RB Model 64 3” vs RB Model 65 3”

[Whit]

It seems that the Model 65 is the more popular of the two revolvers and costs more when up for sale. Just wondering why? They are virtually the same, except caliber. Many who carry the 65 utilize 38 +P ammo rather than magnums. So why is the Model 65 more “sexy” than the 64? The same question could be asked using the Model 13 and Model 10 in the 3” round but configuration.

I think I would be “fat, dumb and happy” with either one as a carry revolver. Enlighten me.

 

[Baxter6551]

Your observations correct about a lot of folks carrying .38 plus P in their 65s. I would be comfortable with either but like the option of carrying magnum rounds. I only have the model 65 three inch but biased from carrying 4 inch 65 as a duty revolver. First my own when we provided personal gun then the city issued one which we carried until they issued Sig 226. We got to buy our 65s for $100.
My three inch was obtained before prices got crazy and I sent it to S&W for the combat revolver package (highly recommend). The hammer and trigger were polished after.
My gunsmith replicated the package on my 4 inch.
When I carry the 65 three inch I carry Speer 135 grain gold dot short barrel load .357.

 

[CH4]

Analogous to choosing between two red Camaros, one with a V6 the other with a V8. Both will do the speed limit, but the V8 has a little extra if ya need it.

 

[BC38]

Ammo flexibility. You can shoot 38's in the M65, but you can't shoot 357's in the M64.
That puts a premium on the market value of an M65 over the M64.

 

[stansdds]

Yes, it's about flexibility. I prefer revolvers in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum as they allow me to use a wider range of loads.

 

[ColbyBruce]

The 10 & 64 models have shorter cylinders and thus the barrels set back into the frame. As others have said, a .357 magnum offers a little more versatility in ammunition choices. My elk stag stocked 65-3 and 65-5 are loaded with 180 grain hard cast Buffalo Bore cartridges. The 64-3 is loaded with 158 grain FBI loads given to me by a retired FBI special agent I delivered mail to.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Versatility........ generally

+P .38 in an urban environment

.158gr .357 soft points if it goes into Penn's Woods.

 

[Ameshawki]

I own both. As most do, I almost always carry plus p 38's in both. Off the top of my head I'm not sure I've ever run any magnum ammo through the 65. I did run magnum ammo through my 2 1/2 inch 66 and it's not pleasant. The 125 grain Treasury loads would part your hair.

 

[Wyo]

People like options and they're willing to pay for them. I have a 3" M65 and, like most others folks, usually carry 38+P's in town. If I'm out in the mountains and carrying that particular gun, I most often load Buffalo Bore 180 gr. 357's. I don't want to start another bear thread here, but we do have critters around here, griz and mountain lions, that can hurt you. If I'm carrying a 357 I want the heaviest, best-penetrating load I can get. Phil Shoemaker, the Alaskan guide, killed a griz with a 4" .357 once so, while it wouldn't necessarily be my first choice, I figure it's still possible. Anyway, that's the option I like to have and that's why I would pay more for a M65.

 

[Whit]

I get the flexibility of the Model 13/65. However if the ammo utilized most of the time is 38 why spend the extra shekels on the magnum piece? It seems to me that it boils down to a person just wanting the magnum because it is a magnum. Guess it is like CH4’s analogy of the red Camaro…just want a V8 although the V6 will get you where you are going cheaper. over the years I’ve learned that logic doesn’t matter with guns!

 

[BAM-BAM]

I get the flexibility of the Model 13/65. However if the ammo utilized most of the time is 38 why spend the extra shekels on the magnum piece?

"Most" does not equal "All"... more "shekels" ya; but cheaper than buying a second gun in .357 for when you need/want a .357 magnum.

 

[22lrfan]

My 3" ones are a 65 and 13. I would gladly buy a 64 but these are just what I happened to find in the pawn shops.

 

[ColbyBruce]

“but we do have critters around here ….that can hurt you.”

Well stated. We have similar concerns in north Georgia.

 

[Whit]

Well, truth be known, I would be glad to have either the Model 10/64 or Model 13/65 in the safe. Both would get done what needs to be done for most purposes. Too bad there aren’t more of them on the market at reasonable (whatever that is) prices. Should have bought them back in the day. Then again, in a few years I might be saying should have bought them back in the day again.

 

[lawandorder]

My days of self punishment of my hand are over with. In fact my sliding scale on caliber choice has moved in a downward direction.
I was afflicted with .32 itis. Love them.

Still have a few .38 Specials. One, a Wilson Combat model 64 that is about as near to revolver perfection as I will ever get. It was customized by Vic Tebbits himself and the only model 64 that came out of Wilson.
I am very comfortable carrying .38 Specials or .32 s.

 

[Bullet Bob]

This is definitely a WAG, but I think there were more 3" 65's made; I certainly see them much more often.

 

[pantannojack]

I got my 2.5" 66 thirty years ago near a 1/4 k$ price. I have seen only one 3" k round but since then and it was not serviceable because of sunken hammer nose bushing. I keep searching but would stick for a 65 or 19 3" over a 64 or any 2 1/2"

 

[Sistema1927]

I have two 64-8's, a 4" and a 3". The 3" was returned from Europe, lightly used, and the 4" appears to be unissued even though it was advertised as a Security/LEO return.

Funny thing about the 3", it chambers .357 ammo. I haven't shot any yet, and only noticed when I cleaned it and a 65 after a trip to the range. I load all my guns before putting them back in the safe, since there is nothing more useless than an unloaded firearm (and I am not going to argue this point, so don't bother).

The 4" 64 won't chamber 357, but the 3" does. I am guessing that one of two things happened. Either it was shipped with a 65 cylinder as part of the original contract, or someone reamed it later.

 

[BC38]

"Most" does not equal "All"... more "shekels" ya; but cheaper than buying a second gun in .357 for when you need/want a .357 magnum.

EXACTLY.
Even if "most" people carry 38+P in their 357 magnum revolvers, SOME of us are still willing to pay a little more to have the option to load our wheel guns with 357 magnum ammo. And having that option makes the model 13/65 worth more than the model 10/64.
It ain't all that hard to understand...

 

[riverrat38]

I have thought that a M64 would have the advantage that I would be assured that no previous owner had fired a lot of full powered magnum 125 grain screamers, the ones that are said to crack the rear of the barrel at the flat. I suspect that 3" M65 barrels are hard to find and pricy.
As far as power goes, I could use Buffalo Bore plus P ammo, which is as much as I would want in a 3" K frame. I have a 2.75" M66-8, which is good, but the 3" fixed sight K frame revolvers would be my preference. Unlike most, I prefer the newer MIM versions, with pinned front sights. I may replace my rear sight with a fixed one, as it is on POA with the blade centered.

73,
Rick