Saw a S&W model 64 .38 special with the 4" heavy barrel for sale. Has some slight holster wear on the top of the frame, where the non-glare finish is, but otherwise in excellent condition. Seller wants $250.00 plus tax for it. I have been thinking about a .38 special only for the range, and this one looks like a good durable gun. It has fixed sights, but I can live with that. I am not familiar with this model, and would appreciate comments on it from anyone who has had one. Would also like to know if it can handle a steady diet of +P loads. If I buy the gun it will be fired a lot.
Any comments on S&W model 64
- Thread starter MR.G
- Start date
The model 64 was the mainstay for police departments for many years. (departments that were willing to pay a little more for stainless) Everything good you have ever heard about the S&W Mod. 10 can be applied to the 64. Good solid guns. In Texas, the price would be a little high, but not really absurd. I would think it would take many many years of +P without any problems at all.
This revolver is one of the sleepers of the revolver world.
In blued finish it's known as the model 13, and the 3" barreled version was the mainstay of the FBI for many years, who fired 158gr LHP +P through them.
This is one of those revolvers that is beautifully balanced for a full size revolver ... has simple, but ruggedly serviceable iron sights that will generally shoot to point of aim with 158gr ammunition ... is easy to maintain with its stainless construction ... is part of the basic model 10 heritage of S&W revolvers, which means it's one of the most well known revolvers to gunsmiths everywhere ...
And it'll make the +P ammunition seem so tame and easy to shoot it'll be just downright fun
And ... this revolver will make you want to practice so much you'll just have to gracefully accept improving your skills painlessly
The price may be a bit high is some areas, but the shooting enjoyment you'll receive in the years to come will make it seem like a bargain.
Buy it and shoot the living daylights out of it
In blued finish it's known as the model 13, and the 3" barreled version was the mainstay of the FBI for many years, who fired 158gr LHP +P through them.
This is one of those revolvers that is beautifully balanced for a full size revolver ... has simple, but ruggedly serviceable iron sights that will generally shoot to point of aim with 158gr ammunition ... is easy to maintain with its stainless construction ... is part of the basic model 10 heritage of S&W revolvers, which means it's one of the most well known revolvers to gunsmiths everywhere ...
And it'll make the +P ammunition seem so tame and easy to shoot it'll be just downright fun
And ... this revolver will make you want to practice so much you'll just have to gracefully accept improving your skills painlessly
The price may be a bit high is some areas, but the shooting enjoyment you'll receive in the years to come will make it seem like a bargain.
Buy it and shoot the living daylights out of it
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Keep in mind that the USAF used the S&W M15 and found that a lot of Plus P equivalent ammo did loosen the guns. That's a prime reason why they wanted a 9mm to replace the .38 revolver. But a modest amount of use in K-frames doesn't seem a problem. I had a M64 for about 15 years, fired Plus P whenever the situation seemed to warrant it, and never had a problem. This included maybe 30% of my practice.
The M64 is basically just a stainless version of S&W's most familiar gun, introduced in 1899. If it didn't work well, it probably wouldn't still be around.
Lone Star
The M64 is basically just a stainless version of S&W's most familiar gun, introduced in 1899. If it didn't work well, it probably wouldn't still be around.
Lone Star
Radicalcleric
New member
I would not pay more than $175 for a M64 but that's me. If you want it, buy it. It is, as noted, a stainless version of the M10, not the M13.
On K frames shooting loose with full power .38 Special ammo- they don't. Rumors with no basis in fact. The US military changed to the 9MM Beretta for two reasons. One, they wanted to go to the 9 to be standard with the rest of NATO. Two, they wanted one gun for all branches and uses. They used to have like 15 different handguns in military issue and the logistics were awful.
On K frames shooting loose with full power .38 Special ammo- they don't. Rumors with no basis in fact. The US military changed to the 9MM Beretta for two reasons. One, they wanted to go to the 9 to be standard with the rest of NATO. Two, they wanted one gun for all branches and uses. They used to have like 15 different handguns in military issue and the logistics were awful.
Oops, you're right about the model 65 being the stainless version of the 13 ... I always did want to have a 65, but ended up buying a Ruger Service Six in heavy barrel, instead ... I didn't really get into S&W revolvers until the newer J-frames were produced, although I carried a 66, and later a 686, for duty.
I'm mostly familiar with their pistols ... collecting them personally, along with Colts and Rugers, and carrying & maintaining them for my agency.
