lady smith 65 and 60

[geewiz]

Hi
This is my first post here. I just tried a friends 65 lady smith and I was very impressed. Enough we're I want one. So from what I can tell they don't make the model 65 any longer. But there is a model 60LS available. This is something I would like to give to my wife also for her protection. I think she would love the way it shoots. Obviously I like it too. First question I have is how much of a difference is there between the way the two models shot. When I first saw the model 65 I thought it would be something that would be a hand full for my wife until I shot it. My main concern is the shorter barrel on the 60LS. My second question is- is there another s&w that is similar to the model 65 LS. If the model 60LS is not similar to the 65 is there another model that is closer. I'm not as concern about 5, 6 or 7 rounds. I do like the fixed rear site though. Which none of the revolvers mentioned below have. Again I was amazed at how much I liked the 65 LS especially shooting 357.

What I thought might be similar is:
Model 686 plus 3"
Model 686 3-5-7
Model 60 3" 5 rounds

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

 

[LH2]

Hi, welcome aboard.

Is she planning to carry the gun, or is this a home defense weapon?

The current M60LS is a lot different than the older M65LS because it's the smaller, more challenging to shoot J-Frame, whereas the 65 was the medium sized (softer shooting) K-Frame.

The little 60 makes a much easier gun to carry. But the 65 will be a lot more encouraging for a new shooter to spend time with. J-Frame .38's are fairly painful to shoot depending on the load you're using, hand strength and tolerance for pain.

I never introduce new shooters to the sport with a J-Frame, it can be discouraging.

If this is a home defense, or fun at the range type of weapon, I'd keep an eye out for a nice used K-Frame, maybe with a 4" barrel. Other models to look out for are 64, 10, and 13. Keep an eye on the classified forum here, as well as Gunbroker.

Good luck!

 

[geewiz]

This would be for home defense. She shoots my HK usp 45, 9mm and colt 1911 45 with no problem along with 12 gauge 870 18" shotguns so she doesn't mind the recoil. A revolver and its simplicity is what would be good for her. Ease of loading and so forth. I worry about the j frames as you say. Actually I was concern about the k frames with the 3" barrels until I shot one. She prefers light guns and rifles more so and doesn't mind the kick so much if you know what I mean

 

[LH2]

K-frames are sweet shooters with .38's. For a house gun, the K-Frame makes a lot more sense than a J-Frame.

The Ruger GP100 in 3" is a real pussycat with great balance as well.

 

[kbm6893]

You can buy clean, used K frames in 4" for around $325, and I just got my 65-3 (not Ladysmith) for $400 on Gunbroker. J frames are great to carry, but no fun to shoot and they are not for new shooters. For home defense, I would get a 3 or 4" K frame.

 

[sourdough44]

You say she like lighter guns. I think you would do well with the likes of a 3" barreled Model 60. It has enough weight to help with recoil but still easily handled. Some version of 38 spcl is what I would try. It's very hard to NOT like the Model 60.

 

[murphydog]

3" model 65s are fairly plentiful at present. They do not have the shrouded extractor rod but are otherwise very similar to the 65 LS. From your description, I would guess your wife would do fine with either a J or K frame, but if carrying it is not a factor I would agree with a 3 or 4" barrel version of either.

 

[steamloco76]

My wife doesn't mind kick, it is blast she can't tolerate. She shoots every single 3 to 6 inch barrel fixed sight revolver in our collection very well at combat distances. Her home defense choice at the moment is a 4 inch stainless Ruger Police Service Six .38 SPL or a S&W model 64 4 inch .38 SPL. For carry she has a 3 inch model 60-5 Lady Smith .38 SPL.

The for home defense and range fun you won't go wrong with any of these stainless steel revolvers: S&W models 64, 65, 66, 67, 686, Ruger Police Service Six, Security-Six, Speed Six and GP-100.

Some are .38 Special some are .38 Special/.357 Magnum. For home defense you want your gun loaded with modern high performance .38 Special ammo not .357 Magnum! In an enclosed space firing just one or two rounds of a high intensity cartridge like the .357 Mag (maybe the loudest handgun round) can cause serious permanent damage to your hearing, and your household pets as well. Also the muzzle blast and flash from .357's can blind you making follow-up shots harder.

