It seems that the Model 65 is the more popular of the two revolvers and costs more when up for sale. Just wondering why? They are virtually the same, except caliber. Many who carry the 65 utilize 38 +P ammo rather than magnums. So why is the Model 65 more “sexy” than the 64? The same question could be asked using the Model 13 and Model 10 in the 3” round but configuration.

I think I would be “fat, dumb and happy” with either one as a carry revolver. Enlighten me.

Your observations correct about a lot of folks carrying .38 plus P in their 65s. I would be comfortable with either but like the option of carrying magnum rounds. I only have the model 65 three inch but biased from carrying 4 inch 65 as a duty revolver. First my own when we provided personal gun then the city issued one which we carried until they issued Sig 226. We got to buy our 65s for $100.
My three inch was obtained before prices got crazy and I sent it to S&W for the combat revolver package (highly recommend). The hammer and trigger were polished after.
My gunsmith replicated the package on my 4 inch.
When I carry the 65 three inch I carry Speer 135 grain gold dot short barrel load .357.

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Analogous to choosing between two red Camaros, one with a V6 the other with a V8. Both will do the speed limit, but the V8 has a little extra if ya need it.

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213th FBINA

Ammo flexibility. You can shoot 38's in the M65, but you can't shoot 357's in the M64.
That puts a premium on the market value of an M65 over the M64.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Yes, it's about flexibility. I prefer revolvers in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum as they allow me to use a wider range of loads.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

The 10 & 64 models have shorter cylinders and thus the barrels set back into the frame. As others have said, a .357 magnum offers a little more versatility in ammunition choices. My elk stag stocked 65-3 and 65-5 are loaded with 180 grain hard cast Buffalo Bore cartridges. The 64-3 is loaded with 158 grain FBI loads given to me by a retired FBI special agent I delivered mail to.

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Versatility........ generally

+P .38 in an urban environment

.158gr .357 soft points if it goes into Penn's Woods.

I own both. As most do, I almost always carry plus p 38's in both. Off the top of my head I'm not sure I've ever run any magnum ammo through the 65. I did run magnum ammo through my 2 1/2 inch 66 and it's not pleasant. The 125 grain Treasury loads would part your hair.

People like options and they're willing to pay for them. I have a 3" M65 and, like most others folks, usually carry 38+P's in town. If I'm out in the mountains and carrying that particular gun, I most often load Buffalo Bore 180 gr. 357's. I don't want to start another bear thread here, but we do have critters around here, griz and mountain lions, that can hurt you. If I'm carrying a 357 I want the heaviest, best-penetrating load I can get. Phil Shoemaker, the Alaskan guide, killed a griz with a 4" .357 once so, while it wouldn't necessarily be my first choice, I figure it's still possible. Anyway, that's the option I like to have and that's why I would pay more for a M65.

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Everybody could shoot

I get the flexibility of the Model 13/65. However if the ammo utilized most of the time is 38 why spend the extra shekels on the magnum piece? It seems to me that it boils down to a person just wanting the magnum because it is a magnum. Guess it is like CH4’s analogy of the red Camaro…just want a V8 although the V6 will get you where you are going cheaper. over the years I’ve learned that logic doesn’t matter with guns!

"Most" does not equal "All"... more "shekels" ya; but cheaper than buying a second gun in .357 for when you need/want a .357 magnum.

My 3" ones are a 65 and 13. I would gladly buy a 64 but these are just what I happened to find in the pawn shops.

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“but we do have critters around here ….that can hurt you.”

Well stated. We have similar concerns in north Georgia.

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Well, truth be known, I would be glad to have either the Model 10/64 or Model 13/65 in the safe. Both would get done what needs to be done for most purposes. Too bad there aren’t more of them on the market at reasonable (whatever that is) prices. Should have bought them back in the day. Then again, in a few years I might be saying should have bought them back in the day again.

My days of self punishment of my hand are over with. In fact my sliding scale on caliber choice has moved in a downward direction.
I was afflicted with .32 itis. Love them.

Still have a few .38 Specials. One, a Wilson Combat model 64 that is about as near to revolver perfection as I will ever get. It was customized by Vic Tebbits himself and the only model 64 that came out of Wilson.
I am very comfortable carrying .38 Specials or .32 s.

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LEX ET ORDO

This is definitely a WAG, but I think there were more 3" 65's made; I certainly see them much more often.

