Posted: 5/2/2006 7:49:50 AM EDT
|
Hey everyone.....as my last post indicated, I did pick up a .357 Magnum. I found out that it was a Smith and Wesson Model 65-6. I've been trying to find information from Smith and Wesson on this model; and I've been trying to find information on the net. Neither was much succesful. So I thought I'd try here. I know that the Model 65 is discontinued and being replaced by another similar revolver. I also know that the Model 65 was a classic police revolver. But what does the "-6" mean? Any significance? I'd also like to know what your opinions are of this revolver. Revolver is probably 99% (LNIB) condition. Maybe a few cylinders was fired to sight in the red-dot scope that was put on it. BTW - i removed the red dot scope and trying to get it back to as plain and simple as possible. Another question that I have is the going price of this revolver? I paid $375 for the revolver. I know that police-trade ins are in the price of $200 or so. Tell me things I need to know about this revolver. Its my first revolver, so either make me feel good or make me regret ever buying this revolver. Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings.....but do be gentle  mMm |
|
The dash six indicates the sixth major engineering change to the basic model 65. In this case it meant MIM internals, changes to the firing pin (frame mounted instead of hammer) and some changes to the internal lockwork. This was the last change made to the 65 before it was discontinued. I happen to think the K frame Smith is the best revolver ever made. Own four of them and will acquire more. But, $375 is to much to pay for one. The range around here is closer to 250 to 300. Granted most used 65's tend to be pretty beat, But 375 is more than I would want to pay for one. |
|
I've got a 65-3 that I bought for $260 in the spring of 2004. It has a 3" barrel and hammer-mounted firing pin. It was a police trade-in and is in pretty good shape--just a few minor scratches. The rubber grips it had on it were very small and made shooting it with .357 ammo almost painful. They were more suited to concealment rather than shooting comfort. I replaced them with some larger rubber grips and shooting full-power loads is much more manageable. You probably paid too much for yours. However, I just paid too much for a used SIG P225, but it is what I wanted. If you're happy with your gun, it's money well spent. Which barrel length is your Model 65? |
|
I paid around $275ish for a near new police trade 65-5 3" I love that revolver. It shoots well, handles magnums well enough for CCW purposes and loves gold dot .38 +Ps... Also have some winchester 147grain .38+P's that do a good job as well. Get us some pics of the new Smith ya got! |
|
I paid $200 for my Model 65, a police tradein. It has a 4" barrel and is a plain jane with some Uncle Mike's rubber grips. I would say it's in good to v-good condition. I think it may have the best trigger of any firearm that I have.Double or single action, smooth and crisp with no take up. 
|
|
If you're happy with it, then the price isn't to much. Because of the amount of police trade-ins out there, the price for these is typically much less than you paid, is all. Police trades can vary from beat up junk to virtually new, sat in the armory types, but of course they typically have been carried alot--shot very little. I came across a -6 at a pawn shop about 3 years ago---like new for $225. I have 11 K and L frames, and this -6 is the only one with MIM parts/frame mounted firing pin. I absolutely refuse to buy any S&W with a safety, and don't care for the MIM parts, so I have been buying up every excellent cond. older model I can find---and it appears i'm not the only one. Others are doing the same thing, so the used market prices are creeping up while quantities are shrinking---at least in my area. One shop owner said its kind of like the run for Win. 94's a month or 2 ago--it appears lots of people don't like the safety/MIM parts and know they "won't make them like they used too" ever again. my 2 cents ETA: 3" barrel Mod. 10's, 13's, 64's and 65's were regular catalog items for many years, so there's plenty out there--just not as available as 4". I had a 3" 66 that I sold in Dec. like a dumbass--some guy wanted it REAL bad--and I made good money on it--but now I look at it as one of my stupid deals. |
| I bought my 3" 65 at a range in Baton Rouge, La. They had three police trade-in 65's in the case--one 3" and two 4". They were priced at $270. They told me that if I'd buy 2, they would sell them for $260 each. I called my brother-in-law and he bought one of the 4" guns. I bought the 3" version so we got the lower price. The 3" guns are out there, but you have to really look for them. |
Thanks all. I'm starting to feel a little bad knowing that I could save a few bucks. But oh wells. I bought it from a friend, so I don't feel too bad. You win some and you lose some. I figured that a new 65 (if I can find a new one) will be in the $450-$500 range. The one that my friend had that I bought was LNIB. So didn't want my friend to lose too much money.Picutres....as soon as I can get access to a digital camera....the pics will come. Next question....I've been looking for holsters for the 65. Having a hard time. So, any suggestions? |
I bought a 65-5 (no MIM and old-style FP) 3" for $350 in Nov'05 - a good price for hereabouts.  I had a 'smith friend bob the hammer to the profile found on the 547 hammers (less snaggy, but still enough for SA use), and do an action job (11.2 lbs DA with standard factory mainspring).  It's a dandy gun.  Went hiking with me in the foothills of the Sandias last night.   Here are some velocities from the 3" tube: Sellier & Bellot .357 magnum 158-gr JSP average velocity 1077 fps, extreme spread of 37.47, standard deviation of 13.82. Remington .38 spl +P 158-gr LSWCHP avg velocity 842.3 fps, ES 31.49, SD 12.88 Federal .38 spl +P+ 147-gr Hydra-Shok avg vel 896 fps, ES 25.4, SD 8.67 Winchester .357 145-gr STHP avg 1175 fps, ES 84.78, SD 32.93 |
Looks nice. So you went hiking huh? How did you carry your piece? What kind of holster did you pack your piece in? This fall, my piece will be going deer hunting with me, so I'm just looking for ideas on how to pack my S&W 65. |
|
This is my M65-5. It was a special order with the Dymondwood grips but I've since switched to NOS Butler Creek/Uncle Mike's synthetics for better recoil control. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Bill_Lester/ShootingStuff/SWM65-5_small.jpg The gun is carried often and is also my nightstand weapon. Holster of choice is the DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard, the center leather shown below. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Bill_Lester/ShootingStuff/DeSantisLeather_small.jpg |
Looks nice. Thank you for the pics. mMm |
|
Hi MrMONEYMan, I carry it in a Ted Blocker #10 that I had them make (it's awful tough to find leather for 3" K-frames anymore - sure not like the late '80s!) for me. They got it to me two weeks to the day from the day I called in the order - can't beat that for custom leather!  
|
I really like the looks of that leather, nice and simple and fully covers the trigger guard. Can I ask what you paid for it? |
|
Hi neighbor (when are you going to change your profile to say "Charmington"? ), I believe it was $65.00 plus shipping. . . Yep, that's right: here's a link - Ted Blocker # 10 |