N.O.S. Smith & Wesson Model 64-3
I was at a local pawn shop that sometimes has interesting stuff and in the display case was a vintage Model 64 new in the box. The dealer told me that it had been bought many years ago by a fellow who brought it home, put it up, and never shot it. When he died his wife brought it in and sold it. A thorough inspection it was as advertised, not a bit of carbon anywhere. The box still contained all of the papers, though not the wax paper wrapping and the container with the cleaning rod and brush was still sealed. I opened the cylinder and it was marked 64-3 so it was the end of the line for Smith & Wesson revolvers with pinned barrels and grooved triggers. I'm not going to lie and say it was a steal, the dealer wanted $700.00 for it which I wouldn't pay but he marked it down to $650.00 and we had a deal. Upon closer inspection the tab for the warranty was still in the box showing it had been originally bought January 10, 1982.
I had been in the market for a good "K" frame since all I have are "N" or "J" frame "Smiths," and to me this was the chance to get a really, really good one at a not cheap but not totally out of line price.
I took it to the range today to break it in a little. I fired five 158 gr. Federal LRN at a bull at 25 yards from a rest and they hit dead center as they should since these guns were regulated for 158 gr. ammunition. Those Federals were so smoky I thought I was in a Western. Five rounds of Remington +P 158 gr. SWCHPs produced the same result. I then ran 5 Federal 110 gr. +P+ Treasury Loads through it and as expected they hit 3"-4" low. I then shot the rest of the box of Federals through it double action at about 10 yards and when I did my part, which was most of the time, it held the 3" x 4" "X" ring of the modified NYPD silhouette currently used by I.C.E. Not to bad at all, I'd say.
While there I did an experiment. I have an R.I.A. .38 Super Automatic on the way so I had bought some .38 Super ammo in anticipation of getting it. I had heard that .38 Super because of the semi-rim would chamber, fire, extract and eject in a .357 Magnum revolver. They're supposed to chamber in .38 Special too but shooting them in a .38 Special isn't recommended for pressure reasons. Now the article said not all .38 Supers would chamber, it depended on manufacturer. I also learned that .32 Auto, another semi rimmed auto pistol cartridge will chamber and fire in 32 H&R and .327 Magnum revolvers. Well I found that out of the three manufactures whose ammo I had on hand the Cor Bon and Fiocci would chamber in my Model 28 but the Remington would not. While at the range I loaded one Fiocci and one Cor Bon in my Model 28 and set them off. Recoil was mild as you would imagine, the bullets went where I aimed them, and the empties extracted and ejected cleanly.
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