I got my 2.5" 66 thirty years ago near a 1/4 k$ price. I have seen only one 3" k round but since then and it was not serviceable because of sunken hammer nose bushing. I keep searching but would stick for a 65 or 19 3" over a 64 or any 2 1/2"

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

I have two 64-8's, a 4" and a 3". The 3" was returned from Europe, lightly used, and the 4" appears to be unissued even though it was advertised as a Security/LEO return.

Funny thing about the 3", it chambers .357 ammo. I haven't shot any yet, and only noticed when I cleaned it and a 65 after a trip to the range. I load all my guns before putting them back in the safe, since there is nothing more useless than an unloaded firearm (and I am not going to argue this point, so don't bother).

The 4" 64 won't chamber 357, but the 3" does. I am guessing that one of two things happened. Either it was shipped with a 65 cylinder as part of the original contract, or someone reamed it later.

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Only a cold warrior

EXACTLY.
Even if "most" people carry 38+P in their 357 magnum revolvers, SOME of us are still willing to pay a little more to have the option to load our wheel guns with 357 magnum ammo. And having that option makes the model 13/65 worth more than the model 10/64.
It ain't all that hard to understand...

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I have thought that a M64 would have the advantage that I would be assured that no previous owner had fired a lot of full powered magnum 125 grain screamers, the ones that are said to crack the rear of the barrel at the flat. I suspect that 3" M65 barrels are hard to find and pricy.
As far as power goes, I could use Buffalo Bore plus P ammo, which is as much as I would want in a 3" K frame. I have a 2.75" M66-8, which is good, but the 3" fixed sight K frame revolvers would be my preference. Unlike most, I prefer the newer MIM versions, with pinned front sights. I may replace my rear sight with a fixed one, as it is on POA with the blade centered.

73,
Rick

S&W did make a batch of 64-1's chambered in 357 Magnum, but with the introduction of the Model 65, those 64-1's are likely the only factory made 357 versions.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

This is a Dash-8 however. MIM, Lock, two-piece barrel, but is smooth and accurate, as is the Dash-8 4".

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Only a cold warrior

Guess I’m in the minority here but I’ve owned/own five different 357s in my life. I have never fired one round of 38 through any of them. I shoot magnums in magnums and 38 in my model 10s and 64s.

So if I am reading you right, you are saying that you prefer the 38 special because you have the reassurance that you'll never have to deal with the rare "cracked forcing cone" issue of the K-framed revolvers chambered for 357 magnums?

FWIW that seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face to me.

I own several K-Frame 357's. While I am willing to acknowledge that the cracked forcing cone issue is real - in revolvers that have fired HUNDREDS (or possibly THOUSANDS) of rounds of HOT 125gr 357 "man stopper" rounds - it is still so rare that it is the exception rather than the rule.

Personally, I'm not so risk-adverse that I will shy away from buying a k-frame 357 because there is some small chance that it may be that 1 in 1000 that has been abused to the point of being damaged.

But we all have to make our own choices and YMMV...

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It would seem that you are correct based on what pops up for sale. Certainly I have seen more 3” M65’s than M64’s on the market. But neither are for sale in large quantities. Guess that speaks to the popularity of both versions of the 3’ K frame.

All S&W 3" K's are nice!

Do yourself a favor. Practice often and make SURE you have absolutely no live ammo in the room while doing so.

Saturday I found a Camaro with the V8.
Picked up this cherry 3” 65-5 at the Big Reno Show.

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213th FBINA

The 3” 13 and 65 being the old “FBI gun” may or may not contribute to its popularity over the 64.

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S&WHF 483 , S&WCA 1699

Have 3" 65 and 66s but wish that S&W had made a NL version of the 65 LadySmith!!!!

Bet they would have sold millions!

I thought they did make a couple few?

I made my own version.

CH-4 hit the nail square. There is virtually no difference, especially if you're using .38 Spl ammunition. I have a 64-5 and a 65-5, and if I put them side by side, i'd need to take a few seconds to look for the tell-tale signs (longer cylinder, different barrel marking) before I'd know which is which. Throw in my 3" Model 10-10 with the recessed .357 cylinder, and I'll never decide which one to carry.

I think it’s popularity is simply because it’s a 357 magnum, even though most will only see 38 spl. Bigger is better.

