aterry33
Member
Does anyone know of police or federal agencies that issued this revolver? I believe the Oklahoma Highway patrol issued it in a 4" and the U.S. Customs (and possibly DEA) issued the 3" version.
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Model 65 issued to police/federal agencies?
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balldboy
Member
Older brother of a friend was issued a 65 while in the FBI, he still has it and the 13 that he carried in the AF prior to the FBI.
I'm going to explore his intentions for thier future, I don't want to poach but unless his kids or other family wants them, it would be a nice pair to put away for a rainy night.
I'm going to explore his intentions for thier future, I don't want to poach but unless his kids or other family wants them, it would be a nice pair to put away for a rainy night.
Tom Servo
Member
IIRC, Oklahoma State Patrol were issued 65's.
policerevolvercollector
Member
Model 65s
The 65 was a fairly popular gun in law enforcement circles.
Many agencies made it standard issue. Currently, I have 65s from Lubbock TX PD & the National Police of Puerto Rico.
Best,
Charles
The 65 was a fairly popular gun in law enforcement circles.
Many agencies made it standard issue. Currently, I have 65s from Lubbock TX PD & the National Police of Puerto Rico.
Best,
Charles
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Yes they were issued to us for a bit.
The Office of the Sheriff, Contra Costa County, Ca. issued them for a bit before going to the semi-auto. We got new guns, holsters, double speed loader pouches and speed loaders.
They were liked so much that when we switched to the semi-autos, some held on to their 65s until forced to report in and get their new issue.
D
The Office of the Sheriff, Contra Costa County, Ca. issued them for a bit before going to the semi-auto. We got new guns, holsters, double speed loader pouches and speed loaders.
They were liked so much that when we switched to the semi-autos, some held on to their 65s until forced to report in and get their new issue.
D
OP
aterry33
Member
What barrel lengths did you guys see most, 3" or 4"?
captainjohnsofd
Member
According to the Jinks book, the Model 13 was made originally for the New York State Police with the first run being stamped "Mod. 10-6" in the crane and .357 Magnum on the barrel. They felt the Model 28 H/P was too heavy for some troopers. Interesting, no?
I do not recall the model number but the last gun issued to me before I retired from DEA was a 3" stainless S&W .357 magnum. Shortly before I retired in '89 DEA began issuing semi-autos in 9mm. Don't know if this helps or confuses. fedret
redfisherdave
Member
I own a model 65-2 4" that the gun shop where I bought it said it was from a county sherrif's department in the Carolinas. It is stamped LCSD.
Some county that starts with L would be my best guess.
Some county that starts with L would be my best guess.
sheriffoconee
Member
Athens GA PD issued them in the 80's...like everyone else, before they went to self loaders
Black Knight
Member
I don't know how true it is but I was once told that Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Agents were issued 3 " 65's at one time.
jbcap
Member
"According to the Jinks book, the Model 13 was made originally for the New York State Police with the first run being stamped "Mod. 10-6" in the crane and .357 Magnum on the barrel. They felt the Model 28 H/P was too heavy for some troopers. Interesting, no?"
Not really true regarding the model 28. The NYSP went to the K-frame first as a model for both uniform and plain clothes to carry. Yes they had Smith make the model 10-6 in 357 which became the model 13, both of these were in 4". They did issue the model 28 after that and did issue the model 65-3 3" to Investigators in the 80's.
Not really true regarding the model 28. The NYSP went to the K-frame first as a model for both uniform and plain clothes to carry. Yes they had Smith make the model 10-6 in 357 which became the model 13, both of these were in 4". They did issue the model 28 after that and did issue the model 65-3 3" to Investigators in the 80's.
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S. Hammer
Member
Boca Raton PD and Altamonte Springs PD in FL both issued 4" Model 65's in the '80's.
G.T. Smith
US Veteran
Senor Chisme
Member
Not exactly on topic but here is my Model 65 LE story.
Back in June, 1978 when I reported to the Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, GA. we were issued Colt .38 Spls., 4”-blue, with “U.S. Border Patrol” stamped on the backstrap. It might have been an Official Police model. The issued revolver that you trained with was the gun you took back to your duty station.
About halfway through the academy (8 or 9 weeks), they took back all the Colts and issued brand new S&W Model 66s. The qualification course was the old PPC course. We fired left side and right side barricade from the 25 and the 50 yard line(strong hand from the strong side, and weak hand from the weak side of the barricade at both distances). Most of the course was fired using wadcutters except for the 7 yard line where we had a timed reload (fire 6, reload, fire 6, strong hand supported by weak hand, all in 20 seconds) using magnum ammo. Also we had to reload from our belt loops. Speedloaders were expressly forbidden.
