Where's the Love for the Model 13?

[Bhfromme]

So I'm watching Silence of the Lambs last night and the FBI is all geared up with their Model 13s and it got me wondering why no one here talks much those beautiful little 357s.

I go on Gunbroker and only see two available. Are they really that rare? And if they're K frame 357s what makes them any different from the Model 19s?

 

[VM]

So I'm watching Silence of the Lambs last night and the FBI is all geared up with their Model 13s and it got me wondering why no one here talks much those beautiful little 357s.

I go on Gunbroker and only see two available. Are they really that rare? And if they're K frame 357s what makes them any different from the Model 19s?

Fixed sights

 

[LPD256]

No shroud on ejector rod.

 

[dmthomp32]

I found a beautiful example for my father in law about four years ago. I think it's his favorite revolver for whatever reason he shoots that model 13 better than any gun. Normally I can smoke him on the range until that model 13 shows up!

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[smitty_bs]

I have three M13s, all with a 3"bbls, and one M10 with a 3"bbl. Not a better balanced revolver out there. The three-incher with 38spl +P is what the FBI used before the M459 etc.

 

[dscampbell]

My model 13 the last personal owned duty weapon before the sheriff mandated only county issued could be carried.


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[Double-O-Dave]

The three-incher with 38spl +P is what the FBI used before the M459 etc.

My understanding is that the DEA issued the 3.0 inch barreled Model 65.

Regards,

Dave

 

[BAM-BAM]

Lots of "lust" here for the 3 inch 13......... the 4" not so much!!!!

I think at 4" most would opt for the sexier ........ 19 or 586.

There were a lot more 3" 65s built than the 13...... stainless was the name of the duty gun game in the 70s and 80s.

 

[UncleEd]

Let's face it, the Model 13 is still
basically a HB Model 10 with most
shooting including the FBI confined
to .38s and .38 Plus Ps.

And it was at a time that SS was
becoming more prominent with
such guns as the Models 65, 66
in .357. (I see Bam-Bam beat me
to mentioning the SS offerings.)

 

[sodacan]

I have one (13-2, 4"). Good shooter. Not too pretty, but a solid service revolver. I like fixed sight service guns.

 

[stansdds]

They get a fair amount of attention around here. I would not mind having one, if it had a 3 inch barrel. The 3 inch barrel on the K-frame is the shortest length that retains the full-length ejector rod.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I'm a bit of a pragmatist, so I would prefer the lower maintenance 3" 65, but the 3" 13 is still a cool gun to have, if for no other reason than it was the issued gun for the FBI for several years. That's pretty much the only reason I'd want one. However, I'm even more interested in the FBI's 2.5" Model 10.

 

[UncleEd]

The 3 inch barrel on the K-frame is the shortest length that retains the full-length ejector rod.

Not any more; Smith has the 2.75-inch barreled Model
66 with full length ejector rod and front lockup within
the yoke area. Of course, one might not like the newer
types of Smiths.

 

[Buford57]

The finest officer I ever served with carried a 4" M13 in uniform and plainclothes for his entire career. The officers of our department voted him officer of the year multiple times and on one occasion awarded him a 3" M13 as part of their tribute. He prized the award gun but continued to carry the 4". My tastes ran differently, but if it was good enough for Bob P., that's enough for me.

 

[JohnRippert]

Picked this one up off GB late last year. I had the Culinas make me a set of magnas in American holly since the grips were mismatched. So I have a little love here.

 

[Bhfromme]

The finest officer I ever served with carried a 4" M13 in uniform and plainclothes for his entire career. The officers of our department voted him officer of the year multiple times and on one occasion awarded him a 3" M13 as part of their tribute. He prized the award gun but continued to carry the 4". My tastes ran differently, but if it was good enough for Bob P., that's enough for me.

Thank you for your service Buford!

 

[Zarr]

This weekend is tax-free weekend here in Taxachusetts, and yesterday I picked up a nice 13-3 3". Last year on tax-free weekend I bought a 4" 13-3 with smooth target stocks to go with my 3" 65-3 NYSP. Two years in a row, I hope this is habit forming!

And this thread has convinced me to learn how to post pictures.

 

[pbramlett]

I love em. I buy them whenever I find them sub 700.00 but have been known pay a little more for excellent examples. Probably in my top three favorite smiths. They carry nicely and shoot wonderfully. I have several 13s and 65s

 

[Red Tex]

I got some love.

4" nickel, pinned and recessed.
4" blued
3" blued, round butt

K-frames are a personal favorite of mine.

 

[bdGreen]

I have three Model 13's.

All configured the same.

Here are two that were 'gifted' to me by my Police Department.

I was a two times honoree of 'Officer of the Year'.

With my name engraved on them I guess I can't sell them off...

enjoy,
bdGreen