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213th FBINA

I only own one 64-3. It is just downright pleasant to shoot even +p ammo. Exquisitely accurate with that goldilocks feel and trigger that only a 3" K frame can deliver in the revolver world in my opinion.

Would I rather have the 65? Sure, it does give you more choices, but I got my 64 for a very good price and I'm still very happy with it.

My dream 3" K frame is a model 13...

I have a fairly complete selection of 3” K frames.

I prefer the look of the magnums, but there isn’t much difference. And I do prefer blue over SS or nickel.

Model 13 blue and nickel
Model 65 LS
Model 10 blue RB, “blue” SB (ceracoted?) and nickel
Model 64
Model 66

Fwiw, I also have 2 1/2” blue and nickel Model 19s and a 66. I prefer the 3” revolvers.

If I stumbled on a regular 3” Model 65 I’d buy it. I’m drooling for a 3” Model 19. Imo, the 3” blue Model 19 is the sexiest revolver ever made.

If I carry one it’s usually loaded with BB’s 158gr 38spl +P LSCWCHP-GC. Occasionally 135gr GD SB +P, rarely 357 JHP, which I reserve for checking feeders at the hunt club.

Maybe "The Hickok45 Effect" with the 3" Model 65 RB popularity. He has mentioned how it's one of his favorites for years.


Model 65 .357 Magnum - YouTube

Can't beat a 3" K frame, that's why I have 4. Two model 10s, one model 64 and one model 65. They get loaded with the old FBI load. Perfect for concealed carry.

For anyone interested I saw a nice 3 inch 65-2 at LGS today for $749. It had standard magna grips no box etc. transition model no pinned barrel but has recessed cylinder. Excellent condition. If I didn’t already have one I would be buying this one.
PM me for shop info if you want.

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I can only speak for myself. That said, I prefer the older K-Frames in 38 Special. So, I prefer the 10 over the 13, the 15 over the 19, the 64 over the 65, and the 67 over the 66.

IMHO, the 3" model 13's and 65's are the best concealed carry revolver ever made. Adequate caliber for the job, heavy barrel to help dampen recoil, full length ejector rod, and a 6-round capacity. I would trade or sell mine, but it would be very expensive. The similar .38 special models would be just a little less potent, but still a good choice.

IMHO, the 3" S&W models 13 and 65 are the finest concealed carry revolvers ever made. Heavy enough to help dampen the recoil, 6-shot capacity, full length ejector rod. The .38 special models are just a little less potent but like was said earlier a lot of folks carry .38's in the .357 models. I part with mine, but it would be VERY costly.

I certainly don't want to start an argument here, but for all you guys still beating up your hands, ears and guns with +P ammo, take heed. I do wound ballistic workshops for a living for a major ammo company and have shot a lot of gelatin. In talking to the engineers they will tell you that the only reason +P ammo exist is to try and get terminal performance out of poorly designed bullets by increasing velocity. Bullet design and construction has come a long way since +P was a "good" idea and that extra velocity is no longer necessary for good bullet performance. In fact the only reason most factories are still making it is because some folks (and PDs) think they need it and +P will probably go away in the not too distant future. Standard pressure ammo available today, generally performs better than +P stuff did in the past. Penetration and expansion in standard pressure ammo today usually exceeds FBI performance criteria for terminal performance. The higher velocity of +P does give more energy but we have known for a long time now, that energy is not the mechanism that makes a bullet effective in handgun calibers. Randy Garrett of Garrett Ammo developed the standards for handgun bear loads many years ago with his heavy-for-caliber hard cast handgun and .45-70 ammo. One of Randy's .44 mag bear loads is a 320 grain bullet at right around 1000 fps and he has many customers that have taken or defended themselves against big bears with that load, which will shoot completely through any bear alive. I ask him during a phone conversation why he still built some of his heavy bullets loads at a much higher velocity. He told me it was simply a case of demand by folks that didn't know any better. Marketing. Randy has written some interesting papers on terminal performance on big and dangerous game animals and many of those are posted on his website. They are good reads if anyone is interested. That's just my two cents worth but based on 12 years of "killing" a lot of gelatin with just about every hand gun caliber, bullet weight from every manufacturer out there.

They did. And Wood714’s post shows a photo of a no lock M65 LadySmith in the top photo.

My M65 LadySmith does not have the lock either.