How sturdy is the Smith & Wesson model 65 3 inch?

[sidheshooter]

Not much to add except that I shoot a bit of .357 every time I take my 3" RB 65-3 out.

Most of that is wwb 110, various 158 loads and the occasional 145 silvertip (which is a sometimes carry load; it shoots to POA) I've probably got less than 100 rounds total of the hot Fed and Rem 125ers through it. Who knows what was shot through it before I got it though. Still nice and tight. They are tough little guns for most use.

 

[Geezer Glide]

I wonder how many of these people that advise against using magnum loads are speaking from actual experience?

 

[Monster Zero]

No, it's really not meant for that. You might as well not waste your time with it.

Who was it who had it for sale, again?

 

[1911Tuner]

I wonder how many of these people that advise against using magnum loads are speaking from actual experience?

Me.

The lightly built K-frame is neither as strong nor as robust as its larger L and N-framed cousins.

When the Model 19 made its debut, Smith & Wesson's advice was echoed by Bill Jordan in his typical "Jordanspeak."

"Use .38s for practice and .357s for business."

After pretty much destroying three Model 29s...a 4-inch Model 19...and a 4-inch Model 13...I conceded and accepted that the engineers who designed the guns may know a thing or three more about pressures and recoil stresses than I did...and I finally accepted that there was really no need to touch off a miniature thermonuclear event every time I pulled the trigger. Downloading just 10% and using cast bullets will effectively double the life of the revolver.

 

[rcmodel]

I wonder how many of these people that advise against using magnum loads are speaking from actual experience?

Me, me, me!!!

And S&W had some experiance with them too.
Enough so, they finally stopped making K-Frame Magnums and replaced it with the beefer L-Frame.

However, I never said you shouldn't shoot Magnums.
I said

It will give you a lifetime of use for normal shooting.
But if your idea of "a lot" is thousands of rounds of max .357 loads a year, I'd get something else.

rc

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have an ex-LEO Model 65 that I bought a bunch of years ago. It was sold when the officer retired. I have no idea how much 357 Magnum ammo that officer put though it, but I have never had any trouble with it.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I agree with the Mod. Don't shoot a lot of 125 gr. and you will be fine.The 3" 65's are one of the better cc revolvers.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I'm shooting very mild 38 special loads (125 gr plated/3.5 grs Bullseye) and expect my 65 to last forever with that combination. BTW, that gun is a kick in the butt to shoot.

 

[Fishslayer]

What caliber for zombie threads?

(see dates from post 15 to 16)

Wonder what that 3" M65 would go for today?