Model 13 Three-Inch Barrel

1

10-12

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2004
Messages
455
Reaction score
9
Location
Central Florida
I bought a Model 13 with round butt and three-inch barrel today but I have to wait until early January to pick it up so I can't provide photos. By its condition (about 80 % bluing), I would suppose it had rolled around under the front seat of a vehicle for some months. On the plus side, it is good and tight and does not evidence as having been fired a great deal. It was $265 plus tax and the "thug fee" to prove I'm not a crook. I was pleased with this price but what do you all think?

Thanks,

Bill
 
Register to hide this ad
I bought a Model 13 with round butt and three-inch barrel today but I have to wait until early January to pick it up so I can't provide photos. By its condition (about 80 % bluing), I would suppose it had rolled around under the front seat of a vehicle for some months. On the plus side, it is good and tight and does not evidence as having been fired a great deal. It was $265 plus tax and the "thug fee" to prove I'm not a crook. I was pleased with this price but what do you all think?

Thanks,

Bill
 
You got a good deal.A 3 inch K frame for under 300 is good. Be sure to post pictures. Do you know what dash number it is?

Mike
SWCA 1975
 
You got a great revolver at a great price. If the finish (or lack of it) bothers you, ship it off to Smith for a refinish. It's not a collector's gem, and Smith does some nice work. You'll have the best of all worlds.
Bob
 
great buy on a great gun
icon_smile.gif
 
Thanks Gentlemen. That is what I suspected but I was not sure. I thought of checking with you all on the forum before I laid any money down but I was afraid it would not be there when I returned. The shop is in a neighboring town so I put some money down on the spot. It is a pawnshop so I have to wait before I can pick it up. Mike, I apologize but I did not make note of the dash. It has been so long since I saw one I merely checked the frame to ensure there was no evidence of it being a four-inch square butt that had been altered that I only glanced at the model number. My main concern was that the forcing cone had not been cracked. As long as I have been at this, I should have known better. If I can get over that way, I will stop in and examine it further and let you know. Bob, I'm usually not one for refinishing but I am tempted in this case but I probably won't. If I have it refinished, I will be tempted to put it up and then bring it out and admire from time to time. This is one I intend to carry so I will most likely leave it as is. Depending on how it shoots, I may get a red ramp or white dot on the front sight. I did that to a four-inch some years ago and whenever I qualified with it I was only one point below my score using a Model 19.

Thanks again for your comments.

Bill
 
A 3" K-frame is, IMHO, the ultimate defensive handgun. I own a 65-2 and the 13-3 pictured below. That target is evidence of how well it shot the first time I took it to the range.

100_0405.jpg
 
Trane Fan, now that is some fine shooting! With my old eyes, for me to shoot a group like that, the powder burns would be so heavy you would not be able to see the holes in the target. But seriously, I appreciate the photo. It shows what that gun is capable of. You and the others have gotten me so excited I can't wait until January to pick up my gun. I'm worse than a kid at Christmas.

Thanks,

Bill
 
If you like such things, a hard chrome refinish will protect the gun well in Florida's semi-tropical environment and stay looking new for a very long time. A bobbed hammer 3" 65, or 13 would be about the best appendix carry revolver going.
 
Flop-shank, you are reading my Mail. Bobbing the hammer and having it hard-chromed are both options I have been giving some thought. If I can obtain an extra hammer to be bobbed and leave the original as is, I believe that is the way I will go. The hard chrome makes excellent sense but I am rather traditional and love that blue finish. Even when it has seen better days, as have I. It helps that Ford's is just down the road a ways so I would not have to ship it off to have it chromed should I decide on that route.

Thanks,

Bill
 
Thanks, Fellows for the encouraging words. I had two rather hot projects going when I stumbled across this Model 13, a Colt Python and shortening the barrel on a fixed sight .45. The Python has been completely crowded off of the stage and the .45 project is in jeopardy. This 3-inch Model 13 will probably do anything that can be done with a short-barreled .45 and with less bulk and lighter weight.

