US Air Force S&W M13 Survival Revolver

[@LionquestFitness]

Being a revolver guy, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[@MrSloika]

The weight spec was issued by the military because of the ejection seats being used at the time. The early ejection seats pulled a lot of Gs, they were very crude compared to modern ejection seats. Because the ejection seats pulled so many Gs, it was feared that anything the pilot had strapped to himself would be torn off, possibly injuring the pilot in the process. Secondly, most of these guns were damaged because they were being fired with standard .38 loads, despite the training manual's instructions to use only the low-power loads. Finally, anodizing is not 'paint'. Aluminum anodizing is a anodic oxide conversion coating that is translucent. The color, if desired, comes from dyes that are used during the anodizing process.

[@duartesimoes508]

MrSloika Maglite flashlights are anodised and come in every colour, yes.

[@juandemarko8348]

Thank you for the information.

[@whgiesecke2295]

I was a Combat Arms Training & Maintenance Instructor with the Air Force from 1989 to 2003. When I was going through Tech School and for about a year afterwards, the Air Force used a Smith & Wesson Model 15 (known as an M15) revolver. They were all steel. They were issued in two versions; one with a 4" barrel for general purpose Security work, and one with a 2" barrel that was issued to air crews and pilots. The idea with the M15 with 2" barrel was that if your plane went down and you survived and weren't immediately captured, you would use the M15 to shoot an enemy soldier and take his rifle. The Air Force obviously didn't give up on the 2" revolver idea, they just went to steel instead of aluminum. However, in about 1991 or 92, they finally gave up on revolvers and went to the Beretta M9 semi-auto pistol for everybody.

[@damnoldguy]

Showed this video to my dad, he was a small arms instructor in the Air Force and is very familiar with this weapon. He was in from 1958 to 1974

[@marks1638]

I was in the Air Force from 1976 to 97. I cross trained out of ECM to Small Arms during 1980-82, was pushed back into my old career field, and returned to Combat Arms (renamed from Small Arms) from 1991-97 before retiring in 97. During my tour at Lackland AFB from 80-82, I got to see many different models of guns at the Gunsmith Shop. I saw models of older guns including several Model 12's and 13's, some older all steel Model 10's from very early Air Force history, and even the General Officer issue Model 39 Smith and Wesson semi-auto (for the two-star base commander). Plus, I got to check the storage facility at Kelly AFB next door where many spare parts for various older Air Force weapons were stored, including 45 1911's and M2 Carbines (the gunsmith built shortened 1911's for the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) from parts in that warehouse). Our carry revolvers were standard issue all steel Model 15's in two- and four-inch barrels using the 38 Special PGU-12 round. We never got to fire the Model 12's and 13's (they were considered retired and eventually sent to Robins AFB (our small arms depot) for disposal as we didn't have the issue lighter loads for those guns. Later when I rejoined the career field in 1991, we had moved away from revolvers to the Beretta Model 92. Now I see all our Air Force Security Forces are armed with Sig Sauer M18's. A nice change up from the old Model 15 revolver (though I shot expert every time with it). The Sig Sauer's are a much better configuration then the Beretta (the M92 is almost impossible to upgrade without a gunsmith or factory overhaul.). The Beretta 92 never fit my hands well (I have large hands and short fingers), so I'd much prefer to carry a Sig M18 with its adjustable grip configurations. I do love revolvers, but modern semi-auto's give you a better shot at survival.

[@tiredlawdog]

Many years ago, S&W model 37's became available to the officers of the San Antonio Police Dept. They had been previously owned by the Missouri State Police. After many of us bought them as an off duty weapon, we were told to no longer shoot them. The one I had was very accurate at 15/20 yards. The reason given was the same, frame fracture at the barrel. I honestly don't remember what I did with mine.

[@matthewnightingale4585]

You might be interested to know that the RAF aircrew on the Tornado IDS used to carry a Walther PP as their defensive sidearm. This was in the '80s.

