Diablo982
Member
New member to the forum but a long time fan of S&W revolvers. In fact on my 21st birthday I had a simple bucket list: Get my driver's license picture updated to a front shot, pick up a six-pack of beer, and buy a 686. (Not in that order!) Anyway, shortly after turning 21 I was hired on with the PD, and was one of the last to be issued a wheel gun. We were issued either a model 64 or 65 loaded with .38 +P. I remember at the time thinking how sucky I thought it was, and longed for the day when we could transition to "real" autoloaders. I was soon issued a Glock 19, and figured I would never carry a wheel gun again.
Fast forward 20 plus years and maybe its a mid-life crisis, but I find the revolver calling me again. Even though my model 64 was a little worn, I never stopped loving the beauty and action of my 686. Thanks to this forum, I've studied up on the history of these old-school guns and decided to start a collection. I now have a 642 as my backup, a mid-1970s model 34 for target practice with the family, and recently added two K-frames. The first is a model 13-1 in unfired condition with box and papers. Its a beauty and something I plan to hand down to my kids. (Of course I will probably wind up in the hands of a great great grandchild who will pawn it for $50 to support a drug habit, but I digress.) Since I can't stomach the thought of shooting it yet, I had no other choice but to buy a shooter grade pistol. While looking for a K frame, I came full circle and was drawn back to the model 64 I started with. I picked up a corrections turn-in gun which had plenty of "character" marks, which I was fine with. I tackled it with 1000 grit sandpaper using oil for lubricant. That got rid of most of the surface scratches. I next rubbed and rubbed with Mothers Mag polish. It will not be mistaken for a new gun, but its definitely an improvement. New grips are on the way.
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Fast forward 20 plus years and maybe its a mid-life crisis, but I find the revolver calling me again. Even though my model 64 was a little worn, I never stopped loving the beauty and action of my 686. Thanks to this forum, I've studied up on the history of these old-school guns and decided to start a collection. I now have a 642 as my backup, a mid-1970s model 34 for target practice with the family, and recently added two K-frames. The first is a model 13-1 in unfired condition with box and papers. Its a beauty and something I plan to hand down to my kids. (Of course I will probably wind up in the hands of a great great grandchild who will pawn it for $50 to support a drug habit, but I digress.) Since I can't stomach the thought of shooting it yet, I had no other choice but to buy a shooter grade pistol. While looking for a K frame, I came full circle and was drawn back to the model 64 I started with. I picked up a corrections turn-in gun which had plenty of "character" marks, which I was fine with. I tackled it with 1000 grit sandpaper using oil for lubricant. That got rid of most of the surface scratches. I next rubbed and rubbed with Mothers Mag polish. It will not be mistaken for a new gun, but its definitely an improvement. New grips are on the way.
