S&W Model 13, FBI-spec 3” .357 Magnum

[ThirdGen9623]

Hello all,

I’ve always wanted an FBI-spec Model 13, with the 3” barrel, since I saw Silence of the Lambs as a kid. I’ve found them to be rather costly when I do see them, so for years it’s kind of been my white whale.

I finally happened to see this 1982 example online, and local to me, last month and it was listed at least $300-400 below its usual value. I jumped on it right away.

It’s got an FBI period-accurate Pachmayr grip adapter on it for the photos; I’m seeking a replacement though as it’s sadly broken since the photo was taken. Anyone here who may be interested in selling a K-Frame Pachmayr grip adapter, feel free to reach out or direct me to where I can seek one out (on here that is, I have eBay covered)!

The revolver itself is in great shape. A couple spots of very minor pitting on the cylinder (from storage I assume), but it was very clean otherwise and looks to have been rarely shot. I was told it was owned by an elderly man who sadly had to sell off much of his collection due to lack of use. Wherever he is, I wish him well! I’ll be sure to take excellent care of this piece as he did!

 

[Retired W4]

I really like the M-13s, especially the 3" versions. Here is one in nickel.

 

[ThirdGen9623]

I really like the M-13s, especially the 3" versions. Here is one in nickel.

That’s a beauty! The 3” models really balance well. I have a 4” Model 10 and while it’s never felt “bad” for me, the 3” 13 balances in my hand way more nicely.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Very nice. Congratulations! BTW, a company called BK Grip Adapters sells those black Adapters for $25 plus shipping. I just bought one for my Model 15.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

Looks great! I also badly want one but don’t want to pay the current asking prices for those available. Hoping to just stumble upon a good deal some day, but patience has never been my strong suit! Thanks for sharing.

Attached is a photo of my 3” 65-5, seems so lonely without it’s 13 cousin. Some day maybe.

 

[444 Magnum]

I really like the M-13s, especially the 3" versions. Here is one in nickel.

Here's another one. I got the combat's here on the forum. They feel great in my hand.

 

[Enzo Rules]

That’s is truly a beautiful revolver. Great pick up.

 

[The Gila Bender]

My 13-2 isn't pretty, but it was inexpensive and Nelson Ford gave it a nice action job and polished the trigger face. It goes camping and fishing with me and it's a pleasure to handle and shoot.

 

[got2hav1]

OP, that looks great. I'd be proud to show that off!!

 

[Baxter6551]

Third Gen - I would second on the BK grip adapter. Top shelf. 4 copper tabs instead of 2. Very secure.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

The first time I saw one of those, I was working alone in a small local gunshop one evening in the early 80s, when a kind of scruffy looking guy in jeans and a windbreaker came in. He was friendly enough, and after chatting for a few minutes, he said something like, "would you happen to have a holster for this?" and without further ado he reached into his waistband behind his back and produced a 3" M13. Now this was way before Wisconsin had a CCW law in place, so I was immediately shocked. As soon as he saw the look on my face, he stammered out an apology and produced his FBI credentials. Once I had a moment to regain my composure, he apologized again, then unloaded the piece and let me examine it. Turns out he had just gotten it that day and hadn't received a holster yet. I've always thought that was rather careless for an FBI agent, but it left me with a memorable story.

 

[Retired W4]

Here is some more 13 eye candy of the 4' variety..

 

[WCCPHD]

My last (and favorite) issued revolver. It was ordered with our agency seal roll marked on the side plate and with round butt target grips.

 

[ThirdGen9623]

Very nice. Congratulations! BTW, a company called BK Grip Adapters sells those black Adapters for $25 plus shipping. I just bought one for my Model 15.

I love the BK ones! I have them for both my K
-Frame and J-Frames. That’s what’s currently riding on the Model 13 in place of the Pachmayr.

I’m just a sucker for authenticity, so I’m willing to buy a new one just for the subtle difference in the look.

 

[ThirdGen9623]

My last (and favorite) issued revolver. It was ordered with our agency seal roll marked on the side plate and with round butt target grips.

I’ve seen that on some of the other threads! Beautiful weapon to be issued. Was this a weapon for patrol use, or were you issued it because you worked in a plainclothes/investigative spot at the time? 3” barrels for patrol officers didn’t seem to be very common back then!

 

[ThirdGen9623]

My 13-2 isn't pretty, but it was inexpensive and Nelson Ford gave it a nice action job and polished the trigger face. It goes camping and fishing with me and it's a pleasure to handle and shoot.

View attachment 716275

I think it’s very pretty! I love the look of the Pachmayr rubber grips too. I have a pair on the way for mine.

I also have them on my Model 10 and 686 at the moment.

 

[ladder13]

Many years before the link attached I walked into a gunshop in NY that I frequented. The owners knew me well and that I liked revolvers.
The son of the owner asks me would I like to see something. Sure, why not?
He opens a box with three M13’s, telling me they are FBI guns, a local guy turned them in, and did I want them. This was during one of financially challenged times. Also I had my doubts of the authenticity of the guns.
There sat the three with asking prices 325-375 each. At that time it was a lot of money, that’s how long ago it was. I just couldn’t do it but told the son I would relay the message.

I got home and posted on this forum about the guns for a couple days,no one responded. Finally, a forum member who lived about an hour from me and equally distant from the gun shop asked for the info. I told him where the shop was, and as they say, the rest is history. Chuck bought all three of them after a call to Roy Jinks confirmed the provenance.
His wife is/was FBI.

Here is his post.

The FBI S&W Model 13 .357 Magnum M&P

 

[sigp220.45]

A man after my own heart! I went into the Bureau in 1991, the first class after the 1076 was dropped.

A lot of guys in my first office were still carrying Model 13s (and a few had 2 1/2” Model 10s).

The little PX at Quantico sold Pachmayr grip adapters and that is what most agents had on their guns. A few guys got rubber Packys but not many. The classic setup was issue magnas and a Pachmayr grip adapter. I only saw one Tyler-T, and that was on an old guy’s personally owned Model 19.

 

[ThirdGen9623]

A man after my own heart! I went into the Bureau in 1991, the first class after the 1076 was dropped.

A lot of guys in my first office were still carrying Model 13s (and a few had 2 1/2” Model 10s).

The little PX at Quantico sold Pachmayr grip adapters and that is what most agents had on their guns. A few guys got rubber Packys but not many. The classic setup was issue magnas and a Pachmayr grip adapter. I only saw one Tyler-T, and that was on an old guy’s personally owned Model 19.

I read a lot of your posts about the FBI history with these in other threads! Glad you found this one.

I’m a sucker for old LEO guns. I have a Model 10, 36 (family heirloom), 66, 686, and among the collection is even a German-made SIG P220 and P228…workhorses, all of them!

I know the FBI authorized a lot of different personally-owned weapons for duty use. Do you remember the options you had for the authorized personally-owned handguns back then? I know the issued model was the 1076 for a short time; what was the issued gun immediately after that but before the Glock 22? The P228?

 

[Grayfox]

1991 Model 13-4 3". I picked this up at a gun show some 20 years ago. Its my favorite carry revolver.