# Smith & Wesson Model 13

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—specifically, it is a .357 Magnum version of the heavy-barrel variant of the .38 Special Model 10 (originally called the Military & Police).

## Design

The Model 13 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 Model 13 has a blued finish; the Model 65 is a variant in matte finish stainless steel.
The Model 13 was manufactured from 1974 to 1999. The Model 65 was manufactured from 1972 to 2004. The Model 13 should not be confused with the M13, which was a lightweight alloy revolver produced from 1954-56 for the U.S. Air Force, known as the Colt Aircrewman.

## Model Variations

Engineering and production changes of the Model 13, indicated as a dash after the model number stamped on the frame:
| Model | Year | Modifications |
| 13-1 | 1974 | Introduced for the NYSP with model # stamping |
| 13-2 | 1977 | Changed from gas ring on yoke to cylinder |
| 13-3 | 1982 | Eliminated cylinder counterbore and pinned barrel/small change in cylinder length to 1.62" |
| 13-4 | 1988 | New yoke retention system/radius stud package/floating hand/hammer nose busing |
| 13-4 | 1994 | Synthetic grips, change extractor |
| 13-4 | 1995-1996 | Delete square butt features |
| 13-4 | 1996 | Begin shipment in foam lined blue plastic case, Begin serrated backstrap and fore strap on a round butt frame for 18 months, then discontinued |
| 13-4 | 1997 | Discontinued 3" barrel / change to MIM thumb piece and trigger, ship with Master trigger lock |
| 13-5 | 1997 | Changes to frame design, cylinder stop stud eliminated, changed to MIM hammer with floating firing pin, changes to internal lock works |
| 13-5 | 1997 | Discontinued Model 13 with few produced |

## Service

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 Model 10 .38 Special. 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. The Model 13 was the last revolver issued by the FBI. It was an unqualified success with Special Agents. The round-butt K-frame with 3” barrel in .357 Magnum proved to be an ideal sidearm for an investigative agency.
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-automatic pistols.
The Model 65 is used by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

## Users

* United States
** Federal Bureau of Investigation Last revolver issued to FBI Agents, carried with .38 Special +P ammunition.
** Maryland State Police
** New York State Police
** Oklahoma Highway Patrol
** San Antonio Police Department
* Hong Kong ICAC