Just bought a S&W 65-5 3"

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Elkslayer

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Dec 30, 2002
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Location
Wyo
I just bought a security company trade-in M65-5 3" from B & H Gun Rack in Merrit Island FL. Haven't gotten it yet to hold but am told these trade-ins are 90% + with the worst thing being "a little" holster wear. Many still come in the box.

Price was just a bit under $300. Did I do good??
 
Well at that price (I presume its out the door) you might be charged with felony robbery …

And that poor dealer is probably going to get “land rushed†now that you’ve posted his name and location. …

Sometimes life is so rough … :D :D :D
 
Dealt with B&H a couple of years back, nice folks with some great deals on occasion. They are used to being "rushed" ;) think it was 2002 they were selling all small frame Glocks for $435.

3" 65's :D Carried one for 3 years before gave it to my dad when finally got his concealed carry license at 62 years old. Think that says a lot of what I think of them...
 
Congrats on your purchase. I think you did real well at that price.

The 3" Model 65 is probably the finest concealed carry revolver ever made.
 
I bought an 88 vintage 65-3 3" PR police trade-in from Centerfire Systems earlier this year. It looks a though it had been used as a wheel chock... it had loads of scratches and a few 'dings'. I don't see how a leather holster could have caused it's 'wear'! I think it was ~$215 shipped to my range store's ffl. They thought I had been taken so badly, they didn't charge me a transfer fee.

I spent ~1.5 hr with some red & white rouge charging my buffer's wheels - and some Flitz and elbow grease. I took the sideplate off - it's innards were dry and clean enough to eat off of - and no wear on anything! I actually doubt it had been fired... visions of it's life as a wheel chock returned. I lubed and reassembled it, dry firing it ~1,000 times before I took that plate off again - and cleaned the now wear-evident oil - and lightly lubed it. It looks great - and, everyone thinks it has had a super trigger job.

It shoots a bit low with my.38 Special-level .357 Magnum case loads (158gr LSWC over 4.0 gr TiteGroup - ~825 fps), still low with the Remington 158gr LHPSWC .38 Special +P loads at 912 +/-16 fps, but quite acceptable - and, it groups well, too, with those old 'FBI' loads (Great PD round.). I put my Hoque goncalo alves fg wood grip on it (It is a RB.) - much nicer looking & feeling than rubber. The range folk asked me what I did with that 'clunker' I bought when they saw me shooting it a few days later... Those trade-ins are often excellent mechanically... just be prepared for some 'elbow grease'... not a bad trade considering the current price of a 65LS.

Stainz
 
Just picked up the revolver today. It is as close to nib as a used firearm can be. There is EVER so slight cylinder drag mark and the MOST "wear" is in the ejecter rod where it has slid in and out of the crane.

Gotta tell ya this pistol has NO handling marks or wear other than the ejector rod.

Did I mention it came in the correct box with the correct S/N for the revolver!

It is a 65-5 3" RB with Hogue grips. It has the firing pin in the hammer, the trigger is smooth and both the hammer and the trigger are case hardened.

These are really good buys. All total and shipped it was under $300.

Give'em a call --- 321.452.1105 tell them the guy from Wyoming sent ya!

B & H Gun Rack
235 East Merritt Island Cswy
Merritt Island, FL 32952
 
I bought an 88 vintage 65-3 3" PR police trade-in from Centerfire Systems earlier this year. It looks a though it had been used as a wheel chock
Click to expand...

Had a buddy get a PR trade in that had to have been used as a club. It was so bad the cylinder wouldn't turn. Polished it up and it was a great gun.
 
Elkslayer,

i jumped all over this as soon as i saw your thread

i didnt reply b/c i was afraid there would be a "land-rush" as Old Fuff said

sent in my $ and ffl and waiting for the firearm

thanks for the tip - ive been looking for a 3" M65 for quite a while now - there are very few gun stores in my area and the selection is extremely limited

the gentlemen at B & H were very courteous and helpful - i let them know i heard about them on THR from the guy from Wyoming

i hope other members will follow your example and consider posting opportunities for their fellows

thanks again

casual
 
casual:

I am delighted to see this outcome ... :D

Do enjoy your revolver, it is indeed a neat one.
 
