Unique 13-2

[three50seven]

I picked this up at a local show recently, from the original owner, no less. If it weren't for that, I probably would have passed. He was a retired LEO from the PNW. He also had a 5" model 10 and a model 39 for sale, all 3 had been his duty guns over the years. According to him, he had sent this 13-2 to Jim Clark to have an action job and round butt conversion done, as well as have the hammer and cylinder release modified. The trigger pull is amazing, both DA and SA. If it stays in my collection, I will most likely have the barrel shortened/swapped for a 3".

P.S. the serial number puts it as a 1980, so I'm barely making the cut for this section

 

[Tom K]

I picked this up at a local show recently, from the original owner, no less. If it weren't for that, I probably would have passed. He was a retired LEO from the PNW. He also had a 5" model 10 and a model 39 for sale, all 3 had been his duty guns over the years. According to him, he had sent this 13-2 to Jim Clark to have an action job and round butt conversion done, as well as have the hammer and cylinder release modified. The trigger pull is amazing, both DA and SA. If it stays in my collection, I will most likely have the barrel shortened/swapped for a 3".

P.S. the serial number puts it as a 1980, so I'm barely making the cut for this section

Why on Earth would you do that? S&W made the Model 13 as a 3" gun with a round butt as a standard factory offering. Seems like throwing money away to customize a gun that is already custom to duplicate a standard configuration.

 

[usm1rifle]

Why on Earth would you do that? S&W made the Model 13 as a 3" gun with a round butt as a standard factory offering. Seems like throwing money away to customize a gun that is already custom to duplicate a standard configuration.

Tom, he purchased it that way...

 

[three50seven]

Why on Earth would you do that? S&W made the Model 13 as a 3" gun with a round butt as a standard factory offering. Seems like throwing money away to customize a gun that is already custom to duplicate a standard configuration.

My guess is, the previous owner wanted a RB with a 4" barrel, and for whatever reason, couldn't get that configuration at that time. All collector value is already gone, so modifying the barrel would just make it more appealing to me.

 

[BSA1]

This gun is a reminder of my younger days when I carried revolvers. I modified a couple of 4” barrel Model 13’s to round butt. I can tell you that the steel Smith uses is very hard. Another officer brought the first one so I made myself another. It was a comfortable grip and manageable recoil when shooting .357 using Goodyear grips.

For a long time S&W Model 13’s are rarely seen in my area. A couple of weeks ago I lucked out and found a lightly used 13-2 blue 4” barrel in a LGS. I suspect it was carried briefly by a leo or security officer. It shows light holster wear on the barrel. The grips are in excellent condition and the front and back of grip frame shows no loss of bluing. The previous owner has painted the front sight orange and the rear sight white making it easy to align the sights. I added a BK Grip Adapter which is comfortable size for me but it is not my choice for shooting magnums as K-Frames have stiff recoil. With 38 Spl. +P though I do not feel underarmed.

Personally I would not put a 3” barrel on it. Other than finding a competent gunsmith (not a parts changer) that knows how to install a pinned barrel imo the value of the gun will not go up enough cover the cost of the barrel and gunsmithing (although that has never stopped me before lol). Put it up for sale and a old leo like me might be willing to buy it.

 

[Baxter6551]

I’ll chime in and say I also would definitely leave as is. A 4 inch round butt model 13 is an ultimate carry in my opinion. The 5 inch model 10 would have been a nice score also.

 

[mikerjf]

I like the hammer/cyl release mod, snagged a pic for future ref.

 

[Doug M.]

My 4" M66 was cut to RB by BMCM. It is a great package for a revolver shooter. The performance is a bit better than a 3", and generally speaking, the difference in concealment is modest at most.

 

[Jerry M]

My guess is, the previous owner wanted a RB with a 4" barrel, and for whatever reason, couldn't get that configuration at that time....

This was the way it was done back then.

 

[T112-4]

Kind of the reverse, when I got the goodyears off after the auction square butt. I do not think they made this version and a doubtful special order. So previous owner had the barrel changed to 3", With the midsized Herretts it's my favorite carry. Always on the lookout for 13's. Bill

 

[Muley Gil]

The first M19 I ever owned was a 4" blue. I round butted it, then added a smooth target trigger and Pachmayer Compac grips. I carried to the police academy and shot NRA Police Expert with it.

I had a couple of 4" barreled M13 frames that I put back to functioning firearms. I intended to round butt at least one of them, but both got sold before that happened.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I picked this up at a local show recently, from the original owner, no less. If it weren't for that, I probably would have passed.

Buy the gun, not the story. He told you a story and you bought the gun.

Did the 'Original Owner' provide any Providence?

 

[AC Man]

My first hand gun I purchased in 1974 was a 13 - 2 4" I laughed at the toy magna grips and the dealer said he can equip it with bigger target grips. That was perfect! Still have it along the tiny factory Magnas.

I have a pretty good revolver collection. The only one my son wants to claim is the 13 - 2 unmolested 357. I would not mess with it.

 

[A10]

It wasn't that long ago that a Model 10 of any flavor (13s included) didn't have much collector interest. They were the base build for most PPC and pin guns of the era. Modifying one wasn't looked on as much more than putting mag wheels on your Mustang.

I would have picked that one up too. And I'd get the story of the gentleman who sold it to me, write it down, and keep it with the gun. There's history in that one.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Nice mods, and nice grippers on your 13-1. "Trout Slayer" is my 3-inch 13-2 (with recessed cylinder but unpinned barrel). Bought cheap and neglected in 2012 and sent to Nelson Ford for a smooth 'n tune and to polish the trigger. I'd love to try the action on yours.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Its your gun dude. Do what you want. I can assure you that the 3" RB is a sweet, sweet combination. I have a 10, 13 and a couple of 64s in that layout.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

Its your gun dude. Do what you want. I can assure you that the 3" RB is a sweet, sweet combination. I have a 10, 13 and a couple of 64s in that layout.

Agreed, a 3” RB is hard to deny. It would take a hefty pile of cash for me to come off my 65. OP Make sure to post pics if you swap barrels!

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Why on Earth would you do that? S&W made the Model 13 as a 3" gun with a round butt as a standard factory offering. Seems like throwing money away to customize a gun that is already custom to duplicate a standard configuration.

Cuz the 3 in 13's are very hard to find.

 

[Dino44]

Two of my more recent purchases happened to be model 13's. Blue is 13-2 $667.00, nickel is 13-3 $765.68.

 

[Tom K]

Cuz the 3 in 13's are very hard to find.

There's currently at least one on GB and a couple on GI. You know what's even harder to find? A Model 13 4" with a round butt.