[@michaelgoldman1433]

Saw a Documentary about British pilots shot down in Desert Storm and they carried Walther PP pistols

[@thomaswhiteman4261]

Didnt know that. Thanks

[@duartesimoes508]

Matthew Nightingale thanks God for the PP. I was afraid that the Brits were conservative enough to issue a Webley revolver!

[@michaelragains4938]

I always enjoy the professional style of your videos. Thankyou for a high quality video.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

@5:35 The Host of Forgotten Weapons, Ian McCollum, the Guru of all weapons old and new, get's a well deserved plug and endorsement.

[@JoJoJoker]

This is part of the Forgotten Weapons-Legacy Collectibles expanded universe.

[@gregkerr725]

Maybe this is the type pistol my uncle had his pay docked for during ww2. His B-24 squadron was on a mission from North Africa to Ploesti Romania to bomb the oil production facilities. Shot up and losing altitude over the Mediterranean sea on the way back, the pilot said everyone should either jump over the ocean while they had altitude or elect to stay with the plane which might, or might not , make the North African coastline. They all elected to stay on the plane and were then told to lighten up the plane by throwing out anything that wasn't nailed down. So out went the guns, ammo, oxygen bottles (no longer need that low) parachutes, flight backs where they stored high altitude thermal jump suits, thermoses and survival gear. Uncle Bill's pistol was in his flight bag (he was a waist gunner). They crash landed in the desert and were rescued. Some weeks later when he was drawing his pay, he found the Army had docked his pay for the cost of his pistol. It wasn't much by today's standards...maybe 20 bucks......but a lot back then. He was furious! Afterall they didn't charge him for the 50 call he threw out. It was explained to him that things like the 50 cal were listed as airplane equipment na dif the pilot said dump it, that was okay. The pistol on the other hand (he just said it was a revolver) was issued as personal issue equipment and my uncle was held responsible for it's lost as the pilot had not ordered him to throw it out. All the rest of the stuff like the high altitude suit was not personal issue gear. What a crappy way to be treated after risking your life for your country. The crew DID NOT throw out the body of the tail gunner who had been killed on the mission.

[@nicholasstilley2370]

That's a pretty interesting story, for what I know the M13 didn't come out until after WW2 and you saw a mix of different handguns in use with aircrews with a variance of m1911s and Smith and Wesson .38 revolvers among others. However I don't know everything but this is what I've been told

[@gregkerr725]

@@nicholasstilley2370 Yeah, I have no idea what his sidearm was other than he said it was a 38 revolver. They were very fortunate to have gotten back as a high percentage of the bombers involved did not. I've seen a picture of his bomber lying in the North African desert that was taken some time after that mission. Hid bomb group was later sent to the Pacific theater (or at least he was) where he spent the remainder of the war bombing and strafing Japanese held areas. Lots of those missions were to places the Allies had bypassed on their advance across the Pacific.

[@duartesimoes508]

Greg Kerr there are stupid people and regulations in every Army of the world, it seems!

[@gregkerr725]

@@duartesimoes508 Yeah, My Dad was career Army and retired when I, the youngest child was 15 yrs old....in 1969. So I am familiar with a lot of the stuff my Dad used to refer to as "chickenshit".

[@gregkerr725]

@Chris_Wooden_Eye The airmen carried large flight bags which held things like thermoses for hot drinks, oxygen masks and tanks, really heavy fleece lined boots and a very bulky insulated coverall as well as personal gear, helmet etc. It was a large heavy bag and all ten guys had one. When you are on two engines, low fuel and under 300ft in altitude I guess you toss out anything you can think of. I don't actually remember if the revolver was in his bag or whether they wore it on the harness their chutes were attached to. Of course their chute and harness went out as well as they were below minimum altitude for the chute to open before they hit the water. They all just didn't want to jump over the ocean...their chances of rescue if they survived the jump were minimal...that's why they all opted to take their chances with he plane. Like I said...they didn't make their airfield...belly landed in the desert out of fuel.

