rWt
Member
From reading a number of posts, I have the impresion that the Model 13 is held in high regard. Is this the case? If so, would someone please explain its virtues?
Thanks!
Dick
Thanks!
Dick
S&W Model 13?
- Thread starter rWt
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Preacherman
Member
The Model 13 (and its stainless steel cousin, the Model 65) were fixed-sight K-frame revolvers: round-butt on the short-barrel versions, square-butt on the 4" and longer-barrel versions.
They had all the advantages of toughness in the sights, as adjustable sights have been known to get knocked out of whack in various situations. They had all the legendary handling capabilities of the Model 19/66 K-frames (the only difference being their fixed sights).
I've got a 13 and a 65 in 3" barrels, and two 65's in 4" barrels that I'm fixing up for disabled shooters. Love them!
They had all the advantages of toughness in the sights, as adjustable sights have been known to get knocked out of whack in various situations. They had all the legendary handling capabilities of the Model 19/66 K-frames (the only difference being their fixed sights).
I've got a 13 and a 65 in 3" barrels, and two 65's in 4" barrels that I'm fixing up for disabled shooters. Love them!
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Hey Dick!!!!! Happy Christmas to you! 
Peter is much more the M13 guru than me but yes - this is overall a very highly regarded revo - if I can find one one day I shall have to weaken and aquire!
Peter is much more the M13 guru than me but yes - this is overall a very highly regarded revo - if I can find one one day I shall have to weaken and aquire!
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
It is a potent cartridge in a solid gun that is easily concealable. It works!!!!
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
sm
member
Can't add more to what has been said other than a damn fine defensive weapon, with the versitility to do other tasks well .
Marshall
Member
Just a damn fine weapon, love the frame size and the heavy barrel!
rWt
Member
Model 13
Chris,
Your SP101 would get jealous.
Chris,
Your SP101 would get jealous.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Dick - naw!! My SP is so laid back - it just wants to shoot .. but will always take its turn! Heck, it's had to get used to an R9 in the stable!
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,653
The S&W "K" frame 3" Model 13, 64, 65 and 66 revolvers just MAY be the best personal defense revolvers ever made.
Some reasons:
The 3" barrel offers a longer sight radius, slightly increased velocity, better "pointing", and a full-stroke ejection rod for positive ejection.
The gun is the "perfect" size.
Other snubby revolvers are too small for a quick, good shooting grip, and usually hold only 5 rounds. (The Colt Detective Special is the exception).
Bigger guns are TOO big and don't conceal well.
Since the "K frame is heavier and with larger grips, you can shoot faster and more accurately than with a smaller gun that recoils more and is harder to hold on to.
The action can be "tuned" to a smooth pull that enhances accurate shooting. Other guns are usually coil spring actions that aren't as smooth.
Sights are near perfect in size and design.
The "K" frame is very strong, and if shot with .38 Special ammo, will last about forever. Smaller guns wear faster.
This means you can practice with lots of ammo without fear of the gun wearing and needing service.
In stainless steel, the gun won't rust like blued guns, which is a big bonus on a concealed carry gun.
Unlike autos, the "K" frame doesn't need as much maintenance.
The KISS principle.
The S&W "K" frame is as simple as it gets. There are no buttons, switches, or safeties to confuse things. As such, it's a "Pull, Point, Shoot" gun.
Absolute safety.
The "K" frame has been around for over 100 years. Any bugs have been discovered and eliminated long ago.
There is only ONE way to get the gun to fire, and that's to pull the trigger.
Due to the above, MOST people are able to shoot much better with a 3" "K" frame than with any other small revolver, and many autos.
With one of the 3" S&W "K" frame revolvers, you are as well armed as it's possible to be. Unlike smaller guns, there is no feeling that you're under-armed, or doubts about reliability.
With proper ammo, there are no doubts about stopping power.
Taking all this into consideration, the 3" "K" frame is one of the most comforting guns to carry.
Over the years, I carried just about everything available.
With the small autos I always had questions in the back of my mind about stopping someone, and/or reliability. There was always the doubt about "would it stop a Bad Guy, and would it jam when I needed it most?"
With bigger guns, there was the weight and conceal-ability issues.
A big, heavy gun tends to get left at home sooner or later, especially if it requires a hard to put on holster system.
With autos, there was always that lingering question about reliability.
With my older 3" Model 66 I have no concerns about any of this.
I know if I have to use it, it's GOING to be FAST into action, it's GOING to fire, I'm GOING to hit the target, and it's GOING to hit the Bad Guy HARD.
It doesn't get any better.
Some reasons:
The 3" barrel offers a longer sight radius, slightly increased velocity, better "pointing", and a full-stroke ejection rod for positive ejection.
The gun is the "perfect" size.
Other snubby revolvers are too small for a quick, good shooting grip, and usually hold only 5 rounds. (The Colt Detective Special is the exception).
Bigger guns are TOO big and don't conceal well.
Since the "K frame is heavier and with larger grips, you can shoot faster and more accurately than with a smaller gun that recoils more and is harder to hold on to.
