Would be interested to hear your experiences with the model 67 .38 as far as grip feel, accuracy and recoil. Currently looking at a new one that comes with the 4" barrel. I don't have big hands and thought the K frame (which I believe it is) would be a better fit than an L frame. I only have one range in my area and they don't have one to shoot. This would be my first gun and it would be used primarily for home protection. Thanks. Bud

I had one and gave it to my son but to me the 38 special K frame with 4 inch barrel is a nearly perfect revolver. The balance is very good and they are usually very accurate and the recoil is quite manageable. I'm older at 67 and I don't like shooting 357 magnums out of a K frame with a 4 inch barrel but I like a 4 inch 38 special revolver.

I hope this helps

I don't have a Model 67, but I have the same gun in carbon steel - the Model 15. It is an excellent gun, one of the best. It is as accurate as any K Frame .38, which is to say very accurate, but its adjustable sights will let you take advantage of that accuracy better with different loads. The K frame fits many people very well and I prefer its balance to the L Frame. Many people consider the stainless 67 version preferable to the blued steel, but I prefer blue guns.
It's a great gun.

K and L frames have the same size grip, and the stocks are interchangeable, so size isn't really an issue as long as the grips fit your hand. The L-frames have more weight up front, which moderates the recoil a bit. Personally, I prefer a gun with a balance point just ahead of my knuckles, so the L-frames are my favorite, but a 38 doesn't kick much anyway.

I have a pair of J-frames, two N-Frames, and the other four are K or L-frames, and they get shot a LOT more than their counterparts. If you like to shoot, a K-frame and a couple boxes of 38's is about as good as it gets.

This is my only 67, I love it, it was my first S&W revolver.........I must have thousands of rounds of .38 through this one. About 7 or 8 years ago when ammo was actually cheap it would be no big thing to run 500-1,000 rounds through this gun during a long afternoon at the range.

I am way more into fixed sight guns like the 10 and 64, but this 67 will always have a special place in my collection. For all intents and purposes the 15's and 67's are just taper barrel 10's and 64's with adjustable sights added.

The new S&W's have round butts, if that matters any. I would not hesitate to buy a used new 67, they are nice looking guns.

I'll look at the 64 and check out the sight differences. Didn't know about that model. Bud

While you're at it, check out a 66, which is very similar to a 67, but allows you to shoot .357mag if you want to. They're all great, built on the same frame, just slight differences in sights, barrel weight, hammer spur, trigger width, etc.

I like my 4" M67-1 so much that I recently purchased its M64 fixed-sight brothers in both 4" and 3" barrel lengths. Wonderful revolvers that thrive on good handloads.

IMHO, there is no better revolver for a relaxing afternoon of target shooting and/or introducing new shooters to our passion. Start with a .22LR revolver, then move them up to a soft .38 Special handload using cast LSWC bullets. They always love "the look" of the LSWC, and you'll appreciate the performance and economy. There's always time for the .44 Special later...

This Model 67 has been a favorite for sometime.........have mentored many new shooters at the Range with this one.
I dressed it up to my liking with target trigger/hammer, w/o rear site and nice, colorful factory Targets.
My Daughter started shooting this about four years ago and put it down pretty quickly wanting MORE recoil from a Model 19 (357 Magnum).
Can you say - "Proud Father" ?

The M15 (blue, carbon steel version of the M67) was the issued weapon when I attended the academy. I consistently shot in the 580's with that gun (600 was perfect.) My first issued Smith was a M67 and I shot many a PPC match with it. I still have two M67's. Great guns.

Darn, just found out my local gun range closed down. It was the only one close by, and I was looking forward to trying some revolvers there this week. Bummer. Bud

I don't think you'll find any revolver shooter with anything bad to say about the model 67. Mine is an older tapered barrel 67-1 and the balance is just perfect, it's one gun that I'll never ever sell.

As noted in a previous post, the K and L frames have the same grip frame, which means that grips size and trigger reach are the same in both frame sizes. Personally, I find the Hogue monogrip that is standard on the current guns to a bit small, IMO they are a better fit for the average female. I suspect that you'll find they are a pretty good fit right out of the box, if not there is a host of smaller grip options available for these guns. One option would be the old style round butt service stocks, to me those feel absolutely tiny.

