I sold a 686 at a GS(awhile back) & friend saw my MODEL 65-3....ask if he could look it over...said ok.Next ? was "how much"?? He was & is a friend & I thought he was asking how much I paid for it!I said why....he said what's your price!! I was a little surprised...I wasn't trying to sell it! In fact I Don't know what model 65-3 were worth...still don't! I smiled & said not interested!
Last time I saw him...he asked if I still had it & had I changed my mind!
Guys,is the Model 65-3 "THAT"desirable?
THANKS,for your time,
Jim

I'm confused. Is it a 60-3 or a 65-3? 60-3 I don't know much about, but a 65-3 in good condition runs between $500 up to $750 or better , w/box and docs + tools. Condition, condition is everything. Maybe even more depending on location.

dc,
Sorry ,thanks for the correction! It's a 65-3! I had to ck.went back & corrected!
Jim

The 3inch M65 is my pick for the best carry handgun made. That enough people agree with this statement means you do not see many available on the market. I doubt mine will be sold before I am gone.


Paid about $300 for this one with box and paperwork back in the '90s, and gave it to my Dad.







I got it back after he passed and I put a set of Culina RB Combats in ebony on it.







I keep seeing guys posting about finding one in the last year or two for $400 or even cheaper. I have not even seen one around here in a decade. I expect that they are worth around $700 or so depending on condition and whether they come with box & accys. I would not take $1000 for mine.

I paid $600 AUD for mine.

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The two posts above bring up the key question - 3 or 4" barrel? If the former, no wonder your friend has been such a pest.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

The 3" 65-3 is probably the peak of desirability of that model. Myself and a friend of mine are still looking for one in nice shape at a good price. <$700. After 6 months of looking I still don't own one. You are correct that gun is likely worth $700 all day anywhere and would not last long at that price. The folks who have bought one in excellent condition for under $600 got them from someone who did not know what they had. I have 2 Model 66s. A no dash and 66-1, both 2 1/2" barrels. I bought them last year and paid less for them than you can buy a 66-3 3" for. Crazy but true.
Very nice gun! Keep it unless you have to have the money.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

A question for you guys that know quite a bit about revolvers and ammo. In regard to the 65 3” and a 64 3” - which would be more desirable? Is the 357 more effective than modern .38 special Ammo - in terms of self defense? Theoretical question -If both were available and you could get the 64 for $500 or the 65 at $700 which would you choose? Assuming you could buy only one.

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Patriots Forever!!

I would go for the 65, even if it meant a couple hundred more. Buy a .38 and you shoot .38's, buy a .357 and you can shoot either.

Are you just protecting yourself against people, or might a bear come into it?

Given the choice, I’d say 65 is no-brainer over the 64. However, your choice is more likely to be the 64 or nothing.

I have a 65-2 Leo trade-in last year for $350. It has a lot of holster wear and the last 4 of the serial etched just in front of the grip. It looks pristine in the cylinders, cone, and barrel as it has had little use. It is a range and truck gun for me. Just before Christmas I saw a 65-2 in great shape for $650 in the LGS. It didn't last a week.

I can’t remember seeing one going for that price in a long time. Was it a three inch or 4 inch barrel. You must have been in the right place at the right time.

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Patriots Forever!!

I bought a 3" M65-2 about 2 1 /2 years ago for $475. I was happy with that price.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

For anyone following this thread, one of our members has a nice one for sale on the forum. I can't afford it, but I think his price is reasonable. FS Smith Wesson Model 65-5 3in Pre Lock, 632-2 Pro Series Pre-lock, Pre-10 5 Screw

I bought a 65-3 3” in Tulsa last spring. The seller had it at the back of his table full of Ruger flattops. The price was good. I had $23 in my pocket. So I asked him to hold it for $20 and went to the ATM. When I got back he said he had a box that had the wrong serial number and gave it to me. It turns out he was looking at another number on the crane and the box did match. A little cleaning later, it is a great gun with a matching box.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

Last 3 inch 65 I saw for sale in a LGS..... two years ago for $600.

As to 64 vs 65...... in the early 80s I made a decision to always buy .357s vs .38s if possible....... as it allows one to utilize a broader range of ammo in one gun.

I've got .357s in J,K,L and N-frames with barrels from 2 1/2" to 3,4, 6 and 6 1/2".

.38s in 2"; 10 round butt (Wife's), 337PD ,640 (was my Dad's) and a 4" 15(wife's).

IMHO the M65 / M13 is one of the best carry sized guns S&W ever produced! It is everything you want in a carry gun, without the unnecessary accouterments. Durability, reliability, relative conceal-ability all in a neat strong compact package! The ability to shoot .38 Spl. and .357 without modifications is terrific! It's the one powerful Revolver that I can carry concealed all day long in relative comfort - yet still shoot very well.

While the S&W M66 2.5" Revolver has better looks (IMHO - and to most you ask) you are much better off with the 3" bbl in .357 - yes the 1/2" longer bbl. DOES matter. The adjustable sights on the M66 make it a liability for me - as I much prefer fixed sights on a carry gun.

The M65 3" is my routine Woods gun and get stoked with Buffalo Bore 180 grain .357 LFN Hard Cast bullets doing 1,300 fps chronographed from my actual gun. They won't expand but they WILL penetrate Black Bear if needed.

I bought mine many years ago (in the 1980's) and without digging up the original receipt I can only guess what I paid. Probably $300 or at least in that Ball Park + or - $20 bucks. Now they command about double - more if complete with all accouterments and the original grips and box. Still - worth it IMHO! GREAT REVOLVER!!!

I found my 65 3" four years ago in a pawn shop in a rackful of plastic guns. At that time I had no idea what it was. I did know that 3" S&W's were desirable from hanging out here. They had a $500 tag on in and I talked them down to $425 OTD. That's the last one I've seen in person.

Still looking for a M13 3" and have yet to see one in the flesh. I suspect I'll have to pay a little more if I ever find one.

I really like 65's.

65-2 I bought last year March for $400. It came with rubber grips thou.




65-3 Bought it a couple years ago off GB for...I think around $750




65-5 Paid $700 even for it. Had 2 at the time, so I polished this one and removed the Lady Smith from the side plate.

I had a nice 3" 65 some years ago. I paid around $350 for it and eventually sold it to a buddy for $500.

Of course I immediately regretted that decision and so a few years later bought this well used Model 13 3" for about $350.

It's a beater but tight as a tick. Must just remember NOT to sell it like I did the 65.

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I was fortunate enough to get this 65-5 a couple of years ago for $495 and felt like it was a steal. I agree with everything others have posted about the 3".

Shoots everything from bunny fart 38's to fire-breathing 357's equally well.

3" heavy barrel gives it perfect balance with enough sight radius for accuracy, but still short enough for easy concealment.

Stainless steel for the best possible corrosion resistance, and a finish that is easy to maintain.

The perfect all around revolver. So much so that if I had to get rid of all of my guns, this would be the last one to go.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

At what point (series # or manufacture date) did the M65 get the shroud over the ejector rod? I always liked the look better than the unshrouded one. The M65 was issued to us whenever we transported inmates when I worked for NC DOC back in the late '70s-early '80s. It has a simple beauty to it, sort of a "slicked back" look when compared to the M66, with its adjustable rear sight and more prominent front sight and barrel ramp. Given the choice between a .38Spl and .357Mag model when buying a revolver, I'll always go for the Magnum, even at a higher price, as long as condition warrants it.

Only on the limited "LadySmith" version 1991-04...... engraved with "LadySmith" on the right side of the frame....... never was a "NL version like the "3913 LadySmith."