Model 64 Tapered Barrel

Whit

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The Model 64 with a 4” tapered barrel, in my little mind, is a great revolver. Doe anyone know what years it was produced and how many were made? It seems that they don’t come up for sale much on this forum. It would seem to make a good concealed carry piece as it is full size byt not all that heavy, especially with the old Uncle Mike’s square butt boot grips.
 
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Original mod 64 was with tappered barrel, later 4" was available in heavy barrel.

SCS&W 4th e:
64 1970 introduction w/tappered barrel in 4" barrel length
64-1 1972 4" heavy barrel introduction, made for Oklahoma Highwy Patrol, champered in .357Mag which became the M-65
1973 Heavy barrel only
 
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I’ve always thought the model 64 with the tapered (standard?) barrel to be a really nice, classy looking revolver. Compared to the much more business like model 10. Unfortunately I’ve never seen one for sale locally.

Pictures, please.
 
It is one of my collecting regrets, passing on a nice Model 64 with standard contour barrel. Went back later and it was gone. They pop up from time to time at local gun shows, but not often. It has a classic profile. Sort of like the Model 24 snub.
 
Friend bought one in 1971/2 area when he was employed as a security guard...just sold it a few years ago when he downsized his collection due to fading health...

I prefer the pencil barrel to the bull. Had two round butt pencil barrel Model 12-2s that made the ideal carry guns...

Bob
 
I bought this one years ago for my grandson when he was a toddler. I gave it and the Bianchi holster to him a few months ago, along with a 31-1 and 31-2. He was pretty tickled with them.
 

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This one is ser # D554XXX, early 70's (?). Joe
d9dfQd1.jpg
 
This is the one they should have made.....

While I also have one of the original Model 64 no dash square butt guns, many years ago I located a tapered barrel on an auction site and purchased a Model 64-2 2" round butt gun to have modified. The renowned late gunsmith Jerry Keefer installed the 4" barrel and duty-tuned the gun for me, and I considered it the best of both worlds - great pointability and shooting, with less "print " when worn either on the waist or a vertical shoulder rig.


That man was a marvel.
 

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The Model 64 with a 4” tapered barrel, in my little mind, is a great revolver. Doe anyone know what years it was produced and how many were made? It seems that they don’t come up for sale much on this forum. It would seem to make a good concealed carry piece as it is full size byt not all that heavy, especially with the old Uncle Mike’s square butt boot grips.

There were a lot of the pencil barrel 64’s in VA back in the day because they were on state bid and every agency from state police to corrections, game wardens, probation & parole, etc had them as well as many PD’s. When time passed and they were transitioned out of duty, many individuals bought their issued gun and all the cop shops had them at bargain prices.
 
Tapered barrel 64 were made from 70-74, Dash 1 and up all all heavy barrel.
On nickel or stainless I prefer the looks of the Heavy barrel. Blued I prefer the tapered barrel.
My first handgun is a 64-5. My latest a 1956 pre model 10.
I shoot both pretty well. My preference is the round butt heavy barrel.
I feel I'm pretty lucky to have both. My 64-5 is a bobbed hammer DAO, which I super happy with
 
I'm lucky, I have two of them. As far as I know they were only made in the early 70's and were replaced by the heavy barreled models.

Of my two there are subtle differences between the barrel and frame markings. On one the lettering style is thinner and has the 'lazy ampersand', sort of laying sideways, between the 'Smith & Wesson' on the barrel and in the manufacturers info on the forward right hand side of the frame. The other one has heavier type style and an upright '&' in the same places.

So, while only made a few years, there are variations.
 
Here’s my 2. Know wrong stocks on 4” but buddy has the ones I need and we are doing a swap. He needs the old ones.
 

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I bought my 64 (ND) new at a gun show in Va. Beach in 1972. I can't even begin to count how many thousands of rounds I have shot through it. I also have a couple for 4" model 10s and like them all. (64 is bottom right)IMGP0541.JPG
 
Another chance to show off my 64-6s, one re-barred with a tapered "pencil" barrel.
 

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Here is my favorite Model 64. Round Butt with Tapered Barrel. (Sent to factory to have used tapered barrel installed on a used 64.)

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