How much can I shoot my M65?

R

Raider1

Inactive
I'm new to the forum and revolvers. Most of my experience is with autoloaders in the Army. I am considering buying a model 65 4" as a camp/hiking gun (many miles in the holster). I have handled one at the gun shop and like the feel better than the GP100 ( my father has a GP100, great gun).

My only concern is that I plan on shooting about 100 rounds a month. I would like many of these to be full .357mag. I have read much from you who know that the Smiths may have trouble keeping up with a consistant diet of .357. Do I need to reconsider my choice?

Thanks
 
it will handle .357mag rounds, but it's not a good idea run alot of magnum rounds through a k-frame because it's too light to sustain that kind of beating. if you are going to shoot it 100rds a month then use .38spl+p and use either .357mag or .38spl+p+ rounds for protection.
 
Buy the 65, shoot it as much as you want to, and if it ever loosens up, have it tighted back up by a gunsmith. It really is not a big deal to do. My actual experience is based on three model 66's that I currently own. They have seen a lot of rounds, and they are not yet ready for a refit job. I also have a 686, and it is holding up just fine also, thank you.

Clemson
 
Actually it is not just shooting magnum rounds that can harm a K-frame S&W. It"s a constant usage of the hotter 110 and 125 grain loads that can create the problem. You can shoot 145 or 158 grain magnum loads till the cows come in and not do any damage.
 
Stick to 158 gr magnums and you will be fine. The K frame has never been weak. Hell the model 60 and 640 are steel J framed 357 magnums.

All guns eventually wear out but I've not been able to do it to mine yet.
 
The story that the K-frames are weak and won't stand up to magnum ammo is complete BS. They hold up very very well. 100 rounds a week is nothing, buy it and shoot the snot out of it.
 
Seems like alot of the time when damage is done to K frames from extensive .357 shooting, the shooter was using full power 125 or 110 gr. bullets. These are supposed to be a bit harder on the forcing cone than 158 gr. .357. Now, as to whether that's true, I don't know. I've not met anyone who has worn one of these out.
 
My M65-3 was loose as a goose when new. I have no count of the thousands of 357 Magnums I have fired it it. Most were 158 gr Hydra-Shoks. I currently use 180 gr Winchester Supreme loads for carry. I practice with 158 gr 38 Specials in LFN or BEB form.
 
update

Just to give an update I purchased the M65 and am pleased. I have only been to the range one time. I noticed that the heavier (158gr) rounds in both .357 and .38spl shoot closer to point of aim at 25 yards than the lighter rounds. Does that make sense or am I doing something wrong? I still need to do some experimenting though. I can't put rounds on target as fast as my Glock 22 yet but I understand it is a different weapon that I need to get used to. It is fun to shoot though.

Thanks for all of your help!
 
Last edited:
Yes it does. While any bullets clear the barrel before the kick is experienced by you, the weight and recoil of any fixed sight is regulated for the most common load. The 158 gr. bullets recoil harder but more slowly, with barrel dwell time longer and thus land higher. The 110/125 gr. loads exit the bbl faster and with less kick so should land lower.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top