Need an Education on the S&W Model 67, Please

[pearsonm]

I got some great input in the ‘3” 38/357 Realistic as a Starter?’ thread and am leaning heavily towards the S&W 686. However, before I put my money down there’s one last gun I want to research and that’s the Model 67.

At a recent gun show me and my wife ran across an old Model 15. She really liked the feel of the grip, trigger and overall balance. While researching S&W’s (brain-numbing) numerical model system I learned that the M67 is a stainless version of the M15. I haven’t been able to find a M67 in my area which surprises me because it’s my understanding they used to be standard-issue police sidearm’s.

One factor I‘m weighing is ammunition. Initially I was focused on .357’s so I could experiment with any .38 to .357 round. However, realistically I see myself shooting lots of cheap .38 Special rounds for practice and light wadcutters for her to get her recoil tolerance up. It would be nice to work up to +P loads for self-defense.

Blasting .357’s sounds fun but I don’t see it as our defense load due to the hearing and over penetration issues. I’ve heard it’s possible to develop wear issues in a .357 if you run too many .38’s and not enough .357’s through it. I don’t know if this something I need to seriously consider.

So with that can I have an education on the M67, please? Are the M66 and M19 better and more available alternatives? One feature I’m leaning heavily towards is adjustable sights. We also prefer the feel and 6-round capacity of K/L frames over 5-shot J‘s.

 

[Nomad]

I don't consider myself an expert on the 67 but I can tell you they are a fine K frame 38 special which can be shot with +P ammo. You are correct the were heavily used by law enforcement and you can often find a police trade in at really good price. To me the 67 is the 38 Spl version of the 66 357. I does have adjustable sights.

Bottom line the 67 is one fine handgun.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

Apart from the ability to shoot .357 ammo the Model 19/66 adds a fully shrouded ejector rod and a slightly heavier barrel. I'm not sure if the 67 was available in anything but a four inch barrel while you can get the 19/66 also in 2.5 or six inch barrels.

If I could get the .357 for about the same price I'd probably choose it but there's nothing wrong with the 15/67.

 

[Serenity]

I love our 67. I just shot it today to take a break from the distance work I was doing with my 9mm. It shoots so straight and smooth that it is an immediate ego-booster (at the same distance). It's a heavy gun, but I like that. I am fairly small and it fits my hand just fine, and I can reach the cylinder release with my thumb.

 

[earplug]

My M-15 is fine

Its a house gun and I compete in a local ICORE match with it.
The more I shoot it the more I like it.
I believe you can buy a M-15/67 for much less then a .357 and you won't notice any loss of power in my world.

 

[pearsonm]

If I could get the .357 for about the same price I'd probably choose it but there's nothing wrong with the 15/67.

If the 67 was significantly less than the 686 my decision may be easier, but the price range I'm seeing for 67's is $576-$604. For 686's it's $644-$689. $100 isn't enough savings for me to pick one over the other based solely on price. It would also help if I could test fire one but I haven't seen any for sale, much less rent.

Does anyone have any solid information whether or not it's possible to feed a .357 too many .38 rounds?

 

[Hondo 60]

I’ve heard it’s possible to develop wear issues in a .357 if you run too many .38’s and not enough .357’s through it.

Yes & no!
A steady diet of 38 spl can cause a carbon buildup in each chamber at the end of the 38's brass casing.
This would impede insertion of 357 magnum rounds.
However, all you have to do to stop that from happening is to thoroughly CLEAN the gun.

If you dislike cleaning guns & don't do a thorough job, then yes, it can be an issue.
Otherwise no , it's a non-issue.

If you can't find a Model 67, you may also consider a Model 64.
It's a Stainless Steel .38 Special with fixed sights.

J&G Sales in Prescott, AZ has a bunch of 'em for sale.
You just have to have it shipped to an FFL dealer in your area if you decide to buy from them.
http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_211_431.html

 

[k-frame]

I have a pre-lock Model 67 and am thinking of trading or selling it only because I want to spend the proceeds on some other guns. (My wife wants a smaller revolver for CCW and I'm eyeing a 9mm CZ.) So something has to go, and its the M67. All that said, it is a fine shooter and I almost hate to give it up.

I replaced the original walnut grips with rubber grips; that improved recoil and didn't wear on my hand. I think new 67s are shipped with rubber grips.

