I had four grandchildren graduate from college last year. Two boys, two girls. As is my custom, I allowed each a handgun from my collection - excluding the older rare revolvers. I'm always a little apprehensive when I make this offer.
One of the boys chose a 2 1/2" 19-2. The other boy chose a 39-2. One girl chose a 65-5 "Ladysmith" (of course). The other girl chose a 3913 "Ladysmith" (of course). All were as new in the box with all the accoutrements they left the factory with.
I Kinda winced at the two LS guns because they had the soft cases too. These LS guns are really hard to find in California. They aren't on the "Approved Ca. Safe Handgun List". They aren't allowed to be imported into the state. Thus, I can't jump on one of the nationwide gun sale sites and find one as if I lived in a free state. Most dealers won't ship to Ca. anyway (I don't blame them).
The search for the LS replacement guns began in earnest. I came across a 3913LS around Thanksgiving. Just the gun alone. I bought it anyway. I put up a WTB ad for the soft case on a number of sites. Months went by with no bites. Finally, I put up a WTB ad for the entire LS package for either one. Not a peep on either one.
Then, the day before Fathers Day this year, I got a message from a gentleman who lived about 40 miles from me.. He said he had a complete ANIB 3913LS, box, paperwork and soft case he would sell me - under one condition - I also had to purchase his ANIB, box, paperwork, and softcase 65-5LS also! He was adamant he wouldn't split them up! The price was very reasonable and a deal was struck.
We met to DROS Fathers Day morning. He said he had some extras he would include. I was elated. He had a complete 3913 blue slide, a set of black Delrin grips, four extra magazines, and a bunch of spare internal parts! Also, an aluminum Mold marked "3914" on it, though it had the tapered frame. He said he got it from "Tex Shoemaker".
The 65-5LS came with a set of Pachmeyer grips, a grip adapter, and a speed loader. Quite a haul! Both are beautiful guns. So, The S&W Gods took pity on me this Fathers Day.
One of the boys chose a 2 1/2" 19-2. The other boy chose a 39-2. One girl chose a 65-5 "Ladysmith" (of course). The other girl chose a 3913 "Ladysmith" (of course). All were as new in the box with all the accoutrements they left the factory with.
I Kinda winced at the two LS guns because they had the soft cases too. These LS guns are really hard to find in California. They aren't on the "Approved Ca. Safe Handgun List". They aren't allowed to be imported into the state. Thus, I can't jump on one of the nationwide gun sale sites and find one as if I lived in a free state. Most dealers won't ship to Ca. anyway (I don't blame them).
The search for the LS replacement guns began in earnest. I came across a 3913LS around Thanksgiving. Just the gun alone. I bought it anyway. I put up a WTB ad for the soft case on a number of sites. Months went by with no bites. Finally, I put up a WTB ad for the entire LS package for either one. Not a peep on either one.
Then, the day before Fathers Day this year, I got a message from a gentleman who lived about 40 miles from me.. He said he had a complete ANIB 3913LS, box, paperwork and soft case he would sell me - under one condition - I also had to purchase his ANIB, box, paperwork, and softcase 65-5LS also! He was adamant he wouldn't split them up! The price was very reasonable and a deal was struck.
We met to DROS Fathers Day morning. He said he had some extras he would include. I was elated. He had a complete 3913 blue slide, a set of black Delrin grips, four extra magazines, and a bunch of spare internal parts! Also, an aluminum Mold marked "3914" on it, though it had the tapered frame. He said he got it from "Tex Shoemaker".
The 65-5LS came with a set of Pachmeyer grips, a grip adapter, and a speed loader. Quite a haul! Both are beautiful guns. So, The S&W Gods took pity on me this Fathers Day.
