Came a cross this today and thought i would share it with you all. Model 65-3 with a 3” barrel and round butt. It was a little pricey but i have never saw another one for sale so i bought it. AFU serial number in very good condition. The more i handle it the more i like it. Sorry for the bad pictures it was getting dark.
3” model 65
- Thread starter mnkdad
- Start date
Dwaine
Member
Have a 3" -5.... you will enjoy yours....
C Islander
Member
Mine is my favorite handgun. Enjoy yours!
heeter3
Member
What a great revolver and excellent carry gun.Enjoy it .
BC38
Member
The -5 in my avatar would be the last gun to go if I had to get rid of all mine.
629shooter
Member
You'll enjoy that one.
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
stansdds
Member
3 inch barreled K-frame 38 and 357's are scarce and you will pay a premium for a barrel that is only 1 inch shorter than the common 4 inch barrel. That 3 inch barrel is a good compromise, though. Shortest barrel you can have on the K-frame and retain the full length ejector rod.
I have 66’s and 686’s both with 2 1/2” and 4” barrels and this 3” 65 feels totally different in the hand when you aim it. I have a 20 gauge Ruger Red Label that i bought new in 2000 that feels the same way when you shoot it. Can't explain it until you shoot it.
GerSan69
Member
SuperMan
Member
...it's called "balance"....there are just certain combinations of features on a gun that just "feel" right....3" round butt K-frames are one of them. N-frame Mountain Guns are another...
Have got the exact same model as well as a 66-2 3" and 9mm 547...they are my all time favorite K-frames.
...enjoy that one...and don't ever sell it because you will regret it...
Bob
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...Model 65-3 with a 3” barrel and round butt... The more i handle it the more i like it. Sorry for the bad pictures it was getting dark.
I think the photos are great and I love the gun! Those 3" K-frame .357 Magnums are the perfect length.
Here's my 3" Model 65 with some round to square combat Ahrends on it:
Thanks for sharing,
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Telecaster
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What stocks are those on the 66? They look sweet!
MrG5122
Member
Around here they ask about 100-150% more than a 65. I got lucky 5 years ago and picked up my 3" 65 in a pawn shop for $425. At that time I didn't really know what it was but immediately loved it when I picked it up. All I knew at the time was that it was a .357 I could conceal.
Telecaster
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I’d budget $1500 for a 3” 66, and hope to pay less if possible.
bdGreen
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Bought this one NIB from a Police supply house a few years back. Cost me $185.00. Great price today. Ha. But, like I said, "a few years back".
It has been carried many a mile on foot, and, in a squad.
It has a few stories to tell. Ha.
Enjoy,
bdGreen
Tap on image to enlarge.
It has been carried many a mile on foot, and, in a squad.
It has a few stories to tell. Ha.
Enjoy,
bdGreen
Tap on image to enlarge.
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I gave this Sam Damewood-modified 65-5 to my brother. 
RobertJ.
Member
SuperMan
Member
.....Ahrends...no longer made unfortunately...
..and for a 3" 66, depends on condition, if it is still in the box, has numbered to the gun grips and what - number it is... Prices "start" at $1200 and I've seen LNIB bring over $2k...
CCantu357
Member
Great pictures of a great gun. The 3" Model 65 was the first .357 Magnum I ever had the pleasure of shooting. Those 3" K-frames are some of the best balanced and shooting pistols around. I wish Smith would bring them back. Whenever I think about a perfect combat/defensive revolver, the 3" Model 13 or 65 are some of the first ones that come to mind.
stansdds
Member
They sort of brought them back in the form of the Model 66 Combat Magnum, SKU 10061. It's not a 3 inch barrel, but it does sport the new, barrel and barrel shroud system with the forward lock moved to the crane. The barrel length is 2 3/4 inches. S&W makes them as part of their current line, but good luck finding one.
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Glashaus
Member
Now you have done it, and down the 3" rabbit hole you go! 3" S&W K an L frames are great shooting and carrying revolvers. I have four. My first was a 686 CS-1, followed by a M64-3, both of those I bought in the mid/late 90's very early 00's when nobody wanted them. With in the last four years I was able to pick up a nickel 3" M13-3 and a 3" M66-3, both on GB when I wasn't looking and apparently when not too many other people were either. I got the M66 for right under $1k and thought that it was my lucky day. The 3" M66-3 is a very nice revolver.
What kind of grips are those? Do they work well? I really like them.
Darryl Z
Member
I have a 65-3 3". Sweet shooter
CobiaS&W
Member
Those are Round Butt Target grips. Here they are on my 13-2 and 64-3. They are also on my 65-5. Sorry no picture.
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OP nice find!!!
Here's mine. came with all the goodies and a set of Uncle Mike's boot grips. It is one of my favorites to shoot, supremely accurate, and the round butt really works (for my hands) to mitigate some of the recoil, of full house loads.
I totally lucked into this gem. It was brought in to the LGS, as a consignment. The guys at the shop, knowing my affinity for classic/cool wheel guns, stashed it in the back room, and gave me a call. I couldn't get there fast enough!
Here's mine. came with all the goodies and a set of Uncle Mike's boot grips. It is one of my favorites to shoot, supremely accurate, and the round butt really works (for my hands) to mitigate some of the recoil, of full house loads.
I totally lucked into this gem. It was brought in to the LGS, as a consignment. The guys at the shop, knowing my affinity for classic/cool wheel guns, stashed it in the back room, and gave me a call. I couldn't get there fast enough!
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turp_dog
Member
I snagged a 65-3 3" earlier this year when I decided I just had to have a 3" k-frame 357 magnum. Cost me 850 off GB, which seemed like a pretty decent deal considering the others I had watched routinely going over 1k.
Glashaus
Member
As been said, those grips on my 66-3 are S&W K -L frame round butt target grips. These were available in the mid - late 80's into the 90's. They actual fit my hand very well, I really like them, they go great with the 3" guns! That pair I have had for awhile, I picked up another pair from a member here a couple of years ago.
CCantu357
Member
I have seen these in the catalog, but I have yet to see them in person. I am glad they care making the K-frame again. It would be nice to the see 19 and 66 with the 6" barrel back as well. And even the 2 1/2" - a bit redundant with the new 2 3/4", but it always looked very nice.
The Lady Smith was another really cool 3" 65. I liked how it had fixed sights but a shrouded ejector rod. I believe it also some sort of bead blasted or matte finish. A perfect combat revolver that was given a stereotypical marketing ploy!
