Model 13

[Texas Star]

This isn't rocket science! The M-13 is just a M&P/Model 10, but made of stronger steels and heat treatment, chambered in .357.

Those marked as M-10-6 in .357 are, apart from markings, the same as M-13. All have the heavy barrel, like M-10-6 .38's.

The lightweight USAF M-13 snubs are very different. That M-13 was an AF designation, not from S&W.

 

[Texas Star]

Did they go Model 10 K-frame .357s...... before ordering the Model 20?...... which in turn was canceled for 681s???

Model 20 was the old .38-44 Heavy Duty. You're confusing it with Model 520, basically a Model 28 but with fixed sights. About 3,000 made, rejected by NYSP. Ca. 1980-81.

NYSP (NOT NYPD) used the Model 10-6 in special production in .357. M-10-6 is normally the heavy barrel version of Model 10 in .38. As more were ordered, S&W made it a production model, called Model 13 in blue and nickel and Model 65 in stainless.

After the L-frame guns appeared, NYSP did adopt the M-681 for uniformed use. I think detectives continued to use the M-65 in three-inch barrel form.

NYPD has never, to my knowledge, allowed guns chambered for .357 Magnum. In later years, they also allowed only guns modified for DA-only use. The best was a M-64 variant, the NY-1 version.

NYSP issued normal selective DA guns, as far as I know. I don't know if they allowed privately owned guns. NYPD guns are cop-owned, but must be of the authorized type, usually bought via the dept.

Movies and TV are fond of having a NY or other cop suspended and having to surrender gun and badge. Now, if that gun is personal property, why? I think that in NYC, the idea is that the suspended cop would have no license to own a handgun. They require a Premises permit to even keep a gun at home up there! It's also likely that TV producers think most/all cop guns are issued by the dept.

 

[Texas Star]

I have never seen one of these in my area or at a LGS. This is a gun I found online on the other side of the country. It comes with the original box, grips, papers and a $300US price tag. I thought it might be a good deal.

I however do not know anything about this model. Can someone help me out on this?

You 're getting the Pachmayr Gripper grips for free, with this gun. I think you'll find them much better than std. factory stocks.

You said the gun comes from the other side of the country. It may be an ex-cop gun from B.C. or Alberta, etc. The RCMP didn't issue this particular S&W variant. Check the gun for any departmental markings, like from Victoria, etc.

 

[824tsv]

"You said the gun comes from the other side of the country. It may be an ex-cop gun from B.C. or Alberta, etc. The RCMP didn't issue this particular S&W variant. Check the gun for any departmental markings, like from Victoria, etc."

Highly unlikely.............

 

[824tsv]

I remember reading in a magazine years ago that the S&W Model 13 with a 3" barrel was considered one of, if not the best "combat handgun" ever made. Your 4" version will be a nice range gun.

 

[bananaman]

STEAL, YES!!! I thought I did good when I bought my 13-2 at the local show last year for $475 OTD. It is super nice, and rumored to have had less than 1 box of .38's through it. That has changed. It shoots well for me, and feels so natural! Enjoy your 13! Bob

 

[C Broad Arrow]

More details on the M-13. The actual model is a 13-4. If someone could provide me an estimated ship date here is the serial number BHL84XX.
I am still curious about the whether the reports of the smoothness of the tripper are true or overstated. I have read it has one of the smoothest.
True or urban(Smith) legend?

 

[BB57]

BHJ serials are associated with July 1991 and BJN serials are associated with August 1991, so a BHL serial should call in that July-August range, since I don't see it listed anywhere else.

---

As for Model 13 triggers, I am not aware of anything in the design that makes them better than other K-frame S&Ws of that era. However, the FBI used the Model 13 with a round butt and 3" barrel as standard issue for field agents from 1980-1991, and their armorers were very good with trigger jobs on the Model 13s. That might be where the reputation comes from, even though very few if any FBI purchased Model 13s (as opposed to personally owned Model 13s that might have been worked on) ever avoided being scrapped.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Did the FBI scrap - ie crush, smelt etc - all of the bureau's 13's when they switched to the semi-autos, meaning that there are no FBI M13s in the market?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

OUTSTANDING!!!!!

Well done indeed.

Some say that the NY State Police Model 10 .357 Magnum was marked for them, others have said not, so I can't say whether this is a NY State Police gun or not but I can tell you this .357 Magnum Model 10 is a GREAT shooter and gave me my first 250 out of 250 (I usually score 246 or 248) on the Texas CHL/now LTC shooting test, shooting standard .38 Special range loads:

 

[C Broad Arrow]

The rest of the kit.

 

[824tsv]

The Spec. Ord. code (1261) on the box label indicates your revolver was boxed and ready to be shipped on the 126th day of 1991 (May 6th, 1991).

 

[shouldazagged]

I would mortgage my grandmother to get that gun for $300.

Well, she's been dead for way over fifty years. but you get my meaning.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

The rest of the story.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

My primary off-duty carry handgun for many years has been a 3 inch Model 13-3 (see my avatar), most recently loaded with Speer 135 grain GDHP "Short Barrel Load" .357 Magnum ammunition. Before the forcing cone issue with 125 grain JHPs in K-Frame magnums became known, I fired many, many of them. It is an excellent "fighting" handgun.

 

[BB57]

Did the FBI scrap - ie crush, smelt etc - all of the bureau's 13's when they switched to the semi-autos, meaning that there are no FBI M13s in the market?

GSA (under a Republican administration) determined that the Model 13s were "weapons of mass destruction" and would not allow agents to buy them at the government's depreciated cost ($78 at the time if I recall) when they retired or switched to the new semi-auto.

I'm not sure exactly when that ruling was made, and I believe there were a few Model 13s in the FBI inventory as early as 1974, so it's possible that a small number of agents may have been able to buy their issued Model 13 when they left, but the majority of them were destroyed.

They were certainly never surplussed and sold to the public.

 

[Jingles]

Just walked in the LGS and there is a like-new Model 13 4" marked at $725, so, yeah, $300 is a pretty good price.

 

[gmborkovic]

$725! Is the smoke out there so thick that the dealers are affected?

 

[Jingles]

$725! Is the smoke out there so thick that the dealers are affected?

Yes. CA prices are pretty ridiculous. We have that stupid "Roster" and if a gun is off-roster the only way to buy one is from a private party and pay what they ask. The one I mentioned is a consignment gun.

Well-used K frame Smiths typically go for $600 - $800; like new or NIB go for $750 - $1000 or more, depending on the model. A nice Model 13 3" would probably sell in a matter of minutes at $1000.

It's a bummer if you are trying to buy but a plus if you are selling.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Well the deal is done. I am the proud owner of a Model 13-4! The original owner was a RCMP officer who bought it new in 1991, although it was to my knowledge never his service sidearm. The RCMP switched over to the S&W 5906 around the same time so the gun was put away and not used.
Now it is mine!