4" Smith & Wesson Model 65-4

[BarryinIN]

The price sounds about right for one with aftermarket grips. With factory grips and a T-grip, it’s a pretty good price, and I’d grab it.

I love the 65 in either barrel length, and my 4” 65 is one of my better shooting handguns.

 

[CKPOMEH]

FWIW, I think that calling the K-frame magnum forcing cones "fragile" is a bit of an overstatement.

While there have been a few reliably-documented cases of K-frame revolvers with cracked forcing cones, that "issue" seems to be limited to examples that have been heavily used to fire a LOT of light bullet (<125gr) full-power magnum rounds.

K-frame 357 magnums that haven't been used/abused in this manner don't seem to commonly suffer from this kind of damage. FWIW, many of us own several examples of well-used 357 magnum K-frames that don't show any signs of forcing cone damage.

So, IMO, this is basically an issue that has to be evaluated on a gun-by-gun basis - as opposed to being considered an inherent "flaw" in the design of the K-frame S&W 357 magnums in general.

JMO, and YMMV. As always, do a very thorough inspection of every revolver you consider purchasing.

As I said, I have never seen a cracked forcing cone on a S&W revolver but have seen one on a Colt Python, along with 2 bulged barrels on a python and a diamondback.

So, I do agree that those 'reports of cracked K-frame cones' are most likely of abused guns. If you look into the SWSC, Jim Supica writes on this topic, I just paraphrased what I have read there w/o any immediate observations on my own.

 

[stansdds]

Yep, that the plan for this Saturday - will drive there after I call and confirm they still have it!

Don't leave us hanging, let us know if you got or if it got away from you.

 

[sousana]

Give me the name of the dealer, I'll check it out for you.........

 

[CKPOMEH]

Don't leave us hanging, let us know if you got or if it got away from you.

Ok, folks - I will admit it was my lucky day today. Not only did the 65-4 not get away from me, but on the way there I ended up stopping at a small local gun show, and ended up bumping up on another true gem - a 13-2 3" NIB...

I played it all cool while looking at the M13 and its box, tools, papers, etc...(while my heart was pounding inside) AND I also managed to knock $100 off it. Needless to say, it did cost quite a bit more than the 65 but I think it is well worth it.

The 65 turned out to be in better shape than what I had initially thought - very solid, tight lock, no rattling, the grip adapter (not Tyler - no name on it, not sure what it is) is snug, nothing loose on the revolver. There are a couple of small scratches on the barrell, but no dings or major eye sores. I am very happy with it! Will take it to the range with me next time I go there.

Here are some pics. Thanks everyone who weighted in and encouraged me to not waste any time and get there - it was a great trip!

 

[CKPOMEH]

Ok, I know you will ask for pics of the M13, here it is...
SN 8D... puts in 1981.

An older brother and his younger and shinier sibling...

 

[sousana]

Just something about a blued revolver. Sweet

 

[imakmst]

Nice haul... if that 13 is NIB, I'd leave it like that, but the 65...I'd shoot that thing 'til the cows come home.

 

[CKPOMEH]

Nice haul... if that 13 is NIB, I'd leave it like that, but the 65...I'd shoot that thing 'til the cows come home.

Yep, that was my plan as well! Would love to see how it handles with the grip adaptor - I will compare it against a 4 inch M19 I have with the target stocks and see which one feels better in my hands.

I used to have a non pinned 64 HB that I sold, I may pick another 64 (pinned this time) 4 inch to match it, would be cool to have them side-by-side. I already have a 4 inch pinned M10 HB, so this will extend the family further...

 

[CKPOMEH]

Just something about a blued revolver. Sweet

Yes, blued is the best finish IMHO. I used to like Nickel at some point, but unless the Nickel is pristine, and applied to a high grade gun like the M29, M27, M19 it often does not look as good due to discolorations or scratches (that the blued guns seem to hide better).

S&W Bright Blue from the 70s (M29,M27,M29, M52, some M41s) and Colt's Royal Blue (Python and Gold Cup National Match Mid-Range guns) from the 60-70s top the 'best blued' IMHO!

 

[stansdds]

Ok, I know you will ask for pics of the M13, here it is...
SN 8D... puts in 1981.

An older brother and his younger and shinier sibling...

You're darned right about the pics, we love us some gun p0rn! Well done on your acquisitions!

 

[BC38]

Ok, folks - I will admit it was my lucky day today. Not only did the 65-4 not get away from me, but on the way there I ended up stopping at a small local gun show, and ended up bumping up on another true gem - a 13-2 3" NIB...

I played it all cool while looking at the M13 and its box, tools, papers, etc...(while my heart was pounding inside) AND I also managed to knock $100 off it. Needless to say, it did cost quite a bit more than the 65 but I think it is well worth it.

