New (to me) S&W Model 13

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MedGrl

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I recently purchased a used Model 13 (blued .357) and I finialy found some range time today. It is a lot heavier than my S&W 39-2 9mm semi-auto, and the DA trigger pull was heavier too. But It works very well. there is a small bit of blueing worn off on the cilinder, but other than that it is in very good shape. here are some pictures

gun2.jpg

gun1.jpg
 
MedGrl-

That's a really great sidearm! I think 3" K-frames are almost perfect; a long enough barrel for good sight radius and accuracy, plus long enough to get the better part out of a cartridge's potential velocity.

All in a trim and compact package.

You do realize that the grips would be worth perhaps half what your revolver probably cost you if there was not a corner missing from the left side? :)

I'd be damn glad to own the gun you got! Good on ya'...!!!!
 
The 3" K-frame is favorite of mine as well and for the same reasons. The weight really isn't so much more than your 39. I think the weight forward balance is decieving you. You'll come to appreciate it when you move up to some stiff .357 loads.

David
 
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the very first hanfgun i ever got was a s&w mod 13 4" back in 1979... it had the small grips on it too but they got replaced by target stocks because they filled my hand better...... it was a great little gun.... shot good,was easy to control with .38 spl loads, and was very reliable... i traded it for my model 27 6" about 12 years ago... that gun and $100 made my model 27 cost $250.... couldn't touch it today for that price!! k-frame smiths are great guns.. especially the 13s for self defense work..... congratulations on a good buy........
 
I'm a fan of the Model 13 and I think it's much better than the Model 39-2. The latter should be permanently retired unless you've shot it extensively and not had a problem. The 639 and 659 are infinately better automatics. I do believe I'd put a new leaf mainspring in the gun and clip a coil or so off the rebound spring. (You should have no problem finding a kit.)
 
Congrats!!

K frames are Great!
3" K frames are Super Great!

MedGrl,

I am so proud of you and how you have come along with firearms and all.
You have a great gun in that Model 13, that will make you a better shooter, no matter what platform you choose to shoot.
Never let loose of that gun, please.

only1asterisk,

You too are to be commended for passing forward and Mentoring to so many as you do.
Thank you sir!


Steve
 
Nice gun with some honest wear, the grips are great and would probably be better to shoot with a Tyler T grip adapter. I have a 13 and it is a great gun to shoot. Also leave the springs alone and shoot the sucker, you will grow and be strengthened by it. Dry fire it a good bit and your finger will get stronger.


Here is mine with a S&W 65 and a Ruger sp101
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What you have there is considered by some to be the finest fighting revolver ever made. I don't agree with those people...I think it's the finest fighting handgun ever made.

Different grips will make a huge difference in shooting comfort. The factory S&W stocks are not exactly designed for the human hand. A Tyler T grip adapter, or a set of Hogues or Pachmayrs will greatly improve the handling, and dry-firing the gun a lot will smooth out the trigger.

Nice catch...those 3" M13s are highly sought after. There's simply nothing else like them out there when it comes to balance and handling.
 
I wish I could have found a 3" Model 13. I looked for a year and NEVER found one at shows or shops, at ANY price. I finally gave up late last year and bought a 3" Model 65. It's a bead blasted police trade-in from CDNN. I don't like stainless guns, but it was that or nothing at all. Still it's an excellent gun, and basically the same as yours, only not as nice looking.
 
The FBI issued the 3" S&W 13 prior to moving to bottom feeders.

It is a 13 that Clarice Starling (Jody Foster) uses to dispatch the bad guy in the basement in "The Silence of the Lambs". Watch how her hands tremble as she fumbles with her speedloader as she reloads.
 
Steve,

Your praise is unwarranted. I haven't been to the range in weeks and I'm well behind my target number of new shooters for the year.

David
 
Nice pick (and pic) on the 13. It will serve you well. Here's mine. Black as night.
www.hunt101.com
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Love my 13-3. It's the perfect size for me and has been a good companion for about 20 years.
 
Sweet gun! Gotta love those Round-butt Smiths!

Grip change is a good idea if you want better control, and maybe down the road getting the barrel ported, if you want.

I was looking for a 3" mdl 13, but came across a deal on a mdl 19 I just couldn't pass up.
Well, good thing there's still room in the gun safe.......:D
 
An old client of mine who taught classes to FBI agents was given a 13-3 FBI model, and it sat unfired in his nightstand for several years until he gave it to me as a bonus. I've shot it about 200 times, and it really is a sweet gun. The staging on the DA trigger is remarkable.

As much as I've enjoyed it, I will probably be taking it to a gun show to trade for a Ruger Super Blackhawk... been a SA fan for too long. From what I've seen, FBI-issue 13s that haven't been shot to death are kinda tough to come by. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
 
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