Geronimo45
Member
I don't understand it. Model 13 and Model 19 are K-frames made by S&W. Both chambered in .357 Magnum. The 19 had the whatchamacallit lug while the 13 had an unenclosed lug.... and the 19 seems to get all the press. How come?
No love for the Model 13?
- Thread starter Geronimo45
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ugaarguy
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
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- 13,828
I think the 13 suffers from lack of adjustable sights, much like the fixed sight L Frame 581 and 681. It's also blued, which was the demise of the 586 and 581. The 19 was the lucky blued K-magnum, the 13 was... well... unlucky.
However, please come see us here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=260781 where we love all K Frames.
Personally I'd love to own a 13, but I've never even seen one for sale. Nor a model 64 for that matter.
However, please come see us here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=260781 where we love all K Frames.
Personally I'd love to own a 13, but I've never even seen one for sale. Nor a model 64 for that matter.
There are a lot of model 13/64's around, because both were popular with law enforcement agencies before the wondernine's took over. The problem is that most present owners (the Old Fuff included) are in no hurry to sell what they have.
They make excellent CCW revolvers for anything but pocket carry, and beat out the model 19/66's because the sights are snag-free when carried undercover.
They make excellent CCW revolvers for anything but pocket carry, and beat out the model 19/66's because the sights are snag-free when carried undercover.
christcorp
Member
Amen. A model 13 is my first choice. Model 65 next. Then the adjustable versions; the model 19 and model 66. I've been shopping around for the last 2 months for one. I have picked out guns I have to trade and to sell. (I don't NEED more guns, I just want a good revolver). I have a gun show coming up this weekend in town. I am hoping that I can find a model 13. If not, maybe a 19,65,or 66. If I can't, I will settle for an "L" frame 586 or 686. There's a couple after that, but then it's on to the Ruger GP100. But foremost, I want a model 13. Later... Mike....
Gordon
Member
I was issued a Model 13 3" by the gubbamint in the distant past. I bought my own in 1979 and sold it 10 years later and been regretting it ever since. Priced a nice 3" model 13 lately?
earplug
Member
I have A box full of K and N frames around the home with adjustable sights.
Next to the bed is a M-64. A M-13 would be just fine.
With 158 grain loads they do just fine.
My carry guns with adjustable sights tend to eat my clothing. or need new sight blades.
Next to the bed is a M-64. A M-13 would be just fine.
With 158 grain loads they do just fine.
My carry guns with adjustable sights tend to eat my clothing. or need new sight blades.
They annoyed him sometimes, and he rounded the rear sight blade to eliminate the square corners. He also carried his model 19’s as a Border Patrol Inspector, in the open and while in uniform. In this mode a lot of the objections to adjustable sights were eliminated.
As a side note: One of his favorite revolvers, used pretty much exclusively for giving fast-draw demonstrations, was an old, well used .38 S&W Military & Police model that had belonged to an Uncle. He had it fitted up with a model 10 heavy barrel, and said that it had the smoothest double-action he’d ever encountered.
Deanimator
Member
3" Model 13s are HIGHLY prized as CCW guns. In fact, they're SO highly prized that in a lot of places, you simply can't find one.
I looked for one for over a year at Cleveland area gunshows, finally giving up and buying the stainless version, the Model 65. I HATE stainless steel guns, but the 13/65 configuration is so ideal for CCW that I choked down the hideous stainless steel just to have one.
I looked for one for over a year at Cleveland area gunshows, finally giving up and buying the stainless version, the Model 65. I HATE stainless steel guns, but the 13/65 configuration is so ideal for CCW that I choked down the hideous stainless steel just to have one.
Marshall
Member
I love mine.
Model 13 HB
Model 13 HB
Sistema1927
Member
I would love to have a 3" S&W 13. If it was good enough for Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster in "Silence of the Lambs"), then it is good enough for me.
For now I have to settle for a 2.5" S&W 19 and a 2.75" Ruger Speed-Six.
For now I have to settle for a 2.5" S&W 19 and a 2.75" Ruger Speed-Six.
gwalchmai
Member
I thought Clarice packed a .44 SPL.
I keep a 4" M13 loaded up with 135gr +P GDHP .38SPL in my bedroom.
I keep a 4" M13 loaded up with 135gr +P GDHP .38SPL in my bedroom.
I had a 13 for a couple years but I had no real use for it. My bedside gun is a 38 because my wife has to use it and the 357 recoil is a bit much for her. Also, the adjustable sight models are just a little more useful. So I sold it last summer.
Last Christmas I gave a used 13 to a friend. He hikes in the woods a lot and the 13 made sense for him as a compact yet powerful belt gun.
Last Christmas I gave a used 13 to a friend. He hikes in the woods a lot and the 13 made sense for him as a compact yet powerful belt gun.
351 WINCHESTER
Member
It's hard to beat a 3 inch k frame. I don't care for adjustable sights as they are heck on my clothes. Currentely in my neck of the woods a decent model 65 in 3" is a tad over 4 c notes and rising. I don't care anymore for blued revolvers as they need more attention, especially in hot, humid climates. Don't get me wrong, a well blued revolver is a thing of beauty to be sure.
Morglan
Member
I have a 3" 65, a 2.5" 19 and a 3" PC 681.
What I would REALLY like, is a 2.5-3" K Frame with a fully shrouded lug and fixed sights!
