Smith & Wesson Model 13

Smith & Wesson Model 13 HB Military & Police

S&W Model 13-4; blued steel, 3" barrel, round butt, aftermarket Pachmayr grips
Type Revolver
Place of origin United States
Service history
Used by FBI, New York State Police
Production history
Designer Smith & Wesson
Manufacturer Smith & Wesson
Unit cost $400–$469
Produced 1974—1998
Variants Model 65 (stainless steel)
Model 65LS (LadySmith)
Specifications
Weight 31 oz. (3" bbl)
Barrel length 3" or 4"
Cartridge .357 Magnum
Action Double-action
Effective firing range 50 yards
Feed system Six-round cylinder
Sights Fixed (rear notch; front ramp)

The Smith & Wesson Model 13 (Military & Police Magnum) is a .357 Magnum revolver designed for military and police use. It is based on Smith & Wesson's K-frame platform—specifically, it is a .357 Magnum version of the heavy-barrel variant of the .38 Special Model 10 (originally called the Military & Police).

Design

This is a double-action revolver with a capacity of six rounds. Barrel lengths are 3-inch and 4-inch with fixed sights. Both round-butt and square-butt versions were produced. The Model 19 is essentially the same gun with adjustable sights and a partial underlug. The M13 has a blued finish; the Model 65 is a variant in matte finish stainless steel.

The Model 13 was manufactured from 1974 to 1998. The Model 65 was manufactured from 1972 to 2004. The original Model 13 used no designation (generation numbers) and was simply known as the Air Crewman Model 13. Alternate generations of the model 13 are as follows: 1st Gen. -1974- Introduced, 2nd Gen. -1977- Change back to gas ring on cylinder, 3rd Gen. -1982- Eliminate cylinder counterbore.

Usage

Both models were issued by police agencies and federal law enforcement agencies in the United States.

The Model 13 was requested by the New York State Police in order to have a .357 Magnum revolver to replace their .38 Special Model 10. The Model 65 in stainless steel came about at the request of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The FBI issued the Model 13 with round butt and 3" heavy barrel shortly before switching to semi-automatic pistols.[1]

Apart from the USA, the ICAC of Hong Kong issued the revolver for replacement of the Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver and the Colt Detective Special to the Arms Issued Officers, which they replaced in late 2005 with Glock and SIG Sauer semi-auto pistols.

The Model 65 is used by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

References

  1. ↑ Ayoob, Massad. Small handgun attitude. Guns Magazine, May 2003.
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