The action can be "tuned" to a smooth pull that enhances accurate shooting. Other guns are usually coil spring actions that aren't as smooth.
Sights are near perfect in size and design.
The "K" frame is very strong, and if shot with .38 Special ammo, will last about forever. Smaller guns wear faster.
This means you can practice with lots of ammo without fear of the gun wearing and needing service.
In stainless steel, the gun won't rust like blued guns, which is a big bonus on a concealed carry gun.
Unlike autos, the "K" frame doesn't need as much maintenance.
The KISS principle.
The S&W "K" frame is as simple as it gets. There are no buttons, switches, or safeties to confuse things. As such, it's a "Pull, Point, Shoot" gun.
Absolute safety.
The "K" frame has been around for over 100 years. Any bugs have been discovered and eliminated long ago.
There is only ONE way to get the gun to fire, and that's to pull the trigger.
Due to the above, MOST people are able to shoot much better with a 3" "K" frame than with any other small revolver, and many autos.
With one of the 3" S&W "K" frame revolvers, you are as well armed as it's possible to be. Unlike smaller guns, there is no feeling that you're under-armed, or doubts about reliability.
With proper ammo, there are no doubts about stopping power.
Taking all this into consideration, the 3" "K" frame is one of the most comforting guns to carry.
Over the years, I carried just about everything available.
With the small autos I always had questions in the back of my mind about stopping someone, and/or reliability. There was always the doubt about "would it stop a Bad Guy, and would it jam when I needed it most?"
With bigger guns, there was the weight and conceal-ability issues.
A big, heavy gun tends to get left at home sooner or later, especially if it requires a hard to put on holster system.
With autos, there was always that lingering question about reliability.
With my older 3" Model 66 I have no concerns about any of this.
I know if I have to use it, it's GOING to be FAST into action, it's GOING to fire, I'm GOING to hit the target, and it's GOING to hit the Bad Guy HARD.
It doesn't get any better.
rWt
Member
Model 13
I've not heard of the Model 64. Why and when was it made? I see from another post that not many 3" Model 19/66's were made.
How does the Model 40 compare?
I've not heard of the Model 64. Why and when was it made? I see from another post that not many 3" Model 19/66's were made.
How does the Model 40 compare?
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,653
The Model 64 is just the Model 13 .38 Special made of stainless steel.
S&W currently makes?? a 3" Lady Smith which is the Model 65 with a shrouded barrel similar to the Model 66 3" guns, and they make a 3" Model 66 with a Hi-vis front sight.
Since the front sight is pinned in, you can replace it with a more traditional sight.
S&W currently makes?? a 3" Lady Smith which is the Model 65 with a shrouded barrel similar to the Model 66 3" guns, and they make a 3" Model 66 with a Hi-vis front sight.
Since the front sight is pinned in, you can replace it with a more traditional sight.
Tacoma
Member
There is just something very mean looking about that big fat heavy barrel on the mod 10, 13 and 65 and 64!
p.s. Not all 64's had this HB feature. Many were tapered. Here is a pic of my 64 that started as a 4" tapered but was sweetened to a 3".
p.s. Not all 64's had this HB feature. Many were tapered. Here is a pic of my 64 that started as a 4" tapered but was sweetened to a 3".
DHart
Member
dfariswheel really said it all. All I can add is some visuals which should complete the story for you. In my opinion there is no finer defense revolver.
Smith & Wesson Model 65-5 .357 Magnum 3" barrel
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Smith & Wesson Model 13-3 .357 Magnum 3" barrel
Smith & Wesson Model 65-5 .357 Magnum 3" barrel
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Smith & Wesson Model 13-3 .357 Magnum 3" barrel
chaim
Member
All these pictures......
I want a 3" model 13!!!!
My 3" 65LS needs its sibling.
I want a 3" model 13!!!!
My 3" 65LS needs its sibling.
DHart
Member
John... that model 13 was tuned by Brad Davis of New Hampshire. The action is butter smooth making for a light pull without compromising primer ignition with CCI primers. He bobbed the hammer beautifully and reshaped and polished the trigger. I found it on Gunbroker and got it for $301 with "Buy It Now". Couldn't wait for the auction to end! ;-) The gun now wears a set of Pachmayr Compac grips (like those shown on my M65 above) which fill the hand better than the Uncle Mike's which are shown in the photo. They also absorb recoil magnificently. But they're a little bigger and stickier. I have a set of Spegal smooth cocobolo boot grips on the way to me from Cylinder & Slide. They will make the gun even better for concealment. I like the 13/65 twins so much that when I recently found another 13 (completely stock, near new and in-the-box) for $319 at a gunshow, I couldn't resist buying it. These guns are around, but not readily available, so when you see one you like, you might want to jump on it.
armedcitizen
Member
Wasn't the 13 developed for the FBI? Or is that just a gun rumor?
Cosmoline
Member
My 13-2 continues good service in the wilds of Alaska. I had one problem with some Buf. Bore ammo, but tracked it down to soft primers. I like the balance as much as my old Security Six, but the trigger is much nicer and I believe it's an ounce or two lighter in overall weight.