 

[pearsonm]

A steady diet of 38 spl can cause a carbon buildup in each chamber at the end of the 38's brass casing. This would impede insertion of 357 magnum rounds. However, all you have to do to stop that from happening is to thoroughly CLEAN the gun.

If you dislike cleaning guns & don't do a thorough job, then yes, it can be an issue. Otherwise no, it's a non-issue.

That's good information - thank you. I like to keep my equipment in good working order so if that's the only issue then I don't anticipate any problems.

Just guessing but I bet the reason I'm not seeing new 67's in display cases is like Crunchy Frog said - for the same money you can get a .357.

 

[pearsonm]

I replaced the original walnut grips with rubber grips; that improved recoil and didn't wear on my hand. I think new 67s are shipped with rubber grips.

Yes, according S&W's site, which is what we want. Recoil out of a M67 may or may not be more than a 3" 686. She was fine with the recoil of the 2 1/2" SP101 we fired so I don't believe it would be an issue.

 

[Serenity]

Ooo I want it! My son will get ours when he grows up and moves on. But I love that gun (ours is pre-lock as well). BUT my next gun dollars will be going to a carry piece.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The .38 Special M67 should cost a lot less than the .357 Magnum M686. Don't look on Gun Broker, those prices are usually inflated. You can find better prices online or in a local shop for M67's. I've seen the M67 online for ~$300 whereas I rarely see a M686 for less than $500-$550.

 

[CajunBass]

They didn't call them the "Combat Masterpiece" for no reason.

I've got both Model 19's and Model 15's. For the difference in shooting, I wouldn't pay the difference in price. Yes, in theory you can shoot magnums out of the 19, but in my case, I find I seldom do that. I just shoot 38's in both of them, 99.9999% of the time. YMMV, but from the OP it doesn't sound like it will.

I don't know about the 66/67's but around here a 15 is a lot less expensive than a 19. Everybody wants the magnum gun. The 38's sit on the rack.

 

[Radagast]

One thing to keep in mind is that the Model 15 had a tapered barrel, as did early Model 67s. Recent production Model 67s have a heavy barrel. This may effect the balance in your wifes hand. Check before purchasing.

 

[jad0110]

Just guessing but I bet the reason I'm not seeing new 67's in display cases is like Crunchy Frog said - for the same money you can get a .357.

That's part of it, but the big reason is because you can find used pre-lock 67s for $300 to $400. It may take a little time, but they are out there. Don't rule out the 15 as well (as you know, same gun just a blued finish).

Also, I agree with Cajun. I own both Magnums and Specials, but you know I still shoot .38s the vast majority of the time. And I also rely on .38 for defense as I can control it better. So it sounds like the .38 makes a better option for you as you can put the saving s into ammo, training, etc.

I do own a 15, and as someone else said, there is a reason they call it a "Combat Masterpiece". Wonderful balance, easy to see adjustable sights and a slick trigger.

I have a pre-lock Model 67 and am thinking of trading or selling it only because I want to spend the proceeds on some other guns. (My wife wants a smaller revolver for CCW and I'm eyeing a 9mm CZ.) So something has to go, and its the M67. All that said, it is a fine shooter and I almost hate to give it up.

Don't do it! Be patient and save up, from the sound of your post you will most definitely be :banghead: within a matter of hours of selling your 67. Actually, it sounds like you already are just in anticipation of making the trade.

 

[pearsonm]

More good information - I appreciate it all.

That’s a good point about barrel density between the 15 and 67, Radagast. It leads me back to my frustration with trying to find examples of all the models I’d like to try. I’ve been to two gun shows and about two-dozen shops between Springfield and St Louis and have yet to see S&W’s complete revolver line up.

ArchAngelCD and jad0110, I’ve seen others post I should be able to get a 67 in the $300 range but I’m just not seeing any. I’ve been cruising Gun Broker trying to get ballpark prices. Currently there are some 30-year old highway patrol models available but they’re $417. This is my first handgun purchase and I’m just not confident I can pick a good, used one online.

Regarding your comments about control, jad0110, I don’t want Recoil to be in my wife’s head in a stress situation, which is why I don’t expect any .357 loads to be our defense ammunition. It would be nice if we were both comfortable with +P loads but if that doesn’t happen I’m plenty confident in standard-pressure .38 hollow points.

