

It's soaking now in Hoppe's new foam bore cleaner. Pictures, quality of which is the best I can do, are attached, I hope.

Chris

UPDATE: First step cleaning done. Used a full can of spray gun cleaner with dry lube. Haven't removed the side plate or crane though. Gun is now functional. It's got nice lockup and minimal end shake. Bore is pretty shiny after a long cleaning but some lead residue still resides. That's for another day. Cylinder now opens properly. Ejector works good. Nice trigger for a duty weapon. I'll probably leave the Pachmyr (sp?) grips on it after they dry from being cleaned. I have some nice original wood S&W grips but I don't like to shoot with those.

It looks like you got a good one - under all of the gronk.

Ceapea · #14 07-03-2017, 07:41 PM

Well, here is my 65-4. Came in real clean, looking like it was hardly fired. The finish is a little rough, but not so bad really. The barrel is more shiny than any barrel I have seen, new or not. Even the leade right after the forcing cone is really clean. Front of cylinder too. Whoever had this revolver knew how to clean it.
The round butt at the top is a 64-5 that I picked up a few weeks ago, never thinking that I would find a 65!

Ceapea · #15 07-03-2017, 07:43 PM

Crazy flash washout here. And the second pic is with some S&W Herrett's that I had laying around. I think that I like the Pac's better on this classic police pistol.

zipty6 · #16 07-04-2017, 05:14 PM

Mine cleaned up pretty well. I look forward to getting it to the range.

hokahay · #17 07-04-2017, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipty6

Mine cleaned up pretty well. I look forward to getting it to the range.

I bought one of these AIM handguns as well. I will be picking it up Thursday. I hope to shoot some rounds Saturday.

This is my first post on this site!

I am wondering if you did anything special "cleaning it up"?

zipty6 · #18 07-05-2017, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hokahay

I bought one of these AIM handguns as well. I will be picking it up Thursday. I hope to shoot some rounds Saturday.

This is my first post on this site!

I am wondering if you did anything special "cleaning it up"?

Welcome to the forum!

Nothing special was required:
Hoppe's to clean out the hammer block channel on the back of the sideplate and break up the gummy stuff that was under the grips.
Flitz to bring back some of the shine to the stainless.
Bonded Ivory magnas from the grip box.

cporfe · #19 07-05-2017, 04:33 PM

Zipty6 that's a fine looking 65 now with those grips! Congrats.

Ceapea · #20 07-05-2017, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cporfe

Zipty6 that's a fine looking 65 now with those grips! Congrats.

Yes it is!
The color looks like gun metal grey. Very nice!

hokahay · #21 07-06-2017, 08:15 PM

I picked up my Model 65 from this batch of AIM surplus today.

It looks just like the picture on the web page as far as the grips and such. The bore looks great and it has the usual dings and such you expect on a police trade in.

Trigger pull is good. Single action scores 4# on my trigger scale. Double action is more than 8 lol. The reset seems maybe a little clunky but I haven't popped the hood.

It is a Model 65-4. I understand this is good and it is pre hammer block. Is this correct. Also, how can I find out the manufacturing date give or take?

Thanks in advance!

I plan on shooting some rounds on saturday.

cporfe · #22 07-07-2017, 03:31 PM

Well, if you exact date and where it went first, pay for a history letter from the Smith and Wesson expert. If you just want an approximate date, post the three letter prefix and first digit of the serial number and someone here can probably give you the approximate year using the 4th Edition of the Smith and Wesson book.

Chris

hokahay · #23 07-07-2017, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cporfe

Well, if you exact date and where it went first, pay for a history letter from the Smith and Wesson expert. If you just want an approximate date, post the three letter prefix and first digit of the serial number and someone here can probably give you the approximate year using the 4th Edition of the Smith and Wesson book.

Chris

Thanks for the reply Chris. My google fu revealed that a 65-4 dates from 1988 which is close enough for me.

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson - Jim Supica, Richard Nahas - Google Books

I also figured out i should have said 'lock' not hammer block lol. I have too many Colt 1911s ha.

The Flitz did a nice job of cleaning up the stainless. So, it's off to the range tomorrow. I am quite happy so far.

hokahay · #24 07-08-2017, 02:38 PM

Ran like a dream.

Like a loud, violent, evil dream! lol

I shot some 38 spec and some 158 357 mag. I am thinking hand load some 357 cases to 38 spec +p and life will be good.

Thanks for the help.

Ceapea · #25 07-10-2017, 10:39 PM

Well I got mine out over the weekend. It shoots way better than it looks! And I think that it looks pretty good.
This gun is a keeper for sure. I was shooting (125 gr and 158 gr 357 mag loads) at 4" bullseye targets from 15 yd to 17 yd. Kept an 85% hit rate! Better even the 64 with standard 38 spls. Single, and double action to boot.