S & W model 65

[NodakTwo]

New member here and I have a question.

I purchased a model 65 several months ago and found that it had a very sticky/stiff trigger. I had a local gunsmith take a look at it and he said that the Smith and Wesson factory should take a look at it..

Long story short: The trigger stud had been damaged by a previous owner and the pistol was not economically feasible to repair. They think the repair would cost more than a new firearm.

Numerich has replacement trigger studs for less than $5, but since it looks like the stud is a press fit in the frame, I am guessing special tooling and processes are needed to do the repair. Any suggestions as to what I can do? I only paid a little over two hundred dollars for the pistol, but I would like to get it running.

Thanks in advance.

NodakTwo

 

[chief38]

If the gun were blue and would most likely need refinishing after the repair was done, then you could probably say it might not be cost effective. Because your M65 is Stainless no bluing or nickeling would be necessary and so I would be surprised if it could not be put back into service by a competent GS at a price worth paying. This is not a difficult job for a true GS.

 

[tennexplorer]

So did S&W say it was not economical to repair or did the local gunsmith? It is not that bad a job especially with a stainless gun.

 

[NodakTwo]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I got a letter from Smith and Wesson saying it was not an economical repair and offering a non disclosed discount on a new firearm. The local gunsmith appears to have more business dealing in long guns, but has a reputation as a knowledgeable and competent smith. He has handled other tasks for me in a timely and friendly manner. He has told me that he is not comfortable trying to do the repair. I also know that he can do work that other larger shops will not tackle. He was able to repair a $400 collectable rifle and get an offer of $1700 after the work was done.

I know many of the area gunsmiths, and know some are more competent and experienced than others, but none contacted so far, will take on the job.

 

[chief38]

I'm literally shocked that S&W would tell you that! I'd keep looking for a good GS and would NOT commit your M65 to the scrap heap. I am really saddened to hear that they don't want to repair it for you. You should place another call to them and ask for the Custom Shop Supervisor.

 

[Ross3914]

Kudos to your gunsmith for telling you the truth. Knowing his limitations, and telling you, is a pretty good sign he cares about his work. I'd keep him as your gunsmith. You won't get some BS line from him.

If you can't find someone local, find someone not so local. Good revolver smiths don't grow on trees. They're downright scarce. Sending your gun off to one shouldn't be prohibatively expensive though. It will only get expensive once you decide that since you're sending it off, you might as well get other work done to it

Sure, you only paid a couple hundred bucks for it, but look at it this way: That's the perfect kindo f base to start with.

 

[tennexplorer]

I'd call Cylinder and Slide. See what they say.