S&W Police Trade-Ins?

[no.5enfield]

I am looking for a used Smith in either .38 or .357. I am almost positive that Summit Gunbroker had some of these a few months ago that were listed as police trade-ins, but I don't see them listed now. I have just gotten interested in double-actions, and I figured I could pick one of these up for a little of nothing, WRONG! I can't find one for a decent price anywhere. I am not looking for anything pretty, just a good carry/plinking pistol. Does anybody know of a place that has them for a good price?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[MAKster]

Since most police departments switched from revolvers to semi-autos about 20 years ago, I suspect the police trade-in revolvers are long gone. The police trade-ins you see now are the large metal frame pistols like the Beretta 92FS and the S&W 5906 which were popular when departments first switched to pistols.

 

[Landric]

J&G Sales has a number of S&W 64 .38 Special revolvers with 4" heavy barrels for sale. They have square and round butt options. About $230 for the square and $250 for the round. I bought a square and its in great shape mechanically, some minor dings and scuffs cosmetically. I'd say its just what you are looking for.

J&G has a website, just google them.

 

[no.5enfield]

MAKster, That's what I was thinking when I saw them, but that's what the description said. Summit still has the Smith autos for very good prices but I prefer Sigs.
Thanks Landric, That's exactly what I am looking for, I will check those out.

 

[Oro]

Since most police departments switched from revolvers to semi-autos about 20 years ago, I suspect the police trade-in revolvers are long gone.

While this is pretty true for police guns, there are still turn-ins from security agencies and security departments at larger corporations. I think this is where the J&G guns are from. So yes, there are still turn-ins around on the DA revolver line, but not like in the 80s.

I have heard from some folks who got the 64's that they were mechanically good, though sometimes finish-challenged. A good bead blast or some polishing may be in order, but at that price it's worth it.

 

[Colt Smith]

Check your local gun and pawn shops. There are usually some police or security dept. trade-ins to be found at reasonable prices. I picked up my Smith M 10 for $125 last June. Basic holster wear but bore and chambers are bright and shiny. Mechanically fine. Shoots much better than I do. I use it for HD. If something goes down, that's the gun I want the police to take away as evidence not my nicer guns.

 

[Landric]

My 64 from J&G doesn't have the nicest finish in the world, lots of small dings and scratches, mostly on the right side, from getting banged around in a holster. Mechanically its excellent, and it was very clean, barrel, chambers, etc. It appeared to have been cleaned quite thoroughly either before it was sold to J&G or by J&G. It also does not appear to have been fired very much.

My understanding is that these revolvers came from a security company trade-in. I've heard Brinks, but I can't be sure. Other than not having the matte stainless finish, mine looks exactly like a 64-5 NY-1.

I was looking for a shooter, not a nice looking collector gun, so I could care less about the finish, especially for the price. If I can scrape together the funds, I might just have to get another.

J&G has round butt versions for $20 more. These are later production guns, many of which had the magnum frame and frame mounted firing pin. However, the picture they have on the website shows several of the RB versions without the magnum frame and the firing pin where it belongs. If I decide to get another, I may go RB if they can guarantee me a pre-magnum frame version.

I would say that the huge majority of the PD trade-in revolvers are gone. However, there are an awful lot of corrections agencies still using revolvers. NC Dept. of Prisons & Probation and Parole just switched in 11/2007 from revolvers to .40S&W M&Ps. Prisons had primarily the 4" SB model 64, P&P had the 3" RB 65. I was hoping to see some of the 3" 65s for sale locally, but so far no luck there.

 

[no.5enfield]

Landric, I don't know the first thing about S&W's except I shot an old K-frame at the range and really liked it, what are the differences in the round-butt, square-butt, magnum frame? I really like the old wood grips, can I change out the rubber ones for wood?
Is it a sacrilege to buy one of these and cut the barrel down?

Thanks again,
Brad

 

[Oro]

I was hoping to see some of the 3" 65s for sale locally, but so far no luck there.

Mmmm -yes! I'd like to see a 3" 65 at turn-in prices from someone. I would snap up one or two of those quickly.

no.5enfield - I believe there is a sticky at the top of the forum from XavierBreath that has visuals about ID'ing square vs. round, different frame sizes, etc. That might help you get started. Lots of grips are available for any model - huge aftermarket for them as well as huge factory variations. Here is a web site with different model configurations - it is valid up to about 1980, not the newer models.

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp

As to cutting barrels - well on some classic models it would be pretty foolish. But the real issue is there's really very little need to - they made the guns in so many various lengths that it's cheaper and simpler to just buy what you want to start with, or trade for it. The cost of the quality machine work to do a cut-down and then refinish it (if blue or nickel) is not cost-effective.

 

[Landric]

Exchanging rubber for wood is no problem. If you get a square butt from J&G there is a good chance it will come with wood in the first place. I won't argue that wood looks better, but from a shootability standpoint, I like rubber better.

Cutting the barrel on a model 64 is probably not going to be cost effective, but it won't ruin any collector value. There are tons of model 64 revolvers out there. If you want to have the barrel cut, there is no reason not to, other than price.

I like the round butt frame better, but I like the other features of the older square butt models, so I bought a SB. I think you can get a few more grip options in RB configuration these days, but there are plenty of SB options as well.

 

[Oro]

I think you can get a few more grip options in RB configuration these days

S&W pretty much quit making square butt models in about 1994 or so - relying upon "round to square conversion" grips for those who like the square butt feel. "Classic" models that have been reinvented come in square butts like the old ones did, but most standard production guns these days are all round butt.

I like square butts for 3.5" and longer barrels, and round for 3" and shorter. Just seems to work right with the weight/balance and recoil characteristics of the different guns.

 

[Landric]

I think that the current production N-frames with the RB look wrong (like the 21-4). I'm still toying with the idea of getting a 22-4 (which is a square butt) and taking out the IL. I have no desire to own an IL revolver, but since a fixed sight, 6-shot, 4", .45ACP revolver is about impossible to find, I think that is the route I am going to go. It will be for IDPA, not carry or home defense.

I tend to prefer the round butt even on the longer barrel (up to 4") versions of the J, K, and L frames.