S&W M64-5 DAO with 4” HB and round butt, sadly found out that it is not an NY-1.
From the serial number it was made in 1996. First year of all round butt M64’s. It also has the serrated front and back strap, which was only produced for 18 months. That puts it in the very first batch of the updated 1996 -5 model.
Probably just another security/guard sidearm?
It looks like any other police turn in revolver, rough, carried but seldom shot.

Before having it bead blasted, I’m going have an inch cut off the barrel and a new front sight instead.

Anyone see a problem with cutting the barrel?
I’m sure that there is no real value to the gun.

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It’s an NYPD gun. They’ve gone up a bit in collector value. Check gunbroker before you chop it down.

As much as I am a fan of the 3" length on a K frame, and am not even close to a collector or sharing their value set, I think you should hold off. First, there is a limited number of NYPD revolvers of that nature. Second, with the RB (by far the best thing going on a K frame), the difference in concealment between a 3" or 4" barrel is nil. With a better front sight and a wider U shaped rear trough, that's a good fighting revolver.

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NHI, 10-8.

Cut down a regular Model 64 or a soon-to-be-discontinued lock model if you wish. The NY-1 64s are getting harder and harder to find, and they have an NYPD collectible value to them. (Hell, I'm still trying to find one.)

Back in 1995, after two large classes of new recruits with brand new 9MM’s hit the streets, the department began sending those officers who wanted the 9MM to the range for the transition course. NYC cops had always paid for their own weapons, so being the “frugal” guys they had a reputation of being, guys with .38’s didn’t really feel the need to pay for a new gun and leather.

Then some federal grant was offered, and the guns became free. All that they had to pay for was the night sights ($80) and the new leather. Figure $250 for it all. So cops did what cops were known to do: sell their duty .38’s to offset the cost. Going rate was between $100-$150 for gun and leather.

Sure, they’d still be out $100-$150, but the qualification was three days off patrol. So three days shooting with extended meals in Orchard Beach or answering 911 calls in the ghetto dealing with fights over the TV remote, and it made the deal much more attractive.

I sold my 64-1 for $100. Yes, I regret it. The guns are nothing special. Just a K frame .38. But it was a part of my youth and I wish I still had it.

If I could LIKE this ten times I would.

And X1000 for the mention of Chocha Beach!

May you live to be a hundred and fifty brother!

There will never be another revolver stamped NY-1 by the factory. While it may seem like 64s are plentiful would hesitate to modify one.

Edit - keep an eye out for a late 64-5 or 64-6 both of which came with round butts in all barrel lengths. I took one with a factory round butt and converted it to a 3” 357 with a 65 barrel and cylinder.

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-Matt

You, as well!

I would not alter any genuine former NYPD firearm. There are plenty of "generic" K-frame 38's out there with no history and no collector value, no need to destroy one that has a history and will always bring collector value so long as it remains unaltered.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

With all the comments about not doing any alterations, is it unconscionable to at least have it bead blasted?

Does it have a spurless hammer?

I guess we’d have to see pics. But the NY-1 revolvers had kind of a frosted, duller look. Bead blasting it might remove that. I’m no expert on it but others will chime in.

Unless it’s totally trashed I wouldn’t touch it. It’s a 28 year old(at least) police service revolver. The dings on it are from use. Personally I think when it comes to cop guns I want some wear.

Just don’t chop the barrel. If you really don’t care for the NY-1 designation sell it for a profit and buy something you don’t mind chopping down.

Was that matte-satiny finish the one they called Vapor Honed? Something like that?

Yes. It's a beadblast finish, although the exact media used I don't know.

Lots of ways to beadblast to slightly different effect.

Ron, your gun, I say do as you please. Changing-up a well-used NY-1 64 -- while I get where some are coming from -- isn't sacrilege; it's not like you're suggesting hacking on a Registered Magnum, so follow your bliss.

I just think that as a general rule find one already in the configuration your desire, and 3" 64s aren't uncommon, though I know it takes a little patience.

