I have the ability to buy a model 65-2 revolver with a 4" barrel that looks to be in pretty good condition. It's actually not for me, but for a widow friend of mine who, now that she lives alone, wants something to put in her nightstand (I figure she'd be able to handle .38's or maybe even .38+P rounds out of this due to it's size/weight).

It has Hogue grips on it, no box or no original grips available with it.
I think the serial number is 7934X (found on the inside of the crane).
Anybody know when this may have been made?
I can get it for $475, is that a fair price?







Thanks ahead of time,

Pat

That price seems a bit high to me, but not terribly.
I don't think that number is the serial number. Look on the bottom of the butt. It should have a D in it. Tell us that and we can tell you the year it was made.
Jim

Great gun. It will eat the .38 Spl +P all day long. A heavy bullet in the 158 gr weight range should be used for .357 magnums. Serial number is on the bottom of the grip frame. The number in the yoke is probably an assembly number and meaningless after production. In todays climate that price is a bargain.

I would be all over that 65-2 for 475.00.

Pinned and recessed and I am going to guess it is a round butt as well, it has a lot going for it. Get off the computer and go buy it before someone else does.

terry

In California a model 13 or 65 will bring $500 to $600. So at $475 thats not bad. Either one in my opinion is one of the nicest shooting revolvers ever made.
For a home defense round I would suggest a 158 gr LSWCHP 38+P round. Remington, Winchester and Buffalo Bore. The blast and recoil of a 357 magnum round would be harsh and I doubt she could control the round.
Good luck,
Howard

sweet pistol there! i'd pay that!

Thanks guys...
I guess I'll have to take the grip off and check the serial number...
I'm not sure, but I think this pistol could have had a trigger-job done to is as the double action pull on it is surprisingly s-m-o-o-t-h...OR, were these revolvers just built that well?

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about somebody snatching it from me... It's my friend's pistol and he has allowed me to take it home and put it in my safe to show to my widow friend before I decide to buy it..
I'll try and take to grip off and see what the numbers are...

Thanks again,
Pat

Great gun & will serve the purpose well. But, $475 is a little pricey. You might want to check the local gun stores or the auction sites..........

Pinned & Recessed or being in a little worse external condition won't make any difference as to functionality at all.

very good gun price seems on target not a great deal but certainly not a bad deal either

I don't think $475 is high at all. Just about right. Pinned and recessed K frame .357 is worth that, at least. S&W wants nearly $700 for a new Model 64 .38, and that's got the lock.

That will sell at $475 no problem. And that one has a square butt. rubber Hogues make it look round, but I never hard of any round butt 4" k frames from that era.

I agree with him, you need to be buying this for yourself. $425 seems high but I am sure there is a Taurus 85 in her future. On another note, be careful with the buying for others comments, that is a sensitive topic these days and don't want the forum to get flooded with gun control freaks.

Well, I went to a few auction sites and the model 65's I could find were in the $600 to even $1000 range of prices! Sure, there were a few police turn-ins that were selling for $300 to $350, but some of them were missing front sites, hammer spurs, had been bead-blasted, etc...

I hear what you are saying Parker, and I never said that I would be buying this for somebody else (as in straw-purchase or even a "gift"). I am just helping my widow friend buy it for herself. If she likes it, she will go though the lawful MI. paperwork and make it her own, 100% legally... I'm just trying to help her find something she can use effectively, and not get ripped off buyng it...

In East TN, that's a steal of a price.

Around here that is a very good price!! Would love to find myself one for even $100 more and would consider it a deal!! beautiful gun!! I had a 3" 65 back a while ago I sold...like a fool...6 years ago I got $200 more than that for mine.

Attached Images

HPIM0095.jpg (52.8 KB, 110 views)

__________________
Model-60 Chiefs Special

in south florida that sounds like a fair deal. it amazes me how many s&w revolvers have had "trigger work" i think they just came from the factory like that. i have been guilty of thinking this myself when i feel a really smooth one.

The model 65, especially 3" barrel is commanding higher prices these days. In VG condition 475 doesn't sound too bad, even if it's a 4".

The hogues will be more comfortable to shoot than with wood stocks, I would leave them on.

FWIW

Greg

I would go for it if I came across a similar deal.

Oh yeah, the 13 / 65 trigger is that good. My 13-1 impresses every time I pull the trigger.

That is a great price for a great gun. Be sure your friend can handle it before she buys it. A K frame is not the heaviest, but a novice (if she is) may find it a bit tough to shoot for a while.

__________________
Marty 4513TSW 13-1 642 60-10

First, welcome to the forum, Pat! It certainly could have had a trigger job, but S&W triggers can be exceptionally smooth without one. I would not be surprised in the least if it were stock. I think the price on that one is in line, and it would make a great night stand gun. I would not recommend a new shooter loading it with .357. There is a lot of recoil, and the penetration is such that a miss could end up outside her house and inside someone else's. I would load it up with some of the .38 special or .38 special +P that has been recommended by others. If it were my gun, the first thing I would do is get rid of those ugly as hell grips and get some wood stocks on there, purely for aesthetic reasons, as I'm sure those shoot just fine.

__________________
Peter
S&WCA #2620

I saw a pretty worn Model 10 in a retail shop for $400 about a year ago, so $475 for a Model 65 in that good of shape is a very decent price here in SoCal. It is similar to the Model 64 I helped a family member purchase 6-months ago at an equivalent price. You might be able to save her a few dollars with a Taurus or Ruger, but there is no guarantee of that. If any ammo comes with the deal then just do it.

Frank