Model 65 3"

[SW CQB 45]

Many years ago, I made a stupid trade with my Model 65 3" RB. it was a very good shooting piece and wished I had it back.

I have way too many 4" SW K/L frame revolvers and thought about getting rid of a couple in attempt to get a model 65 3" RB again.

Then I got to thinking….I have a very rough beater Model 65 4" SB I bought from a friend many years ago for hardly nothing because it would break hammer noses.

Well he put a new one on and sure enough….it broke the hammer nose again. I did a inspection and noticed the upper U shaped cut where the top of the hammer falls into the frame was not properly shaped….and was making contact with the hammer nose when it fell, eventually breaking the HN.

Quick dremel clearance and the gun has been running strong.

This was probably a police gun that was not well taken care of. it has some deep scratches and pitting under the grips. I figure this gun was a dry fire piece as the trigger press is smooth. They used pliers on the ejector rod and the finish on this gun is a lost cause, but….from a performance standard point, perfect timing, great accuracy and decent trigger press.

In the past, I thought about round butting this gun but the serial number is forward on the frame base preventing any grinding on the front strap (would remove the first two of the serial number)

doing a search I found this

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/261618-model-65-3-3inch-dao-square-butt.html

my question

what is the main purposes of a round butt revolver vs square butt revo

shorter grip profile for CC
reduced grip circumference for smaller hands

am I missing anything else?

I am leaning toward finding a 3" barrel and just keeping it a SB and finding some beater factory wood grips and a grip adapter.

these are older pictures when I used the gun in competition. I would not use the BD grips for carry.

 

[loc n load]

65's RB or SQ

I bought a 4" 65 SQ bt in 1976 and carried it as my off duty gun for over ten years ( I also shot it a lot).....when the Houge synthetic finger groove grips came on the scene they became my "SOP" grip for all of my carry revolvers and my shooters.....in the 90's I began carrying a 3" RB 65 for my off duty and now that I am retired (2008) I still carry both when the mood strikes me....the RB 3" gun with Houges is to me one of "best of breed" when it comes to DA revolvers.....the 4" served me well for over a decade(and still does)....the RB grip is easier to conceal, but if you dress for the gun the SQ BT carries just as well IMO....I spent most of my career in hot humid climates....and I can carry the 4" under a loose fitting shirt with a good IWB holster and never "be made" carrying....the 3" RB just makes it easier..if I had to pick one over the other for a carry gun, the 3" RB would be my choice....I also shaved the hammer spurs off both of those guns...just my preference....both are great guns and either or both will serve you well. Stay safe.

 

[TAROMAN]

I feel your pain in having sold off that 3" 357.
As for the present question, a 3" barrel swap would be nice, but who has seen such a barrel for sale, let alone at a reasonable price?
Locally, there are two machinist/gunsmiths who could bob that puppy and mill a front sight dovetail at a price that wouldn't cause cardiac arrest.
The barrel rollmark will probably be affected, but for a beater carry gun that shouldn't be an issue.
As for the SB-RB conundrum, for me, at least, its not a big issue.
These two beaters get carried without regard to the butt style:

 

[tekarra]

My two 65s.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I feel your pain in having sold off that 3" 357.
As for the present question, a 3" barrel swap would be nice, but who has seen such a barrel for sale, let alone at a reasonable price?
Locally, there are two machinist/gunsmiths who could bob that puppy and mill a front sight dovetail at a price that wouldn't cause cardiac arrest.
The barrel rollmark will probably be affected, but for a beater carry gun that shouldn't be an issue.
As for the SB-RB conundrum, for me, at least, its not a big issue.
These two beaters get carried without regard to the butt style:

Nice guns. can you tell me the name of those grips with the rounded edges. I could swear those are Magnas, but lately I have been seeing squared edge grips which I thought were Service grips being called Magnas.

I like your gun.

I agree, my gun is very rough…….and I am hurting nothing by cutting the barrel. thanks for the idea.

and thanks to everyone for posting.