[@jalan8171]

Thankfully S&W went on to produce the excellent Model 13 M&P in .357 magnum from 1974-98. They're becoming a cult favorite for revolver fans.

JAlan - I have a 4” from1977. It’s incredibly accurate and has a wonderful trigger. Love the heavy barrel.

[@tomcat2395]

This is a very nice gun, I love former military kit especially when its rare

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Very Cool peace of history S&W revolver !!!!!!!!!!! I just bought a S&W model 686-Plus TALO edition in a 5 inch Barrel. It's a gift for myself for my birthday on the 24th tomorrow. Thanks for showing this awesome US Air Force S&W M13 Survival Revolver, Sir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JoeyP322]

This is an awesome channel that deserves way more subscribers...

[@TacticalBunnyCA]

I swear to God every time I see this intro I will mock this channel no matter how much I like it. The goddamn recoil spring is going over the barrel like on a Walter!!! It’s like Riding in an elevator with the person you hold in the highest esteem, more than anyone else on the planet, and then shitting your pants front of them... and then having the elevator break down before you reach the floor.

[@muratcharles3049]

Thanks for showing us interesting guns from the past. 🇳🇱👍🏻🇺🇸

[@anthonycphillips2430]

I'm sure the cylinder can easily be changed out for a steel cylinder. I have a S/W Model 13, 3" barrel chambered in .357 mag. I purchased this firearm in 1980 and love it.

[@johnmoorhousedecorated-nam899]

It was NYPD's (Version) choice of off duty carry when I was a cop (Not Aluminum version). It was referred to as the S&W Chief. It came either with a banana butt or stock

[@sstace69]

Round butt..."cough, cough"🤣

[@calvinhandley2373]

The Chief's Special was built on the smaller five shot J-Frame and was only made in the round butt variety. In blue steel or nickel plate it was known as the Model 36 and in stainless as the model 60. With an aluminum frame it was known as the model 37. The Aircrewman was based on S&W's "K-Frame"(six-shot) and was a little larger. The all steel variety was known as the Model 10 and was offered with barrels lengths of 2", 21/2", 3", 4", 5", 6", and 6 1/2" over it's 121 years of production. The aluminum frame version was non as a model 12, and the Stainless was the model 64. The 10 and 64 are still offered in the 4" heavy rarely with a round butt grip frame. The square butt grip frame was used the most during most of it's service life.

[@johnmoorhousedecorated-nam899]

@@calvinhandley2373 Thank You.. Carried the Chief for 25 years. Still have it.

[@calvinhandley2373]

john moore is yours one of the "double-action" only models?

[@johnmoorhousedecorated-nam899]

@@calvinhandley2373 single and/or double - 5 shot

[@12529700]

In 1957 I was a B47 /B52bomber mechanic. We were issued one of these guns. The gun was issued so that in case of a crash and and survived and we didn’t want to be taken by the enemy we could use this for self destruction instead of possibly torture.

[@rockeerockey6941]

Great video, I've been looking for the Smith for years!

[@18ipmg]

Wouldn’t mind one of those colts with a USAF emblem on it. Badass.

[@lazerbeam3928]

I remember this pistol from my AF days. It was not intended to be used for a fire fight, only for one-on-one and small game. We had to qualify on a shooting range with this pistol. Couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it.

[@duartesimoes508]

As once said in his book “On Yankee Station” a Naval Aviator who flew Crusaders over Vietnam, “it made much more sense to carry a spare battery for your emergency radio and as much drinkable water as you could”.

[@cleondubois1270]

Good stuff.....Could be wrong but I believe the Colt survival revolver was a form of the Colt "Agent" which did have a steel cylinder & bbl.. Lighter and a bit smaller than the "Cobra"

[@thomaswhiteman4261]

I believe you are correct.

[@rebelray84]

Love old S&Ws! Great video

[@buckshot4428]

I wonder if it took a special lower pressure .38 round? Maybe the 130 ball.

