In your neck of the woods what are 3 inch 65s going for thanks to all that respond

We'll, if you could find one for sale in Louisville Kentucky, I'd say anywhere between $800 to $1000 for a nice one. You looking or selling?

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"Happiness is a warm gun"

I never see them at shows or in LGS. Maryland and Virginia near Washington, DC.

But I bought a Model 65 Lady Smith using the classifieds here and paid a bit under $1,000. It was earlier this year. The gun needed a cleaning but was in otherwise very good condition.

They never show up locally. I got mine, 2 years ago, by the grace of my LGS. It's the only 3" M65 I've ever seen. They took it in on consignment, and called me, before ever putting it out in the display case. I got super-lucky. Uncle Mike's boot grips, S&W service grips, box, papers-all for $600 OTD. Current GB closed sales are well over $1000 for just the gun.
And, now, for some gratuitous gun porn:

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George

I found one posted locally, have never seen one for sale in an LGS. It had been posted for a few weeks at $700. Finally reached out to the seller and he agreed to take $650. We met at a LGS to take care of the transfer, he threw in some ammo, a pistol case and covered the fee. I feel like I stole it and could not thank him enough. We both left happy, so a good deal all around. Bill in MA

I've had my 3" Model 65-5 for many years...my sons will inherit it some day...

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

I bought a new stainless 3" model 65. I had the rear sight changed to a fixed configuration. I like it fine now.

I’d say this is correct. If you locate an m65 in lesser condition but still checks out mechanically, you could probably do $600 range these days. I lucked into mine at a Gander Mountain used gun counter a couple years ago. If I remember right it was priced $500-$550 range but it had part of the hammer spur removed and had some nicks and scuffs. Great shooter and carry gun though for OWB under a shirt.

Hard not to like a 3 inch bull barrel, fixed sight, round butt 357.

While they seem to be more difficult to find at the local shops; my experience is that most all of the local guys aren't aware of the premium people are willing to pay for a three inch barreled revolver. All of the guns that make up my three inch K frame collection have been bought for four inch prices.

You have to have some patience though. I've been able to pick up maybe one a year they show up so infrequently.

If you are buying online the dealer and auction site norms seem to be in the $900 and up range for nice condition 64/65 three inch revolvers. A bit more with box and docs-

Quite a few show up in our classifieds too priced similarly.

Currently only 2 M65’s, both being 3”. The -5 LS was $425 at a LGS and -3 $300 online but both were bought some time ago. Not sure what current price might be as don’t recall last time seeing one. Call me crazy but it would take 4 figures to part with either of mine.

I paid over a grand for mine, but I really wanted it. And I’m glad I have it.

I got a 65-5 in like new condition, no box, off GB for around $650 and I thought I did okay. It’s a really nice piece.

That is one of my Grail Guns.
Have not seen one for sale locally for 25 years.

Have any of you guys ever had a separate rear sight dovetailed into the rear of the sight groove for a better sight picture and POI adjustment?
I realize this would necessitate a front sight change as well.

Nope, I’d buy a 66 before mangling a 65.

If you don’t find S&W fixed sights adequate, go Model 66, 19. Or 386/586/686.

Not seen one in used guns at local stores, nor shows, for many years.

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Heavily armed old man.

I’ve only seen 1 3in 65 and 1 3in 13 for sale locally and that was 20 years ago and bought both of them. A retired detective I know was in the market for a marlin guide gun. So I bought him a guide gun in 45/70 and he transferred to me the 3in 65,13 and a model 60. It worked out to be about $150 a gun. That was a steal even back then.

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Dave
Regulators mount up!

I am envious!

Great revolvers!

I had one. Sold it here about 5 years ago. Stupid move. I think I sold it for $525. I keep records and can look it up but it will only make me cry.

Have two, bought few years apart. One in the blue box, recessed cylinder, papers and cleaning kit. Around $700 back then. Last one had to give $900 for as he wanted $1100. Both shoot point of aim, very nice even with Mag. loads.