What I would REALLY like, is a 2.5-3" K Frame with a fully shrouded lug and fixed sights!
tipoc
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,563
M13 with a 3" barrel and your standard M19 with a 4". The M13 here prefers 158 gr. bullets at about 1100 fps. Speer has a useful jhp load at this range. The gun shoots to POA with the 158 gr. load and between 1000-1200 fps make for more rapid and accurate follow up shots, for me anyway. On the whole they are a slightly more compact and snag resistant gun than the 19 without going to a J frame.
The purpose of the two guns is different. The M13 is largely a self defense gun and is quite good for carry. Slicked up a bit they make an excellent "fighting handgun".
The 19, due to it's adjustable sights is a more versatile, less specialized gun IMHO. Which is why you find more of them around.
tipoc
The purpose of the two guns is different. The M13 is largely a self defense gun and is quite good for carry. Slicked up a bit they make an excellent "fighting handgun".
The 19, due to it's adjustable sights is a more versatile, less specialized gun IMHO. Which is why you find more of them around.
tipoc
gunzrfunz
member
S&w 64-3
I got it last month off of gunbroker for $255. I can't believe more ppl didn't bid on it, but I'm not complainin' .
Either a model 28 or model 13 is next!
I got it last month off of gunbroker for $255. I can't believe more ppl didn't bid on it, but I'm not complainin' .
Either a model 28 or model 13 is next!
Gordon
Member
What kinda grips on that 13 Tipoc?
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
My 13 and 65 go to the range more than any other centerfire handgun.
christcorp
Member
Well, I got lucky and am not even looking back. I got to the gun show today. There were plenty of people willing to trade my Ruger Blackhawk 45lc 7 1/2 barrel, but they didn't have what I wanted. There were 3, and ONLY 3 "K" frames I wanted in the entire gun show. (THEY ARE VERY RARE); A model 13, 19 and 65. But those dealers didn't want to do any trading. I knew I could get a new Ruger Blackhawk same caliber and barrel as I was trading for about $325, so I was getting nervous that I was going to have to sell it cheap and add a good chunk of change for one of the 3 "K" frames. I found someone who wanted a blackhawk. He looked through his books and said if I through in the Hogue grips, reloading dies, and brass and lead, that he'd give me $350 for it. (I damn near pooped my pants). I calmly said, "OK".
For the S&W, the model 19 was nice, but the blue had a lot of holster wear on it. But it looked OK. The model 65 made me a little nervous. It was nice looking and all, but from my memory, (And I could be wrong), S&W got rid of the recessed counterbored cylinders PRIOR to getting rid of the Pinned Barrel. This one had a recessed counterbored cylinder but NO PINNED BARREL. Weird. Almost like it could have been a replacement cylinder. I decided to pass on it.
Anyway, I settled in on the model 13. 4", It is a 13-1; so it was made in 1974-1976; it is Pinned and Recessed. Firing pin on the hammer. Packmayer Finger grips. (Which I like because while I love S&W, I am not too fond of the original grips). So it saved my from buying new grips. The blueing is about 90%. Little rub off on the end of the barrel and a little dullness (Slightly) on the right side frame. Other than that, it looks and operates clean and smooth. Got the vendor down to $375 for it. Not sure if that's a good price or not. BUT, with having sold the blackhawk for MORE than I expected, that meant I only needed to add $25 to get the S&W model 13. Considering I was expecting about $250 for the Ruger and $400-$425 for the model 13,19,65,66; that's about $125-$175 I didn't have to spend.
Anyway, I will be shooting it soon. This is the revolver I wanted for a long time. I got my dream auto about 10 years ago. SigSauer P220 45acp from a sheriff for $250. Now I also have my dream revolver. Today was a very good day. later... mike.....
For the S&W, the model 19 was nice, but the blue had a lot of holster wear on it. But it looked OK. The model 65 made me a little nervous. It was nice looking and all, but from my memory, (And I could be wrong), S&W got rid of the recessed counterbored cylinders PRIOR to getting rid of the Pinned Barrel. This one had a recessed counterbored cylinder but NO PINNED BARREL. Weird. Almost like it could have been a replacement cylinder. I decided to pass on it.
Anyway, I settled in on the model 13. 4", It is a 13-1; so it was made in 1974-1976; it is Pinned and Recessed. Firing pin on the hammer. Packmayer Finger grips. (Which I like because while I love S&W, I am not too fond of the original grips). So it saved my from buying new grips. The blueing is about 90%. Little rub off on the end of the barrel and a little dullness (Slightly) on the right side frame. Other than that, it looks and operates clean and smooth. Got the vendor down to $375 for it. Not sure if that's a good price or not. BUT, with having sold the blackhawk for MORE than I expected, that meant I only needed to add $25 to get the S&W model 13. Considering I was expecting about $250 for the Ruger and $400-$425 for the model 13,19,65,66; that's about $125-$175 I didn't have to spend.
Anyway, I will be shooting it soon. This is the revolver I wanted for a long time. I got my dream auto about 10 years ago. SigSauer P220 45acp from a sheriff for $250. Now I also have my dream revolver. Today was a very good day. later... mike.....
BADUNAME13
Member
Yep, $275 at the last gun show.
Just a little finish worn off the end of the barrel.
-I LOVE 3" K frames... now if I can just find the nonavalable 3" 19...
Cosmoline
Member
I love the Model 13. And because people don't appreciate them, you can often find them real cheap. When was the last time anyone used adjustable sights on anything but a hunting handgun? They just end up snagging on things.
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