Tell me about the S&W M65.

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denfoote

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I'm in the process of trading for an S&W 65-6LS.

Other than it's a K-frame and .357mag with a three inch barrel, I know practically nothing about the gun. For instance, what loads can I fire all day through it??

Any info is appriciated.

Also, 65 owners. How do you like yours??

Hopefully, I should have it within a week, so I'll take some pics!!! :evil:
 
Hi denfoote,

We met at a shoot a couple of years ago in east Mesa. To get to your question, I own the 65LS and after some polishing removed the bead blasted finish and Ladysmith name on the side and it is now a Mansmith.;) It is a great revolver, the trigger is exceptionally nice and the accuracy makes me look like a real pistolero. All joking aside, I am amazed at how small my groups are even in DA mode. I have only shot .38's out of it so I can't tell you what it can handle all day long, but think of it as a 66 with fixed sights. BTW, I put Pachmayr compact professionals on it, these are the ones sans backstrap and fit my hand perfectly. Let us know what you think of it and sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.
 
Can't testify to the "all day long" ammo, but I have one an older 3" M65 that is sweeeeet. IMNSHO, that is the very finest CCW piece ever crafted.
 
I have had a S&W 65LS for several years now. If I ever have to liquidate my collection it is one of the two or three I'll let go last in hopes of not having to sell. It is certainly one of my favorites.

I think the 3" K-frames are about the best guns out there. With the 3" barrel they are concealable and light enough for carry, yet they are heavy enough to be controllable with even full-house magnums and the sight radius is good for easy accuracy. They also handle better than just about anything out there.

Short of bankruptcy or needing to sell it to pay for unexpected medical expenses I won't be parting with mine, and I plan to add more.
 
Great gun. I carry one.

For plinking, I'd reccomend .38 Special loads. Shoot enough .357's through it to be comfortable with them, but the K-frame guns do wear quicker with the .357's than the L or N frame guns.
 
I just recently purchased a 65-8LS 3" several months back. Out of all the 357 rounds I have shot, the WWB 125 grain JHP were very comfortable to shoot, very accurate, and after 100 rounds I was ready for some more. Being a 3" barrel the felt recoil is not going to be as bad as a 2 incher.

My 65 is fast becoming my prefered ccw gun over the autos. IMHO the lighter grain bullets are better for the subbies (expansion, recoil, etc.). I carry CorBon 110 grain HP for SD. I think you will enjoy your 65. Good luck and happy shooting.:D
 
The full house 125 grain .357s are the ones that cause the most wear on K-Frames. 110 grain loads in .357s tend to be loaded a bit lighter. You might want to check out the Winchester USA 110 grain JHP .357 for a good practice load, and should make a nice defense round, too.

I shoot .38s for the most part in all of my .357s. They're just so much more pleasant to shoot.
 
The 3" Model 65 is the PREMIER concealed carry revolver.
 
I have a standard (non-LS) 3" M65 and it is the absolute last gun I would part with. Just feels right. The main advantage to your LS model is the shrouded ejector rod. That simple feature makes it slightly more attractive to me.
 
OK-Here are a few photos of a 65-2 with CT grips-sorry that I didn't have any photos with just the 65 in it. I like to shoot and carry the FBI load-38+P.

IMG_1003.gif

handguns.gif
 
What are your opinions on the CT grips? I'm thinking of ordering a pair for my 65. Do you have the hard plastic or soft overmolded grips? Does your hand tend to block the laser when in firing position?
 
If you like the Model 65, you'll also like its blue twin, the Model 13. Carried them both (at different times!) on the job over the years before going to a Model 6906. Ended up selling the 13:( and giving the 65 to my oldest daughter. Someday, plan on getting another. 65s/13s are perfect (holster) carry guns-though it's hard to discount thirteen 9mm rounds in a smaller/lighter package!
 
BTW- what are you trading off for the 65LS?

Also, let me be the first...If you decide you don't like it (as unlikely as that is, everyone has different tastes so who knows) let me know how much you'd want to part with it. If I can afford it I'd love to take it off your hands. I just checked mine, it too is a 65-6, so I guess yours is one of the last without the locks (as is mine).
 
I have a standard M65 4" and my sister has the 65 LS 3". We love em. While my Ruger Security six is certainly beefier, the M65 has a tighter, smoother action and just generally feels better to hold and fire. My sister used her this fall with my 158 gr. XTP handloads for the final dispatch on her 450 lb cow elk after taking it down with a mid-back spine shot from her .280. The Ladysmith performed just fine.

BTW, substitute the rosewood grips for some Hogue rubber finger groove grips and the LS doesn't look very feminine at all.
 
A new friend lost his mind and sold me his 65-6 3". It came with a Hogue one-piece rosewood grip. Each day I struggle to not touch it, as every time I do it's a 15 minute love-fest, minimum.

I carry my 640-3 everyday, everywhere. But I'll sell it a thousand times before you'll touch my 65-6 3"!

Got Gun?
 
All Time Favorite

I've had my S&W .357 Model 65-3 "K" frame since 2/'87. With a crisp, custom 1.5-2lb pull I can drive nails all day (20 yrds) with 125 Gr. .38 Spl +P. About a 3rd of the time, I'll use 125 Gr. semi jktd .357 hollow points.

It is, IMO, absolutely the finest, most effective revolver around.

Take Care
 
Other than it's a K-frame and .357mag with a three inch barrel, I know practically nothing about the gun
Click to expand...

That's all you need to know right there. Three-inch K-frames are the bee's knees...finest carry revolver ever produced, IMHO. Those who have 'em usually don't get rid of 'em, for good reason.

The 65LS also has the distinction of being the only regular production three-inch heavy-barreled fixed sight K-frame with a shrouded ejector rod. (There's the Performance Center Model 13 that also has a shrouded ejector rod, but there are only 400 of those around.) The 65LS is the best variant of the finest carry package ever brought to market.
 
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