Used S&W handgun selection in 357

M

mept

New member
I was looking in SGN and found many various model S&W's from J&G sales. I dont know the model numbers offhand but I am looking for a 357 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel in SS. Does anyone have comments regarding this selection, a good model to choose, comments about J&G. I don't know if these were common police turn-ins or just a very popular model. From catelogs, it seems that some models, I think the 64 or 65 has good grips and a well balanced look to it. Any comments on good choices for grips would also be appreiciated. I think I would like one of the models with the grooved rubber grips from uncle mikes or hogue. thanks again
 
Your options are many. You have two decisions to make. What size frame, and whether you want fixed or adjustable sights. Your preference for a 4 or 6 inch barrel rules out the tiny J-Frame magnums, so you may choose K (Medium) frame, L (a bit bigger) frame, or N (Large) frame. The vast, vast majority of used S&W .357 revolvers advertised as you saw in SGN will be K-frames, either M-65 (Fixed sights) or M-66 (adjustable sights). The M-64s are actually .38 Spl's. Again, speaking in generalities (YMMV) most of the revolvers will be 4" barrels. It's possible to encounter 3" M-65's, or even less likely, a 2.5" M66. If you broaden your search, you MIGHT, not likely, find a used M627 N-frame revolver. I don't know the gun shops in your area, but any shop worthy of that name will have some used K-frames to look over before you plunk down yer bucks. Given the very wide range of conditions you'll find the revolvers in (even when accurately described), I'd try to find one locally to inspect. A little searching on this forum should turn up some sound techniques for evaluating used revolvers. Good luck. I'll love all my old Smiths
 
More than likely what you're seeing at J&G are police trade-ins which isn't bad in my opinion. In stainless S&W police trade-ins you have the choice of Model 65's (fixed sights); 66's (K-frame adj sights); 686's (L-frame adj sights). Take your pick all are good guns depending on the application. If you are going to shoot mostly heavy .357's go with the 686. For concealed carry the 65 might be preferable. My personal favorite would be the 66 since I occasionally shoot .357 but mostly .38's. As to J&G I've heard some less than favorable comments about them lately. You might try www.kyimports.com. and see what they have to offer. regards, birdman
 
Another question: When looking at model numbers how do you decipher what size frame? Is their a pattern to determine whether it is SS or blue? Thanks
 
I believe that all S&W stainless revolvers have a "6" as the first digit in the model #. The only 4 or 6" K-frames are the Model 13;65;19;66. The only L-frames are the 586 and the 686. In the N-frames you have the 27; 28; and the 627. These are all of the 4 or 6 " .357's that S&W has made in the last 30 or so years, I think. regards, birdman
 
Heavy sigh... Yeah, there used to sorta kinda be. Ya just gotta have loved 'em a long time. Used to be that models that start w/ a 6 are stainless, 5 were carbon steel, and 4 were alloy. It's collapsed, in recent years, and they never really did adhere to the rules by renaming many older models.

Below are some of the more popular K, L, and N-frame models and descriptions. (I doubt my tabbing will be effectve.) There are many, many more that are seldom encountered. As the years went by, bbl lengths were added and deleted. Chambers in the cylinders were recessed or not. Barrels were pinned in the frames, or not. The number of screws in the frame/sideplate was changed. Small time revolver collectors despair of EVER getting a reasonable representation of them all.

K-Frames
M10 - .38 Spl, fixed sights, blue or nickel
M12 - Same as M10, but in a lighter alloy
M13 - .357 Mag, fixed sights, blue or nickel
M15 - .38 Spl, adj sights, blue or nickel
M17 - .22LR, adj sights, blue (never saw a nickel) 6" or 8 3/8" bbl
M18 - same as M17, 4" bbl only
M19 - .357 Mag, adj sights, blue or nickel
M48 - .22Mag, blue only (I think) AS
M64 - .38 Spl, fixed sights, stainless
M65 - .357 Mag, fixed sights, stainless
M66 - .357 Mag, adj sights, stainless
M67 - .38 Spl, adj sights, stainless

I've got to start abreviating

L-frames are easy

M581 - .357, B or N, FS
M586 - .357, B or N, AS
M681 - .357, SS, FS
M686 - .357, SS, AS

N-Frames

M24 - .44Spl, B, AS
M624 - as above, SS
M25-2 - .45ACP B (no nickel, I think) AS
M625-2 - as above, SS
M25-5 - Like M25-2, but in .45 Colt
M27 - .357, B or N, AS
M627 - As above, SS
M28 - Similar to M27, but w/ much plainer dull blue finish
M29 - .44Mag, B or N, AS
M629 - as above, SS



[This message has been edited by Hutch (edited April 20, 2000).]
 