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Pickpocket

The factory will still bead blast revolvers and I don’t think it’s too costly. If anyone can match the original finish I would think your best bet would be there

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-Matt

Yes it does.

The factory is only performing warranty work at this time.

I have examples of factory glass bead finish current and from the NY-1 era; they're close but a little different, with the earlier era a touch smoother and with more sheen.

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Pickpocket

NY-1’s were both brushed stainless, the early ones, and vapor honed later. I have both.

I grew up on Orchard Beach, the comment about it made me laugh

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Sure you did

Poor pic of NY-1 64-4 but shows "vapor honed" finish. Bead blasting would probably remove the lasered ser # though. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I think you can buy a cheaper gun to customize.

4" Round NY-1 is not very common and difficult to find on the best day. NY-1 64s are increasing in value and I think will continue to climb for years to come.

Finish they did a few different finishes over the years some a light haze some a bit more aggressive.

For a carry gun fun project would be to buy one of the barrel less 10s that are for sale, custom barrel it and have it hard chromed.

Revised thread title.

Makes things easier, huh?

Only thing I'd consider in chopping the barrel is how you'll feel (aesthetically) about uncentered roll marks, unless you plan to slab side it.

Otherwise, no real concern about hacking on a K-frame. I seem to recall you're letting a friend who's done this before do the work, but I might consider sending it to someone who knows S&W revolvers and can walk through and refresh anything that's worn or out of spec (or about to be).

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Pickpocket

So the factory finish is not bead blasted? Honestly I had no idea. Is the vapor honed finish what was used on the CS-1?

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-Matt

After considerable thought, and talking to a few local gun smith’s, I am going to leave well enough alone.
Three gun smith’s refused to cut the barrel due to possible legalities here in the not so great state of Maryland. They seem to believe that if the gun is registered with a 4” barrel with the Maryland State Police it should remain 4”. If I want a 3” barrel then I should buy a barrel and have that one cut down, and keep the original barrel to put back on if and when I sell it.
That scenario is financially prohibitive for me.
So when I do get it, it will just get a good cleaning with a SS cleaner, and enjoy it for what it is.
I do have a 3” M65, so I don’t really need a 3” M64.
Thanks to all for your input.

Are you asking about the NY-1s or standard 64s? NY-1s were usually (though not always) vapor honed, which is a bead blast and very much like if not identical to the CS-1 finish.

Standard 64s (and some early NY-1s, per ladder13) are the slightly reflective (though not mirror-like high polish) S&W refers to as "brushed stainless".

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Pickpocket

Wait, you had a 3" 65 this whole time? You're set, man -- what's all the fuss about?

I love 3" K-frames, but the fact is -- although the rounded heel helps a smidge against printing, and the slightly shorter barrel balances nicely -- for carry it's actually not that different from a 4" square butt, and for in-hand ergonomics and rounds on target, I find the 4" square butt Ks a little better, all around.

So congrats on your purchase, hope it cleans up nice and passes all function checks with flying colors. Enjoy...

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Pickpocket

Hi Ron. How sad bbl length matters to MSP as well as the serial #. FWIW, I've had bbls cut on 2 occasions and, while they seemed like a good idea at the time, I was not happy afterwards. The proposed scenario is not only $ prohibitive, it is not sane. I wouldn't do it either. Agree with your decision. Good luck and happy holidays!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I know, it seems crazy to me too. I just like a 3” barrel, and was thinking how nice it would be to have a 3” M64 to match with the M65.
Very cost prohibitive for me to buy a 3” M64 complete gun. Maybe someday I will splurge for another barrel and have that one cut, and maybe not.
Round butts fits my hand better than a square butt, and I am not a fan of rubber grips.

Orchard Beach 1903, a bit before my time there.

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Sure you did

Resurrecting this thread for one last question.
There are lots of references that my M64 is an NY-1/NYPD.

How could this be, it is NOT marked as such?

