My 357 S&W

[gogogubbins]

I just adore this Smith & Wesson. Stainless body, walnut checkered grips and loads Magnums. Pretty accurate too.

[BowMan]

Nice one. Model 65?

[BowMan]

Or make that 65-3/65-4/65-5? Most probably a 65-3 or 4?

[gogogubbins]

You got that right. 65-3.

I have a 65-4 also. Will post some more pics. Of both. For the non-initiated, 65 would normally be the year the model was first introduced and 3,4 etc refer to the barrel length in inches. S&W called it model 13 when introduced. However it's being labeled 65 is a bit strange since the stainless magnum model was introduced only in 1973-4.

This 65-3 is 1985 built, stainless K body, with a notched rear sight. Solid, business like. Very smooth trigger in both single and double action. It was the stock gun for US law enforcement agencies in 70s-80s, till Glocks became more common.

More on model 65 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_64 and a more authoritative take at http://lonelymachines.org/2010/04/01/sw-model-65/
More on 357 magnums http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.357_Magnum

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

For concealed carry, the M-65 and it's Blue cousin the M-13 is an excellent choice.

It was the standard FBI gun until the 1988 Miami shoot out.

Which is when the FBI switched over to the 10mm and later 9mm when it was found that

many agents could not handle the Hot 10mm round.

The one attached is probably the Best of the M-65 line up.

The M-65 Ladysmith, marketed to Women.

At that time, the LS guns were worked over at the factory(or so I was told).

No sharp edges, better trigger and chamfered cylinder.

Barky/Blasty with Heavy Magnum loads.

Great with 125/140 gr magnum loads.

What every Woman who like revolvers should carry.

[BowMan]

Hi gogogubbins,

Agree to all but this.

For the non-initiated, 65 would normally be the year the model was first introduced and 3,4 etc refer to the barrel length in inches.

Just to put this is the right perspective, the Smith & Wesson model designation has nothing to do with the year in which they were introduced. The present numbered model designation was introduced in the year 1957. So the Model 10 was introduced in 1899 and became Model 10 in 1957, the Model 13 in 1973, the Model 14 in 1947, Model 15 in 1949, Model 19 in 1957....

Also for your theory about the dashes, I would say please do not repeat this in conversation with to someone who knows even a little bit about these things. These are not barrel length numbers but Engineering and Production changes made by the company. In case of your particular gun which is the 65 the dash three does not imply a 3" barrel but it means that it is the third iteration of the model 65 released by the manufacturer (Smith & Wesson). Whenever Smith & Wesson makes any design or manufacturing changes to an existing production line gun, it changes the dash numbers. Let me share some details with you so that this becomes clear;

• 65-1 (1972): Introduction.
• 65-2 (1977): Change to move gas ring from yoke to cylinder.
• 65-3 (1982): Eliminate cylinder counterbore and pinned barrel; slight change in cylinder length to 1.62".
• 65-4 (1988): New yoke retention system/ floating hand/hammer nose bushing - radius stud package on 4" square butt.
• 65-5 (1988): New yoke retention system/ floating hand/hammer nose bushing- radius stud package on 3" round butt.

Here is also a clue to as to how I could identify the dash number on your Gun. The Dash 3 eliminated pinned barrel and recessed cylinders....

Hi YogiBear,

The one attached is probably the Best of the M-65 line up.

The M-65 Ladysmith, marketed to Women.

I am sure you are a bit confused here. Just to make things clear, the gun you are referring to is a J frame 5 shot gun which is also called the 'ladysmith' and ladysmiths' have always been either M frame (the original Ladysmiths) or J frame (ever since the M and I frames was discontinued) and never a K frame. And that makes your gun the model 60 and not 65.

We would really appreciate if you would show us your other guns...

Regards,

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

Nope, it is a Ladysmith M-65-5

Ladysmith M-65 were made from 1992-2004

See attached Photos

I have included photos of the M-65 next to a M-10 HB

Notice the sharper edges on the M-10, especially the chamfered cylinder holes.

Also a M-13 4" HB and a police trade in M-15

All are K frames as evidenced by the 6 round cylinders.

[BowMan]

I stand corrected...it appears there was a Model 65LS is production from 1991 to 2005. Your particular beauty should date from 1991 to 1997? These should be perhaps the biggest guns the get the "Lady Smith" Designation. It would be so interesting to compare these two side by side; yours and the "original" M frame Lady Smith.

The blued revolver in the 2nd and 3rd pic is definitely a very well maintained example of Model 13 (and not Model 10)? Is the gold lettering factory or is that something applied (I believe it is also on the front blade)? I believe it has seldom been carried in a holster?

The first one seems to have the most character though. Must have been carried in by a peace office for a considerable period. Are those grips original to the gun? Certainly a very good example of the K - 38 Combat Masterpiece aka Model 15. To me there is something magical about these old police six guns with all that years of character on them...

Must I say these are sweet guns all of them Yogi and thanks for sharing...

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

The ways to tell a HB M-10 from a M-13 is by looking at the model designation on the inside of the crane

and the caliber marking on the barrel.

None of the guns came with gold or colored engraving.

I like my guns to be different from stock guns and I put the gold and different colored paint in the letters.

On almost all my regular shooting guns, I have applied bright yellow or chartreuse paint on the front sights

for better visibility under almost all conditions. Very easy to do.

The M-15 is an Ex Honolulu Police Department gun. The grips were modified by it's previous owner.

That and the holster wear gives it character.

All my M-10s, 13,15 and 64 are used gun shop finds. The 65 was the only one I bought new.

I like the K frame 3" HB guns. Great home defense and concealed carry, if/when Hawaii ever gets concealed carry.

I have several other revolvers and Berettas that are police trade ins.

[BowMan]

sweet guns yogi....why not treat us to a thread specially dedicated to all your police trade in guns...?