What S&W .357 did I just buy????

[Marshall]

OK, I need you S&W revolver experts to help me figure out what I just bought.

On the lower side of the guns steel grip frame, as you're pointing the gun away from you, there is the number 65489. On the opposite side there is a number 4742. The serial number on the bottom starts out 9D701.

This revolver is a pristine S&W.357 mag. with a 4 inch barrel. It's a blued gun that is a smaller framed 6 hole, square butt with S&W wooden checkered grips. It has the firing pin on the hammer. There is no lug under the barrel and the sights are fixed, front ramp with the grooved top strap.

I had to buy this thing when I saw it. If it's had more than 6 rounds shot through it, I would be surprised. The trigger on this thing is superb, it's almost equal to my Browning BBR .30-06. The funny thing is that I don't know exactly what I bought? LOL If I could find out what model this is and some info about it, I would thankful.

Thanks for the help.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

A picture would be worth... well a whole lot.

Uhm... guessing here; mid-70s vintage Model 13 maybe?

If you open the cylinder, the model number should be stamped on the inside of the crane, on the frame.

 

[FPrice]

"The serial number on the bottom starts out 9D701"

"It's a blued gun"

This sounds like a 1981 or 82 Model 13-2 or -3. The year depends upon whether there are four or five digits after the "D" and the dash number may also.

 

[Marshall]

There are 5 digits after the "D".

Sorry, my daughter took my digital for the weekend. Grrrrr

 

[Marshall]

FPrice, thanks. I looked everywhere but there. It's a Model 13. I think it reads -3, it's a little difficult on my old eyes to make out clearly?

 

[FPrice]

"There are 5 digits after the "D"."

Early 1982. As QuarterBoreGunner said, open the cylinder and look at the inside area in front of where the cylinder goes, you should see a Model 13-2 or 13-3.

You have one of the best revolvers in the world there. The k-frame S&W .357 Magnum is a well-built and reliable firearm.

Ya dun gud!

"Sorry, my daughter took my digital for the weekend. Grrrrr"

Daughters, ya gotta love 'em.

 

[Marshall]

Yea, daughters are famous for that kind of thing.

I found a PIC of the gun. It is exactly like this one I am posting except the wood grips are wider at the top, covering more frame from the trigger guard to the hammer, than the ones shown.

Any .357 ammo concerns I should have with this dude?

 

[Ala Dan]

Excellent find there Marshall, my friend! As has
been stated, the S&W model 13 is one fine weapon,
and highly sought after. I wish I still had the one that I
owned when they first came out.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Marshall]

Thank you Ala Dan,

This Model 13 found me, I didn't find it. I heard a gentleman where I work speaking about a handgun he never shoots. He was saying it was given to him as a present from his brother years ago. Well, we chatted a little and today he shows up with this Smith and wants to know if I want it.

Trying not to act like I did want it, I asked him how much he needed for it? He asked me if $100.00 was too high?

I ended up buying the gun and a new holster of the same era that was never used, for that price. Like I said, didn't know what it was but after reading this site on and off for a couple years, I knew I had to buy it.

 

[Preacherman]

Marshall, anytime you want to sell it, I'll give you three times what you paid for it. $100 for a Model 13? That's daylight robbery!

 

[Josey]

I wouldn't run 180 gr Supremes through it. Mine really liked 158 gr Remington 357 Magnums. The odd thing was that it was MOST accurate with Winchester 115 gr 38 Special wadcutters. It was like a target 22 with them. I suggest a Pachmayr presentation rubber grip for it. I miss mine. I don't even own a S&W 357 Magnum. I want one!

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Wow Marshall, you did REALLY good.

Oh and on the off chance that Preacherman is unavailable (yeah right), I'd take it off your hands.

 

[Marshall]

Marshall, anytime you want to sell it, I'll give you three times what you paid for it. $100 for a Model 13? That's daylight robbery!

Preacherman, I have sold a gun or two back when I was younger for amounts I kick my butt for today. I figure it was my turn to be on the other end. Besides, he walked away as happy as as I did so, I feel good about it.



Josey, thanks for the info. I didn't know if I should be concerned about some of todays loads being too hot for it. I don't need to shoot anything "wild" through it anyhow, I have other handguns that will handle those. I'll stick to .38's and regular to mild .357 loads.


QBG, is there bidding going on? Just kidding.


Thanks you guys.

 

[Kestrel]

I'll match their price and throw in a Spiderman lunchbox.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

 

[LynnMassGuy]

Lucky dog.