64-3 3"

[Chukar60]

I have a chance to buy a 64-3, 3" heavy barrel in excellent all original condition. No box or papers. There is very little info on GB sold listings on this model. some input from people in the know would be appreciated.
I am thinking $500-$550?

 

[ColbyBruce]

I bought this S&W 64-3 in August 2009 for right under $300.00; no box, papers, original stocks. It came with Pachmayr stocks, a PWL holster, and half a box of ammo. People were just starting to notice the three inch barrel K frames at that time. Prices on the various 3" barrel K frames have soared.

I would not sell mine for $500.00 as I could not replace it for that amount. If I were in the market for a self defense handgun, $500.00 would buy a handgun that was superior to a six shot revolver. If I wanted THAT particular S&W 64-3, the price would not bother me.

1.5 years ago, I paid $385.00 +/- for a S&W 64 with no box or papers and was pleased to get it.

In March 2011 I got this S&W 64-2 for under $50.00, a former LE evidence gun. I lucked out that month.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

$500-$550 is a good retail price for a LGS/GB. You might do a little better in a FTF private transaction.

 

[GaryS]

I have a post in this forum on the 64-6 I bought from a LGS last week. I paid $430.00 including sales tax and consider it a bargain. The side plate needs a little TLC and the side plate and yoke screws are going to be replaced, but that's only another $16.00 or so.

That is the price the store had it tagged at and I haggled only to make the point that I always ask if there is any wiggle room in the price. It never hurts to ask and I've been pleasantly surprised more than once when a LGS has taken anywhere from $30.00-50.00 off the asking price.

I think that $500.00 is right in the ballpark for a 3" HB, especially if its a Round Butt.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Let me warn you

The 3" barrel guns are addictive, I also wound up with a 65-3 & a 65-5. Then I needed Grashorn stocks for them both.

DeSantis holsters.

A word about holsters, a 3" 64 will fit a holster for a 2.5" 19/66. The shorter cylinder of the 64 requires the barrel to set back further into the frame, thus making it only about 1/4" longer than a snubbie 19/66. I had a Bianchi Shadow 8L for my snubbie 66-2, the 64-3 fit perfectly in it.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I have seen several Model 64 3"ers sell in the low $400 range on Gunbroker in the last few months. I think $500 is too high. If it was a model 65, that would be a nice deal at $500. Since the 64s are 38 only, and not rated for +P they usually are on the low end of Smith 3" revolvers. Most prefer to get a 357 in 3". I like 38 so I don't care so much about the 357 aspect.

 

[Hapworth]

In this market, if it's a revolver you particularly want, you might consider going as high as $500 for convenience's sake, but I think HarrishMasher nailed it; in the last year I've seen two 3" 64s in the forum classifieds get reduced from low fives to mid fours before they sold.

 

[scwv67]

I have seen several Model 64 3"ers sell in the low $400 range on Gunbroker in the last few months. I think $500 is too high. If it was a model 65, that would be a nice deal at $500. Since the 64s are 38 only, and not rated for +P they usually are on the low end of Smith 3" revolvers. Most prefer to get a 357 in 3". I like 38 so I don't care so much about the 357 aspect.

It's my understanding Mod. 64's are +P rated.

 

[ColbyBruce]

S&W 64 series of guns are not +P rated? Are you sure of this?

With shipping, insurance, and FFL fees a $400.00 gun on-line becomes a $450.00+ gun when you are filling out a 4473.

 

[ladder13]

Where's Saxon Pig when you need him?

3 inch 64's are the bomb. I'd pay 500 for one in excellent condition, especially NY-1's.

NY-1's

 

[Hapworth]

It's my understanding Mod. 64's are +P rated.

S&W didn't really acknowledge +P designation until the '90s, but any sound 64 will handle factory +Ps all day every day.

 

[dickk]

64-3

I was told on another thread that any steel frame revolver with a model no. on it was +P O.K. I have one on Texas gun trader for $ 450. A nice clean and tight gun.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

As a general rule any S&W .38 Spl made post WWII is good for +P. It's +P+ that gets iffy.

 

[Hapworth]

As a general rule any all steel S&W .38 Spl made post WWII is good for +P...

Fixed that.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Lot of AirLites have been made stamped +P right on the barrel.

 

[GaryS]

My 2012 642 has that stamped on the barrel. My 64-6 does not, but I don't think it would be a problem.

Not that I'd want to fire a steady diet of +P ammo through my 642, even with the Delta Grips on it.

Lot of AirLites have been made stamped +P right on the barrel.

 

[Hapworth]

Lot of AirLites have been made stamped +P right on the barrel.

Sure, so have Airweights -- the modern ones. But "any S&W .38 Spl made post WWII" includes aluminum framed models from, say, the '50s and '60s -- use of +P in those isn't advised. That's why S&W's direct guidance on this is "all steel model marked" revolvers until the era of aluminum and scandium specifically rated for +P, which comes in the '90s.

 

[ColbyBruce]

OP, did you buy the S&W 64?