Thanks.

I would say it’s not. I don’t see the NY-1 stamp in your pic. Is there a serial # below the cylinder window on the left side?
I believe the -5’s were the later ones and thus vapor honed, at least the ones I have are. From the little I see yours looks brushed.
I could also be all wrong, I often am.

Later NY-1

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Sure you did

Earlier brushed/satin NY-1

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Sure you did

My 2" M64 NY-1 for comparison.

THAT gun may be the PERFECT plainclothes fighting handgun.

Here’s mine. Sorry for the ****** pictures. I will try to post better ones later.

As stated earlier, it has a round butt.

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Ron, that could well be a duty gun but not an NY-1 imo.

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Sure you did

It's -just- a DAO 64. There were plenty of them made that way for guard companies, like Brink's, etc. NYPD might think they're the only PD in the country, but they are provably not the only ones that got 64s.
Well, like every thread that starts off with a discussion of someone or other's "sacred cow," this turned pretty quickly. "Crazy"? "Not sane"? Pardon me, but as one of those crazy people who enjoys the results of several barrel changes that no one needs appreciate but me, I'm offended. And yes, I answered in kind.
With that, I'm going to give myself a break from this forum. It seems the closer we get to a government that will tell us what, if any, guns we'll be given the privilege of owning, the more we seem to be taking it out on each other, even unknowingly. I know that even as my very slight advantage as a retired cop is no longer there, those who never were will be in even worse shape. Y'all take care, good luck, and God help us all through the next few miserable years. Over and out.

I believe the OP said it was not a NY Model 64-5, or are my eyes playing tricks on Me again? If I am incorrect, I stand corrected!

You may be gone so you won’t read this, but nothing I’ve read in this thread was offensive. And while other agencies have had DAO 64’s, only the NYPD had them stamped NY-1, and since they were only authorized for 5 years, and there weren’t that many large classes until right before they were phased out, there aren’t that many out there. Yeah, Brinks might have issued them. But there’s no premium on “this was a genuine issue Brinks gun”. Like it or not, the provenance increases the value. NYPD marked guns are worth more than the same model not marked NYPD.

Enjoy your time away.

Ron In Md; Mine looks like yours with the exception of the cylinder release. Mine has the new one. Also, mine has the serrated front and back strap. The finish is the same, and thanks to your list, I was able to narrow it down to 1996,

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Kevin in Oregon

It’s funny that the job only authorized Pachmayr Gripper grips as aftermarket options because they had the little window cut out on the butt to read the serial number but the serial number was also marked right under the crane.

Were all marked on the frame? I seem to remember someone posting up one without, or maybe it was a model 60.

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Sure you did

I believe they were. I know mine was. I got it in 1992.

On my 2" M64 as well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
It’s funny that the job only authorized Pachmayr Gripper grips as aftermarket options because they had the little window cut out on the butt to read the serial number but the serial number was also marked right under the crane.

Were all marked on the frame? I seem to remember someone posting up one without, or maybe it was a model 60.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ladder13
Were all marked on the frame? I seem to remember someone posting up one without, or maybe it was a model 60.

I believe they were. I know mine was. I got it in 1992.


People who make decisions on things don’t always know what they are talking about.

Recently I transferred a revolver at the local Maryland State Police Barracks to a member of another site. The person doing the transfer paperwork, I don’t believe that he was an officer but a civilian, had to ask what the caliber was. Like he didn’t have the sense to look it over and know where to find the information. Hey, it’s a Smith and Wesson, the caliber is stamped on the barrel. 🤦

True that^^^ I went to a gun shop yesterday to ship out a 38 sp revolver. Two of the staff looked at the gun, after I took it out of its box, like it was some alien later zapper.

When I told the fellow writing up the paperwork to look on the barrel for the caliber, he was bug eyed.

They were amazed how nice the gun was, someone here is going to like what he gets.

Its on its way via USPS. Insured of course.

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Sure you did