It currently has an ill-fitting hogue grip wrapped with electrician's tape to reduce skin/metal contact in sub-zero temps. So it works well but looks pretty ugly. CLP lube and oil shows no signs of getting gummy in the cold. The holster freezes shut from time to time though.
I'm thinking of having the trigger guard altered to allow for gloved fingers, but I don't know how hard this would be to do.
I believe the 13 was the standard FBI sidearm, but I don't know if they had it developed for this purpose. They dropped it after the Miami shootout in favor of the 10mm, which they dropped again. That's the federal gobment for you. The same .357 that will knock down trees at my place was deemed underpowered.
It currently has an ill-fitting hogue grip wrapped with electrician's tape to reduce skin/metal contact in sub-zero temps. So it works well but looks pretty ugly. CLP lube and oil shows no signs of getting gummy in the cold. The holster freezes shut from time to time though.
I'm thinking of having the trigger guard altered to allow for gloved fingers, but I don't know how hard this would be to do.
I believe the 13 was the standard FBI sidearm, but I don't know if they had it developed for this purpose. They dropped it after the Miami shootout in favor of the 10mm, which they dropped again. That's the federal gobment for you. The same .357 that will knock down trees at my place was deemed underpowered.
Cosmoline
Member
Tacoma--that 64's trigger guard is just what I'm thinking of. Do you know where/how that was done?
DHart
Member
armed... I know that for quite a while, Model 65's were heavily used by the FBI, before they decided to go for the semi-autos. I believe 13's and 65's were also known as M&P (Military & Police), I understand that they were used widely by military, police, FBI, etc. for quite some time. I feel very, very well armed indeed with a 13 or 65 close at hand!
Cosmoline... wow... you guys in Alaska definitely have some extreme requirements for firearms, don't ya! Makes live in the lower 40 seem pretty tame by comparison. Down here some guys buy "Mountain Guns" because they think they're "cool"; up there you guys REALLY need and USE them! ;-) Heck, just running to the local Mom 'n' Pop for a quart of milk you might have to defend yourself against a Grizzly!
Cosmoline... wow... you guys in Alaska definitely have some extreme requirements for firearms, don't ya! Makes live in the lower 40 seem pretty tame by comparison. Down here some guys buy "Mountain Guns" because they think they're "cool"; up there you guys REALLY need and USE them! ;-) Heck, just running to the local Mom 'n' Pop for a quart of milk you might have to defend yourself against a Grizzly!
DHart
Member
S&W 13s and 65s can be very difficult to find, since they aren't made anymore and people tend to keep the ones they have.
Due to my love of fixed sight revolvers with 3" barrels, I recently bought two new Ruger GP-100's set up that way, one in blue and one in stainless.
Gotta say, I LOVE these guns! Dimensions almost exactly like the S&W 13/65 with 3" barrel, except the cylinder is a tad beefier. This is a very comfortable gun to shoot heavy loads with. The grips look like full size GP-100 grips, but they are actually scaled down for concealability and feel excellent. Accurate. Solid. And readily available new. A great way to go.
Due to my love of fixed sight revolvers with 3" barrels, I recently bought two new Ruger GP-100's set up that way, one in blue and one in stainless.
Gotta say, I LOVE these guns! Dimensions almost exactly like the S&W 13/65 with 3" barrel, except the cylinder is a tad beefier. This is a very comfortable gun to shoot heavy loads with. The grips look like full size GP-100 grips, but they are actually scaled down for concealability and feel excellent. Accurate. Solid. And readily available new. A great way to go.
Gary in Pennsylvania
Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 683
Hey DHart - That Smith & Wesson Model 65-5 .357 Magnum 3" barrel that you've got pictured above........That's not a LadySmith, is it? Doesn't look like it.
What S&W catalog number represents the one you have above?
Thanks!
What S&W catalog number represents the one you have above?
Thanks!
DHart
Member
Hi Gary... no the 65-5 is not a Lady Smith. The two Smiths shown about are out of production. The only numbers I know of for them are 65-5 and 13-3. Sadly, Smith has decided that they don't want to make these anymore. Perhaps not enough demand for them! Seems the typical buyer thinks they either need an airweight 2" or 2.5" snub .357 or a longer barrel with adjustable sights... not realizing that the 3" fixed-sight, steel frame, K-frame (the in-between size) is as good as a defense gun gets. Not too big, not too small, not too heavy, not too light...just right!
sidearm
Member
Out with my wife yesterday just strolling and stumbled into a local pawn shop. I was looking at the plastic guns when I hear my wife on the other side calling for me. Got over there and she says "that's the one". It was a beautiful Model 13-3. She's always said that her gun has to have the "right" balance and smallish grips. I smiled, looked it over, checked the timing and play -- and was surprised to see that it had been hardly used. The guy wanted $400 but I talked him down to $325 -- probably still a little high but I don't mind because it made her happy. I've never shot a M13 before but the trigger is butter smooooth! I also LOVE the big barrel. This is our first S&W (have Rugers) but I'm sure this won't be our last! Here's a pic/link:
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