Here's a new addition to my too large (for me) Smith and Wesson revolver collection. It's a Model 13 in .357 Magnum, my first K frame in that caliber. I have many other K frames, but all of them are .38 Special.

I found it several weeks ago at Cabela's. The reason I'd never purchased a .357 K frame before is because I kind of have a $500 limit on gun purchases, and most Model 19's or 13's are priced well above that around here. This one was a little over that price, too, but I see Model 13's so rarely for sale at gun stores that I thought I better buy it. I placed the production date around 1983 as I recall.

I finally took it out shooting last week, so I thought it was time I posted a few pics and a range report. The gun was accurate, I felt - as good or better than the 4 screw model 14 no dash I had along. It's always nice to have a fixed sight gun with the point of impact pretty close to point of aim. I can't remember what type of ammo I was shooting, but it was factory .38's mostly. The target I've shown was shot at about 13 yards with .357 magnum from PMC, however. I was very pleased that the more powerful .357 rounds weren't any less accurate than the .38's...a little more accurate, in fact. (That's weird, isn't it?)

Cylinder lockup is very tight. The ejector rod has very little finish wear, leading me to believe the gun hasn't been shot much.

The gun is about 95% as far as bluing, but the grips have kind of odd stains...possibly someone tried to put some wood preservative on them. By the 1980's the magna grips were no longer numbered, and I have another set of non-numbered grips in much better shape, so I might change them out...or not. I love the gun because it's such a sweet shooter. Sorry I didn't post pics from the other side, but it's in the same condition as the side shown. Thanks for looking.

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That’s a sweet Model 13. They’re rare birds around these here parts too...lol

Congratulations and enjoy!!

XLNT ! My first "duty" weapon was this.

Very nice revolver. Wise purchase, they are getting hard to find in that condition.

I made the only M13 4" I got into a M19 by hand filing for a adjustable sight.
Should have left it for what it was, a great fixed sight 357 Magnum!

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

That's a beauty. My Model 13-2 shipped 4/79.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

About two years ago I found one at a LGS (the only one I've seen) for $450. It was in near new condition, for some reason I encourage my father in law to buy it. Thankfully he still has it but but I still regret passing on it. It is a fantastic shooter though! Enjoy that model 13!

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Very nice! I really enjoy shooting my 13-3, it is a little shorter and a lot shinier then yours

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

I do not have one, but I believe the Model 13, as well as the stainless steel Model 65, to be the ultimate incarnation of the M&P revolver. They may not be as famous as the Models 10 and 64 or the 19 and 66, but the Model 13 and 65 represent one of the best combat revolvers of all time.

Very nice, and congrats on getting a great revolver!

Thanks for the congrats, and especially thanks for the great pics of the cool model 13's!

I have a question for you: earlier I mentioned that the grips on the gun are oddly stained, and that they're unnumbered, and that I have another set of magna grips from the same era - also unnumbered - that are in much better condition...same condition as this gun, basically.

Would you change out the original grips for these? (pic enclosed) I mentioned this to the clerk at Cabela's, and he said I shouldn't , because original is original, even if the grips aren't numbered. I agree with the original philosophy in concept, but this gun could look even better with the better grips...and they're era appropriate, as far as I can tell. Looking forward to your opinions.

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Same correct grips that are un numbered, sure swap them out. No one will ever know that they are not original.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

MetalMan,

There is a reason for that, a dear friend of mine in southern Ohio collects the model 13,
last time I checked he had 17 or 18 of them.

terry

Nice looking model 13 Jim, enjoy it.
Like you I favor the older Smith K frames. Five years ago I came across a 13-2 4" nickel gun. It was in excellent condition both finish and mechanically but came without original stocks. I paid $400 for it and felt OK with the purchase. I have since considered it a great buy.
I put on a set of Ahrends retro target stocks and it instantly became a real favorite on the range.

400 bucks is awesome! And in nickel, too! Wish I'd found that.

Very nice! I have a 13-3 4" as well and recently acquired one of my grail guns in a 98% condition 13-2 3".