Best Model 65

[scoid]

Hello All,

New to forum. Looking at the Model 65 with a 3" barrel. Can anyone tell me which is the most desireable or "best" dash number? I'm asking in terms of operation, acuracy, build quality, etc. I don't care about collectability and such.

Thanks!

Scoid

 

[diamonback68]

I would look for a -2 , they would be pinned and recessed. They are all built about the same and you can't pinpoint operation and accuracy of one over the other, that may vary from gun to gun.

 

[TAROMAN]

I vote for the Ladysmith variant.
3" lugged barrel.
What's not to like?

 

[scoid]

Thanks Dick. What are the advantages of pinned barrels and recessed chambers?

 

[loc n load]

M-65's

I bought my first M-65 in July of 1976...it was a 4" SQ BT....I carried that gun everyday for ten yrs and competed with it in IPSC, pin shoots, etc....I replaced it with a 3" RB 65 when they became available....it is non recessed /not pinned.....I have several of them.....and have shot thousands of 357's and 38's thru them during the past decades....an observation about non recessed chambers....they are easier to speed load...because you do not have to worry about getting the cartridge rim seated all the way into the cylinder....this can cost you time on the clock if you are competing....or it can cost you valuable time in a life or death situation....I understand the feelings about P&R Smith's....have a bunch of them...but for my carry guns I prefer the non recessed chambers....as far as the pinned bl's go....I have been a certified Smith armorer for over three decades and have worked on thousands of revolvers....and the pinned vs non pinned bl is a non issue to me. Either way you go....the M-65 3" RB is IMO one of the best carry guns Smith ever came up with.

 

[JCS&W]

Being a fan of fixed sight Smiths, the M65 was a must have. I have had a couple, none of which were P&R. The M65 I own now, is a 3" M65-5. It is a great shooter, fit and finish is really good on mine. I really don't believe you can go wrong with any of the M65s, but the 3" is my favorite.

 

[cmort666]

I really don't like stainless (especially matte stainless), but since I hadn't seen a 3" Model 13 at a show in something like ten years, I broke down and bought a 3" 65.

I guess 8-10 years ago, there were a bunch of them surplussed by police departments. CDNN had GREAT deals on them and I picked one up.

When buying used for self-defense, ESPECIALLY police surplus, CAREFULLY check the gun out.

My 65 seemed to be in fine mechanical shape, but when I took it to the range the first time, I experienced a lot of seemingly random failures to fire. After a lot of detective work, the guy who worked on my guns and I discovered that whoever had had the gun previously shortened the strain screw so that it would "lighten" the trigger pull with the screw all the way in. Replacing the screw made the gun 100% and I now carry it with confidence that it'll go off when I pull the trigger.

The 3" 13s and 65s are pleasant and controllable to fire, especially with rubber grips and the .38 Special 158gr. "FBI" load. Other than a 2" or 3" Model 19 (or 66), I wouldn't have anything else for a concealment revolver carried on the belt instead of in the pocket.

 

[Snapping Twig]

65-5 IMO.

Everything you need, nothing you don't.

 

[scoid]

Cmort,

You might be interested this:

Smith & Wesson Model 13-4 .357 mag 357 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[-db-]

I wouldn't necessarily call it best but I like the serrated front and backstraps on my 65-5. I understand this was only added to these guns for a relatively short time.

 

[Hapworth]

Among the 3" Model 65 configurations, there isn't a dash number that particularly stands out as "best" -- all perform their function well.

If I were in the market for one, this is how I'd break it down:

- No 65-7; don't like the internal lock.
- 65-6 would be low on the list; MIM parts, which are okay but for me take second seat to forged.
- Late 65-5 same as 65-6.
- All other 65-5s are welcome, though a step behind earlier 65s because of the outside chance of issues with the floating hand.
- 65-1 through 65-4 welcome and preferred, with a slight lean for -3 and -4 because they cost a little less due to no pinned and recessed.

Pinned and recessed are fine but nothing I'd go out of my way for; they offer no mechanical advantage. The attention and higher prices paid to them are based on sentimental notions of a superior build era at S&W that if it ever existed had moved on by the time the first 65s were on the scene anyway.

The ideal 3" 65 in my opinion -- and it has been mentioned in this thread already -- is the 65 Lady Smith. Perfect fighting revolver. Hunted to extinction, though. It'd be at the top of my list, but if I found a solid, standard 3" 65 at a reasonable price, I'd buy it and be happy.

 

[diamonback68]

Thanks Dick. What are the advantages of pinned barrels and recessed chambers?

The pinned barrel and recessed cylinder charge hole ones are considered more collectable by many, mainly because they are older guns. Functionally there really isn't much difference than the non-P&R. Follow what has been said, get a hold of 3" and you will never be sorry. I have one that I will never part with and to my mind it is THE best carry gun Smith ever built. Shame they don't any more.

 

[Hapworth]

65-5 IMO.

...

Everything you need, nothing you don't.

-5s came in standard and Lady Smith configurations. You remove the Lady Smith marking from that one?

 

[Sebago Son]

For a working gun, the 65-5 "ladysmith" has a little extra weight up front to aid in recoil managment.



As others above have said, one of thesr would be a good choice.



Maybe it's just my imagination, but it seems to me that Smith put a little bit more refinement into these guns considering their market and the triggers are just a little bit smoother...

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have -3 and -5 about 10 years apart...... both are great guns......

Wouldn't mind having "Snapping twig's " though.......... barrel underlug like my 3" 66s !!!

 

[JohnRippert]

I'll say 65-3 but that is only because I have one.

 

[cmort666]

Cmort,

You might be interested this:

Smith & Wesson Model 13-4 .357 mag 357 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

Thanks for the tip.

Unfortunately, the IT project I'm working on is coming to an end, and I'm more concerned with being able to pay my rent.

If I ever see steady work again, a 3" 13 is definitely on my agenda.

 

[Snapping Twig]

-5s came in standard and Lady Smith configurations. You remove the Lady Smith marking from that one?

Mag-Na-Port did it. Previous owner had them run through it, action work, timing, etc, but no port.

 

[markeb]

For a working gun, the 65-5 "ladysmith" has a little extra weight up front to aid in recoil managment.



As others above have said, one of thesr would be a good choice.



Maybe it's just my imagination, but it seems to me that Smith put a little bit more refinement into these guns considering their market and the triggers are just a little bit smoother...

Sure do like the grips on that Lady. Looks just like mine. Just noticed that my cylinder release is different.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Those cylinder releases have been available aftermarket for many years.

Probably got swapped somewhere along the way.

You could easily swap it back anytime you like - if you like.

Yours looks pretty good as is.