Refurbished Police Trade In Model 64-5

[AJR337]

I just got finished refurbishing my son's police trade in 64-5. I should have taken some before pics but I was too anxious and started disassembling it soon after he received it.

As you could imagine, the cosmetics were not great but typical of an old police gun including lots of dings and scratches along with years of grime and some rust but I was happy to see that it's in excellent mechanical condition.

Barrel/cylinder gap measures .005 with no perceivable endshake. Timing and lock up are perfect.

It required several hours of file work and lots of sanding (with high grit paper) to blend the dings/remove the scratches (being careful not to change the lines or smooth the text) followed by lots of brushing with gray 3M pads.

I also gave it a detailed cleaning which took time since there was a lot of build up from years to use and neglect along with some rust. I also replaced all of the springs and buggered screws and put a new pair of Hogue grips on it.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the end result and thought I'd share some pics.

Edit...those are snap caps. Trigger pull is very smooth.

 

[wproct]

That is so satisfying when you can refurbish a good old revolver like that and it comes out very nice. That one has a lot of life left in it!

 

[AJR337]

Absolutely, my son was hesitant to order a police trade in but I assured him that as long as he got one in good mechanical condition, I'd make it look near new. Aside from the cosmetics, the gun was in excellent functional condition but when we picked it up from our FFL he was doubtful that I could deliver on my promise but he's thrilled now with the final product. And the best part is indoctrinating a new revolver lover.

 

[oldrookey617]

may I ask what year that is ? It looks something like my 1966 model 10-5..

 

[AJR337]

That's a good question. I believe the 64-5 was made from 88-97 but I haven't been able to narrow it down more. The serial number starts with "CAL" so maybe someone can identify the specific year.

 

[Baxter6551]

You did a fantastic job! It looks great ! I like the serrated backstrap. I thought all model 10s and 64s were smooth.
My 64-1 was also a police duty gun. My gunsmith bead blasted it and polished the screw heads, sides of the hammer and trigger and ejector rod.

 

[AJR337]

You did a fantastic job! It looks great ! I like the serrated backstrap. I thought all model 10s and 64s were smooth.
My 64-1 was also a police duty gun. My gunsmith bead blasted it and polished the screw heads, sides of the hammer and trigger and ejector rod.

Thanks, and I was surprised to see the serrated front and backstrap too.

Those antler grips and T-grip look great.

 

[Baxter6551]

The front strap is serrated too ??
Those Elk grips are from the Forums own BigMtnMan.

 

[AJR337]

Yes, front and back are both serrated. I was surprised to see that.

Those grips are very nice...I would love a set for my 686.

 

[Liftrat]

Nice job on that -5. I did basically the same thing on a -6 that was a trade-in - nice on the inside, ugly on the outside. They're good, basic 38s, and I'm sure your son will appreciate your work.

 

[Timbo22]

I too am surprised to see the serrations on the grip straps. I thought the 64 and 65's were Plain Jane fixed sight economy models when they were introduced. I have four 64's (one 2", one 3" and two 4" tapered barrels) and a 65 (3" barrel) that all have smooth grip straps. I do have a "LadySmith" 65-5 that has a serrated back grip strap, but I thought that one was a fancy version of the 65 that was dressed up to appeal to women.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I've two 64s, a 4" pencil, and a 2" snub. Great revos.
Moon

 

[wproct]

I have a 64-2 made in 1983 and it has a smooth backstrap. And then I have a 617-1 made in 1996 and it has a grooved backstrap. I mean, who knows.

 

[AJR337]

Regarding the serrated front and backstraps, I found the following response in another thread...

Edition page 267 states that the 65-5 "1995-1996 Delete square butt features / begin serrated backstrap and forestrap usually found on target models on a round butt frame for about 18 months, then discontinued". They say the same thing about the 64-5. My 64-5, 4" serial CBT0XXX has a round butt and serrated back and fore strap. The book also shows that serial number being produced in 1997. It also has MIM cylinder stop, cylinder bolt and thumbpiece. Trigger and hammer are forged.

Adding link to that thread...

Model 64 and 65 Front and Back Grip Straps

 

[mikerjf]

Looking good! Could you elaborate a little on the “filework”? Interested to hear about techniques.

 

[AJR337]

Looking good! Could you elaborate a little on the “filework”? Interested to hear about techniques.

Thanks, in following pics I circled the areas that had the dings that needed blending. Mostly the high spots and edges that were likely the result of being banged around while holstered. The deepest/worst were on the back top edges of the frame and top of the backstrap.

I used progressively finer files and/or sandpaper to remove the dings while being careful to follow the original lines and symmetry as best that I could. Then I used 3M pads to finish it.

 

[heeter3]

Nice job AJR337 your son should be proud and cherish that 64.

 

[Martin67]

I have the same one, I used mothers polish and it still has some dings on the top of the frame at the rear trench sight. It's very shiny now and I was able to smooth out the dings, still there but not as noticeable.
It has a nice shine but outside it can be blinding when the sun hits it just right