New to revolvers need some help...serial number added

WildcatFan

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Just bought a .357 Mag S&W revolver yesterday and love it. I'm a 1911 guy and not familiar with the revolvers. How do I go about finding out the frame size, age, etc. of what gun I've bought? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Alex
 
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Welcome to the forum. Swing open the cylinder and see if the model number is stamped in the frame cut (it may read something like, MOD 28-2, MOD 19-3, etc...). The serial number helps narrow down the vintage, get it off the butt and include any letter prefix.
 
First off, welcome aboard.
Let us know some details. How many rounds it holds. Barrel length measured from end of muzzle to cylinder. Adjustable or fixed sights. Finish, whether blued, nickle or stainless. And serial number, found on bottom of butt.
If gun is post 1957 it will have a Mod and a number inside the yoke when cylinder is opened.
Then we can let you know what it is.:)
 
I swung out the cylinder and all I see is "F." Just beyond the cyliner, on the frame, I see "S" and 32844. No pic capability yet, but I'll get it up shortly. Much appreciated, again, with any info.

Thanks,
Alex
 
Does it have 5 shots or 6, length of barrel, finish? Look inside the yoke (cylinder open, under the barrel) for a model number. The serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame. Google may be able to answer your question re: age. Several sites have years of production by model number. If you have pics that would help, but congrats on a great buy. I'm a revolver guy and may be able to help if you give me the model number (usually 19-2 or something like that).
 
It isn't stainless, unless the factory missed stamping the model number, not exactly unheard of. I would guess it is a nickel finish and probably a Heavy-Duty which had been bored out to accept the .357. The Heavy-Duty was a .38 special revolver.

What is the caliber marking from the barrel?
 
65 sounds right. Fixed sight, 4", stainless on a K frame. -3 was made from 1982 to 1988. We'll have to let someone that is better aqauinted with the serial no. ranges to help you narrow it's birthdate down for you.

I carried one for many years as a duty firearm and was what I carried until my retirement in 2007. For a no nonsense, get you there and back handgun it is my number one choice.
 
Thanks for the info, guys. The marking on the barrel is "S&Wesson .357 Magnum." Might be nickel, not sure. If it was originally at .38 and bored out for .357 is that a knock? Also, what does "Heavy Duty" exactly entail. Was that designation for the .38 (original build) or was it attributed to its boring to .357?
 
It isn't stainless, unless the factory missed stamping the model number, not exactly unheard of. I would guess it is a nickel finish and probably a Heavy-Duty which had been bored out to accept the .357. The Heavy-Duty was a .38 special revolver.

What is the caliber marking from the barrel?
He says it's a 65-3. It's definitely stainless. I've got the 3" round butt version.
 
Please clarify the Heavy Duty part, as well as the "bored out for .357" part. Was the re-bore at the time of production or after-market? Again, much appreciated.
 
If the frame says M-65-3 when you swing the cylinder out, that is your answer. The third engineering change to Model 65. A stainless steel .357 version of the Model 10, formerly called Military & Police until 1957.

This is a K-frame, originally made in 1899 for the first M&P. It is the basic .38-size frame. Don't shoot it much with 125 grain or lighter .357 loads, as these erode the forcing cone, and the barrel may crack at the flat side, underneath, where the barrel throat is milled flat to allow cylinder closure.

This is a very sound choice as a basic service revolver, capable of killing even a bear, with careful shot placement. (I am aware of at least two bears killed with such guns. One was in fact, just a .38 version of this basic gun, and it was a polar bear in a zoo. The other was a grizzly mauling a game warden.)

This gun has fixed sights, and you may need to experiment with different ammo to see what shoots best to the sights, as you personally aim the gun. But you can use this on snakes and small game, and it's a great house gun!

It may kick a little hard for you, if it has the original wood service stocks. Rubber grips will lessen the effects of recoil. I use Pachmayr Signature grips on my .357's of this size. With .38 Special loads, recoil isn't that big a deal.

