My first revolver, a Model 13-3

[Lew Archer]

Oh! Your Model 13s sound amazing. I'd love to see pictures of them if you're comfortable sharing them.

I'll see what I can do!

 

[Lance Boyle]

I once owned this Model 13. Finish challenged but tight and mechanically sound. Let it go for some insane reason.

Hold on to yours. If I still had this one, it would be the last one to go.
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I once connected a friend with my brother in law. My friend traded his 3” 66 for my BIL’s Dillon 550. For over fifteen years I heard about that gun. My friend regretted letting the 66 go and my BIL still loved it and didn’t want to sell it back to him. BIL still has it, maybe I can talk him out of it. The friend got a replacement a few years ago. He works at a probation department and a lot of the old timers retire and don’t want their old guns. Between him and another coworker they must have netted ten sweet revolvers that I’ve been told about. The last one was a 4” 66 that is one of my grail guns that I never scratched the itch for, a PO retired and had the 66 at work in the locker but hadn’t used it in years. He’d been using a Glock issue gun for the last decade or so. My buddy got it out to give to the owner when he came in the office for something. He didn’t want it and gave it to my buddy. A half hour later that other gun minded PO friend is in the office and sees the 66 sitting there. My buddy gave it to him lol. Free 66. I should be so lucky!

 

[Lew Archer]

Oh! Your Model 13s sound amazing. I'd love to see pictures of them if you're comfortable sharing them.

Here goes...some photos of my two Model 13-4s, one stock, one refinished in bright blue by Smith and Wesson and given its master action job. The one that's stock was purchased used a few years ago. The owner had passed and his wife sold it. It was essentially new in the box.

I purchased the refinished one new in 1994. It definitely didn't stay new in the box and eventually got a bit of holster wear--honest wear, but I figured while it was with Smith, I thought I'd treat it to a new finish. They did a great job (that action job goes for $165 these days and is well worth it). Those are Craig Spegel's superb grips. Also pictured is a Bodyguard Model 49-4, given the same bright blue finish by Smith and also fitted with Spegel boot grips. Bought that one new in 1990.

Old school cool, I'd say, the lot of them.

 

[KenTheHunter]

I will echo comments here. The 3” K’s are something of a grail gun, and very hard to find, certainly you paid about 1/2 price as today, 3” 13 prices hover near a grand or so. It has been years since I have seen any 3” K available for sale for less than $750 and most of those are stainless ( which I only reluctantly buy, as I am a die hard traditional blue guy)

I can relate on this because I bought my 3” 65 back in 91. Paid $ 329. for it.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I can relate on this because I bought my 3” 65 back in 91. Paid $ 329. for it.

An ideal carry gun! That or a 3” 64. The older I get a good plus P .38 load is fine.

 

[KenTheHunter]

An ideal carry gun! That or a 3” 64. The older I get a good plus P .38 load is fine.

I like the Buffalo Bore 125 JHP

 

[Law-dog]

The model 13 or 65 is about the perfect size of 357 as a carry gun one can find if you need a full 500 fpe power level. The 2.5 inch model 19/66 is also fine, but the length of the case makes them difficult to get empties out in a hurry, if need be.

The ejector rod on the 3 inch seems to be just enough to allow 357 cases to eject without issue. Of course one can carry 38 Plus p but they are still half power loads compared to the hot 357 ammo. Depends on your perceived needs, to me, basically a city carry vs boonie carry decision. I have seen bears only feet away and one cougar only a 100 feet or so away, so that changes what I carry based on zip code.

I could not find a 3 inch model 65, but owned a regular 4 inch square butt that I carried in law enforcement many decades ago. So, for my horse and 4 x 4 gun, I simply cut off the square butt and made it into a round butt, simple and common deal. Today, I enjoy the longer 4 inch barrel. I no longer ride horses but the gun carried in a cross draw holster is unnoticed on the 4 x 4 or tractor or Jeep or other mode of boonie travel. Rugged and reliable and plenty of power should it be needed.

Being used outdoors for the most part, I prefer the stainless or nickel but my blue guns work just fine too.