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I need some good information on a double action only, 3" stainless 65-5, in .357mag, I found in a local gunstore. It is used and very clean. I did the normal checks on the revolver to make sure it is in good mechanical condition and it seems to be in great shape. I have heard that this is a low to medium velocity, low to medium range bullet size revolver and strength is what it is NOT noted for. They want $275 for the gun. I would appreciate any info....especially from you S&W forum members. I really like the look, heavy barrel and great trigger this gun has....so what do you think????

I already have a 3" SP-101, so this is really an impulse buy!!!!

It sounds like it's in good shape, so I'd buy it! The Model 65's and Model 13's in 3" are pretty rare. Like all K frames, I wouldn't feed them a steady diet of magnum loads, but they are good guns that can easily stand a "reasonable" number of mag. loads. (The Model 13 was the FBI issue gun for several years.)

Chas.

Here is are photos of each: http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/G ... 5_1264.jpg

http://outdoors.net/site/images/10628.jpg

I really like S&Ws with 3 in barrels and don't understand why we don't see more of them. I have two but the Wife and Daughter claim them

That right there is a good buy, considering S&W revolver prices of late.

I'd not be afraid of running magnums through the K-frame .357s, not even in quantity. No, they're not -as- strong as the L-frames (686, etc), but they're still plenty strong for the round, as long as you're using properly loaded ammunition within the specs for the round.

I have a 65-1 with a 4" barrel. While I'm not by any means the original owner, I'm fair convinced that it's had a great many magnum rounds put through it. It's still quite functional. Yes, the cylinder rattles; there's a decent bit of endshake and wobble. But the timing on it is still spot-on, and it hits the target every time. As for spitting lead and copper shavings... I've fired revolvers with much tighter lockups that spat more.

I'll probably bring my 65 in for a tune-up one of these days, certainly within the next thousand rounds, but it'll likely outlive me (and I'm in my 20's).

I strongly suspect that the K-frame .357s got their "weak" reputation from folks grossly overloading handloads or from simple freak accidents (accidental factory overload, etc.).

I'd go back and grab that 65 3" up. I'm not sure if the DAO configuration is original, but that would make a great carry wheelgun.

Wooo Hooo,

I am one happy new 65-5 owner. He wanted $275.00 and I talked him down to $250.00 out the door. It has Hogue grips and a super smooth trigger job. .:rock:

That... is one nice revolver, there! Looks like it'd be supremely ideal as a CCW .357, too - heavier than the smaller J-frames to tame recoil, while still very portable and concealable.

Hate to say it, but I'm jealous.

Nice gun; very nice price!

Chas.

Great purchase!! Nice looking gun. I hope you enjoy it and carry the bujeezus out of it. Geez, now I've got another bug trying to bite! Will it ever end?!

WNallG30 wrote:Great purchase!! Nice looking gun. I hope you enjoy it and carry the bujeezus out of it. Geez, now I've got another bug trying to bite! Will it ever end?!

Nope. Ain't it grand?