 

[RHINOWSO]

K-frames are sweet shooters with .38's. For a house gun, the K-Frame makes a lot more sense...

Yes, my wife's house gun is a 66-3 4". Since concealment isn't a factor, the extra barrel length isn't an issue.

Of course my 65-3 3" is no slouch either...

Rhino

 

[lexi7462]

J&G still advertises S&W 64's at good prices.

 

[geewiz]

Thanks for the replies everyone. So as far as new models go, is the 686 plus as close as you can get to the 65LS right now? Also the internal lock, where is there good info on that. Sounds like its a big sore spot for most.

 

[Ashlander]

Rino and Murphydog have the right ideas. A Ladysmith 65 is the same as a 3" 65 but without the shroud under the barrel (pure cosmetics -- but it was for a Lady so it made sense). I picked up a 65-3 with a 3" barrel at the beginnjing of the Summer for $400. That seems about right.

 

[dubhelix]

J/K frame

For your visual reference,
Model 64-2 (K Frame, top) and Model 60 (J Frame, bottom)

Model 60 (J Frame, left), Model 64 (K Frame, right)

 

[xaztec]

I think you may have to be more specific about what you're looking for. It sounds like you're more interested in buying something new rather than used. If that's the case, you'll have to decide what features are most important.

If you really want a .357, you'll have to sacrifice the fixed sights because I don't think S&W makes any .357's with fixed sights anymore...at least, not in a K or L frame.

If you really like the size and weight and have to have fixed sights but don't care as much about caliber, S&W still makes the 64 and 10, which are .38 caliber K frames with fixed sights.

If you don't have to have a new one, as others have said, you can find used revolvers at fair prices on Gunbroker or in the classifieds on this site. For .357 with fixed sights, look for a 65 or 13 (K-frame) or a 681 (L-frame). For .38 with fixed sights, look for the 64 or 10 (K-frame).

 

[geewiz]

I think you may have to be more specific about what you're looking for. It sounds like you're more interested in buying something new rather than used. If that's the case, you'll have to decide what features are most important.

If you really want a .357, you'll have to sacrifice the fixed sights because I don't think S&W makes any .357's with fixed sights anymore...at least, not in a K or L frame.

If you really like the size and weight and have to have fixed sights but don't care as much about caliber, S&W still makes the 64 and 10, which are .38 caliber K frames with fixed sights.

If you don't have to have a new one, as others have said, you can find used revolvers at fair prices on Gunbroker or in the classifieds on this site. For .357 with fixed sights, look for a 65 or 13 (K-frame) or a 681 (L-frame). For .38 with fixed sights, look for the 64 or 10 (K-frame).

I'm more interested in a new model if I could get something close to the 65LS. If the 686 3" are close or the closes you could get right now thats probably what I would do. The fixed sites I could part with. The feel of the 65LS when I was shooting 357 or 38 is what I really like. Originally I was looking at 4" barrels until I shot the 65LS.

 

[xaztec]

I suppose the 686 would be the closest new gun. Keep in mind, it's going to be heavier and a bit bulkier than the K-frame guns. It's also probably going to have a little longer, heavier trigger pull. I think those 13's and 65's had the sweetest trigger pull. The difference between my 65 and 681 is noticeable to me although it may not be significant to you. I would find a range that has one you can rent and go give it a shot, so to speak, and see what you think.

 

[geewiz]

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[geewiz]

Keep in mind, it's going to be heavier and a bit bulkier than the K-frame guns. It's also probably going to have a little longer, heavier trigger pull..

I thought the 686 plus was a K frame. Their web site says "medium" under frame. Do they no longer have a K frame 357 with the 3" barrel length?

 

[xaztec]

The 686 is an L-frame. The L-frame is a medium frame. The N-frame is the large frame. The K-frame is also a medium frame but I don't think they make any K-frames in .357 since the 65 was discontinued.

 

[dubhelix]

The size difference between J and K, and K and L is quite noticeable, to me anyway. The L frame is thicker at the bottom of the frame window, the lug, and the cylinder. The larger cylinder is the most noticeable to me. It's "bigger" enough that they could squeeze another hole in there for the "686 plus". Personally, I like an older (but well cared for) K frame, like a 66-1, for carry.
Here's a J (640nd) and L (686-3) Frame comparison.