[@cleondubois1270]

Yes sir, I just reread my "Colt Collectors Guide" and found that the survival platform was based on the Cobra. Might have picked up the Agent idea on a video along the way.

[@jalan8171]

Very true that Colt made their own version based upon the Cobra.

[@paulbervid1610]

Great video.

[@TylerSnyder305]

I assume the idea is that you'll use this revolver to " acquire " a rifle.

[@thesheepman220]

Tyler Snyder total agree 👍

[@davekoenig9935]

Rear Echelon Commando comes to mind here. Fancy Lugers were never carried back into combat in WWII. You were executed outright if packing Kraut weapons when captured by them. And under Geneva Conventions, this is perfectly legal!

[@leadhead3966]

i have a model 34 kit gun in 22LR, made of all steel. It was my dads, also made in the 1950's., Did the 22 model come first or after the 38 ?

[@richardkluesek4301]

General La May should just have bought Colt Cobras and Agents, and S&W Model 12 s and 37 s and the requirement would have been fulfilled.

[@cleonmain1291]

Don't underestimate what you can do with a short barreled revolver. I carry a 3" .357 every day on my property in Northern MN. And have taken many different types of small to medium sized pests. Skunks, Porcupines and various others. At up to 50 yards while doing chores and running equipment. This is Black Bear country so I always have a .357 or 10mm at hand. Not to mention other types of predators that may be around.

[@jlacc1]

My dad had 38 snubnose Airweight since the 50's.. it was on his side table drawer holstered for decaded untill in pristine condition.. He decided to store it a gun case a few years back. Unfornately 4 years later he opened the case and the aluminum frame had excessively corroded making the little 38 dangerous to use. And in that case was a 380 Star pocket pistol also in the 50's did not have any corrosion. Sad for the little 38 snubby

[@davekoenig9935]

Fairchild AFB squished a barrel full of these. Recoil “walked out” military Ball bullets and so jammed their cylinders. Commercial roll crimped lead slugs worked O K but didn’t fulfill Geneva Conventions requirements for FMJ bullets. Anyone shooting Super Vels out of S&W airweights figured this out PDQ. “Ouch”!

[@leonardjanda6181]

Leave it to the Government to ruining a fine gun is what this Equates to. Great 👍 videos Sir🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@robbenmitchell7949]

Forgive them for making a light effective weapon.

[@olivierwalti774]

8:50 this is a survival weapon, that survived😁

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you!!!

[@joeguzman3558]

Every thing legacy collectibles sells from ww2 rifles to ww2 collectibles are the best quality and good prices ,my number one store

[@manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069]

Finally.....someone who knows what there talking about.🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@lex1945]

Leave the gun, take the canolli'..

[@robertbenson9797]

This revolver was based on the S&W “J” frame revolver. Smith had been making these revolvers for a number of years. The “Chiefs Special”, later the Model 36, would have been one of the J frame revolvers that Smith made. In one picture about serial numbers, it is identified as having the same serial number range as other “K” frame revolvers. That is true but the “ J” frame is smaller than the “K” frame. The Colt held six rounds and the Smith held five. Not good if surrounded by “the hoards”. Very interesting video about one of the rarest Smith & Wesson revolvers.

[@mark9531]

Good evening Robert. You said; "This revolver was based on the S&W “J” frame revolver." Boy, Robert. It is so close. But it is not a J frame. ______________________________________ ~It is, in fact a 6-shot ~It has the flat cylinder release ~It has a 1/4" gap between the cylinder and frame. (The J frame cylinder is flush against the frame) ~S&W DID make a small run of a dozen (J) frame 5-shot called the "Baby" Aircrewman ~However, The 40,000 original order to Smith and Wesson was the *(K) Model 12 Lightweight frame snub-nose.* ___________________ An M13 (K) frame is worth $8,000 to $10,000 The M13 (J) frames, which were destroyed with the (K) frames, are so rare, the value would be hard to determine.

