Been hunting four different gun shops, twice a week, for months looking for a decent .357 K frame. I'm a stainless guy so pretty much narrowed it down to a M65 or M66. The shorter the barrel...the better, but I'll settle for a 4" if nice. I like the fixed sight guns but wasn't going to be choosy if a desirable M66 popped up.

NOTHING to be seen. For some reason the shelves that were formally full of vintage revolvers are now empty, except for few new offerings. Maybe people have caught on. Oh well the hunt continues.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. A member posted a thread on the Camphor fixed sight 629 snub. It was mentioned that one was for sale on Gun Broker. Just for kicks I logged on to GB to check out the gun in question. OK...curiosity satisfied, I was about to log off. Let me just check and see what is listed for Model 65's.

A number of pages of over priced beaters. Just about to close it out and on the last page at the bottom. OOOOhhh what is this. A 4 inch 65-3. The pictures looked like it was new. The STORY was that an older gentleman bought it....never fired it.....and lost it under a chair cushion for 20+ years. We know what they say about stories. Nonetheless the pictures seemed to support the tale. Maybe I'll roll the dice on this one.

Auction closed a couple of Mondays ago. There were "several" bidders in the mix along with 20 something previous bids. Price was still hanging in the $600's approaching closing. I figured it would go for big bucks. What the heck. I tossed in a big of $1100 and shut the computer off.

Got up Tuesday morning...fired up the box and surprise....you have won. Final price was $880. Some bidder came on during the last 15 minutes and tried to steal it with two bids that upped the price a $100. Oh well, $780 would have been stellar but at least I won and $880 is not an outrageous price in todays market. Keep the fingers crossed.

Good dealings with the seller and the M65 arrived last Thursday at the gun shop. I couldn't make it by closing and they were closed for the long Holiday weekend. Up there for the 10 AM opening this morning.

The owner, who knows me, pulled it out from under the counter. Holy smokes.....the STORY was true. Absolutely brand new. I don't think it has ever been fired except at the Factory.

I usually rattle off the side plate on used guns. No need on this one. Pulled the grips and ran a CLP patch down the bore and through the chambers. Clean as a whistle. Put a few drops of light synthetic oil into the hand slot, cylinder stop and down the hammer. Smooth as silk.....tight as a drum.

ACF56xx puts it around 1982 I believe. The pictures don't do it justice. Only downside is NO box.

Santa came a few days late this year. The HUNT is over and I am a happy man. Needless to say...this one is staying.

Regards Klyde

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Great buy. Good Luck with that Beauty.

In late October/early November of 2019 before all the madness started, I came across a listing for a 3 inch 65-5 LadySmith with a buy now price of $600. Even back then, that was $150-200 low. I must have lucked out and saw it just after it was listed. Of course I jumped on it and it is now one of my prized possessions. Ya just never know.

Wicked find!!!!

That’s a beauty, OP. Congrats!

Very nice.
Congratulations.

Looks like a Time Capsule.

Beautiful gun. Congrats.

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- Post No Bills -

Make sure the lug holding the cylinder latch is secure. On some stainless guns, I've found it can work loose from firing. Haven't seen a gun in such condition since I bought that NIB pencil-bbl Model 64 on a FTF. And it has the box...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I believe the story, nice score Mike.

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Sure you did

Congrats great looking revolver. Hope it serves you well.

Looking fwd to a range report

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss

Very nice, it's a beautiful revolver. Great find.

Sent from my SM-N986W using Tapatalk

Congrats! That’s a beauty!

That gun is crying for a Tyler T-grip and a black basketweave Roy Baker Pancake holster.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I bought a 65 4 inch for my son when he turned 21.His first revolver and in reality his first firearm.Hes a detective Sgt now on a police dept in Illinois and still has it.Although it's all plastic and large capacity mags on the job now he still gets it out now and then to put it through its paces.Good for you Klyde on getting your 65 and I hope you enjoy the heck out of it.

Presently, only holster I have that will work is this Bucheimer "Federal Man" shown with my 4" M64-3.

Might have to do some shopping for the barbecue.

Thanks all for the kind comments. The wait was worth it.

