OK so I now want a Smith stainless K frame .38

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Tallbald

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First let me say I'm a Ruger man through and through. Haven't owned a Smith since they stopped pinning the barrels, whenever that was. Let's say I want to branch out for nostalgia.
Here's what I want so tell me what to look for please. Haven't shopped for a Smith in 30 years.

K frame STAINLESS STEEL
4 to 6 inch barrel, thinner is better
.38 Special caliber
Forged hammer and trigger
Either fixed or adjustable sights, I don't care
NO lock
Pinned barrel
Recessed cylinder or not, I don't care
Either round or square butt, I don't care

Are the days of police trade-ins long over?
Are import guns a possibility?
Where do I keep an eye on?

Thanks, Don
 
Model 67 Combat Masterpiece, stainless version of the Model 15, or Model 64, stainless version of the Model 10.

I've seen M64 trade-in guns for sale not too long ago, they don't come up all that often any more, and prices have been steadily rising the past few years on the older guns.
 
I'd try a new one with the lock and warranty. If you give it a try, I think you'll find that S&W makes an excellent gun. Jmho, if you can't get past the lock I understand.
 
Check Gunbroker.com and search for the models JN01 listed. There are some for sale. Expect to pay in the $500-600 range.
 
The model 67 with adjustable sight or model 64 with fixed sight. Police trade ins are getting hard to fine. I would use Gunbroker to find it.
 
Tallbald

JN01 got it right; a Model 64 or a Model 67 would fill almost all of the items on your want list. You might also want to consider the Model 66 which was the stainless version of the Model 19 (comparable to the Ruger Security Six), or the Model 65 which was the counterpart to the blued Model 13.
 
Also, just for informational purposes, S&W never made a .38 Special with a recessed cylinder. That was on Magnum calibers and rimfires only.
 
I have done the gun auction website route a number of times. Put a search out there and get email when a match shows up.

IMHO, all the fuss about locks is elitist nonsense. The guns are fine. It's not a rite of manhood to own a S&W without a lock.
 
RealGun said:
I have done the gun auction website route a number of times. Put a search out there and get email when a match shows up.

IMHO, all the fuss about locks is elitist nonsense. The guns are fine. It's not a rite of manhood to own a S&W without a lock.
Click to expand...
While it may be true that MOST of them work fine. I have personally witnessed an IL gun lock itself under recoil.
In any event it is one more thing that can go wrong, and the lock serves no real purpose to the vast majority of users.
To each there own, and hopefully people will make informed choices, whichever route they pick.
 
Staying exclusively within defined parameters -- and presuming in citing .38 Special you mean .38 only, not .38/.357 -- there are only two choices that exactly match your criteria: Model 67, pre-1980 for a pinned barrel; or a tapered barrel -- not heavy barreled -- Model 64, briefly produced in the early 1970s.

Do you have a preferred price range and condition, and what's your intended use?

The large online auction sites -- Gunbroker, Gunsinternational, and Gunsamerica -- are good places to check both for availability and price range; check sold prices, not asking prices, for the best idea of current market value.

The S&W Forum classifieds is another excellent place to look; many nice examples for sale there every day, often from the collections of aficionados.

There are also online dealers specializing in all manner of older S&W revolvers in a variety of conditions. PM me if you'd like and I'll list ones I think are worth a look, or happily assist in your search and look myself.

Yeah, I'm a S&W nut and love this stuff... :)
 
I'm just asking because I honestly don't know, but what is wrong with a model 64 or 65 that doesn't have a pinned barrel? Given a choice, I'd prefer a pinned barrel, too, but except for aesthetics, I can't think of a reason to pass on an otherwise good gun only because it doesn't have the pinned barrel. They don't unscrew themselves from the frame, do they? Somebody enlighten me, please. I, too, would like to find a model 64 or 65, but I don't know if I should try to find and pay more for a pinned barrel.
 
I saw a 4" model 67 on a dealer's shelf in Lexington, KY this week. Price was $329 IIRC. I doubt you will see a 66 for less than 2X that amount because then357 chambering seems to really drive up the perceived value.

I have seen a couple of 65's pop up on Armslist recently in the $500 range.
 
I'm just asking because I honestly don't know, but what is wrong with a model 64 or 65 that doesn't have a pinned barrel? Given a choice, I'd prefer a pinned barrel, too, but except for aesthetics, I can't think of a reason to pass on an otherwise good gun only because it doesn't have the pinned barrel. They don't unscrew themselves from the frame, do they? Somebody enlighten me, please. I, too, would like to find a model 64 or 65, but I don't know if I should try to find and pay more for a pinned barrel.
Click to expand...

Howdy

Nothing wrong with an 'unpinned' barrel. In a cost savings move S&W did away with pinned barrels some time ago, and went to barrels with an interference thread. They call it the 'crushed' threads or something like that. Most of my Smiths are from the pinned barrel era, but I have had no problems with this Model 65. I bought it at a gun show a few years ago for the very reasonable price of $185. I was told it was the duty weapon of a female officer, and she sold it when she retired. Of course, the Model 65 has the heavy barrel, not the pencil barrel the OP is looking for.

Model_65.jpg
 
"the lock serves no real purpose to the vast majority of users."
Click to expand...

The lock isn't optional, and to preclude buying a new S&W over something else removes what may be the best choice.
 
I'm a Blue gun kinda guy so instead of recommending the M64 and M67 I like the M10 and M15 much better. I own a 1948 S&W M&P which is a pre-M10 and it's a great revolver. If I had a M10 and a M15 in front of me and could get only one it would probably be the M15 because of the adjustable sights. All 4 guns will probably make you happy.
 
OP specifically states, regarding the barrel, "thinner is better". The heavy barreled revolvers aren't advised.
 
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I've recently seen 64s on GunBroker for as little as $260. Most seemed to be in the $350-400 range. Those trade-ins are still out there. You just have to look a little harder/longer these days.
 
Thanks for answering my question, Driftwood Johnson. "Nothing wrong with an 'unpinned' barrel. In a cost savings move S&W did away with pinned barrels some time ago, and went to barrels with an interference thread." I figured as much, but it never hurts to ask. I'm not looking for a collectable, just a dependable shooter. Thanks again.
 
If "thinner is better," he wants a M-15 over the M-67.

Not sure if the same applies to the 10/64, but the barrel on the 15 is thinner than on the 67
 
The barrels are different?,,, Really?

If "thinner is better," he wants a M-15 over the M-67.

Not sure if the same applies to the 10/64, but the barrel on the 15 is thinner than on the 67
Click to expand...

Really?

Mine seem identical to me,,,

Model 67
36-morgana2.jpg

Model 15
12-stella.jpg

Now I'll admit I've never put a set of calipers to them,,,
But I've fondl,,, eerrr handled mine side by side many times,,,
About the only difference I could perceive was the tiny difference in weight.

I make the argument that the Combat Masterpiece,,,
Is the finest .38 revolver ever made,,,
In blued or stainless steel.

K-frame S&W's are awesome handguns.

Aarond

.
 
David E said:
If "thinner is better," he wants a M-15 over the M-67.

Not sure if the same applies to the 10/64, but the barrel on the 15 is thinner than on the 67
Click to expand...
Interesting -- I'm of the understanding that the 4" Model 15 and Model 67 are identical save for the 15's carbon versus the 67's stainless.

There were some 15's with heavy barrel profiles...
 
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