The M65 IS a fixed sight revolver. The M66 has an adjustable rear sight.

About 5 years ago, I paid $475 for a 3" M65 at a gunshow.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I purchased this one new in the box a few years back at a police supply house in Dallas.

$185.00, if I remember correctly.

I carried that in a high-rise holster when I was serving warrants in plain clothes.

It's seen a few miles.

Rode a bit hard, but, never put away wet.

And, yes. I have the original box, stocks, and goodies it came with.

enjoy,
bdGreen

If you can find one for sale (very unlikely) you'll pay somewhere between $800 - $1,200. Five years ago, I found a used Ruger GP100 3" (blued) for $600 and that was sheer luck. The owner had put it on consignment the day before and many people had looked at it. I knew it wasn't going to last so I purchased it on the spot. I'll do the same if I ever find a 3" Model 65 or 13 or 64 or 10.

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I type. Therefore I am.

Saw Mdl.65 3”modified with a blue/ black rear sight insert and better front sight. Didn’t mention cost but it looked good.

I can't remember the last time I saw a 65 three inch in the wild. I got mine in a trade with a friend a couple years ago. My 64 three inch was at least twenty years ago. They turn up on GB but the price tag leaves me out. I did snag a mid 60's three inch 10 at a local shop a couple years ago, estate deal.

When I bought my M65 3" bbl. new in the 80's I knew I was buying the right gun! As popular as the M66 2 3/4" was back then (thanks Clint), it's my personal opinion the 3" M65 is a bit better!

No adjustable sights to snag, a slightly longer bbl. helps the magnum fly a little faster, a smoother sleeker profile and slightly better sight plane. Not as "sexy" as the M66 but for practicality I think it just slightly edges out the M66. That said - I should have bought both!

Mine is still in the original box with all accoutrements and still in pristine condition. Shot and carried on occasion - but still like new.

I own a 3" 65 in its original box, possibly never fired. I shoot my 3" 13. Saw a 3" 65 last Saturday at gun show in Sharonville. Finish was challenged, wrong grips, and someone had put on the wrong hammer. At $750 I passed. Picked up a near perfect 6906 instead.

I picked up a 3” 65-5 from a local gentleman on Armslist here in NC earlier this year. I paid $700 and feel like it was a bargain. The revolver was filthy, but cleaned up nicely. There is something special about the 3” heavy barrel that just feels right.

Thanks!
Patrick

Mine is a good example in excellent condition that I acquired about ten years ago and paid too much.......$750-$800 around 2010.

Still, I was happy with the purchase and still am. It's a really great gun.

It carries Federal .38 Special HST 130 grain with the flat, wide open hollow points.

I load a good .357 for outdoor use, but that's rare.

It mainly serves as an around the house gun and nightstand gun.

I added the laser for low light use.

Already have a 66, but it has a 4” barrel.

I picked my 65-3 up locally for about $750, box and docs.

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Not to go off on a tangent but can anyone explain the scarcity of the 65 in general? I see them pop up occasionally for sale on forums but rarely in the LGS. When they do appear, they are often bobbed hammers, police and corrections trades, with awful electropen markings. Seems isolated to the 65 and it has almost become an obsession trying to figure this out/find one on my own.

I dont recall ever checking total production numbers of the 65 or 4" to the 3" but I see lots more 4" currently for sale. Same with 64.
Once upon a time, I had a LNIB M64 in .357 made for the Okla. Highway Patrol and was forerunner of the 65. IIRC, something like 750 produced?
It wasn't a commemorative but regular issued sidearm for OHP. Kinda wish I'd kept it but the trooper wanted it worse than I did.

If you can get a nice one for under $800 these days, I would consider it a steal.

I lucked into getting one from a co-worker who inherited it. He was kind of a jerk about it, and strung me along for several days so he could 'research' the value (on GB). Karma's a *****, however, since he didn't know enough to know the difference between 3" and 4" guns so I got it at a 4" price he thought was sticking it to me, which was actually a 3" price that was a pretty good deal.