mept, there's some good info about S&W guns in this thread, but please pay careful attention to the cautionary comment about J&G. There are some of us here who have found them far less than dependable. If you deal with them, be absolutely clear about what's going on and get everything in writing. Anything they tell you over the phone is totally without value.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hutch:
K-Frames
M10 - .38 Spl, fixed sights, blue or nickel
M12 - Same as M10, but in a lighter alloy
M13 - .357 Mag, fixed sights, blue or nickel
M15 - .38 Spl, adj sights, blue or nickel
M17 - .22LR, adj sights, blue (never saw a nickel) 6" or 8 3/8" bbl
M18 - same as M17, 4" bbl only
M19 - .357 Mag, adj sights, blue or nickel
M48 - .22Mag, blue only (I think) AS
M64 - .38 Spl, fixed sights, stainless
M65 - .357 Mag, fixed sights, stainless
M66 - .357 Mag, adj sights, stainless
M67 - .38 Spl, adj sights, stainless

[This message has been edited by Hutch (edited April 20, 2000).][/B][/quote]

You left out my favorite K-frame: the Model 547 (in 9mm). <grin>

Kinda rare; you don't need moon clips to use the 9mm acp cartridg. Got one recently, and I love it. (I also have a Model 19 in nickel which is a great handgun! Fabulous trigger on the 19; only so-so after a trigger job on the 547.)

(While a K-frame, there are substantial differences; the K-frame grips fit, though.)


[This message has been edited by Walt Sherrill (edited April 20, 2000).]
 
Mept:

I second what Birdman and David say about J&G. A guy on another board purchased a S&W 65 from them (yes, they are police trade-ins). The revolver they sent him was JUNK! He went through a major hassle with them but they finally took it back and the owner personally picked out one for him that was okay. He said to pay the extra $20 for a "hand-select" option: they don't just toss the first one at hand in a box, they actually pick through to find a pretty good one. That is probably good advice whenever buying used guns from this type of dealer, including KY Imports. Good luck.
 
I was lucky to find a batch of used M66s at a local dealer, who was also a LEO dealer. It was a police trade in, ran me about $225 or so, I got to pick it out. Smooth action, beautiful shape, can't beat the price.
 
For the record, why stainless? Most of your
"old" better quality Smith's were produced
in blue and nickel. Last October I acquired
a S&W Model 28 .357 Magnum LNIB, for the
great price of $270.00.
biggrin.gif
Gun was rated at
98% NRA excellent; when she arrived, it was
truly 99% +.
smile.gif


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I can beat that, Dan...

I got my 28 4" for $225 at a gunshow in Northern Virginia. Sadly, the box & paperwork wasn't there.

The guy bought it new in 1978 and never shot it. There wasn't even a drag line around the cylinder. There was a little nick on the side of the barrel, but hardly noticable.

Since last June it's had nearly 2,000 rounds through it.
smile.gif
 
To Mike,

My S&W Model 28 had neither box or paperwork;
and the only flaw I found was the fact that
the previous owner had engraved his name and
SSN on the frame, underneath the Goncolo Alves target stocks.
smile.gif
I think I can live
with that!!!
biggrin.gif


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I used to have a 66 and a 686 that I alternated carrying when I worked for the Dept. of Corrections. I had the 686 mirror polished, looked "almost" as good as nickle plating!
smile.gif
The 66 was stock except for a set of Pachmyr "grippers". Both guns wore these grips. Both were great guns.

I want another 686 and a 66. I keep combing the pawn shops hoping to run across a good deal on these pieces. I also keep my eyes open for the old 64's. Wouldn't mind having one of those to play with as well.



------------------
R6...aka...Chris
 
I purchased a police trade-in Model 65 from J&G a couple years ago, think I paid $189 + shipping for it. Gun was in decent shape, about what I expected. That was the only time I've dealt with J&G, and it was a positive experience, but I have serious doubts about doing business with them again based on what I've heard from TFL members. As far as the gun itself goes, it's a reliable, durable piece of shootin' iron that will probably outlast me. I don't think you'll regret buying one.

Shoot straight

freedomlover

------------------
Sic semper tyrannis
 
Not that you need another opinion....

I own a 6" 686 that I bought new back in the late '80s. It is by far the best shooting gun I own, running maybe just a hair in front of an old Ruger Single Six. If I had to do it again, I would buy a 4" as they are just easier to handle when you aren't shooting them. I considered th Model 66 when I made this purchase; keep in mind that the "L" frame (which is the frame model of the 686) was designed from the ground up for 357Mag pressure & stress.

As an aside, I recently considered trading it in when I purchased a .40S&W caliber semi-auto (and no - it was NOTa Smith product). I was offered $270 on a trade, & turned it down. This gun is just too smooth to let it go for that.

Buy an "L" frame. You won't regret it.

------------------
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work"
Thomas Alva Edison
 
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