S&W Model 13: Perfect Defense Gun?

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Confederate

Confederate

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I haven't seen many of these lately. I had a brand new one years ago in Utah and foolishly sold it. I can still see it in my mind's eye lying in its box with the brown anti-moisture wrapping. Damn nice gun. What was I thinking?

In my opinion it's the ideal home defense gun in all of Smith's line-up. It was the one gun I could always recommend to people wanting a good...did I say "good"? I meant "perfect" gun for a dresser drawer.

If anyone has any photos of one, I'd like to them. As much as I like my Security-Six Rugers, I miss the 13 I let get away. It's why I tell people today not to sell or trade their handguns -- that they'll regret it. It had a perfect balance. The only thing bad about it were the grips, but for .38 ammo they were okay.

.
 
One of my favorites. Like you mentioned, I don't see these much anymore. The grips work well with a T-Grip adapter, though I sometimes put Spegel boot grips on mine. I shoot .38s more than .357, and enjoy it more!
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Perfect defense gun? Maybe so!

I'd love to have a clean, 3" round butt 13. Until one crops up, I'll have to scrape by with my 3" round butt 65...

;)
 
Confederate here is my 13-2 4 inch barrel. Along with my Police Service Six 4 inch, these two are my home defense revolvers.
Regards,
Howard
model 13
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Ruger Service Six
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Loved my brand new model 13 3" even though the barrel came unscrewed.. no pin.
Armorer fixed that, bobbed the hammer, removed single action capacity, slicked it up. Had small Pachmayr's on it.. loved that gun.
 
I own its next generation cousin, the model 65. It's my everyday carry gun. I keep it loaded with Remingtion 158gr LSWCHP +P. Not the lightest of combinations, but it is comforting. It now wears Ahrends Retro Combat stocks.
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I've said what others already have - a 3" k-frame .357 is just about the perfect all-arounder. The only thing better than a 13/65 might be the Lady Smith, with the shrouded ejector.

I love my 65. If I were limited to one gun, it'd get the nod. And it's smooooooth. :D

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Yup, a 13 is one of the best but I went for a pair of of its stainless sisters, 65s instead, for my daughter and her husband.
 
Purrfect. :D

Just makes me happy holding it. Lurv mine. The issue grips are pretty, but the Hogue Bantams work better for me. Smooth, narrow, not grooved trigger, great balance, lurvley bluing.

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I bought a 13-2 with a 4" barrel a few weeks ago. Althought I haven't shot it, I can't say I care much for it, after handling it at home. The 4" heavy barrel makes it too muzzle heavy to suit me. With a 3" barrel, or if the barrel was more tapered like the barrel on a Model 19, or 15, it would be better. Nice looking gun though.

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I do like the 65-5 Ladysmith though. A Model 13 in this configuration, I'm sure I'd like better.

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My S&W 13-4 3" barrel with my S&W 65 round butt with a 4" model 64 pencil barrel.
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I have a Model 13-3 square butt that is my nightstand gun. I love that hunk of iron. It had Hogue grips when I bought it and I have been scouring gun shows ever since looking for some factory walnut grips.

I've named her Black Betty. I'll try to post some pics when I get home.
 
I would love to have another Model 13; though I would prefer the 3" round butt this time around versus the 4" square butt model I had years ago.
 
I agree that a K-frame Smith & Wesson with a 3 to 4 inch barrel is an excellent choice for a home defensive weapon, but we part company when it comes to using .357 Magnum ammunition because of over-penetration and recoil issues. Therefore I prefer the matching model 10 in .38 Special, and would also recommend that the hammer be bobbed and changed to double-action-only because thumb-cocking might be counter productive in a high stress situation.
 
When I carried a 357, I had a M13. Liked it a bit but someone else wanted it more than I did. Eventually decided that if I was carrying a 38 caliber, the Special was all I needed.
 
I should consult my psychic. I think there may be a model 13 in my future. (just kidding. I don't have a psychic.) I like them better than 19's as far as looks.

Elm Creek Smith, what's the story on those great grips? I've never seen those before. They look cool. Do they still make them? - Jim
 
CajunBass said:
I bought a 13-2 with a 4" barrel a few weeks ago. Althought I haven't shot it, I can't say I care much for it, after handling it at home. The 4" heavy barrel makes it too muzzle heavy to suit me....


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Click to expand...

If you decide down the road that you just can't abide with that 4" tube, I might be convinced to take that beauty off your hands for you.

:)
 
I know I sure like mine. I often wish it were a 3" but the darn thing shoots like a laser. It started life as a 4" square butt and I made it to fit me. It currently is a round but with Hogue Bantams and a durabake coating with a Wilson spring kit. I am currently waiting on new leather and I look forward to carrying it more in the appendix posistion.
 

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They now wear Hogues. Best damn shooter I ever owned, like someone else said, "Like a laser."
 
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