S&W 65-2 w/ no pin; transitional model?

Carmady · May 11, 2020, 03:22 PM

Here's a completed GB listing for a S&W 65-2.

I thought all 65-2s were pinned and recessed. This one has no pin, but the description says the cylinder is recessed. The 23 pics are pretty worthless in regards to this. None of the model number on the frame, and none of the rear of the cylinder, so there's no visual evidence of it being a 65-2, and no visual evidence of the cylinder being recessed.

I was thinking it might be a 65-3 with the -2 being a typo, but read about the recessed cylinder (which is not on the 65-3), and decided to ask here.

Is there such a thing as a non-pinned, but recessed 65-2?

Edit: Now I think it is recessed. the side view pics show the cylinder very close to the recoil shield. I didn't think to check that before posting.

Edit #2: Now I think it's a 65-2 on account of the big S&W logo on the sideplate, and no small logo under the thumb latch.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/867488177

105kw · May 11, 2020, 07:17 PM

It might be a transitional gun, between pinned and unpinned models, with a mixture of parts.
Or it could be a typo.
There are no photos of the inside of the frame, or of the rear of the cylinder.
If it's not pinned and recessed, it should be a Model 65-3.
Somebody got a good gun either way.
I took another look, it is marked as a 65-2. The cylinder does look long.

Carmady · May 11, 2020, 07:45 PM

You're right. It is marked 65-2. I missed that because I was looking for a straight on pic.
I guess it was one of the last -2s.

**44 AMP** · May 11, 2020, 08:10 PM

Generally speaking, when S&W stopped pinning the barrels, they continued to fit recessed chamber cylinders until the supply of them ran out. This happened at different times on different models.

The books will tell you that a certain feature or combination of features began or ended with a certain model number.

The better books will tell you that it began or ended during a given model #'s production run.

In some few cases we have the data at about which ser# gun a change was made. Most times we only have the model (or year) the change was made.

Literally, any combination is possible. I've seen pinned guns with non-recessed cylinders. I've heard of rare unpinned guns with recessed chambers, though I personally haven't seen any, that doesn't mean they're not out there, somewhere...

Carmady · May 11, 2020, 08:32 PM

If you can enlarge this pic enough you can see the recess.

CajunBass · May 12, 2020, 06:35 AM

I had a Model 66 with a non-pinned barrel, but a recessed cylinder. I forget what "dash" it was though. Probably a -2, but I can't swear to it. It was a 50th anniversary Virginia State Police model.

Carmady · May 21, 2020, 07:26 AM

Here's another 65-2 that appears to be recessed, but not pinned. I think the cylinder is too close to the frame to not be recessed.

Just stumbled across it in my saved pics.

May 11, 2020, 03:22 PM	#1
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	S&W 65-2 w/ no pin; transitional model? Here's a completed GB listing for a S&W 65-2. I thought all 65-2s were pinned and recessed. This one has no pin, but the description says the cylinder is recessed. The 23 pics are pretty worthless in regards to this. None of the model number on the frame, and none of the rear of the cylinder, so there's no visual evidence of it being a 65-2, and no visual evidence of the cylinder being recessed. I was thinking it might be a 65-3 with the -2 being a typo, but read about the recessed cylinder (which is not on the 65-3), and decided to ask here. Is there such a thing as a non-pinned, but recessed 65-2? Edit: Now I think it is recessed. the side view pics show the cylinder very close to the recoil shield. I didn't think to check that before posting. Edit #2: Now I think it's a 65-2 on account of the big S&W logo on the sideplate, and no small logo under the thumb latch. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/867488177 Last edited by Carmady; May 11, 2020 at 03:34 PM.

May 11, 2020, 08:10 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	Generally speaking, when S&W stopped pinning the barrels, they continued to fit recessed chamber cylinders until the supply of them ran out. This happened at different times on different models. The books will tell you that a certain feature or combination of features began or ended with a certain model number. The better books will tell you that it began or ended during a given model #'s production run. In some few cases we have the data at about which ser# gun a change was made. Most times we only have the model (or year) the change was made. Literally, any combination is possible. I've seen pinned guns with non-recessed cylinders. I've heard of rare unpinned guns with recessed chambers, though I personally haven't seen any, that doesn't mean they're not out there, somewhere... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 12, 2020, 06:35 AM	#6
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I had a Model 66 with a non-pinned barrel, but a recessed cylinder. I forget what "dash" it was though. Probably a -2, but I can't swear to it. It was a 50th anniversary Virginia State Police model. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

May 11, 2020, 07:17 PM	#2
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 415	It might be a transitional gun, between pinned and unpinned models, with a mixture of parts. Or it could be a typo. There are no photos of the inside of the frame, or of the rear of the cylinder. If it's not pinned and recessed, it should be a Model 65-3. Somebody got a good gun either way. I took another look, it is marked as a 65-2. The cylinder does look long.

May 11, 2020, 07:45 PM	#3
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	You're right. It is marked 65-2. I missed that because I was looking for a straight on pic. I guess it was one of the last -2s.