Flop-shank, I used to have the same philosophy but I am getting to the age where I have to keep in mind my wife may have to sell off my guns if I go first. That is why I'd like the guns to be restorable to their original specifications to enhance salability. On the other hand, it could cost more for the extra hammer than the reduction in price of the gun because of the hammer being bobbed. My department stipulated DA only for revolvers so eliminating the spur is no big deal to me tactically.

Thanks,

Bill.
 
Hi Bill,

I'm relieved you got the 3" M13 vs. the old 1917!

You will LOVE how the 3" K-frame shoots. My Model 65 3" thinks it is a long barrel gun and, believe me, the target you saw above can be shot like that with boring regularity with a 3" M13/65.

You'll love carrying it more too than a chopped N frame. I know about that too!!!

Fords does a good a job as anyone, and I was going to recommend them. Glad they are close. Check with them time-wise though. I believe they lost a long-time person within the last year (retirement, left or died). They got a little flaky for a while but I believe they've finally got things humming again.

Yep . . . you're gonna love that M13 . . . a grail gun for so many!

Tom
 
Hi Brad,

I'm just outside Ocala. I have been over to your area for the gun show a time or two. I have not made every gun show in the state but the Lakeland show is the best of those that I have. Any good shops over there? If you get to my area perhaps we can have a cup of coffee and swap lies.

Hi Tom,

I have been wanting a 3-inch Model 13 since they first came out so I am one of those for whom it was a grail gun. I got so desperate at one point I started a conversion of a 4-inch Model 13. I never got past rounding the butt. Even so, I carried it in plains clothes and it worked very well. I doubt if I will have my 3-inch refinished but in that regard, I was over to Ford's last week. Their new quarters are a big improvement over where they were before and are more fitting for the quality work they do. At least I don't immediately go into condition Orange whenever I get near their place. The old area looked dreadful. Travis, the son, showed me an example of some of their nickel plating. It was just stunning and I am generally not a fan of nickel.


Hi Mike,

To answer your question it is a dash 3. Does that have any special significance? I know I am pleased that is the same dash number as Trane Fan's when he shot that impressive group shown above.

Thanks to all,

Bill
 
Originally posted by 10-12:
Hi Mike,

To answer your question it is a dash 3. Does that have any special significance?
Bill
Click to expand...

The reason that I asked, was because I believe the dash 2's were FBI issued. I helped Forum member 29-1 procure 3 M13-2's about a month ago, and all 3 had FBI provenance.
Enjoy yours, they're great guns.

Mike
SWCA 1975
 
Mike thanks for that information. FBI provenance is the one thing that could make the purchase even better. I would love to have an FBI gun but I am sure I could not afford one. On the other hand, I can carry mine for real and not be overly concerned with a little blue wear or the other vicissitudes that can occur with a carry piece. I may bob that hammer yet. I would not dare do that with an FBI gun. It would remain put up in a safe place. Plus, as you say, they are all great guns. That dash 3 FBI association is interesting of itself. Do you have an idea of a serial number range?

Thanks,

Bill
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Round Butt K-Frame Pachmayr Grip Adapter Size?
Replies
3
Views
253
ThirdGen9623
T
S
  • Locked
Sold Locally THREE INCH RB MODEL 10
Replies
0
Views
1K
st regis
S
Vtgw938
  • Locked
**SOLD** WTS - S&W K Frame Round Butt Targets (sold) & Model 41 Stocks
Replies
3
Views
806
GW30
G
scout II
  • Locked
WTS: (SOLD)S&W model 28-2 Highway Patrolman Round-Butt
Replies
1
Views
2K
bbtrout
B
Vtgw938
Should I Make a 3" Round Butt 13-2 out of a Four Inch
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
Vtgw938
Vtgw938

Latest posts

Back
Top