My first revolver, a Model 13-3

Malkovich said:
Both are really nice, the set up on your stainless 65 is perfect. The finish on [the] 15 is very clean. Nice work on both.
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What was left of the finish on CH4’s Model 15, when he got it, was a bit worn and lightly rust damaged in spots. So, he elected to have it Black Nitride treated by H&M. Excellent decision on his part, wouldn’t you agree?
 
Malkovich said:
Absolutely a vintage classic in seemingly great condition. I’ll ask, how do you think you did for $500 ?🤔
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Well, I was already happy since that $500 price was actually my initial offer which the seller accepted for it, since he also did not know what he had. Initially thought I paid the average to slightly higher price for this gun since the seller did not think twice on accepting my initial offer. Makes me even more glad to hear that the going rate is almost double the price what I paid for.
 
Exchipy said:
After you’ve shot it a bunch, and learned it well, if you’re willing to have it undergo a bit of alteration, installation of an XS Tritium Big Dot front sight can make it an even more useful carry revolver, even in low light environments:

View attachment 773244
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This Model 65 is the stainless steel version of the Model 13.

If your Model 13 will regularly be exposed to sweat, humidity, bumps and bruises, Black Nitride treatment will make it corrosion and scratch resistant, and look good doing it too, like with this 2” Model 15 which CH4 had treated:

View attachment 773260
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I've always been a wood & blued steel gun guy, only getting stainless guns when it's given to me by people I know. Never considered any of the other finishes on the market, or considered re-finishing my own guns. That being said, GODDAMN that Black Nitride is amazing. You make a really good point, and I may consider having one of my guns refinished that way. You have a great looking Model 15, and I'm currently on the hunt for a Model 15 myself.
 
nmsang501 said:
I've always been a wood & blued steel gun guy, only getting stainless guns when it's given to me by people I know. Never considered any of the other finishes on the market, or considered re-finishing my own guns. That being said, GODDAMN that Black Nitride is amazing. You make a really good point, and I may consider having one of my guns refinished that way. You have a great looking Model 15, and I'm currently on the hunt for a Model 15 myself.
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Again, that’s not my 2” Model 15, pictured above with its Black Nitride finish. It belongs to my good friend, CH4. Here’s what became of my 2” Model 15, which also happens to be Black Nitride treated:

IMG_9526.jpeg
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It grew a Pinocchio snout. So, it’s no longer meant for concealed carry.
 
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Exchipy said:
Again, that’s not my 2” Model 15, with the Black Nitride finish. It belongs to my good friend, CH4. Here’s what happened to my 2” Model 15, also Black Nitride treated:

View attachment 773290
View attachment 773291
It grew a Pinocchio nose. So, it’s no longer meant for concealed carry.
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NICE...reminds me of the vintage PPC guns ( minus the RDS) from back-in-the-day...those Hogues really compliment it
 
Exchipy said:
Again, that’s not my 2” Model 15, pictured above with its Black Nitride finish. It belongs to my good friend, CH4. Here’s what happened to my 2” Model 15, also Black Nitride treated:

View attachment 773290
View attachment 773291
It grew a Pinocchio nose. So, it’s no longer meant for concealed carry.
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Oh right! I had to read your message again. Sorry, my bad! That's a great looking Model 15
 
Original grips, beautiful cosmetic condition, and a 3" barrel? You did incredibly well! Congratulations; that configuration of the Model 13, and most K-frames in general, is particularly desirable. It's a great example of one of the best balanced carry revolvers ever IMO.
 
Lt.Donn said:
NICE...reminds me of the vintage PPC guns ( minus the RDS) from back-in-the-day...those Hogues really compliment it
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Absolutely right-on, sir, as that heavy barreled Model 15 is meant to recall my beginnings in PPC. Its grip was made for me by my friend, Pat Hogue, for which I remain truly thankful to him.

The thing shoots even better than it looks:

FullSizeRender 99.jpeg
 
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As others have said, that's a great revolver and you did very well. It's a great all around handgun. I've got two Model 13s with the three inch barrel. One is stock, like yours. The other I sent to S&W, where they performed their Master Action Job. It had minor finish wear, but for the hell of it, I also had Smith refinish it in their bright blue/high polish finish. Once it came home, I fitted a pair of Craig Spegel grips to it. Wonderful handgun. And the stock one is just fine. The action is smooth enough. When the FBI issued them, they were very popular and Agents were very reluctant to give them up. Initially, after being issued a semi automatic (at that time, the Sig P228 or P226), the Agents could retain the revolver. You'd see them, on qualification days, after qualifying with the 9mm, they'd then get in a qual with the Model 13. There was some talk about allowing Agents to buy them...but federal rules are prohibitive and that never happened, unfortunately. Eventually, the Bureau ordered all of those guns turned in...and most, if not all, were probably destroyed. So, treasure yours!
 
Lew Archer said:
As others have said, that's a great revolver and you did very well. It's a great all around handgun. I've got two Model 13s with the three inch barrel. One is stock, like yours. The other I sent to S&W, where they performed their Master Action Job. It had minor finish wear, but for the hell of it, I also had Smith refinish it in their bright blue/high polish finish. Once it came home, I fitted a pair of Craig Spegel grips to it. Wonderful handgun. And the stock one is just fine. The action is smooth enough. When the FBI issued them, they were very popular and Agents were very reluctant to give them up. Initially, after being issued a semi automatic (at that time, the Sig P228 or P226), the Agents could retain the revolver. You'd see them, on qualification days, after qualifying with the 9mm, they'd then get in a qual with the Model 13. There was some talk about allowing Agents to buy them...but federal rules are prohibitive and that never happened, unfortunately. Eventually, the Bureau ordered all of those guns turned in...and most, if not all, were probably destroyed. So, treasure yours!
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Oh! Your Model 13s sound amazing. I'd love to see pictures of them if you're comfortable sharing them.
 
You done good! I owned a Model 13, 4" from about 1975 until 2020, when our house burned in a wildfire...sad day. I carried that M.13 as a duty gun, and it was my 'go-to' for any occasion. A trigger job and hi-lighting the front sight is all that is necessary, in my opinion. That price rocks! ML
 
nmsang501 said:
My first revolver, and my first S&W. Was expecting a Model 19 or a Model 27, since all the seller told me was that it's a blued .357 revolver. It surprised me when he pulled this out of the box …
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A friend of mine was so proud of his revolver that he got to be his BBQ gun. I went to see his nickle plated revolver and it was a Spanish Eibar, a S&W copy.
 
Nice, I keep,looking at my 4” model 64-3 and wish it had a 3” barrel. I keep thinking of selling the 64 but it is the tightest lock up of all my S&Ws.

I keep seeing me trading it for a 3” something or a model 15 4”. To me once you hit 4” you may as well have the adjustible sights.
 
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