[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Of late I've been shooting quite a few semiautos of late for ammo testing, giving shooting lessons, friendly competition, and checking out a 1911 "built" at home.

Yesterday, a good friend and I went shooting and when I went to the safe I automatically was reaching into the bin of 1911's when I spied a little gem I'd not shot in a few weeks.

Nothing fancy a tall, it is just a clean used S&W Model 64 3" that I bought right at a gunshow last year.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/hipowersandhandguns/SWM64638.jpg
Shown here with my Model 638, the M64 has had little done to it. I cleaned up the action very, very little and stuck on a pair of Pachmayr rubber grips. They're not the prettiest in the world, but I do find them extremely comfortable on this revolver.

Anyway it was pleasant not to have to pick up cases other than when practicing the "practical" stuff and shooting double-action always brings back memories from early police revolver shooting.

Though I'm not wedded to semiautos, they are what I shoot most of the time but it seems like each and every single time I shoot a revolver that I wonder why I don't spend at least equal time with them.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/hipowersandhandguns/SWM64hand1.jpg
This little thing showed itself no slouch on paper, falling plates, or popping cans at about 50 yards.

Even if you are an "automatic man," I respectfully suggest that if you own a good revolver that is being "neglected," don't! Considered "obsolete" by some, they remain really fun shooters and I personally wouldn't be afraid to have one as a primary handgun in a fight.

Best.

[Dienekes]

Well, *somebody* is buying up all those old trade-in revolvers and some of the new ones in the cases.

Of late I find that my Ruger .45 convertible suits me very well for boondocking and plinking--sufficient power, mild recoil, and impressive results on the far end. Fun, too.

One of Elmer Keith's shooting acquaintances named Don Martin wrote a piece many years ago about the day-in, day-out virtues of the old single action and his points were valid both then and now.

A fellow named Ed McGivern did okay with a DA revolver too.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Some years ago I was at the range shooting some sort of auto; don't remember what, but an older gentleman took a spot on the line and sat a brief case on the table. It was just he and I out there and I cast a curious eye his way to see what he was shooting. Turns out it was two or three single-action .45 Colt revolvers. I do not know if they were clones or Colts but he put up 5 sheets of notebook paper at 7 or 10 yards. Using a two-hand hold, thumbing the hammer with his off-hand and I suspect just holding the trigger back, he made that thing sound like a burp gun...for five shots.

His hits were more toward the center of each sheet of paper than the edge.

Tools can be important but so is the ability of the "craftsman."

Best.

[Johnny Guest]

A while back, I picked up a three-inch Model 65-3 that's a near twin to your M64, Steve. I shot it a bit and was impressed with the glassy smooth action an earlier owner (or issuee) had done.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=25898&stc=1

I recently had a used Dillon Square Deal B reconditoned at the factory and have put up a bunch of lead bullet loads. I've been having a BALL shooting this revolver - - Short range quick-n-dirty and fairly long range as well. I dug out an old hi ride holster I'd made for a three inch M10 about 15 years ago, and I've even been packing the 65 some. Heavier than my favored alloy frame .38s, sure, but it's the difference between a belly gun and a really decent fighting revolver.

And I just got started handloading for a .41 magnum, and THAT's fun, too.

I'm not giving up on my Big Colt Automatics or Brownings, for sure, but the circular sidearms are really worthwhile . . . :p

Best,
Johnny

[Trebor]

I need a source for a 3" M-64. I have a friend who fell in love with my 65 3". The problem is she's a parole officer and is limited to .38 Special chambered guns. She wants a new work gun and the 3" 64 would fit the bill.

Anyone have any leads?

[sm]

:D

3" RB HB Model 64 owner here as well.

Granted I prefer blued guns;they have soul you know. I wanted a steel Model 10. So with nicer wood stocks I used mine as a BBG gun at first :p

Mine have seen duty as Office guns, CCW, Bedroom,Small game hunting, toting in the woods, farms , ranches and teaching new shooters.

Now if a lady says she can shoot a Model 64 better than a Model 10 - using the same stocks - I am not going to agrue. I am a male and I'd lose that argument anyway.

