New Model 67-5 First Look

T

Tyrod

Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
1,231
Reaction score
1,000
Location
Sunny Central Florida
Since it's 'round 4am wednesday I have to say that yesterday I picked up My BNIB Model 67-5. This isn't my first rodeo as I've bought many new (& used) S&W revolvers over the years. Words are escaping me on how to describe this revolver. I'll be shooting it later today. But, let me get on with the description. I have never experienced a more precisely machined & assembled gun of any kind, EVER. I do alot of work on S&W revolvers and have most of the tools necessary to evaluate & repair many issues. No canted barrel. No off center barrel. There is zero wiggle at lockup. The B/C gap is slightly less than .005 on all chambers. A .004 feeler passes easily, but the .005 won't quite go all the way through. The forcing cone reads just bit bigger than minimum on the forcing cone gauge. A target rod fits perfectly. The endshake is just enough to allow the cylinder to rotate freely. The pullup is fast and locks up firmly. I expect that should be the case with all new S&W revolvers. DA pull averages about 11lbs and is gritty and stagey. The SA pull is about 4lbs and breaks like glass. I can fix the small trigger issues. The goodyears are ugly but infinitely practical on a working gun. The trigger is grooved. The front sight is pinned.

Other thoughts. One might question the wisdom of buying a K frame that isn't 357mag. I did struggle with that for a while. I decided that for a house gun 38spec +p is plenty. Plus, the price difference between a M67 and the next cheapest K frame 357mag is substantial. The lock is a non-issue for me. After many thousands of rounds through lock equipt S&W revolvers, I've yet to experience any lock related issues. So, please don't turn this thread into a lock vs no lock argument, or I'll ask the mods to lock (no pun intended) the thread down.

Except for some small trigger issues, I would swear this M67 was built for precision target work. After some range work, I'll know for sure. Maybe this is a Combat Masterpiece!
 
Register to hide this ad
Congrats on your new shooter. It's very refreshing to hear the positive comment. S&W is still putting out some of the best revolvers made.
 
Sounds like you got yourself a winner. I'm a big fan of the new revolvers as well, mostly for the same reasons as you explained, plus the warranty doesn't hurt either. I don't have all of the tools that you do, but the 686-6 3" I picked up last week sounds dang similar to yours. Have fun at the range, we have tornados and all kinds of almost biblical rains that's keeping me from mine today!
 
NIce write-up. I also have a stable of S&W revolvers. I've also noticed the fit and finish on my latest (NIB 686) seems spot on. Additionally, I've noted that even the internal finish's seem to need less polishing to get the trigger where I want it.

As for 38 vs 357, I agree. It seems the new shooters of the world have magnumitus and the "whimpy" 38 (as I had one internet educated gun buyer refer to it) has taken a back seat. IMHO, this phenomenon has created some great pricing for 38's vs 357 for the rest of us who know better.
 
I don't have any newer S&W's., but that sounds attractive. If only they'd make a 6"...we'd have another option for a target revolver, and my 66-2 could take some time off. I shoot .38 Spls in it 98% of the time anyway. The 686 is great and all but a bit on the large size.

Somebody convince some distributor to commission a 6". The Model 67 K-38 Masterpiece.
 
I have to point out that apparently there is a -6 revision with a 2 piece barrel. Evidently, these M67-6 versions were/are prone to blowing off the barrels. So, unless you're compelled to own one of these -6 version, you'd be wise to specify a -5 version. My box clearly indicates the revision in 2 places on the outside of the box/plastic case.
 
Second look:

My digital camera took a big dump a couple of years ago. I never really missed it until today. I do have a smart fone I got for christmas, but it's at least 2 orders of magnitude smarter than I am. So, I don't have any pics to backup my claims.

I went to my local indoor range today and the results were phenomenal. After practicing for a while at shorter ranges off hand. I let the gun cool down while I went into the gun store to buy some ammo. What they had was some Black Hills 148gr target wadcutters. Although the ammo was kinda spendy, I bought 50 rounds anyway. By the time I got back into the range the gun was cooled down. I cleaned the bore & cylinder.

