Your thoughts on M64 police surplus

.38SuperMan · Feb 1, 2021

Last week I was in one of the areas gun stores and noticed they had quite a few model 64 police surplus revolvers. I didn’t pay much attention because I have a 66 2-1/2”, 15 4” and a 640 no dash. I really don’t need another gun but they are priced at $385. Again I didn’t pay much attention but got thinking this might be a pretty good price if they’re in decent shape.

I know it’s all about condition but if they’re not cosmetically a disaster, the lockup is tight, cylinder gap is ok, bore good, crane not warped and no end shake what are your thoughts. I’m not at all familiar with the 64 and read it’s basically a model10 in stainless. I’m not really familiar with the M10 either but know they’ve been very popular with police and security officers and have gotten popular with enthusiasts. I thought I’d stick it in the lockbox in my Jeep and in a few years use it for a trade for something else.

Given decent condition is $385 a decent price? Are there any known issues like cracked frames.

Thanks in advance.

PatriotX · Feb 1, 2021

I’ve had a couple, both fine shooters.

Most were carried a LOT and shot sparingly, condition should reflect this.

I do have a soft spot for well-used guns, however.

GaryHK · Feb 1, 2021

I've had two of them and never had an issue. One I ended up putting a Wichita Rib on.

64 police trade ins tend to be a bit beat up. A lot of them have import marks or police markings but for a shooter, who cares.

A lot have bobbed hammers which a lot of people don't like.

The other thing you have to worry about and look at is stuck cylinders.

$385 is a fair price but you can probably go down a bit more to the $350ish range.

Jack Flash · Feb 1, 2021

Police turn ins have usually been professionally maintained. I'd be surprised if these are not great shooters. I have no experience with M64s but have been shooting my M10s for many years with no issues at all. I doubt the stainless version would be prone to frame or barrel cracking / splitting.

You didn't specify barrel length so I will guess 4 inches. A shorter barrel would be a plus. As well, people seem to like them with the original wood stocks, so that would make a difference.

I usually buy to keep, so I don't know how having it for a few years then trading it off would go. I don't think you would lose much if anything if you sold / traded it in a private deal. If you have to sell it to a gun shop, you may wind up in the red.

.38SuperMan · Feb 1, 2021

I don’t think any of these have a bobbed hammer but if I were going to keep it I wouldn’t mind a bobbed hammer. As to picking it up for $350, I’ve never gotten them down on price. All I’ve ever bought from them has been new guns and they’re usually very reasonable and close to Buds and Smoky Mountain Guns and Ammos prices.

GaryHK · Feb 1, 2021

.38SuperMan said:
I don’t think any of these have a bobbed hammer but if I were going to keep it I wouldn’t mind a bobbed hammer.

Yeah and if you change your mind, just buy a new hammer.

.38SuperMan · Feb 1, 2021

At one time I’d thought about getting a new hammer For my 66 and having it bobbed but picked up the 640 and decided not to.

NY-1 · Feb 1, 2021

No matter how many revolvers I purchase, I always tend to gravitate back toward my Model 10. It's the perfect size, weight, and it's a pleasure to shoot. I'd imagine an experience with the Model 64 wouldn't be dissimilar. At $350 you can't go wrong IMO.

GaryHK · Feb 1, 2021

NY-1 said:
No matter how many revolvers I purchase, I always tend to gravitate back toward my Model 10. It's the perfect size, weight, and it's a pleasure to shoot. I'd imagine an experience with the Model 64 wouldn't be dissimilar. At $350 you can't go wrong IMO.

Agreed, and since they have several, a $350 offer wouldn't be unreasonable. Offer to take the ugliest one...which, in reality, probably isn't all that bad. These are pretty easy to clean up.

.38SuperMan · Feb 1, 2021

They are 4” and all have rubber grips. The correct grips pop up around here pretty often.

I never like the rubber boot grips for my 640 and found a nice set of Smith older J frame wood grips for $20 recently.

rockquarry · Feb 1, 2021

I bought a used M64 directly from a large PD at least twenty-five years ago. There were fifteen or twenty of these randomly piled in a cardboard box. Mine will easily outshoot my S&W 6" Model 14 target revolver.

ken158 · Feb 1, 2021

Sounds like top dollar after you add tax and whatever transfer fees cost. I don't think buying it for an investment is going to make you any money. A LGS that does a lot of LE trade-in’s in my area had a bunch of 4 inch 64’s from $249 - $299 a while back. Do a timing and endshake check before you buy and get the best one you can get if you gotta pay top dollar.

ContinentalOp · Feb 1, 2021

Assuming they were in good condition mechanically and not too bad cosmetically, I'd have no problem buying one.

I had a 2" 64 with bobbed/DAO hammer that was a former police gun and I quite liked it. I did have an issue early when the stud for the thumb latch sheared off the bolt. I replaced the bolt and it was a fine gun after that. I carried it quite often, usually with FBI loads. Sadly, I no longer own it.

When I worked as an armed guard in the 90s I was issued a 4" Model 10, loaded with FBI loads. Great combo. I still kick myself sometimes for not asking about buying it when I had to turn it in after my employer dropped all their armed accounts. Nowadays I'd prefer a 64 for the lower maintenance requirements and just paint the sights.

HOUSTON RICK · Feb 1, 2021

I would not hesitate at that price these days.

huthike · Feb 1, 2021

I’m with Houston Rick. Great guns and will clean up and shoot well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ISCS Yoda · Feb 1, 2021

I have had two. One was a heavy barrel and I actually got it from a private detective agency so it might never have been in police hands. Top notch revolver!

I gave it to a friend, actually:

iscs-yoda-albums-s-and-w-revolvers-picture12697-m-64-a.jpg

My other M64 was a re-import or something, maybe a police surplus gun, I can't recall, but I think a re-import - now that I look at the picture I see it had a heavy barrel, too - AND a bobbed hammer - it was DAO and had the worst trigger EVER:

iscs-yoda-albums-s-and-w-revolvers-picture12700-m-64-dao-now-modified-see-album-entry-custom-m64-done-theshootist1894.jpg

But now it's a carry piece par excellence, has a nice trigger (among a number of modifications by the Shootist on this Forum), and just looks a wee bit different than before:

iscs-yoda-albums-s-and-w-revolvers-picture20604-customized-m-64-after-fire.jpg

I think I need another 4" M64 my own self!

Ron In MD · Feb 1, 2021

I bought a M64-5 DAO 4” heavy barrel w/round butt, for a police/guard turn in it is in great shape for a 25 year old revolver.
Made in 1996, one of the first when S&W dropped the square butt and went to all round butt. It has the serrated front and back straps.

Health has taken over so I am going to put it up for sale.
Unfortunately I will probably never get to shoot it.
It came with a Hogue grip.

Before it hits the classifieds, if anyone is interested PM me or send a text 4438898647.

vipermd · Feb 1, 2021

S&W 64

.38SuperMan said:
At one time I’d thought about getting a new hammer For my 66 and having it bobbed but picked up the 640 and decided not to.

Are any marked from the dept? Be Safe,

.38SuperMan · Feb 1, 2021

vipermd said:
Are any marked from the dept? Be Safe,

I’m planning on taking a look at them tomorrow.

BC38 · Feb 1, 2021

If it were unmodified and a snub I'd be a buyer at $385. I'd give it serious consideration even if it were 4" barrel.

Your thoughts on M64 police surplus

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Attachments

Absent Comrade

Member

Member

Similar threads