Thanks Casual.

I sure like mine altho I haven't fired it yet but will post when I do.

Have you received yours yet?
 
Elkslayer,

i have not received mine yet - i figure a few more days at least

i cant tell you how excited i was to see your initial post - a firearm i had been looking for for years in good condition at a great price along with references for the good business practices of the sellers - what more could i ask for?

i will let you know when i receive it - can hardly wait

thanks again, gentlemen, for passing on the info

casual
 
Elkslayer... thanks for starting this thread... I too just bought one from Bob! I've been thinking about buying a 3" 65 for years now and your post just gave me the motivation to go for it. (That and learning that S&W doesn't make a 3" 65 anymore). I had an enjoyable talk with Bob, tendered my money, mailed my FFL today and now the wait! I'm excited. The one he pulled for me (they won't hand pick them for you) is as nice as the nicest of them, he tells me. SO, we'll see and I'll report back. Exciting! Thanks again. :D
 
I ordered one as well. Hope it's in better shape than the gun I bought from Makarov.com that I think originally came from Centerfire.
 
Just picked mine up today from my gunsmith (FFL). Overall a very nice revolver indeed. It's a 65-5, has a bull barrel, Pachmayr finger groove grips (not my favorite, but not bad), has the original case, gaps are all within spec, doesn't seem to have been fired very much and the finish is in excellent condition.

I tore it apart, cleaned it up real good, put in a slightly lighter mainspring, put on a pair of my favorite revolver grips (Pachmayr Compac SK/C grips -- very comfy indeed and hand filling) and went for a mini-session in my laundry room. Fantastic revolver. I love it! Accurate and the action is glass smooth and light. The slightly lighter mainspring made a huge difference.

I like it better than my 2.5" 66 and my 6" 686. Better than my new GP-100 and SP101 as well. I think the 3" S&W 65 is about THE perfect defense .357. Not that I don't like the others, but this one is at the very heart of the very sweetest spot! :D Not too big, not too small, handles this potent caliber comfortably, and feels like a Rolls Royce gliding down the superslab!

Thanks, Elkslayer, for getting me into this! And for only $275 + shipping! Now I want a Model 13! :rolleyes:
 
I bet mine is waiting for me at my FFL's. I'll have to give him a call in the morning.
 
Got around to making some images of the 65 tonight... here's how she looks:

Smith & Wesson Model 65-5 .357 Magnum 3" barrel
SW65_1277.jpg


SW65_1283.jpg


Gotta say, this has instantly become my favorite .357 revolver! Not too big, not too small, comfortable for the power available, accurate, 3" barrel length is just right. S&W got this one so right and now they're dumping it? Looks like they haven't even made a 3" 65 in a while. Sheesh... :rolleyes:
 
Gentlemen,

i just picked up my m65 yesterday

the firearm is in great condition

looks very similar to yours DHart - but not as pretty - i haven't had a chance to clean it up properly and swap out the old grips - those are great pics

im with you - the finger groove Pachmayr grips are in good shape and serviceable, but not my favorite - but this revolver is

I need to pick out some nice wood grips to do the gun justice

i put 100 rounds through it - very accurate, great balance

i'm thrilled with the firearm and i'd like to offer a big thanks to Elkslayer for letting his friends here on THR in on the deal - im not surprised that so many are taking advantage of it

i am surprised if the friendly folks at B&H have any left (and thanks to them for a great deal on the M65, quick shipping and a thoroughly professional transaction)


casual
 
Get'em while they're hot!!! :D

I posted a link to this thread over on S&W forums and they are after'em now! Chuck Lubbe said he spoke with them just a day or so ago and they still had a "few". :uhoh:
 
Elkslayer... I really want to thank you again for the heads up on this source. I totally love this gun... instantly became my favorite defense revolver! These are truly legendary .357's.
 
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