The next project...or?

[SAFireman]

Well,

I found a deserving home for my pre-Model 10, and in the process located a potential project...I found a model 65-3 with round butt, and 3 inch barrel. It cleaned up really well....now I just need to figure out what to do to it, or with it...I keep hearing that the 3" version of the 65 is somewhat rare....maybe I would be better off letting a collector have the 65 and get something less collectible to tinker with.

If I keep it, I am thinking that since my 681 project turned out so well, I would follow a similar route...bead blast, bob hammer, action job, mill rear of receiver for white outline sights, remove front sight and mill for gold bead, round and polish the trigger, over travel stop, and maybe cut for moon clips.....what do you guys think?

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Sounds like you've got the finished product in mind!!
That is a super nice 65-3..
A very desirable K Frame for sure..

 

[SAFireman]

Gary,

I would not want to 'butcher' some collectors dream....not that they only made 100 or so of these, but I could do the same work on a less collectible gun...and I still really want a 58 to play with, but unless it was a total wreck, I could not bear to cut up an old classic like that

 

[murphydog]

A nice gun as is, I would keep it unmodified and enjoy, or find more of a "beater" as a project gun. You would not have any trouble finding a buyer, and quickly

 

[SAFireman]

A nice gun as is, I would keep it unmodified and enjoy, or find more of a "beater" as a project gun. You would not have any trouble finding a buyer, and quickly

Alan,

In the process of hunting up another project (I decided against cutting up a pre-model 10) I came across this 65-3, it felt like it had good balance and the mechanics were tight, so I brought it home. I got to looking around the forum a bit while trying to decide what I was wanting to do with it, and it seems that I may want a real beater to hone my skills on rather than mess with a collector piece....heck, maybe I'll just go shoot a couple hundred 38 specials through it and see what all these people who rave about the 3" K frames are talking about....I do love my 657 in 3", maybe this one can stay the same too.....I still need something to occupy my time however (and keep me from annoying the wife too much)

The first handgun that I bought (as an adult) was a 66 with 4" barrel, sadly it was stolen along with a very fine sedan, I hope that they set the whole thing on fire trying to cut the cable that tied it to the frame under the drivers seat (I welded the back side of the seat bolts too, just to give them a hard time...maybe they never even found it when they chopped the car, but who knows...) Any case, I loved that old 66 and the 65 is really close, but a bit shorter and fixed sights instead of adjustable...guess we'll find out how she compares this weekend.

 

[daa9mm]

Each time I buy a used S&W revolver, I think I will do this, or do that, or maybe...
But after I fix it if necessary, then shoot it, I begin to really appreciate the gun for what it is.
I've been told by several I'm one hell of a shot with a semi, but it's the revolvers that I love and I carry all the time.
Finding one and restoring it to working order, maybe cleaning up and fixing some minor cosmetic effects such as rust spots (as well as possible without refinishing) seems to me to be a noble effort worth the time and money.
I recently picked up a 1950s SD Myres holster (threepersons type on a swivel with leg tiedown) that is in great shape. Now I'm looking for an older K frame that is in equivalent shape that fits that period holster.
I'll shoot it occasionally but probably not often.
It's the thrill of finding one in good shape or one that I can restore to working order, then putting it in that holster that appeals to me as being historically "cool".
It's funny how our "projects" really tickle us and give us a sense of pride when we deal with the older firearms.

 

[chief38]

You have what I consider to be just about the ULTIMATE .357 CARRY GUN! All the advantages of a plain, smooth, slick, perfect bbl. length and CONTROLLABLE .357 gun, without all of the extra weight, bulk, snagging sights, etc. The only thing you might want is to have it engraved. Hand engraved, not the cheap laser version, and maybe find a set of factory wooden grips for her.

chief38

 

[SAFireman]

check this out Chief38

You have what I consider to be just about the ULTIMATE .357 CARRY GUN! All the advantages of a plain, smooth, slick, perfect bbl. length and CONTROLLABLE .357 gun, without all of the extra weight, bulk, snagging sights, etc. The only thing you might want is to have it engraved. Hand engraved, not the cheap laser version, and maybe find a set of factory wooden grips for her.

chief38

Got really lucky and found 2 different sets.....what do you think?

I Bought an extra hammer too....it is .380 versus the current .265 ....not really sure which one to bob....any input?

 

[sheriffoconee]

I wish that Smith had made all their centerfire handguns made to run with moonclips....
the world might be a different place if Smiths came ready to run with moonclips, and us old coppers hadn't had to fight dump boxes, speedstrips and speedloaders trying to get those K frames reloaded........
I have one mooncliped revolver (22-4) and I just love it....
other than my Dad's M10 and my M58, every other revolver I have will be mooncliped eventually

 

[SAFireman]

moon clips eh?

I wish that Smith had made all their centerfire handguns made to run with moonclips....
the world might be a different place if Smiths came ready to run with moonclips, and us old coppers hadn't had to fight dump boxes, speedstrips and speedloaders trying to get those K frames reloaded........
I have one mooncliped revolver (22-4) and I just love it....
other than my Dad's M10 and my M58, every other revolver I have will be mooncliped eventually

What about a New York reload?


....seems like a good excuse to buy another Smith

seriously though, If I had another cylinder to experiment with, I would send it off to be cut for clips....right now I carry 2 Tuff Strips, and if that isn't enough to solve any (non-professional) social problem that I encounter, perhaps I should have brought my slide rule instead...aka AR-10


....on the other hand, One of my instructors at the academy always said that if you ran out of ammo, that a Caprice would make a big impression, and would usually end any hostilities that may have ensued thereafter...of course that would be after dumping 13 rounds from the p226, then 24 more from the spare mags on my belt, all 5 from the 357 mag BUG, then another 4 mags in the front seat catch-all carrier, all 8 rounds from the 11-87, and then 4 or so mags @ 30 rounds each from the mini-14 in the trunk....but you do know....Zombies DO exist




and well, if the Caprice or Crown Vic would not get the job done, then I always had the SL-20 handy...at that point, retirement probably would look mighty good - that or dog catcher

 

[ColbyBruce]

Yes, the New York Reload is the way to go.

 

[SAFireman]

low brow comment....use caution

Yes, the New York Reload is the way to go.

I hate to say it....it sounds so crude......but 'Boy do You have PAIR'

Love the matched guns....I used to carry twin 640's until the gangsters started to imitate my dragging drawers, then I had to quit