When I got back to my duty station at Laredo, I decided that I didn’t like the profile of that 66 as much as I liked the look of that fat barrel on the Model 65. I called some outfit in California (might have been named Wilson) and ordered a 4” Model 65 but I had them add a blued S&W adjustable rear sight with white outline and a blued Patridge front sight pinned into the barrel. I just loved that gun and it shot like a laser. I carried it in a Rodgers holster that was made from kydex, lined with suede leather, and split up the front so that the draw was just break the thumb break and a forward sweep. Rodgers later sold out to Safariland I think and that is where their plastic lined holsters evolved from.
In 1984 when I transferred to investigations in Chicago, I sent my 65 back to California and had them cut the barrel back to 3” (I was working in plain clothes then) and reset the front sight. I also had them round the butt and bead blast the entire gun. Still shot like a laser. In 1987, when I transferred to Dallas, I still carried it until the entire Immigration Service switched over to autos. Then I retired the 65 to be used as a house gun.
I still take the gun to the range periodically, just for nostalgia. Recently, I had the forcing cone split at 6 o’clock. I tried for a long time to find another pinned barrel to replace it. I finally found a 3” Ladysmith barrel from Numrich Arms that was already bead blasted. Plus, the shrouded ejector rod really looks good. I had a gunsmith fit it and even pinned the barrel. Although I now carry a double stack .45 here at the Sheriff’s Office, I still qualify with my 65 twice a year. I still love this old gun and will pass it down to my grandson one of these days as I tell him about its rich history.
Back in June, 1978 when I reported to the Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, GA. we were issued Colt .38 Spls., 4”-blue, with “U.S. Border Patrol” stamped on the backstrap. It might have been an Official Police model. The issued revolver that you trained with was the gun you took back to your duty station.
About halfway through the academy (8 or 9 weeks), they took back all the Colts and issued brand new S&W Model 66s. The qualification course was the old PPC course. We fired left side and right side barricade from the 25 and the 50 yard line(strong hand from the strong side, and weak hand from the weak side of the barricade at both distances). Most of the course was fired using wadcutters except for the 7 yard line where we had a timed reload (fire 6, reload, fire 6, strong hand supported by weak hand, all in 20 seconds) using magnum ammo. Also we had to reload from our belt loops. Speedloaders were expressly forbidden.
When I got back to my duty station at Laredo, I decided that I didn’t like the profile of that 66 as much as I liked the look of that fat barrel on the Model 65. I called some outfit in California (might have been named Wilson) and ordered a 4” Model 65 but I had them add a blued S&W adjustable rear sight with white outline and a blued Patridge front sight pinned into the barrel. I just loved that gun and it shot like a laser. I carried it in a Rodgers holster that was made from kydex, lined with suede leather, and split up the front so that the draw was just break the thumb break and a forward sweep. Rodgers later sold out to Safariland I think and that is where their plastic lined holsters evolved from.
In 1984 when I transferred to investigations in Chicago, I sent my 65 back to California and had them cut the barrel back to 3” (I was working in plain clothes then) and reset the front sight. I also had them round the butt and bead blast the entire gun. Still shot like a laser. In 1987, when I transferred to Dallas, I still carried it until the entire Immigration Service switched over to autos. Then I retired the 65 to be used as a house gun.
I still take the gun to the range periodically, just for nostalgia. Recently, I had the forcing cone split at 6 o’clock. I tried for a long time to find another pinned barrel to replace it. I finally found a 3” Ladysmith barrel from Numrich Arms that was already bead blasted. Plus, the shrouded ejector rod really looks good. I had a gunsmith fit it and even pinned the barrel. Although I now carry a double stack .45 here at the Sheriff’s Office, I still qualify with my 65 twice a year. I still love this old gun and will pass it down to my grandson one of these days as I tell him about its rich history.
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Senor Chisme
Member
Here is some more of the story. 3 or 4 years ago, I was looking to buy two police turn-in Model 65s, one for each of my kids to use as a house gun. SOG had them at what I thought was a good price. I bought two and when I got them they were marked Ft. Worth PD. I took them to the Dallas Police Department armorer to check them out and he said they were both OK. I then had them both roundbutted for ease of handling. One now resides with my son here in Texas and the other with my daughter in Maryland.
Cherokee Slim
Member
The Tennessee Highway Patrol changed from Model 10's and 15's to the model 65 in about 1980.
Cherokee Slim
Cherokee Slim
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