Found a pre-lock 65-3 with 3" barrel for $399

[TAROMAN]

Ya stole that one!
Mine gets carried in my NRA carry jacket holster.
This thing shoots like a laser:

No rubber for me on any carry gun.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Home at last, so I posted the photos you requested

I use either a PWL or a DeSantis holster for these guns. I have two of the DeSantis holsters. The second photo is of a Don Hume 721 OT for a J frame. I had one for the #64, but it was for a lefty so I gave it to a neighbor. It was a fine rig; inexpensive, snug fitting, secure, and concealable.

My #64

My #65, it now wears Hogue Bantam stocks.

My #66, it is waiting for a pair of Grashorn elk stag stocks.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I believe the Bianchi 8L Shadow holster in this photo has been discontinued, but many companies offer similar models, as do the custom makers here on the forum. This holster conceals well and supports the weight of a K frame very well.

 

[Black_Sheep]

$399 is a good price, congratulations!

 

[riverrat38]

When did you last check? There's half dozen 3" 65s on there right now, have been for a few days. Some are good, some not so good, but I actually have only seen one in the four figure range, and it's an engraved model. Most of them could look pretty nice with some cleaning and polishing and your choice of grips, and all seem to be under five bills. I check on 3" 65s all the time and see them often, and I think the prices are usually in the five hundred +/- range.

It was last fall that I was looking for a 3" M65. I was not too concerned about appearance, as my guns are shooters. I am concerned about damage to the frame and forcing cone on a K frame magnum. I would either need to see the gun in person, or see very sharp photos of the important areas before buying a used M65. The photos didn't show anything like that. And the descriptions were very generic.

rat

 

[elm_creek_smith]

This is my S&W Model 13-3 from 1982. I carry it strong side in a black Don Hume JIT holster. The grips are Bianchi Lightning Grips made for Bianchi by Pachmayr, and, yes, they are brown. They don't snag or grab my clothes, and the full finger-groove grip allows excellent control and fast recovery when shooting full-house magnum loads.

The only places I've seen the Bianchi Lighting Grips are at gun shows and occasionally on eBay or one of the gun auction sites. I paid around $20.00 for mine a number of years ago IIRC. They were made for the round butt K-frames, round butt J-frames, and M1911A1s.

ECS

 

[M2MikeGolf]

It was last fall that I was looking for a 3" M65. I was not too concerned about appearance, as my guns are shooters. I am concerned about damage to the frame and forcing cone on a K frame magnum. I would either need to see the gun in person, or see very sharp photos of the important areas before buying a used M65. The photos didn't show anything like that. And the descriptions were very generic.

rat

Good point. I don't mind ones that look a little rough, but then you've got no idea about how good the bore, forcing cone, top strap, lockup, endshake, etc, etc. is unless you can get your mitts on it. I've only done one deal on gunbroker and it went well for me, what I got was NIB, except for the grips, but that's nothing to me. I think I would really only bid on a NIB 65 (a bit rare) and you are probably right; they could ask way too much for it and maybe even get it. Probably best to do deals with forum members before relying on GB if you can't physically inspect one.

 

[Continental Op]

I love those grips!

This is my S&W Model 13-3 from 1982. I carry it strong side in a black Don Hume JIT holster. The grips are Bianchi Lightning Grips made for Bianchi by Pachmayr, and, yes, they are brown. They don't snag or grab my clothes, and the full finger-groove grip allows excellent control and fast recovery when shooting full-house magnum loads.

The only places I've seen the Bianchi Lighting Grips are at gun shows and occasionally on eBay or one of the gun auction sites. I paid around $20.00 for mine a number of years ago IIRC. They were made for the round butt K-frames, round butt J-frames, and M1911A1s.

ECS

That's all I can say. I love them. I'd heard them described once, but never seen them before. It makes so much sense. Probably allows for a very high hold.

 

[ElToro]

i have a 3 in 13 and a 13 in LS no lock.
love them both. dont see many pre lock smiths of any variety at good prices.