The 65 turned out to be in better shape than what I had initially thought - very solid, tight lock, no rattling, the grip adapter (not Tyler - no name on it, not sure what it is) is snug, nothing loose on the revolver. There are a couple of small scratches on the barrell, but no dings or major eye sores. I am very happy with it! Will take it to the range with me next time I go there.

Here are some pics. Thanks everyone who weighted in and encouraged me to not waste any time and get there - it was a great trip!

Not to be a wet blanket, but you realize the M65 has had the finish touched up, right? It was most likely done using a scotch-brite pad.

You can only tell under bright light - like in your close-up photos - but the slight unevenness of the barely perceptible lines of the "brushed" finish tell the tale. Especially the fact that the lines on the cylinder go around the circumference rather than along the sides parallel to the bores. AFAIK, S&W never polished them that way.

Still, a nice gun at a good price. Just the thing if you're looking for one you can shoot to your heart's content.

 

[Baxter6551]

A couple of great guns. Congrats !! Yes the finish on the 65 is not original. That sure looks like a Tyler T. Take a pic for us of the inside of the T grip. There should be a number inside or a number /letter.

 

[CKPOMEH]

Not to be a wet blanket, but you realize the M65 has had the finish touched up, right? It was most likely done using a scotch-brite pad.

You can only tell under bright light - like in your close-up photos - but the slight unevenness of the barely perceptible lines of the "brushed" finish tell the tale. Especially the fact that the lines on the cylinder go around the circumference rather than along the sides parallel to the bores. AFAIK, S&W never polished them that way.

Still, a nice gun at a good price. Just the thing if you're looking for one you can shoot to your heart's content.

yep, it looked like someone had done some polishing, which I do not mind, to be frank - it is a SS gun. I've read I can get it back closer to original look but I actually like the SS a little shinier than the original (matte/satin) S&W finish.

I will take a pic next to an original S&W finish and will probably make the point even better for folks who may be wondering about the differences.

 

[CKPOMEH]

A couple of great guns. Congrats !! Yes the finish on the 65 is not original. That sure looks like a Tyler T. Take a pic for us of the inside of the T grip. There should be a number inside or a number /letter.

Do I take of the stocks, and then should be able to access a screw in the back of the Tyler T that holds it in place?

First time I have a gun with a grip adapter...

 

[CKPOMEH]

I bought my 3" 65-5 around 4 or 5 years ago for $450 + taxes & fees, so $399 sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

I plan on adding a 3" M65 variant as well when I bump into one, hopefully in the next couple of years (who knows)

I have a 66-3, 657 and 629-1 in 3" and man, those 3" Smiths with their RB and CS are just so pretty...Posting a pic here (along with a 2.5 686). I even have a name for those 4 specific revolvers I have - The Four Horsemen...

Post a pic of your 65-5 if you do not mind.

 

[BC38]

yep, it looked like someone had done some polishing, which I do not mind, to be frank - it is a SS gun. I've read I can get it back closer to original look but I actually like the SS a little shinier than the original (matte/satin) S&W finish.

I will take a pic next to an original S&W finish and will probably make the point even better for folks who may be wondering about the differences.

While the finish isn't original, and never will be, you can probably get it even closer to the original factory finish by carefully applying some elbow grease using a gray scotch-brite pad.

That is assuming that you have any interest in that kind of finish restoration.

Either way, I still think you got a great shooting revolver for a very reasonable price. Enjoy!

 

[BC38]

Do I take of the stocks, and then should be able to access a screw in the back of the Tyler T that holds it in place?

First time I have a gun with a grip adapter...

I don't have a lot of experience with the grip adapters, but from what I have seen of them. they usually have either one or two sets of "tabs" attached to the grip adapter, that fit between the grip frame and the grips.

These tabs are made from thin sheet-metal, and adapters with two sets of tabs are better than those with only one set of tabs IMO.

The two-tab versions stay aligned with the grip frame better than the earlier versions with only one tab, IMO.

Just a FWIW. Others may have different opinions.

 

[BC38]

I plan on adding a 3" M65 variant as well when I bump into one, hopefully in the next couple of years (who knows)

I have a 66-3, 657 and 629-1 in 3" and man, those 3" Smiths with their RB and CS are just so pretty...Posting a pic here (along with a 2.5 686). I even have a name for those 4 specific revolvers I have - The Four Horsemen...

Post a pic of your 65-5 if you do not mind.

Sure, here it is as it looked when I found it - wearing the factory 3-finger Uncle Mikes rubber combat grips.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I agree. I find it hard to resist any decent J- or K-frame selling for under $400 these days.

Come visit NATO-Finland. Here you can find S&W revolvers at great prices.
Here a gun license is expensive, a lot of guns are owned by old people.
It is difficult to get your first revolver or pistol license. First you have to practice at least 10 times with someone else's gun over the course of two years.