I thought the model 15 the AF used was an aluminum framed revolver?
Oh well, the 64 will work with +P and work well ...
I'm mostly familiar with their pistols ... collecting them personally, along with Colts and Rugers, and carrying & maintaining them for my agency.
I thought the model 15 the AF used was an aluminum framed revolver?
Oh well, the 64 will work with +P and work well ...
fastbolt-
The USAF used several K and J-framed S&W's. The usual issue for most people was the four-inch bbl. M15. Some Victory Models were acquired from the Navy and/or Coast Guard until enough M15's were on hand. (Also some Colts). OSI had some M36's with three-inch heavy bbls. I think there were some two-inchers, too, in both steel and alloy. Aircrews not issued the M15 might have an Airweight (M12 type) or a Colt Aircrewman for a limited time, but these (snub guns) were withdrawn as being too fragile; they had aluminum cylinders, but instead of just replacing the cylinders with steel ones, they were mostly desroyed.
The M15 also had a two-inch version called M56, but I forget whether that was a factory or military designation. Some were used by SAC Elite Guard Security Police, and one of my pals said that he'd used one at a base in Washington (state), too. I think some went to flight crews, also.
Certain rescue men had unusual stuff; one unit in Alaska drew S&W M29's, because they might have to kill a bear while assisting crash victims. No doubt, I've missed something, but that was the main lineup. And some .45 autos lingered for years...
Lone Star
The USAF used several K and J-framed S&W's. The usual issue for most people was the four-inch bbl. M15. Some Victory Models were acquired from the Navy and/or Coast Guard until enough M15's were on hand. (Also some Colts). OSI had some M36's with three-inch heavy bbls. I think there were some two-inchers, too, in both steel and alloy. Aircrews not issued the M15 might have an Airweight (M12 type) or a Colt Aircrewman for a limited time, but these (snub guns) were withdrawn as being too fragile; they had aluminum cylinders, but instead of just replacing the cylinders with steel ones, they were mostly desroyed.
The M15 also had a two-inch version called M56, but I forget whether that was a factory or military designation. Some were used by SAC Elite Guard Security Police, and one of my pals said that he'd used one at a base in Washington (state), too. I think some went to flight crews, also.
Certain rescue men had unusual stuff; one unit in Alaska drew S&W M29's, because they might have to kill a bear while assisting crash victims. No doubt, I've missed something, but that was the main lineup. And some .45 autos lingered for years...
Lone Star
Radicalcleric
New member
The M56 was so marked by S&W. One was for sale on AuctionArms recently with a $2,000 starting price. I did not see any bids.
I'm about to add another 38 to the safe, which will be a Model 10 or 64. I saw quite a few at the gunshow last weekend - all for $250, some in ratty condition. However, KY Imports often has them surplus starting around $169 I believe. I talked to them a few weeks ago and they had them in stock. I personally passed on buying any of the $250 examples at the gunshow even though I was there intending on buying an M10 (however I did get a Marlin 39, about which I'm still grinning 3 days later!) Also, you might want to consider getting one that says 10-5, 10-7, 10-8 inside the crane. Those numbers signify that its a later non-5 screw model, which is stronger (?). But check those numbers out in a book to be sure I have them correct.
Thanks Lone Star! Now I know who to ask for when I get those odd revolver questions.
Before I got in L/E more than 20 years ago I only recognized Ruger & Colt revolvers ...
Well, okay ... there was the first model 29 my dad brought home when they were new and scarce. He eventually traded it to a Border Patrolman along the Cal/Mex border for a highly tuned (for the period) Government Model. As I recall, both of them thought they'd gotten the better end of the deal. The Colt had left our Government service, went to the British Royal Navy, and was so stamped, and then came back here, where it eventually ended up in the hands of the Border Patrolman ... Wish I'd kept it ...
Before I got in L/E more than 20 years ago I only recognized Ruger & Colt revolvers
... Well, okay ... there was the first model 29 my dad brought home when they were new and scarce. He eventually traded it to a Border Patrolman along the Cal/Mex border for a highly tuned (for the period) Government Model. As I recall, both of them thought they'd gotten the better end of the deal. The Colt had left our Government service, went to the British Royal Navy, and was so stamped, and then came back here, where it eventually ended up in the hands of the Border Patrolman ... Wish I'd kept it ...