Price check on model 65

[mlazarus]

What's a fair price for a model 65 with 3 inch barrel? No original grips, no box etcetera. Trigger has been lightened. Without a test fire, I cannot be sure if it is too light for all primers but I can always re-spring the gun. Otherwise the condition is decent.
Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Dieseltech56]

If it's a nice gun, everything passes the precheck and you can get it for under $800 I would.

 

[chief38]

What's a fair price for a model 65 with 3 inch barrel? No original grips, no box etcetera. Trigger has been lightened. Without a test fire, I cannot be sure if it is too light for all primers but I can always re-spring the gun. Otherwise the condition is decent.
Thanks for any guidance.

I don't knowingly buy guns that have had Bubba or unknown "GS" work done. UNLESS you know exactly what has been done and are prepared financially to correct it if it becomes an issue, I'd suggest looking for another one. If you get permission to have a LGS open it and take a peek - that would be a good thing to reassure you.

The M65 is one of Smith's best especially in the 3" version. While not in every LGS display cabinet, they are around. The other issue with M65's is that it is a K Frame and should be shot with 158 grain Magnums, avoiding the 110's 125's and lighter Magnums which can cause Forcing Cone cracks & damage. IMHO the M65 was designed to use Magnums as a carry load (shot on occasion) and to normally be shot with .38 Spl's.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Saw one here in the Burgh LGS last month .....pretty much nib , don't recall the -# or grips.....asking $600.

First I've seen in 3 maybe 4 years in LGSs

 

[Borderboss]

I sold a 65-5 3-inch on Gunbroker about 18 months ago for over $700 IIRC. It didn't have original grips nor the box, but was extremely clean with under 300 rounds through it, none of them magnum rounds. I had put Wolff springs in it, but that was it. Sorry I sold it now. I love the 65 with a 3-inch barrel.

 

[Dieseltech56]

Saw one here in the Burgh LGS last month .....pretty much nib , don't recall the -# or grips.....asking $600.

First I've seen in 3 maybe 4 years in LGSs

Where was it?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Where was it?

The Shooters Bench.................. Russelton

 

[Dieseltech56]

Thanks! I have never been there but I will definitely check it out.

 

[Bill In Texas]

I paid $600 for this one a couple of months ago. It was without a box but it did have Ahrends Tactical stocks. BTW, the trigger pull felt very light on it too. When I took it to the range I had many light primer strikes. I tightened the strain screw and the problem was gone. Hope this helps!

 

[Curry Bread]

I just got a 65-5 ladysmith off GB for $630, good condition but obviously had been carried. I think I paid market value. Hope that helps.

 

[Dieseltech56]

Let's just say I paid what these ones cost. If you want one you better buy it when you see it.

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

About 2 years ago, I picked up my 65 3" round butt for roughly $750 in trade value. Box, paperwork, tools. Original grips. I feel I got a good deal, because at the time on GB similar setups were $850-$1000.

So, given the work, and given the lack of accoutrements, I'd think $500-700

 

[Muley Gil]

I bought a 3" M65 this spring. It was wearing Magnas and appeared to be shot very little. There is hardly a turn line. No box.

I'm guessing I did OK for $475.

 

[BC38]

Wow! I paid only $495 for my 65-5 around 2 years ago.
It was a 90% gun (some goober had messed up the knurling on the ejector rod with a set of pliers) but for $8 I was able to make it a 90% gun pretty quick

 

[FiveG]

The other issue with M65's is that it is a K Frame and should be shot with 158 grain Magnums, avoiding the 110's 125's and lighter Magnums which can cause Forcing Cone cracks & damage. IMHO the M65 was designed to use Magnums as a carry load (shot on occasion) and to normally be shot with .38 Spl's.

Curious to know why to avoid the 110s. I've been using those in my Model 65 for years; no issues that I can find. Wouldn't the heavier magnums cause more damage than the lighter ones?

 

[Muley Gil]

Curious to know why to avoid the 110s. I've been using those in my Model 65 for years; no issues that I can find. Wouldn't the heavier magnums cause more damage than the lighter ones?

The lighter bullet .357 loads tend to have more gas cutting and that erodes metal in the barrel/cylinder gap. The older K frame barrels are thin at the bottom and some, not all, crack there after a steady diet of light bullet .357 loads.

Back in the mid '50s, when Bill Jordan suggested to S&W that a .357 built on the K frame would be an ideal police gun, it was policy to shoot mostly .38 special loads and then load up with .357s to carry on duty. In the '70s, some police agencies decided to practice with duty loads and their K frame revolvers were getting beat up. S&W introduced the L frame as a beefer revolver that would withstand these hotter .357 loads.

Then, wonder 9s started taking over and police revolvers started sliding to oblivion.