 

[slick6]

The model 67 with the tapered barrel is a wonderfully balanced revolver. The same is true of the model 15 with the blue finish. Here are some photos of the NIB early 1970's model 67(No dash#)that I had just acquired recently:




For comparison, here is a photo of my model 15-1 revolver:


Lastly, here are the smooth S&W target stocks that I just installed on my model 67 shown above. These stocks really make this gun to feel great in my medium size hand!:

 

[pearsonm]

OK, another question. (I apologize, but the deeper I dig the more issues I find.)

I actually may have found a M15 locally for a reasonable price but it has a square butt. The 15 we saw at the gun show and liked so much had a round butt. The seller also had a square butt but we didn’t care for it.

I anticipate putting a set of Hogue's on whatever we choose. Do I need to stick with a round butt or does that matter when it comes to Hogue's? I'm confused because their site states "K and L frame revolvers have an identical grip frame so they use the same grip!" but then they have separate links for each style.

Very nice piece, slick6!

EDIT: One more thing - is that front sight replaceable? I'm asking because I don't see a pin like on the 686. I much prefer the sight picture of a white U on the rear sight and red front sight.

 

[k-frame]

The seller also had a square butt but we didn’t care for it.

You should only pay attention to the gun.

 

[pearsonm]

^ I assumed I didn't have to explain that I'm a round-butt kinda’ guy.

 

[slick6]

OK, another question. (I apologize, but the deeper I dig the more issues I find.)

I actually may have found a M15 locally for a reasonable price but it has a square butt. The 15 we saw at the gun show and liked so much had a round butt. The seller also had a square butt but we didn’t care for it.

I anticipate putting a set of Hogue's on whatever we choose. Do I need to stick with a round butt or does that matter when it comes to Hogue's? I'm confused because their site states "K and L frame revolvers have an identical grip frame so they use the same grip!" but then they have separate links for each style.

Very nice piece, slick6!

EDIT: One more thing - is that front sight replaceable? I'm asking because I don't see a pin like on the 686. I much prefer the sight picture of a white U on the rear sight and red front sight.

1)Yes, grips will fit both K&L frame smith revolvers-as long as you select either round or square butt grip frame styles to match the gun in question.

2)Hogue makes the K&L frame grips in either a square butt or a round butt style.

3)Thanks for your compliment on my model 67.

4)No, since the front sight is integral with the barrel and because there is no sight pin, the sight is not replaceable. However, it's not expensive to have a gun smith to mill off the front sight and then to affix another front sight to the gun. The rear sight blade can be easily removed and replaced with a white outline rear sight blade.

 

[pearsonm]

^ Thank you so much!

Ask a question. Get an answer. I love this place!

I may wake up tomorrow and change my mind but right now I'm leaning towards a M67 over a 3" 686+. I'm hoping that even without the lighter, tapered barrel of the older models my wife will like the weight and balance at least as much as the 686. I'm assuming we'll have a relatively wider range of accessories like holsters, re-loaders and sights. And, if I decide to go sport shooting, there will be no jacking around loading a 7-shooter one round down.

From what I'm learning it sounds like the 686 is balanced further forward to compensate for recoil from .357 loads. While it would be fun to launch some hot .357 rounds they have no practical use for our application. I've always preferred the look of a full lug but I'm learning to appreciate the M67 for what it's shaping up to be - everything we need and nothing we don't.

 

[k-frame]

Don't do it! Be patient and save up, from the sound of your post you will most definitely be within a matter of hours of selling your 67. Actually, it sounds like you already are just in anticipation of making the trade.

Oh fudgecicles, now I saw the 67 with those cool wooden grips and i'm more torn than ever!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngelCD and jad0110, I’ve seen others post I should be able to get a 67 in the $300 range but I’m just not seeing any. I’ve been cruising Gun Broker trying to get ballpark prices. Currently there are some 30-year old highway patrol models available but they’re $417. This is my first handgun purchase and I’m just not confident I can pick a good, used one online.

Like I said above, don't look on Gun Broker. The prices there always seem to be on the high side. The link above to J&G Sales takes you right to the page with the $300 and below M67's. There are other sources on the NET to as well as local gun shops where you can get them without a bobbed hammer. Most times J&G has both.

 

[Serenity]

K-frame hold onto you M67! You don't want to be posting in one of the "guns you got rid of and have regretted for the last 20 years" posts!