[phantomak47]

I am thinking about getting my first wheel gun and although I would like a 686, I know that there are some pretty good deals on SW 65s at the Houston gunshow next month. I would like some highroad opinions about the model 65 and how it functions and handles. From the limited reading I have done , I have noticed that it is not intended for lots of .357 mag. Opinions and input is greatly appreciated. thanks

[S&Wfan]

My 3" Model 65-3 is a great gun . . . if you like a fixed sight .357 that shoots perfectly to point of aim and drives tacks!;)

It would be a FANTASTIC first wheelgun in either the rarer 3" barrel (that's so popular with collectors) OR the much more common former police standard M65 with the 4" barrel.

Here's mine, a 3 inch version, with some fancy S&W Performance Center rosewood grips on it. I bought it slightly used around 1990, when it had Pachmeyers on it. The gun still locks up tighter 'n a tick and has given me lots of pleasure through the years . . . plus some mighty fine protection too!

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/246/246167/folders/233364/210304565-3.jpg

[Brian Williams]

It is one of my favorite carry guns. My 65 started as a 3" and I swapped in a 4" standard barrel. It is one of my most liked guns and shot the most.

[Brian Williams]

It is one of my favorite carry guns. My 65 started as a 3" and I swapped in a 4" standard barrel. It is one of my most liked guns and shot the most.

[edhaus]

My first revolver is a 65-5 with a 4" barrel bought about 3 months ago. Fits my hand great and I can hardly wait to get back to the range and shoot it some more as soon as it's been cleaned and shined back up. I shoot mainly .38's and a few .357s for fun. I keep it loaded at home with .38+P.The info I have read on THR and around the web says it's best to use moderate speed .357s rather than the real hot ones in a K frame. Using 158 grain bullets are OK, but more risky with 125 grain or less. Paying for all the ammo you use is rub with the 65.

[Black Knight]

My 65 has a 3" barrel on it with round butt grips. It is a very nice carry gun. The only problem I had was finding a good paddle holster. It was worth the trouble. I actually like it better than my 2 1/2" 66, even though the 66 looks cooler. The 65 has a no frills, serious business look to it. While I like my 686 4"er the 65 is carried more now a days.

[Starter52]

A great gun. The 65 is lighter and better-handling than the 686, IMO, and is usually much more reasonably priced.

Buy one, if the price is right.

[ravencon]

One of my favorite carry guns is a M 64 (.38 +P rated) with 3" bbl, bobbed hammer and PC action job. It feels just about perfect in the hand and shoots very well.

Do I like it better than any of my 686s? That's too hard a question.:)

[sarge 14]

Another fan of the 3 inch Model 65 here! Love mine!

[hexidismal]

A great gun. The 65 is lighter and better-handling than the 686, IMO, and is usually much more reasonably priced.

It's lighter, thats true.. but its not really the same thing. Really the closest K frame comparison to the L frame 686 would be the Model 66.

[strangelittleman]

I carried one for over 12 yrs on the job and I loved it! I never felt undergunned. We have now switched to some new "plastic fantastic"autopistols.....I sure am missing my old 65!

[Trebor]

My carry gun is a M 65 with a 3" barrel. I shoot it as well as my full size auto-pistols and it carries so much better.

[Bill B.]

I have noticed that it is not intended for lots of .357 mag.

This is more myth than fact IMO. Few of us if any will ever fire enough .357 mags. to ever hurt a S&W K frame .357 mag. I would buy the S&W 65 without worry about this issue.

[spwenger]

...but the three-inch, round-butt M-65 was the last issue revolver of the FBI, having replaced the similar three-inch M-13.

As to holsters, I don't know if they're still available but many years ago I ordered an OWB thumb-break holster from DeSantis for a three-inch M-66 and got what appears to be an FBI-contract over-run for the M-13/65. Fortunately, it's boned loose enough that the M-66 fits but I recently had the chance to pick up a M-65, for which it was actually designed.

The longer I spend in the shooting game, the fonder I become of three-inch revolvers, so long as you're not too short-waisted to get them clear of leather (which I have seen in a couple of female students). I was really looking for a three-inch M-64 when I came upon the three-inch M-65.

[LeonCarr]

Carried one on the job for 10 years...have a personally owned 4" 65 that shoots like a laser beam.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
P.S. Get One

[S&Wfan]

I've shot the heck out of mine, including some stout loads on occasion. IMHO, most folks would never wear their's out in a lifetime of shooting.

Heck, if I ever do, I'll buy another nice one and keep on going!

The only thing to avoid shooting a lot of in a K frame .357 would be the light bullets in the +P loadings such as a 110gn +P. Thousands of rounds of those will wear 'em out EVENTUALLY!;)

IMHO, the 3" and 4" K frames balance better, and handle faster and more naturally, than the frame and barrel heavy L frame .357 counterparts. I especially love the 3" guns for their handling qualities in fast-shooting handgun matches.

T.

[45Badger]

Bought a 4" model 65 a few weeks ago at harrisburg show. Shot it Saturday, and it is a keeper. Accurate and comfortable to shoot. Love the K frame:)

[dwenslen]

I love mine-i've had several 3" over the years, and ditto what everyone else says, it is great. One thing i like is the size/versitility.
I spend a good bit of time hiking and outdoors. can be loaded with snakeshot, heavier rounds for 4 leggers, lighter for 2 leggers, and it packs easily in a fanny pack. if you get one, don't ever sell it, as they are getting harder to find. grab a 4" for the house and then hunt down a 3".
cheers
Derek

[cookekdjr]

I had two 65's, a 4 inch and a 3 inch. I sold the 3 inch for a quick profit, but kept the 4 inch for a good while. It shot VERY well.
This gun was designed to shoot 158gr loads. That it will do very well. It will shoot the lighter .38's without problem; as other have said, its the 125gr and 110gr magnum loads that will hurt it...eventually if you continually shoot those loads.
CDNN has great deals on excellent conidition LEO 65 trade-ins right now.
I'd also look into a good 686 or 681. Can't go wrong with any of them.
-David

[tekarra]

I have both a 3" and a 4" model 65. Both are fine shooters but I don't put many full house .357 loads down the barrels. Guess I want them to last a long time.