The gun was made in .357 Magnum caiber; it wasn't bored out. You're fine in that regard.

Those bored-out guns were ill-advised attempts to get more power from larger (.44 frame) guns originally chambered in .38 Special. Those took a hot-loaded .38 called the .38-44 Heavy Duty, and preceded the first .357 Magnum in the 1930's. Those haven't been made since the mid 1960's. I guess that folks realized that if they were carrying that much size and weight, they might as well have the same basic guns in .357. (Models 27 and 28.) However, the .357 models used a different steel alloy, with improved heat treatment. And they cost more.

Shoot the M-65 mainly with .38 Special ammo, and it will last well. Probably no more than about 10-15% of your shooting should be with .357 ammo. The gun isn't made to take continual .357 pounding. That's why S&W developed the larger L-frame guns. But the K-magnums are handier, and stand up well with moderate magnum use.

If this gun is in good condition, I think it'll last you for many years, maybe a lifetime, and I think you'll grow to like it a lot!

Note: Model 65 is ONLY a stainless steel .357 gun. NO worries about it being just a nickel finish. The blue or nickel version was called Model 13.

T-Star
 
Texas Star, I truly appreciate your info; as well as all y'all. You guys rock. Sounds good, I'll be reloading for my hog and i'll be mainly doing .38 Specials. Sounds good. It feels good to finally be part of the S&W revolver family. Truly an iconic, American brand and product.
 
He says it's a 65-3. It's definitely stainless. I've got the 3" round butt version.

cmort,

I based my response on the posting of what appeared to be a serial number - S32844. Given that number I "guessed" it'd have been a N frame Heavy Duty. The OP also said he thought it was a 65-3, never said it was stamped as such and I knew that what appeared to be a serial number could not be a 65-anything. Also, in the S serial number range there would not be anything in stainless, hence the guess it would be nickel. Short of pictures we're taking a guess.

If the gun in question is a 65, I agree it'll be stainless.

For the OP, a Heavy Duty is the large N frame .38 Special revolver, eventually evolved into the Model 20. They came in blue and nickel finish and were regular production models from teh 1930's through the early 1960's. Many of these, after the introduction of the .357 magnum, had the chamber bored to accept the longer magnum cartridge. The barrel bore is the same so nothing more needed to be done.
 
You certainly have a dependable and popular gun. I carried one for years and love shooting it. I still own a few of them acquired over the years.

However, you stated you were a 1911 guy. I am as well.

My question is will you remain a 1911 guy after the newness of the .357 wanes? S&W is now making some really nice 1911 guns.

Which ever you prefer, enjoy shooting them and welcome to the forum. There are some really intelligent people here that are always willing to help.
 
I swung out the cylinder and all I see is "F." Just beyond the cyliner, on the frame, I see "S" and 32844. No pic capability yet, but I'll get it up shortly. Much appreciated, again, with any info.

Thanks,
Alex

S 32844 cannot be the serial number.
No such number ever existed.
So, we are back to the first question-
WHAT is the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame? You might have to pull the grips to see it.

Include all letters and numbers.

Till you do that, we are just "playing 20 questions."
 
Just bought a .357 Mag S&W revolver yesterday and love it. I'm a 1911 guy and not familiar with the revolvers. How do I go about finding out the frame size, age, etc. of what gun I've bought? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Alex

Hold it up to the screen and give us a look see :D
Seriously though-Welcome to the forum-you will fast learn everything you will ever need to know about revolvers.
 
Umm, where did you buy it? If from a shop, there should be a receipt or some such that perhaps tells you what you purchased.

Google Smith and Wesson Model 65. Look at the pictures. See if that looks like what you have. If it isn't, then google images of some of the other possible options.
 
Got my serial number for you, now need some help...

Its ACS5510. There you go guys. Any info on this beautiful piece would great be appreciated.

Alex

GO BIG BLUE! BEAT EAST TENN. STATE TONIGHT!!!
 
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