seabeesbob
US Veteran
I have one and enjoy shooting it, but see little mention of them here.
Opinions On Model 65 With 3" barrel
- Thread starter seabeesbob
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Well, one of them is in my nightstand right now!
I like 3" S&W revolvers, and own a number of them. They balance well in the hand, and feel and look just "right". I'm not sure how many 3" Model 65's were made, but I really like mine.
I like 3" S&W revolvers, and own a number of them. They balance well in the hand, and feel and look just "right". I'm not sure how many 3" Model 65's were made, but I really like mine.
ronnie gore
Member
model 65
they are one of my favorite revolvers, i have 2 three inch 65s and a three in model 64.
they are one of my favorite revolvers, i have 2 three inch 65s and a three in model 64.
sqhead
US Veteran
i have 64 3 in. ,does that count? i like the look and feel of the stainless 3 inch guns.
WFR
Member
There's a few in this thread:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/237794-65-thread-post-yours.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/237794-65-thread-post-yours.html
diamonback68
US Veteran
Black Knight
Member
Mine has become my daily off-duty carry gun. I use 125 gr. 38 Spec+P and have no complaints with it. Great gun.
C Islander
Member
A 3" 65 has been my holy grail of handguns for a long time. I finally got one recently and couldn't be happier.
riverrat38
US Veteran
All of these comments about the desirability of the 3 inch "K" frames makes more of a mystery out of the fact that S&W has given up on the breed! I understand them going to the M 686 for .357 mag. but I don't have a clue why they dropped the 3 in M 64 from their product line. It was probably their perfect concealed carry weapon, especially with the fine ammo we have available today.
rat
rat
Mine goes to the range a couple of times a month. The frame size, barrel length, weight, and capability to deliver make it very hard to beat for an overall "best carry revolver" in my book.
Jerry
Jerry
Imshootin
Member
I like mine. Got rid of my first one. Missed it bad enough that I had to get another.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,790
- Reaction score
- 31,616
BEST CCW 357 MAGNUM EVER MADE
IMHO the 3" M65 is the best concealed carry 357 Magnum ever made!
It is not nearly as "sexy" as the popular 2 1/2" M66 or M19, but better and more practical. Let me explain:
1) The 3" M65 gets more velocity (about 50 - 60 fps) out of the .357 cartridge because of the 20% longer barrel.
2) The M65 has no adjustable sights to catch on clothing, break or become out of adjustment
3) The M65 has better pointability and balance ( at least to me) than the shorter M66 does.
4) The M65 doesn't have the full under-lug (except for the "Ladysmith" version) and so it is lighter and trimmer than the M66
5) Unlike most J-Frame .357's the M65 is fully controllable and accurate with .357 Mag's. Shooting Magnums out of a J frame is impractical and difficult to do and do well. The 2 " tube of the J Frame is not really condusive to a .357 Magnum cartridge.
6) It is a no nonsense defense gun and I stoke mine with 180 grain hard cast LSWC .357 Magnum Buffalo Bore bullets while hiking in Bear Country.
Out of my 3" M65 I get a chronograped 1304 fps (avg) from that combo. A nice sized and reliable package to have with you while hiking through the woods.
Chief38
IMHO the 3" M65 is the best concealed carry 357 Magnum ever made!
It is not nearly as "sexy" as the popular 2 1/2" M66 or M19, but better and more practical. Let me explain:
1) The 3" M65 gets more velocity (about 50 - 60 fps) out of the .357 cartridge because of the 20% longer barrel.
2) The M65 has no adjustable sights to catch on clothing, break or become out of adjustment
3) The M65 has better pointability and balance ( at least to me) than the shorter M66 does.
4) The M65 doesn't have the full under-lug (except for the "Ladysmith" version) and so it is lighter and trimmer than the M66
5) Unlike most J-Frame .357's the M65 is fully controllable and accurate with .357 Mag's. Shooting Magnums out of a J frame is impractical and difficult to do and do well. The 2 " tube of the J Frame is not really condusive to a .357 Magnum cartridge.
6) It is a no nonsense defense gun and I stoke mine with 180 grain hard cast LSWC .357 Magnum Buffalo Bore bullets while hiking in Bear Country.
Out of my 3" M65 I get a chronograped 1304 fps (avg) from that combo. A nice sized and reliable package to have with you while hiking through the woods.
Chief38
Snapping Twig
Member
All good points!
I bring this up because I believe it's worth knowing.
"4) The M65 doesn't have the full under-lug (except for the "Ladysmith" version) and so it is lighter and trimmer than the M66"
On this point, I believe there's more to say.
I have a Model 13 which is the blued version of the 65. When I compare them side by side, the model 13/65 bull barrel is considerably thicker than the Ladysmith barrel - considerably.
The extra steel of the ejector rod shroud and the thinner barrel of the Ladysmith 65, to my eye anyway, somewhat evens things out. The weight of the ERS being closer to the cylinder than the extra weight of the bull barrel extending all the way to the muzzle could make a case for the Ladysmith being more point-able.
By the same token, with the weight closer to the cylinder on the Ladysmith, the bull barrel version might be more stable with recoil.
I bring this up because I believe it's worth knowing.
"4) The M65 doesn't have the full under-lug (except for the "Ladysmith" version) and so it is lighter and trimmer than the M66"
On this point, I believe there's more to say.
I have a Model 13 which is the blued version of the 65. When I compare them side by side, the model 13/65 bull barrel is considerably thicker than the Ladysmith barrel - considerably.
The extra steel of the ejector rod shroud and the thinner barrel of the Ladysmith 65, to my eye anyway, somewhat evens things out. The weight of the ERS being closer to the cylinder than the extra weight of the bull barrel extending all the way to the muzzle could make a case for the Ladysmith being more point-able.
By the same token, with the weight closer to the cylinder on the Ladysmith, the bull barrel version might be more stable with recoil.
To me, they are one of the best K frames to be had.
ohiojerry
Member
Best concealed carry weapon ever made. Note, I didn't say best revolver. I love mine and carry it daily. Everything you need and nothing you don't. I know it's selfish of me but I like the fact that a lot of people really really want one and can't find one and I have one!!
C Islander
Member
I feel the same way!
Dennis The B
US Veteran
It's probably one of the best service revolvers ever built. It's strictly utilitarian. Nothing on the revolver that one doesn't need. I bought one last year, that was part of a group purchased from a bank's security department. I'd been looking for about three years, and I wasn't about to let this one get away. The photo shows it with its original Uncle Mike's Combat Grips (designed by Kim Ahrends).
I put a set of Ahrends Retro Combats on it, and I carry it almost every day. It's loaded up with Remington .38 +P 158gr SWCHP. IMHO, S&W made a major marketing error when they discontinued this model.
I put a set of Ahrends Retro Combats on it, and I carry it almost every day. It's loaded up with Remington .38 +P 158gr SWCHP. IMHO, S&W made a major marketing error when they discontinued this model.
bronco45
Member
My "business" gun!
Last edited:
wewaslim
Member
Love mine. I have a LadySmith with a bobbed hammer and Pachmayr compact grips. Shoots like a rifle. Bill
