Newbie here - several questions

[AndyPanda]

This is my first post - hope it's OK to ask a bunch of questions all in this one post.

I picked up a 13-3 from 1983 that seems to be in really good shooting condition - though in unusual cosmetic condition. The cosmetics resulted in a good price - great for me - not looking for a collector piece.

First question is just a sanity check to make sure I understand all the posts I've read on the internet about forcing cone etc. I think what I'm understanding is that 158 grain is just fine (I have lots of 158 grain, sjsp) apparently the 125 and 110 grain caused issues. And if I understood correctly the problem would show as a crack in the flat side of forcing cone and flame cutting on top strap. The forcing cone looks great to me as does the barrel/rifling etc. and no marks on the top strap. Anyway ... so many internet posts indicate the mod. 13 wasn't really built for a steady diet of 357 mag. Hoping that is an exaggeration?

Question about the finish. I wonder if it's been refinished for some reason (odd because the moving parts all seem like a gun that hasn't been shot much). It is a matt grey (looks parkerized) and I actually like the way it looks, but I haven't seen this before so guessing it didn't come from S&W this way? Or was this an option?

the main issue (non-issue for me) that made it a good price is the previous owners name stamped on the frame. If it ever bothers me, I've been told it can be laser'ed off.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to learning lots here in the forum.

 

[ken158]

The K frame had issues with 110 and 125 magnum loads which have caused cracks in the frame under the barrel in the flat are in your pic. Your gun has definitely been refinished. The flame cutting on the top strap seems to get to a certain level and stop. Sounds and looks like you have a shooter condition model 13.

 

[Birdhunter6]

In K frame magnums I shoot +P .38 velocity 158 grain plated bullets in .357 cases for target loads and load with factory 158 HP .357s for carry or home defense. In L and N frames i load 125 grain HP magnums.

I have never had a problem. Many prefer the 125 grain +P .38s as a carry load for lower recoil and faster follow up shots.

In my opinion the 13s, 19s, 65s & 66s are the sweetest handling magnum revolvers ever. I LOVE 'em. A shooter grade K frame .357: Everybody needs one.

Enjoy yours!

 

[lkabug]

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! I had a 13-2, 4". Was a great gun. Bob

 

[Zarr]

Welcome from Western Massachusetts. I have two 13-3s, in 3” and 4”. Both are great and have never had a problem. You have. Great revolver. Please post a range report after you shoot it.

 

[mdf9183]

Welcome from Bastrop, Texas

 

[GerSan69]

Welcome. Hope you stay a while.... good group on this forum, very, very knowledgeable. I've been here since 2011 and seriously, I learn something new constantly!
Your gun looks like some sort of hard chrome to me. I used Armoloy back in the 70s and 80s, but I can't tell the difference between the standard hard chromes. As for any polishing or lasering - good luck. These finishes are extremely difficult, if not impossible to alter. Even so, unwanted engraving or not, a 13 is an excellent revolver. Congratulations!

 

[walkin' trails]

Welcome to the S&W revolver family. I agree that your 13 has definitely been refinished. My first handgun which I bought in the early 80s was a Model 19 that had a Nitex finish from a previous owner. It was supposed to resemble the dull mat of stainless steel, but the guy I bought it from had gone to work on it with steel wool and semi chrome polish, making it a bright nickle gun. Only the inside of the frame where the cylinder rode retained the dull finish. I was too dumb to know what I was getting at the time anyway, but have to admit that the Nitex cleaned well inside the frame and the forcing cone.

I have a soft spot for what I term as "working guns" from the revolver era. I refer to cops carried and sometimes modified by those who carried them. Doesn't do much for the collector value, but I find them interesting, nevertheless.

I've shot a fair number of 110 and 125 grain magnums thru a Model 19 I got new without forcing cone damage, but don't press my luck anymore. I acquired a 66 a few years later that had been worked on internally and shot a fair amount that does not show any damage. It was a cop's gun from the LA area but I don't know the history or what it had thru it before I bought it. The only magnums loads I have left are 145 grain Silvertips and I don't know whether they were as bad for the Ks as the 125s were. The Border Patrol had a fair number of Model 66s in the inventory in the 80s, though they were becoming rare by the early 90s. Most of them had been exposed to qualification courses every three months at 74 rounds per course of 110 grain Federal magnum or 38+P+ that they had timing issues. I never say any cracked cones, however. Anyway, if you stick with mostly standard velocity .38 Special, you should not have any problems.

 

[DR505]

Welcome to the forum from Idaho! The Model 13 is a great revolver. I recently picked one up myself, though the -4 variant. It is in great condition with little wear and looks like it hadn't been shot all that much. The Magna stocks that came with it do not feel good to me, so I added a pair of VZ G-10 stocks. Not overly wild about how they look, but they fit my hand extremely well:

 

[llowry61]

Welcome, enjoy that shooter. Good group of people on this forum. You can learn a lot just lurking. There are experts among this group who graciously share their knowledge.