3” model 65

Gunhohulk · #1 02-22-2020, 04:57 AM

I’m looking at a 3” model 65 that’s from the transitional period that has a recessed cylinder but not a pinned barrel. Does anyone have any experience with these and any heads up to the going rate for something like this?

Cheers!

GunHoHolk

CH4 · #2 02-22-2020, 05:03 AM

Good luck with that Easter egg hunt. A noble quest for sure.

Gunhohulk · #3 02-22-2020, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CH4

Good luck with that Easter egg hunt. A noble quest for sure.

There’s actually one that is out there to be had. Is an even g unreasonable or a half decent deal? I just snagged a 4” 65-1 for 600 and felt pretty good about it but know the 3” version has a bit of a premium. Don’t wanna get hosed though.

CCantu357 · #4 02-22-2020, 05:20 AM

While I cannot comment on the going rate for a 3" Model 65, I can say from experience that it is an excellent revolver. A 3" Model 65 was the first .357 I ever shot, and I consider it to be one of the best defensive revolvers ever made. The medium frame size handles the Magnum round well, and the 3" barrel allows for both good ballistics and less recoil than a snub nosed. The fixed sights and round butt make it quite compact.

This is a gun I wish Smith would bring back. The 66 and 686 are available in both 2.5" and 3" barrels, but they feel so much larger. The GP100 is also available in a 3" fixed sights variant, but it also is quite big.

murphydog · #5 02-22-2020, 05:27 AM

This one is probably a late production 65-2, usually seen with the recessed cylinder and unpinned barrel as you describe this one.

These have been and are highly sought after but in recent observations shouldn't go for much more than a later 65-3 or -5, so perhaps a $700-800 gun. Of course if you have the funds you have to decide to pay the asking price or bargain? Good luck in your decision.

Gunhohulk · #6 02-22-2020, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphydog

This one is probably a late production 65-2, usually seen with the recessed cylinder and unpinned barrel as you describe this one.

These have been and are highly sought after but in recent observations shouldn't go for much more than a later 65-3 or -5, so perhaps a $700-800 gun. Of course if you have the funds you have to decide to pay the asking price or bargain? Good luck in your decision.

Thanks for the info my new friends! I’ll keep you posted on the progress and sooner or later I need to start some posts with my new acquisitions for everyone to check out. I’ve definitely fallen in love with the vintage smiths lately.

Eddietruett · #7 02-22-2020, 07:33 AM

Anything $650 and under would be a steal. I would love to have a transition in my 3” K Frame Collection and would pay $700-750 depending on condition and grips

ColbyBruce · #8 02-22-2020, 08:54 AM

In my area you would be hard pressed to locate one for under $700.00; though I gave that for these two in May 2017. These were former LE duty guns and were pitted under the Hogue stocks and on the hammer at the frame line.

ColbyBruce · #9 02-22-2020, 09:16 AM

The 65-5 was my first; I traded a 1076 for it and some cash. The 65-3 I purchased outright for $375.00; no box or papers just the gun wearing S&W combat stocks. Supposedly it has the vapor hone finish. I have owned a few other S&W’s with that finish which didn’t quite look like this. Nor did they look like each other. I am unsure if that is vapor home, but I don’t care.
These are woods guns to me, carried more than shot.

Babysitr · #10 02-22-2020, 09:39 AM

In my area, probably an $800 gun...although sellers are not always up on premiums paid for different combinations

ptf18 · #11 02-22-2020, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunhohulk

I’m looking at a 3” model 65 that’s from the transitional period that has a recessed cylinder but not a pinned barrel. Does anyone have any experience with these and any heads up to the going rate for something like this?

Cheers!

GunHoHolk

Fellows: I've got a M65-3. Great gun but not being a handgun shooter I don't know exactly what I have as I bought it used. The OP mentions "transitional period that has a recessed cylinder but not a pinned barrel". What does this mean and what does it look like? Is this a plus/minus for the M65?

BC38 · #12 02-22-2020, 10:09 PM

A recessed cylinder means that material has been removed around the rear opening of each of the cylinder bores so that the rims of the cartridges drop in flush with the surface of the back of the cylinder. The cartridge rims are "recessed" into the rear face of the cylinder. A non-recessed cylinder just has the cylinder bore holes drilled in it and when the cartridges are inserted the entire rim of the cartridge remains exposed. Only magnums and rimfires (22LR, 22mag, 17HMR) ever had recessed cylinders. Rimfires still do.

Pinned refers to the barrel. Prior to 1980 a hole was drilled through the frame on the top side of the barrel, just where the barrel threads screw into the frame, and a pin was driven through the hole. You can see the ends of the pin on both sides of the gun just above the bore of the barrel. The pin actually engaged the threads of both the frame and the barrel, and it prevented the barrel from unscrewing out of the frame.

In answer to the Gunhohulk's original question: I have a 65-5 that isn't pinned or recessed, but it is such a sweet revolver that if I had to get rid of all my guns it would be the last one to go. About as close to revolver perfection as it is humanly possible to achieve. I paid $450 for it 3 years ago and prices have done nothing but rise significantly since. If I were buying it today I wouldn't flinch at all at a price of $600 and would probably be willing to pay up to $700 for a really nice one.

ColbyBruce · #13 02-22-2020, 10:48 PM

First photo shows the pin in the frame, second shows a recessed cylinder.

ColbyBruce · #14 02-22-2020, 10:56 PM

Non-pinned barrel and non-recessed cylinder.

BC38 · #15 02-22-2020, 11:49 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words, eh? Or in this case four pictures are worth a couple of hundred words!

shell627 · #16 02-23-2020, 12:10 AM

I love my 3 in model 65.Will be one of the last Guns I trade off. And Colby who made that spear point Bowie it is cool looking!

ColbyBruce · #17 02-23-2020, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shell627

Colby who made that spear point Bowie it is cool looking!

Bubba did.

Bubba Custom Knives - Cleveland Georgia

Ibmikey · #18 02-23-2020, 01:53 AM

Love to fire the 65 3” it is one of my prized possessions.

Dieseltech56 · #19 02-23-2020, 10:09 AM

3 inch 65 prices are all over the board right now. Both my 65-5 and 65-5 Ladysmith were north of $700 and I was happy to find them at that. Then I stumble across a 65-3 for $425.

The only thing I can say is make sure it's not all shot out, check the barrel face and forcing cone for erosion and make sure the endshake and cylinder side to side play isn't too bad. If all that is good it's a $650 gun all day long

BAM-BAM · #20 02-23-2020, 10:59 AM

Have had a 3" 65 since about 1985ish....... picked up a second about 10 years ago....... passed on a 3rd priced at $600 two years ago.

I also have three 3" Model 66s..... two bought in about 1988/89

KSDeputy · #21 02-23-2020, 12:44 PM

I wanted one of those as well. I do not buy used firearms, so I bought a new model 66 snub nose, and exchanged the rear sight, for a fixed one.