Tell me about the S&W 64...

[hoytinak]

My sister's birthday is coming up and she's been wanting a nice revolver. She likes my Ruger GP100 and my father's S&W 686 but doesn't want something as heavy as these. She also likes the looks of stainless better than blued. I was looking on Bud's and they had a really nice looking used S&W 64 for $389 so I bought for her....I figure if she don't like it I'll just have to keep it myself. :D Besides the lockup and usual used guns checks, is there anything else I need to look for on this before I can trust her life to it? Are these +P rated? As yall can tell, I'm not really a revolver guy. (she'll use it for bedside HD duty)

From Bud's:
"It is made of all stainless steel and features light profile tapered Pinned barrel. This gun was made long before S&W started putting locks and using MIM parts on their guns."
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/smith.jpg

[deputy tom]

Those are great revolvers.I'd take one like the one you show in the picture.tom.

[Sam06]

You got a nice Pistola there for a good price. The model 64 S&W is a S/S Model 10. They came in several configurations and I think the one you have is a good one. You could get them with the heavy barrel or the Thin barrel 2,3 or 4". You have the thin barrel 4". It should have a nice trigger by the way most did.

From the S&W book:

Model 64, .38 SPL Military and Police Stainless Introduced in 1970 with the tapered 4" Pinned barrel square butt K-Frame.

Yours was made before 1982 when they deleted the pinned barrel.

The 3rd addition puts the following value on them:
ANIB $400
EXC $285
VG $250
Good $215

But those are subjective and the market sets the real price. Here are the change numbers:

64 no dash 1970
64-1 1972- intro Hvy BBl
64-2 1977- Gas ring change
64-3 1977-Gas ring change on 4"
64-4 1988- New yoke retention
64-5 1988- Hammer nose bushing and yoke retention on Heavy barrel
64-6 1998- MIM hammer, floating firing pin, internal change
64-7 2002- Key lock
64-8 2004- 2 piece barrel

Like all K Frame S&W it is +P rated. In fact the OKSP had them made in 357 Mag which led to the M65. Yes you can trust your life to it, Plenty of cops did and maybe still do.

PM me if you want me to look up the Serial number for you. Good score and I think your sister will like it. If not send it to me and I will find it a home at little or no cost to you:D

[trublu]

I was carrying a similar one today. Nice revolver and very sensible choice I think. Nothing wrong with .38 in my opinion and it's accurate. Practise with some light wadcutter loads or target ammo and load up with factory JHP +P for defense. Easy to change the grips if neccessary to fit her hand. Also needs a decent holster, a couple of speedloaders (i much prefer safariland) and a few boxes of ammo.

[Russ5924]

As much as I like S&W I just don't feel comfortable with there original grips. I always replace with Hogue Rubber grips. Just feel better to me, but they are bigger and if she has small hands may not fit well:) The Black grips also look good on the SS:D

[S&W-Keeper]

Good looking 64, it will be hard to beat it for a bedside gun.Make sure that she knows how to use it. If she does not like it,you have a great shooter.

[Chesster]

Great guns. I prefer the old Uncle Mike's grips which can be found on ebay every now and then.