I set up my stand and shot SA groups @25yds. I shot off a stand because I'm not as good a shot as I wished I was and I really wanted to see the actual accuracy of this revolver. I wasn't disappointed. I burnt up all 50 rounds, 10 5 shot groups. The first few groups were ok, but not as good as I wanted. I started to get my stuff together. Controlling my breath, calming myself, and shooting between heartbeats. Group size came down to half dollar size. My last group could almost be covered by a quarter. The only hole that could be seen under the quarter was a sliver shape about the size of a waning crescent moon.

I bought this revolver to be a hidden house gun with some mods in mind. I may have to rethink this whole idea. I think I may get some fancy grips for it and just poke holes in paper with it. Maybe I'll get a M64 for the house gun.
 
LonChaney said:
Do the mods. :cool: Here's my 67-5 with mods:
Click to expand...

The mods you've done to the barrel are impressive. Did you do that yourself or did you hire someone to do it? If you hired someone to do it, what's the ballpark price for that kind of work? In the picture, are the sights adjusted to the proper elevation?

The VIN is 00J51XX

Thanks to all the commenters.
 
Last edited:
Tyrod said:
...Other thoughts. One might question the wisdom of buying a K frame that isn't 357mag...
Click to expand...

First, thanks for the great post about the 67-5. I appreciate your thoughts. Regarding K frames that are not chambered for .357...love them. I regularly carry Models 10, 12, and 64 with .38+P. Also carry my 13s, 15s, and 19s, with 38 +P. More than adequate for social purposes in suburban Charlotte, NC.

I need to add a 67 to the accumulation...you may have talked me into a modern production gun.
 
Thank you!

I'm pretty pleased with mine. I certainly hope if you get one, it's as good or better than mine. Some of the autoloader folks aren't as pleased with their M&Ps as I am with my recently manufactured M&Ps.
 
Tyrod said:
The mods you've done to the barrel are impressive. Did you do that yourself or did you hire someone to do it? If you hired someone to do it, what's the ballpark price for that kind of work? In the picture, are the sights adjusted to the proper elevation?

The VIN is 00J51XX

Thanks to all the commenters.
Click to expand...

Our very own usnrigger did the work. Barrel chop with new front sight, recrown, barrel contour and bead blasting was @$400. Plus shipping. Excellent work.

Sights are adjusted to proper elevation. Front sight is a Dawson tritium.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0121.jpg
    IMG_0121.jpg
    54.6 KB · Views: 105
Tyrod said:
...The VIN is 00J51XX....
Click to expand...
Unless Smith & Wesson has introduced a new series of serial numbers don't think that is one.

The serial number will be three letters followed by four numbers. The first letter will likely be a "D" or a "C". The (VIN) number you gave is probably an assembly number if you read it off the yolk. (The yoke is the part that flops out when you open the cylinder).

The serial number will be on the frame below the barrel. You can see it when the cylinder is open. (This location is called the "yoke cut out"). If there's no serial number there, look on the bottom of the grip frame, all Smith have a serial number there. You may have to remove the stocks to see it.
 
Perhaps you misread the D's as zeros or the letter O, in which case the prefix would be DDJ. If that is the case then the gun would have shipped in......

November or December of 2016.​

Yep, that's a pretty new gun. Three months old. Good to hear S&W is getting everything right, including the little stuff.
 
M67-5

Hello,
I just picked one up today but haven't fired it yet.
It feels great in the hand and it seems well balanced.

I'm going to fire it on father's Day and can't wait. I'll let you know how it goes.


Doug Johns
 
I just picked up a M67-5 off of GB and after reading this... I am absolutely salivating !!!
 
Question regarding S&W 67-5

Does anyone know if the 67-5 comes with a round butt or a square butt???? I'm looking at a Hogue set up for the round butt and wanna make sure it will fit. Thanks in advance
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

mag318
New to me Model 66-5
Replies
3
Views
356
TheTinMan
T
6
A Look Inside the New Mountain Gun 629-9
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
mariner1915
M
M
S&W 65-5…first revolver purchase
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
touchoneoff
touchoneoff
safearm
New to me Model 19-5
Replies
4
Views
688
snw19_357
snw19_357
R
Death Row 67-2
Replies
7
Views
982
JD3006
J

Latest posts

Back
Top