I think I would agree with all the previous posts. If you see no need to shoot .357 magnums (and you don't for home protection) then the M67 is the clear choice. The M66 is a bit heavier because of the barrel and underlug, but I don't notice a difference with .38s. Both are accurate and feel very good to shoot. The M67 has Pachmayer grips and the M66 has Hogues in the photos. The M67 is also shown with the original stocks. BTW, both are from the 1970s, so technically I'm posting on the wrong forum.

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I got a heck of deal on a Model 67 with 4" bbl. Then I got to thinking why did I buy that? I have several other 4" bbl. .38 specials and .357 mags. So, I looked thru the parts bin and came up with a 2.5" SS .357mag barrel and a nice SS .357 cylinder. About 45 minutes later, I was tuning a really nice short barreled .357 mag. It has proved to be a tack driver and a real pleasure to shoot. If I ever want to do so I can turn it back to the original .38 special. ........... Big Cholla

I have a model 67, and several model 15's. It is hard to find anything wrong with them.Great home defense revolver.

+1 on what he said and yes a defensive JHP load in a 38 special +P will work for home defense just fine.

I have a no dash model 67 that I lucked into with the box and all paperwork, but the weather has been so bad here that I have been unable to go try it out at the range!
Steve

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Steve

+1 on just about everything said.

A 4" K frame is what many people start out with and the stainless Mod 67 is an excellent choice. It was originally called the "Combat Masterpiece" and it has earned that title.

Many rubber and wood grip choices are available for it to find the perfect fit. You would always have the option to "fancy" it up like VM has done with his 67 if you choose to.

Nothing wrong with 4" .38's!

had one... it was a great shooter... traded it in ... big mistake on my part

A M67 (no dash) has been my wife's bedside and travel companion for the past 30 years. It wears a set of Pachmayr Grippers and fits her just fine.
I liked it so well I traded into the blued version (M15-3) last year. Mine has wooden Hogue grips. Both are fine, reliable shooters. Before the transition to semi-autos for LE work, they were standard issue for many police departments and gave good service. With modern self-defense ammo they get the job done even better than they did with 158 gr RNL.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

It almost brings a tear to my eye to remember what these cost back in even 2001 when I got my 67-1. I got it at a gun show, the dealer had a table with 40-50 of these 67-1's, most were marked for the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport Police, like mine is (D-FW DPS) is the marking. All of them were $230 each, if I recall correctly. Those prices are a memory now....you might get a rusted busted for that now, maybe....

Mine seems like it's had a "duty tune", the action is super slick. Awesome shooter, very accurate, wish I had 10 more like it!

I have a 67-1 I got several years ago for $200 OTD. It came with factory targets, but no box. Later, I was fortunate enough to win a box from a forum member.

One of my favorite handguns.
Have a 67 no dash SS sights LNIB and a 67- 1 unpinned with smooth combat trigger NIB.
Both are really neat guns...
Why didnt S&W make one in .22lr like they did the Model 15...DOH!

i'm patiently waiting for a 67 that i won off GB last sunday. its an 82-88 gun based on the dash number. the seller had a BIN of 279! can hardly wait to get her.

i saw that $279.00 gun, only thing i saw was the grips looked worn pretty badly...still a good buy

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

I acquired a near-new 67-3 last fall. Several years ago I foolishly parted with a 66. Won't be that stupid again! I'm not a .357 fan now, and the 67 and I get along just fine. No negatives that I can see. I think we have a long future together! (for a 66 year old guy!)

Chuck

Here is my 67 no dash. It shoots as good as it looks.

Your talents, tools, and parts bin all exceed mine! I took the easy route and bought one of each; a 67-1 and 66-2. I definitely like the looks of the 66 better, even though they're very similar.

Cheers!

i'll put hogue rubbers on it. it will be my walking around gun on the lease. snakes and armadillos beware!

To me it is just like a model 10 with adjustable sights in stainless. Not much to dislike about that.

