My first Smith.

[hatchetbearer]

trolled a local gun show, and picked up my first smith, a Model 13-1 made in 1977, I was stunned because this weapon has been taken care of for its age, if never shot at all. finish is about 99.9% with just a small nick on the frame, just below the front edge of the cylinder. polish on the blue so bright you can see yourself in the reflection.

I do have a bit of an issue with it though, when i depress the cylinder release, i have to take my off hand and give the cylinder a love tap to get the cylinder to come out of battery. is this normal for smiths? Colts, Rugers and Charters could all be pushed out with slight finger pressure.

Ill still take it for getting it as an even up trade for a beat up glock 17.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

cant go wrong with a 13

typically smith cylinders pop out very smoothly. i would check for peening or burrs on or near the ejector star and the frame face that it mates to -

 

[cyclopsshooter]

oh, make sure the ejector rod is tight- sometimes if they loosen you get the problem you got

 

[hatchetbearer]

how do i tighten the ejector rod?

 

[cyclopsshooter]

if it turns one way or the other while holding the cylinder, it is loose- turn it the other way to tighten- DO NOT USE PLIERS like so many fools without having piece of leather or something to prevent marring

 

[Oyeboten]

how do i tighten the ejector rod?

Revolver un-Loaded

Cylinder unlocked and in the open position...

Grasp the checkered end of the Ejector Rod between thumb and index finger...and, tighten by turning.

The Ejector Rod screws in to the Cylinder center area, and, some Models, or, stages of the same Model, thread tightens clockwise, some counter-clockwise.

It'll be one or the other...


What a nice find...good going!

 

[hatchetbearer]

that fixed it, pair of rubber vice grips solved the problem, was loose enough to just turn out.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

sweet deal, go shoot!

 

[hatchetbearer]

already have, its sweet, trigger is smooth like butter, and its more accurate than me.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

don't ever sell it- my first wheel gun was a smith 686- sold it a half dozen years ago and still kick myself in the butt- there are many other guys too... common mistake

 

[hatchetbearer]

it'll be a gun for my grandkids.

...I'm 23

 

[KJS]

Other than saying .357 on the barrel instead of .38 it looks virtually identical to the Model 10 I inherited when my father died. My inherited gun is about 40 years old, but works just fine and shows little wear since I don't recall my father ever actually firing it, though a partial ammo box proves it was fired at least 25 times. Given that the Remington ammo didn't have a UPC code on it I'd guess that stuff must have been sitting around for the last 35+ years (though fired flawlessly when I used it up a few months back).

My late father was probably in the majority. I suspect many (perhaps most) gun owners buy a gun for protection and then it sits around never used as most folks will never have the misfortune of having to shoot at a bad guy.

I'm sure I ran more ammo through it in the last 3 months that it fired in the prior four decades.

 

[joe_security]

I have the same thing ( 1981 or so, 65-2) and could not like it more. Mine will never see
.357 ammo, I dont want to beat up this old Smith. It goes to the range twice a year and serves well for HD. Its worth every penny i paid for it. I would not sell it in this lifetime.

 

[hatchetbearer]

they had a 65 for sale as well, but it wasn't in as good of shape, and had aftermarket grips resembling the ones you would find on a Ruger before they switched to hogue.

 

[rayman]

Nice, I like model 13's too.

 

[Otis311]

Ill still take it for getting it as an even up trade for a beat up glock 17

wow, you sure made out on that deal. good for you

 

[rcmodel]

that fixed it, pair of rubber vice grips solved the problem,

That fixed it, for now. It will soon be loose again I betcha.

Next time, take it clear out.
Degrease the threads.
Apply one very small drop of Blue Loctite to the threads.
Reassemble and tighten.

Be sure you put a couple of fired cases in the chambers to prevent damaging the ejecter star alignment pins before you try to tighten it again.

A pair of hardwood blocks drilled to fit the rod can be used to clamp it in a vice to hold it without damaging it.

rc

 

[hatchetbearer]

Next time, take it clear out.
Degrease the threads.
Apply one very small drop of Blue Loctite to the threads.
Reassemble and tighten.

Be sure you put a couple of fired cases in the chambers to prevent damaging the ejecter star alignment pins before you try to tighten it again.

Very thorough, Thanks rc.

 

[orionengnr]

rcmodel knows of what he speaks.
Especially the part about putting the fired cases into the chambers before tightening the extractor rod.

and the blue Loctite...

THR is a great resource. Enjoy it.

 

[cottonmouth]

I remember my first S&W, a model 66 with a 2-1/2 inch barrel. I wish I had never let it slip away.

J.B.

 

[camsdaddy]

I have its cousin. I absolutly love. I mainly shoot 38's through it but it shoots 357 just fine. I added a pair of pachmyer grips and they soak up any recoil. As stated trigger like butter S/A or D/A. I hate I took the original grips off and they got "cleaned up". I recently converted to a round butt and think this is an awesome revolver.