S&W Model 64-5

[Sergei Mosin]

I recently acquired this Model 64-5 from Robertson Trading Post. It was advertised as a slightly used surplus Virginia Department of Corrections revolver circa 1989 (BEJ serial prefix if anybody can confirm the date) and it looks to be just that - a small electropencil marking on the backstrap is the only sign of official use, otherwise it looks like a gun that was carried little and shot less. Everybody ought to have a classic K-frame...

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Only one photo at a time from the phone, so here's the opposite side. I have thought in the past that there wasn't much point to a .38 revolver when you can have both with a .357, but K-frames aren't really meant for magnums. I now understand what they mean by heavy barrel - compared to the pencil barrel Smiths I've handled, the extra heft is obvious. Anyway, it's nice to finally have a Smith & Wesson revolver in the collection.

 

[bannockburn]

Sergei Mosin

Nice find! Always felt that the heavy barrel Model 10 was one of the most perfectly balanced DA revolvers ever made. That extra weight of the 4" barrel was just right for keeping the gun steady on target.

 

[bikemutt]

Nice find Sergei Mosin!

I have 64-4 that the previous owner saw fit to convert to adjustable sights, it is one of my best shooters.

 

[Coyote3855]

Very nice. By the time I got to Robertson Trading Post, those were sold. Someone spilled the beans on the S&W Forum and the guns did not last long after that.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

What's funny is I wasn't even looking for one. I had heard they had police surplus SIGs so I went looking to see what they had (more on that in Autoloaders when I get around to taking more pictures) and ran across the Model 64s. It had been in the back of my mind to buy myself a .38 Special (and a .38 Super) on the occasion of my 38th birthday in a couple of years and a Model 64 was a candidate - but these guns seemed like too good a deal to pass up, especially with the Virginia connection.

This may be a silly question, but is this gun rated for +P? I would think so given the existence of near-identical .357 Magnum guns and I know S&W rates current Model 64s for +P but it isn't marked that way and I want to be sure of it.

 

[RON in PA]

Any 1957 or later Smith 38 special revolver with a model number is plus P rated even if not marked. The smaller J frames were marked +P after Smith improved them.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Any 1957 or later Smith 38 special revolver with a model number is plus P rated even if not marked. The smaller J frames were marked +P after Smith improved them.

Yeah, it's pretty hard to mark something +P before there was a +P. That's like finding a coin with the date mark 400 BC.

 

[stiab]

Any 1957 or later Smith 38 special revolver with a model number is plus P rated even if not marked.

That's only true for steel K frames and up, not all J frames (unless so marked), as per S&W's official position on this subject, see chart below. Some unmarked J frames are +P rated, and some are not...

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Good to know, thanks. I had it out next to my GP100 earlier and it's easy to see where Ruger put the extra five ounces - the Model 64 isn't small, but that Ruger is beefy. The Ruger trigger is actually smoother, but that may be a function of use - the GP100 may have more rounds though it than the Smith. I will have to do something about that...

 

[RON in PA]

The GP100 is better compared to the 586/686.

First time I've read anyone saying their Ruger had a better trigger pull than a Smith. You must have put many thousands of rounds through it.

 

[AZAndy]

That's only true for steel K frames and up, not all J frames (unless so marked), as per S&W's official position on this subject, see chart below. Some unmarked J frames are +P rated, and some are not...

Thanks for that! I've been wondering if I should limit the hot stuff in my '90s 36, and it looks like I should.

Very handsome revolver, Mr. Mosin!

 

[fireman 9731]

I agree that a 4 inch, heavy barrel K-frame is just about perfect.

 

[Nacho Man]

Fine revolver you have there.
64-3 (1987) I got from a old man on armslist a few years ago for $350.
I added a bk grip adapter. Single action pull came in at 3.5lbs when I borrowed a gauge.

 

[Panzerschwein]

64's a great "do all" revolving belt pistols of special caliber. I got a Brinks gun a few years back that is tops.

 

[Blacksmoke]

I bought a 64 when they first came out back in '74 or so. Pencil barrel back then. Very nice gun. The heavy barrel is an improvement over the original.

 

[ThomasT]

Bikemutt you have a perfect trail gun with that adjustable sighted model 64. You wanna sell it?

I don't have a model 64 but I do have a model 65. The same gun chambered for 357 magnum. But I pretty much just shoot 38s out of it. Those are downright pleasant to pop off.

 

[bikemutt]

Bikemutt you have a perfect trail gun with that adjustable sighted model 64. You wanna sell it?

I don't have a model 64 but I do have a model 65. The same gun chambered for 357 magnum. But I pretty much just shoot 38s out of it. Those are downright pleasant to pop off.

Ratshooter, I usually consider everything, except my wife and my dog, are for sale if the price is right. This S&W though, is a gem, it just plain shoots real good. And, it has just a touch of oddness; it's imperfectly perfect

 

[ThomasT]

Bikemutt I wouldn't sell it if it were mine. But part of your reply reminded me of a bumper sticker I had years ago that read;

"My wife yes, My dog maybe, My gun never".

For some reason my wife would not let me put it on my truck. IIRC she said something about "beatin' the crap outta me if I did".

 

[ST1959]

I picked up this 64-5 from Robertson Trading Post, earlier this year, for about $350. Made in 1989, it is also a retired Virginia DOC gun. It's scuffed up and has been fired a few hundred times, but that gives it character. The action is butter-smooth. It's a great shooter! I have subsequently bought two OTHER wonderfully - priced guns from Robertson.