She later laughed and said " girls shoot pretty guns better silly". I also found out Win. STHP 125gr +P " look pretty" as a defensive load - I just nodded my head - her target said she would be just fine.

Pointibility, sight radius, enough heft to dampen recoil , not too heavy to cause fatigue , and with the variety of stocks available - fits so many hands. with a good belt and holster - conceals well.

Mine is currently wearing the original wood stocks because we all know " a stock wheel gun is old school". I kept eating up playing cards with mine, the person whom had commented about the wheel gun was bending over looking for brass, his playing card -he must have been "preserving" for another day.

Mine has also seen a lot of Speer rubber bullets digested, new shooter in a warehouse getting a lot of good practice, as the weather was not being cooperative.

Great guns!

[Checkman]

I looked upon revolvers as "antiques" until a couple of years ago. If it wasn't a semi-auto then I wasn't interested. I did own a couple snubbie 38's, but I looked upon them as BUG's and nothing else. This was the case until November of 2003. I was spending the Saturday at a local gunshow and came across a table with a whole bunch of S&W sheelguns. The dealer was also selling autos and doing a brisk business, but nobody was looking at the wheelies. In particular there were a couple Highway Patrolmen (6" bls) on the table. Now I had always referred to the M28 as "chunk o' gun", but this time I actually picked one of them up and gave it the look over. I meant to set it down and move on, but that monster grabbed my attention. Within a few minutes the dealer walked over with a slight grin. He could tell that somebody had been bitten by the N-frame bug, "They're big, but they're good shooters"

Well to make a long story short I bought it. It cost me $350.00, but I didn't care. I now own three M28's (2x6" & 1x4") and a M27 w/5" bl. I also own a Ruger GP100, 686+, and a Ruger Blackhawk in 357 magnum. I still own my S&W M49 and Colt DS as well. They're still my BUGS, but I now give them more respect and TLC. They seem to have forgiven me for my neglect. Chalk it up to callow youth.

My daily carry weapon is either the Sig 220 or the 245. They're great handguns and I like them. I also own a Browning Hi-Power which I'm fond of, but the wheelguns have taken over my safe. And I'm not going back. :)

[cortez kid]

My dealer had purchased a bunch of Mod 64 4". Probably one of the best shooting guns I have. They clean up very well and look great. Got 4 of them from him. All are in different configurations, including beadblasted. Good looking firearm you have there. makes me wish I had a 3" also.
kid

[Stainz]

Trebor,

I know where you can get a 3" 64 in really nice shape... actually, in new shape! It is still available new from S&W as SKU 162504 with a MSRP of $583. My dealer said he'd order one for $410, I think, same price as the 4". The adjustable sight 4" 67 at MSRP $642 (~$450) may be better for me.

Yesterday found me at the range (32+ mi each way) in a quickie/impromptu tag-along with a friend. I grabbed a scoped .22 WMR to sight-in - and my range bag with just two SA revolvers (Gads, I left all of my S&W's home!). The two were both 4.6" BHG Rugers; one a Vaquero .45 while the other was my converted grip SBH .44. I finshed with the rifle and went to the real 'fun'. Even 'limited' to two SA choices - both sporting Bird's Head Grips - I had a super time. I had found a popper load for the .45 (200gr LRNFP over 5.0gr Titegroup) that actually hit coincident POI/POA at 12 yd - couldn't miss the small rebounding plates. Good thing, that was the only .45 Colt load I had with me! I had a similar single .44 Special choice: 240gr LRNFP over 4.6gr Titegroup - very mild in the SBH - and hit coincident POI/POA as well. Just a fun day!

I never had as much fun with any semi-auto. My G21, AMT DAO .45 'Backups', CZ-75, and even my Marlin Camp Carbines (9 & .45), were never as much fun as that first revolver I bought - a Ruger .45 convertible Blackhawk. That doomed my evil-bottom-feeders - and I went to the purity of the round gun... except tor the Ruger MKII .22LR - it's just cheap plinking fun and doesn't count. Actually, it doesn't get much range-time, either... but, it is a keeper. It will go long before the revolvers do, however...

Stainz