The 4" square butt was uncomfortable so I worked it to the same configuration as the round butt and it feels much better. Don't know which I prefer.

[Trebor]

..but the three-inch, round-butt M-65 was the last issue revolver of the FBI, having replaced the similar three-inch M-13.



Can you give me more info on this? I'd heard that the the M-13 was briefly superceded by the S&W 686 before the transition to auto's. I wasn't aware the FBI used the 65 at all.

[Mannlicher]

Put me down as a fan of the Smith Model 65. Mine was rebuilt by the S&W custom shop. The 4 inch barrel was replaced with a 3 inch, and the action was changed to DAO. Most of the internal parts were replaced with new, and it has Wolfe springs.
Great shooter, and a carry gun that goes with me often. The 65 is the one on the right. The left is a Model 60-3, in .38 Special, again, with a three inch barrel and DAO lockwork.

http://www.myhostedpics.com/images/Mannlicher/img1328.jpg

[JaxJim]

I am always amazed how many folks REALLY love the m65, the 3" RB being the favorite configuration.

I have a M65, 4" SB, M65 3" RB and a M64 4" RB. All of these are excellent shooters and the M65 3" is a favorite.

The 3" just feels so good to shoot, I usually shoot 158 SWC powder puff loads through it and they are so much fun to plink with and are accurate as I am. I know it's sacralige, but I have Hogue tupperware grips on it now. As many have already said: it just has a natural "pointability".

[jaholder1971]

I have my late father's M65-3 3inch round butt he carried as a Sergeant with Topeka PD. He bought it from the department when he retired.

It currently sits in semi-retirement itself in Dad's original Roy Baker pancake holster doing nightstand HD duty.

Dad would have been 68 tomorrow. I may just take it out and put some .38's through it.

[arsuf]

I have a 4" model 65 police trade in. Very nice to shoot, points well. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another. Actually I'm considering another k frame in a few weeks, they balance and fit my hand very well.

[jaholder1971]

Didn't get out today, but did get some photos.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2164881832_f559c66394.jpg?v=0

That's an original Roy Baker holster TPD gave Dad when they issued him the 65.

[florida1098]

Have'nt cleaned my M65 after firing at the range for about 4 yrs. Is there a way to get the black marks off the cylider/hammer ? specific products please..
If I could trade this for a new S&W for less than $300 ( out of pocket plus 65) is it worth it?
Thanks

[Oro]

Off topic, but what I do is just soak it in Hoppes - if it's bad I take it off the frame, remove the ejector and let it sit face down for a while - overnight if it's bad. If you don't have a tool to get the ejector rod off w/o marring it, or don't feel comfortable with that, then just wipe it down and let it set a while. Use some scotch brite to help remove it, but nothing harsher or you'll scratch the cylinder face. Repeat the process until you get it as clean as you want.

Part II -

Yes, you could sell the gun and add $300 and just squeak into a new 620 or 686 or other models if you wanted. I'd rather have an older pre-2000 gun myself. My only real complaint with the 65 is the fixed sights - practical and maintenance free, but harder to see to acquire a target at distance. As I get older my eyes like the rr/wo adjustable more and more, and the Hi-viz set up is just wonderful (have it on a 1911).

[Virginian]

Of all the guns I have bought and sold over the years, I have very few regrets. One was letting a 4" 65 go. 20 years later, still the most accurate centerfire handgun I have ever owned.

[colubrid]

My 65 has a 3" barrel on it with round butt grips. It is a very nice carry gun. The only problem I had was finding a good paddle holster.

What brand paddle holster did you go with?

[Nematocyst]

A couple of years ago, I owned a 686 4". Loved it except that I couldn't get used to the 4" barrel.
Just didn't balance well and point quickly enough for me.

So I sold it, and replaced it with a 65 3". Perfect for me: balances great, points quickly.

First time to the range, it offered up a couple of failure to fire rnds.

Took it to my smith recently for an opinion.
"Trigger feels light to me", he said. "Somebody either tried to lighten the hammer spring, or replaced it."

I left it with him for repair.

I've been thinking that eventually, I'd want to replace it with a 3" 686.
But after reading this thread, I'm not so sure any more.

Now, if I can just find a holster for it.
Would like a drop holster suitable for wearing with a large belted backpack for the outback.

[Lawnman380]

Great Smith!!http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/frankcape/frank%20sub%201/Tim-681-586007.jpg

[Confederate]

As much as I like the S&W 65/66 revolvers, I'm partial to the Ruger Speed-Six. It has all the strength of a Security-Six packed in a small package that's every bit as nice as the 65.

I bought the model below in .38 Spc a number of years back. I took it to a very good gunsmith (Sandy Garrett of No. Virginia) and asked him if he could ream out the chambers to accept .357 cartridges. He did and he did so meticulously. The result is that the gun is so accurate that I wish I could get all my .357 cylinders in .38 so I could get that kind of consistency by having them rechambered!

Anyway, the gun has a fantastic action, has never malfunctioned and it feels every bit as good as a Smith 65, though it's much more durable.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/Speed-Six_4.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/Speed-Six_6.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/Speed-Six_5.jpg

[Nematocyst]

Anyway, the [Ruger Speed Six] has a fantastic action, has never malfunctioned
and it feels every bit as good as a Smith 65, though it's much more durable.Cite evidence, please, to support that assertion.

References?