Klyde

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Stories like these make me happy that I bought mine back when I did.

I would have difficulty assembling my current lineup at today’s prices.

It’s all relative.
My new truck cost more than my first house. Couldn’t afford the house back then but the truck today is no big deal, it costs what it costs.

To say that you did well would be the understatement of the century. Congratulations on one hell of an addition to your collection!

Love my M65-1, it was my backpacking gun for years.

Much 65 love here. Mine is a 65-3 4" too but not as nice as yours. Mine was an old police issue bought from my Dad's old PD. I did get a smoking deal on it though, $175. I was just at my LGS and some old timer put up a 3" M65 round butt on consignment for $375. I missed that one as it sold that day. Enjoy your 65, they are sweet guns.

A great story and a great gun! Congratulations on your find.

Yeah, but I bought most of mine just a couple of years ago.

Winning! Great story Mike, glad your patience paid off. Sounds like you'll be the first to dirty it up. Congrats!!

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Thanks!! I don't think I have even logged on to GB in a few years. Way out of control. I told myself that if I didn't find it local I wasn't going to get one.

Funny that thread on the Camphor came up and there I was. It was fate.

Today is range day but my buddy came down with something. Hope nothing serious. Got a few boxes of .38 Spl +p loaded up. Next week.
Regards Klyde

OP that’s a great deal and a beautiful gun ! I’ll go a little better on price. I’ve posted this before but still like sharing. We were allowed to buy our duty M65 when we switched to Sig’s for $100. Still have mine. My factory trained gunsmith buddy gave it a spa treatment copying the factory Combat Revolver Package with added smooth faced trigger and shiny polish on hammer / trigger / screw heads and ejector rod. Red ramp insert added. Currently sporting some Ahrends tactical grips.
I was lucky enough to grab a three inch which did go back to the factory for the Combat Revolver Package which is a steal at $260 - check performance center gunsmithing for details. Hammer and trigger were polished after it came back.

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Congratulations!
As soon as I get home today, this old man is headed straight toward the couch cushions. Just maybe???
Great revolver and story. Thanks for sharing.
Ray

Well worth the price, IMHO.

I have EDC'd my Model 65-1 concealed for years in a Bianchi Model 7. The grips are Thai reproductions since it had worn out Pachmayrs on it. I painted the front sight orange and refresh it when it starts looking ratty. It was the last sidearm I carried on duty. (I had already cleaned up my issued 686-6 to return to the armorer.)


Sent with some arcane communications device.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I watched that auction and you did good. Pistols are not going down in value or cost.

Congrats, on a beautiful piece.

I am also a happy owner of a clean 65 I found at this past weekend at the Westgate show in Vegas. Got it down to $700 from $950. After applying a little Flitz the metal cleaned up very nicely, but the grips looked a little dry so I applied a coat of Tru Oil on em while they were off for cleaning.

Picture is pre Flitz and Tru Oil. Looks new...

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213th FBINA

Congrats, a great looking classic revolver. I picked up a 3" 65-3 with the box a few weeks back from my local. Wasn't even looking for one but after some range time heading out the door and there it was sitting in the case with a bunch of other used estate items. Couldn't pass it up. I paid a bit less than you did for your 4" but mine had a very few rounds through it.

Nice buy. I have a 65-2 four inch. It is a great shooter.

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Dang, I might have to dig around under my sofa cushions and see if I get lucky

I looked in the SCSW, ACF doesn't show up, but ACE does, both in 1983 and again in 1986; oddly, the next closest is ACH and it shows up in 1981 and 1983. I suppose 1982-1984 would be a reasonable guess, the 3-letter prefix is notoriously inaccurate for dating. Too bad you didn't get the box, the date is on the box.

No matter, you got a brand new gun, for all intents and purposes. A M65 was my duty gun when escorting inmates years ago for DOC. It's also one I'm still looking for to add to my collection of magnum models.

Beautiful OP!

I’ve got a project M65 4” from Century Arms in jail, waiting on Maryland’s seven day wait. I only hope I can get it looking half as nice as yours.

Lost under a chair cushion?

Did it come with a TV remote and spare change?

Congratulations! What a pristine revolver. You just love it when you find one in that condition.