Some time back in response to a meme that was going on, I posted a list of guns that I’d like to own, but were either outside my price range or too rare to reasonably expect to find in my state with it’s silly regulations. One of those guns was a Smith & Wesson Model 13 revolver with a 3″ barrel. The Model 13 isn’t all that rare, but the 3″ variation is.

I make a habit of scanning the for sale listings on some gun forums and the used gun sections of various guns stores within driving distance, looking for guns on my want list. Occasionally I’ll find one, like the S$W 3919TSW that sits on my hip most days. I snagged that one for a pretty good price considering the rarity of the model and the very good price.

Nice gun, and like all S&W guns that I’ve owned, it’s accurate and reliable.

It’s just not a 3″ K frame revolver.

Then two months ago, just before my crazy October I happened across the website of a store I’d heard about but never considered within reasonable driving distance. About which it was wrong, as it turned out.

There on the used handgun page was a listing for a lightly used S&W Model 64-6 with a 3″ barrel. There are two main differences between a Model 13 and  Model 64. The Model 13 is chambered for .357 Magnum, which the 64 is chambered for .38 Special. the Model 13 is blued carbon steel while the Model 64 is stainless. Other than that, they are essentially identical. Except of course that the Model 13 goes for more money as a general rule.

A phone call was made, a drive was driven, paperwork completed, and of course, money exchanged. The Model 64 came home with me. When I got it home, I did a cleaning and lubrication job on it and used Scotch Brite pads of various types to clean up some “idiot” marks from a previous owners ham handed attempt to do something.

I happened to mention on a firearms forum that I had the gun and was looking for nice grips. Another member replied that he had a set for sale at a very reasonable price. Nothing wrong with them, just that they didn’t fit his hand as well as he expected. Money order sent, grips received.

Then off to the range. Trigger pull is smooth and light. Single action pull is incredibly light, almost too light. The only gun I’ve ever fired with a trigger pull this light is a custom 1911 owned by OldNFO. Yeah, I’ll have to be very careful with single action shooting on this gun. Even double action the trigger pull is smooth and easy.

How does it shoot? It shoots very accurately, which it shares in common with most of my handguns. Groupings are good, recoil is light, and it’s fun to shoot.

I’ll have to find a good inside the waistband holster before I carry it for self defense, but other than that I can see no reason not to add this to my carry rotation.

Here are a couple of pictures of the cleaned up gun with the new grips.

Even better, I checked that same shop’s website the other day and they have a Model 13-4 for sale. The phone call has been made. The owner told me he had the gun at his gunsmith’s shop to be checked out. When it comes back, a drive will be driven…