Just picked up a Model 67- 1 from about 1985 (right) compared to no dash 67 from 1973.
The dash 1 Grips are much wider and square at the bottom, black rear site with red ramp.
S&W stamp on opposite side, Has a smooth combat trigger.

One thing that is great about a K frame, is there are many types of grips available. I have 3 sets ( including C.T. laser) for my 1905 4th. change M&P. Target and laser are much better than my originals. I am currently buying a 67 myself! Bob

The all-stainless sights on the no-dash's must be a little hard to pick up in sunlight. I wonder if the S&W shop could cut the front blade for a red insert? I ask because I'm looking at a no-dash myself. (Not into the painting of sight blades thing).

Rimbaud, I paint the front sight of some of my guns. It can be removed whenever you want and does not cause damage. It makes a big difference! I get my 67 no dash tomorrow, and it is an early one with the stainless sights. ( it will see some paint) Bob

After just about deciding on the 686 3" or 4", I took another look at this thread and the 67. Really like what I see once again. It will be my first gun and I have no initial desire to shoot .357 cartridges, especially after shooting a .38 for the first time recently. Also, 4 ounces less than the 686 4" and currently $94 less at Bud's.

The inexpensive, durable (but not permanent) fix is a black Sharpie marker. Mark the front face and sides of the front sight. Do the rear blade a face of the rear. Voila!

I do not like like the red inserts because they do not truly locate the top of the front sight.

Finally bucked up and ordered a new 67 today online and can't wait to get it and shoot it. Thanks guys. Bud

67 was my agencies issue weapon for years. Great guns just like the 15. I have one that I had the front sight replaced with a pinned blued ramp type sight,then installed a taller rear to get a better sight picture and it is a real nice shooter. I think the newer versions like 67-6 had pinned front sights and a heavier barrel so they would be great. If you will pm me you mailing info I will send you a few comp 2 speedloaders and six dummy rounds so you can practice reloading safely,got plenty and I enjoy seeing new guys get interested. Let me know, Good luck Bob

Here's my old LAPD issue 67. It still wears the Pachmayrs I put on it when I was in the Academy in '84.
Bob.

Still looks great. Bud

OIF2 great photography, I have a model 67 from the late 1980's set up exactly like yours. It is a toss up between the 67 and my 27-2 as far as my favorite is concerned.

I have the same problem...The 67 and the 27-2 are favorites.
Bob

OIF2 - Did you do anything to the finish of your 67? Looks very satin-y.

Hi Rimbaud
It was issued to me new, but got a little beat-up before I retired it to the sock drawer after I started carrying a semi-auto. I sent it back to S&W for an action job (reinstalled the SA) and a bead-blast. I think it came out kinda nice.
Bob

I just got my model 67. I traded my model 625 because my hands are too small for an N-frame. My friend was teaching my with his model 15. Glad to hear there are fans of a simple gun.

I bought one of the first 67s, got it in either 1972 or 73. I wanted a 66, also new at the time, but they were real tough to come by so I "settled" for the 67. I hauled that gun around with me for years, used it to fend off a home-invasion burglary once (in the summer of '74......I was an impoverished college student living in a very bad neighborhood at the time), and shot it a lot. In 1990 I was going through a divorce and my soon-to-be ex-wife asked if she could have it, and I said yes. About a decade ago she gave it to our son, and last summer I traded him out of it and it is now back with me! Nothing special about the gun other than it is an early S&W 67, but I'm very glad to have it. And my son will get it back one day, full circle several times!

That was one of the first things I discovered about my no-dash back in the day, the sights were real tough to line up in bright sunlight. I used a candle or sometimes just a plain old wooden farmer's match to smoke them. When they would start to shine through in spots I'd hit them again. Now I cannot get some of that old 30some year-old soot off them, although I haven't tried real hard. To me it's part of the "history" of the gun.

The new 67 I ordered (first gun) was received by my FFL yesterday, and I did my paperwork and got to hold it it. Felt great. Now the 10 day CA waiting period has started before I can get it and shoot it. Really looking forward to it. Bud

Here's mine.