I've had my 3" Model 65-5 for many years. (IIRC, I bought it from a Forum member.) Accurate and 100% reliable, it's served as my nightstand gun, wearing a set of Ahrends grips.
When I bought it, the finish was a little worn, with a couple of light scratches on the sideplate and some small dings on the bottom of the butt. This doesn't affect function, of course, but I wanted to correct it, if possible, without breaking the bank.
Last November, I shipped my 65 to Smith and Wesson for their $265 Combat Revolver Package, which includes:
* Glass Bead Finish
* Tuned Action
* Trigger Stop
* Chamfered Charge Holes
* Test Fire For Function
My 65 arrived home last night, and I'm very pleased with the work that was done to it. The sideplate scratches are gone, and while the worst ding in the butt is still there, it's less noticeable. The sideplate screws are polished, and the chamfered charge holes look great. The glass-beading is just perfect, and resulted in a very nice satin finish.
It appears that new springs were installed, and the double-action trigger pull is smooth and even. The single-action trigger pull is light and crisp.
I had originally planned to put a nice set of new Culina service grips and a Tyler adapter on this revolver, but after digging through my parts box and experimenting, I settled on a set of cocobolo Spegel boot grips that are about the same vintage as the 65...they feel great, and look perfect, in my opinion.
My overall verdict? Money well spent!
First, here are some "before photos". When I first bought this 65, it was wearing Uncle Mike's rubber grips...
When I bought it, the finish was a little worn, with a couple of light scratches on the sideplate and some small dings on the bottom of the butt. This doesn't affect function, of course, but I wanted to correct it, if possible, without breaking the bank.
Last November, I shipped my 65 to Smith and Wesson for their $265 Combat Revolver Package, which includes:
* Glass Bead Finish
* Tuned Action
* Trigger Stop
* Chamfered Charge Holes
* Test Fire For Function
My 65 arrived home last night, and I'm very pleased with the work that was done to it. The sideplate scratches are gone, and while the worst ding in the butt is still there, it's less noticeable. The sideplate screws are polished, and the chamfered charge holes look great. The glass-beading is just perfect, and resulted in a very nice satin finish.
It appears that new springs were installed, and the double-action trigger pull is smooth and even. The single-action trigger pull is light and crisp.
I had originally planned to put a nice set of new Culina service grips and a Tyler adapter on this revolver, but after digging through my parts box and experimenting, I settled on a set of cocobolo Spegel boot grips that are about the same vintage as the 65...they feel great, and look perfect, in my opinion.
My overall verdict? Money well spent!
First, here are some "before photos". When I first bought this 65, it was wearing Uncle Mike's rubber grips...