My only three inch went back to the Factory for the “Combat Revolver Package”. Highly recommend. Still available at what I think is a bargain price of $275. After it came back I had the hammer and trigger polished. So are the screw heads. I had red ramp installed afterwards as well.
My gunsmith copied the factory package on my 66 and 686 with the action jobs and bead blasting. My 4 inch 65 and 64 also got the same spa treatment. Many folks don’t like bead blast finish but I don’t like shiny guns so it works for me. All mine are shooters and get carried.

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About 3 years ago at the Tulsa show I was walking around on Friday afternoon. I saw a table with about 12 various Rugers for sale. Over in the corner was a 3 inch S&W marked at $350. It was a 65-3. The guy with the table took my offer and said “I’ve got a box for it but it’s the wrong one. Turns out he wrote the assembly number from the crane on the box thinking that it was the serial number. When Kansasgunner and I removed the Pachmayer grips, it turns out the box is numbered to the gun. The funny part is I only had about $25 on me and gave it to the guy to hold the gun and ran to scrounge cash. Turned out to be a very nice gun and great shooter.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

LPD that was a great price! Were the combats on it or added ? Score !!!

… This never happens to me! I’m envious. Congrats!

I’d say $750 to $1k for a standard 65; $1200+++ for a 65LS with bag.

Edit 11/10/23
Looks like my earlier guesstimate was spot on. I picked up this “as new”
65-5 at last weekend’s Big Reno Show. Seller had it at $1250, I offered $1000. He countered with $1100; I waved 10 crisp Benjamin’s under his nose and he caved. It’s a little more than I was expecting to pay, but it was the only 3” 13/65 I saw at the show and the first I’ve seen in the wild in two years. She looks pretty hot with wearing Bigmtnman handles. Barely into the honeymoon period and my best buddy is already trying to relieve me of it.

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213th FBINA

In the upper Midwest, $750 in G~VG condition, for a 65-5 3", and even that seems like a lot. An extra $100 for a box or maybe a LadySmith with the original grips and pouch. Hereabouts, Armslist local area and a little patience is your friend for anything after ~1980.

Aside from that, I agree with @John Patrick above,

I posted this one before, there seem to be more of them with the LadySmith logo and smooth grips, than the plain 65 3" with checkered RB grips (?).

It has numbered to the gun stocks and all paperwork. I added the Culina combats. I love them on round butt K frames. Thanks.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

I usually over pay for something I really want. He was selling the gun for someone else. So he didn’t seem offended.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

My opinion- during the 65’s heyday, most police departments ( the primary user of these revolvers at the time) opted for the adjustable sighted 19 or 66.
The 19/66 seem to be far more common than the 64/65.
I also think these days those that have squirreled away revolvers are holding onto them. I see very very few revolvers for sale locally these days, and prices have gotten ridiculous even for garden variety model 10’s

The 3" 65s, especially the P&R ones are great guns and hard to come by. I've had this one for 15 years and paid just under $400 for it. I'd love to have several more just like it.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Hello, I was fortunate to find a 65-5 in beautiful condition a year ago and has quickly became one of my favorites shooters,please ignore the 13-3 I don't have a separate pic.

Sent from my SM-N986W using Tapatalk

Bump this to the top checking in to see if anyone has seen purchased or sold one Thanks

I recently tried to sell one, but the market wasn't very interested. Looks like they're back to $650 or less.

Well, if you are unfortunate enough to reside in Southern Kalifornistan, and IF a 3" 65 ever actually came up for sale (which they don't), I would start counting out the $100 bills, probably at least 11 or 12, maybe more, depending on condition and accoutrements. (Ask me how I know!)
Like the man said, "Them that gots' them, ain't giving 'em up!"

I bought mine from a member of this board last year for $800. Not a wiggle in the cylinder and has been my daily carry revolver ever since. My favorite amongst many.

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Kevin in Oregon