Smith & Wesson Model 13
Smith & Wesson · Pistol · Discontinued · 1974
Also known as: Model 13, Military & Police Magnum, M&P .357, FBI Model 13
Overview
The Smith & Wesson Model 13, officially designated the Military & Police Magnum, is a K-frame double-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum with fixed sights and a heavy barrel profile designed specifically for law enforcement use. Introduced in 1974 at the request of the New York State Police, who wanted a .357 Magnum revolver to replace their Model 10 .38 Special service revolvers, the Model 13 represents a strengthened version of the classic K-frame designed to withstand the stress of firing full-power .357 Magnum ammunition on a regular basis. Built with a six-shot cylinder, the Model 13 was available with 3-inch and 4-inch barrel lengths, both featuring heavy barrel profiles for improved accuracy and recoil management, and with round-butt or square-butt grip frame options to suit different hand sizes and carry preferences. The fixed sight configuration, while less adjustable than target models, provides a robust, snag-free sight picture ideal for duty use. The Model 13 became one of the most successful law enforcement revolvers of the 1970s and 1980s, serving with numerous agencies including the FBI from 1981 to 1991 as their last issued revolver before transitioning to semi-automatic pistols.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 965 g (34.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 235 mm (9.25") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Sight Radius | 133 mm (5.24") |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 53 N (11.9 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 420 m/s (1378 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 715 J (527 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 457 mm (17.99") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Carbon Steel |
| Barrel Material | Carbon Steel |
| Finish | Blue |
Calibers
- .357 Magnum · primary — also known as .357 Mag, .357 S&W Magnum, 9x33mmR
- .38 Special — also known as .38 Spl, .38 S&W Special, 9x29mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Transfer Bar
- Features: K Frame, Fixed Sights, Swing Out Cylinder, Heavy Barrel, Square Butt, Round Butt Option, Shrouded Ejector Rod
Variants
- Smith & Wesson Model 65 — Stainless
Service history
Operators
- FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) · adopted 1981 · as Model 13
- New York State Police · adopted 1974 · as Model 13
- Various U.S. law enforcement agencies · adopted 1974
Production
Production years: 1974-1998
Widely adopted by U.S. law enforcement agencies throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The FBI issued the 3-inch round-butt version from 1981-1991.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1998
Notes
The Model 13 was developed to provide agencies with a .357 Magnum revolver built on the lighter, more compact K-frame rather than the heavier N-frame used for the Model 27 and 28. The heavy barrel profile distinguishes it from the standard Model 10, with the additional mass helping to manage .357 Magnum recoil and reducing muzzle flip for faster follow-up shots. The FBI adopted the 3-inch round-butt version, which became known among collectors as the 'FBI model.' This configuration was considered ideal for plainclothes and detective work, offering good concealment with sufficient barrel length for accuracy and ballistics. The Model 13 can safely fire both .357 Magnum and the milder .38 Special ammunition, making it versatile for training and reduced-recoil applications. Production ran from 1974 to 1998, with the stainless steel Model 65 variant introduced in 1972 and continuing until 2004. The Model 13 represents the final evolution of Smith & Wesson's classic K-frame before law enforcement transitioned en masse to semi-automatic pistols in the 1990s.
Background
The Model 13 with 3-inch barrel and round butt was the last revolver issued to FBI Special Agents, serving from 1981 to 1991 before the Bureau transitioned to semi-automatic pistols. It earned a reputation as an 'unqualified success,' combining the power of .357 Magnum with the perfect size for concealed carry under a suit jacket-the Bureau's ideal duty weapon for the final decade of the revolver era.