[@robertbenson9797]

@@mark9531 Thank you for the information. After re-watching the episode, I can see that the S&W is six shots.

[@bavariasuhl]

M6 is a break open , o/u rifle. Not a semi-automatic :)

[@cland49lsu1]

Would it be possible that one half ounce translates to a lot more weight when being ejected from an airplane, and thus one half ounce was an acceptable weight savings goal for the contract?

[@LegacyCollectibles]

Yes. The G force would magnify even and oz. Good point

[@deanbenson6879]

Enjoyed the video, however more survival revolver facts need be shared! Smith & Wesson provided an excellent substitute in the "Combat K" 4" .38spl, right through the Korean war. About that time, Savage manufactured an over/under .22/ .410 with a plastic STOCK. The latter went on to become the Camper Special, offered to this day in a variety of calibers and gauges. I have both in my collection.

[@jamesgrossmann371]

It was a double barrel with one barrel in .22 hornet and the other in .410 shotshell.

[@tellus96]

id love to see a video of your top 5 pick of collectable handguns under $1,000.

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

why did the AF just not stick with the smith model 36 steel revolver.... i guess it had to do with weight and g forces during ejection

[@steveerwin6764]

The homster was designed to be a belt holster. I have seen pictures of B-52 tail gunners wearing rhe holster on the belt. My holster wasn't of the best quality. This design saved 6 onces for an entire B-52 aircrew.

[@18ipmg]

Great gun for it’s time

[@jamesgrossmann371]

The M6 survival was in .22 hornet and 410.

[@steveerwin6764]

The M-6 is an over/ under 22/ 410.

[@historysmith9597]

Maybe I missed it but when were they made and removed from service?

[@thomaswhiteman4261]

Made in 53 to 57. Destroyed at the end of 1957.

[@additudeobx]

Another interesting piece and story by Tom. I love hearing about these trinkets of history. But one curious question. That survival gun has "PROPERTY OF US AIR FORCE" stamped on it.... so my question is, is it still the property of the US Air Force and if it is not, what then makes it not?

[@sulaco2122]

Don't know about these revolvers as they were all ordered surrendered and destroyed by the gov. I know the Colt .45s so marked were offiially surplused to civilian market so are legal.

[@liverdelove]

Just inherited one from my father. Bought off the street in 1960 when he was a cab driver. Wonder what its worth?

[@mark9531]

$8-10 thousand

[@briankerr4512]

the m6 scout is not semi auto .

[@AdamosDad]

A steel sleeve in the cylinder would have solved the problem, or just change out to all steel cylinder. But why not a semi auto?

[@josesantelices8138]

LA EMPRESA COLT EN LA DECADA DEL 60 AL 70 HICIERON EL REVOLVER COBRA QUE ERA DE DURO ALUMINIO LA ARMAZON Y EL RESTO ACERO ERA MUY COMODO PARA DEFENSA INMEDIATA O UNA ARMA DE APOYO PARA UN POLICIA EN ZONA CONFLICTIVA SU IMAGEN ES SIMILAR AL REVOLVER MOSTRADO EN ESTE PROGRAMA SALUDOS DESDE CHILE SUD-AMERICA

[@airbornesoldieramerica7125]

Now wonder on what kind of weapons this new Space Force branch will carry ?

[@harryzero1566]

Did I remember correctly that this survival weapon was not reloadable?

[@LegacyCollectibles]

no - it is reloadable.

[@harryzero1566]

@@LegacyCollectibles I believe there was a similar weapon for a that required an entirely new loaded cylinder

[@harryzero1566]

@@LegacyCollectibles I remember now, it was a hand gun for anti hijack use in commercial aircraft. The ammunition was designed to stop a perp without causing catastrophic decompression to the airframe. The reason why it was unreloadable was to prevent the wrong ammunition be used. These were essentially single use weapons. It's funny how the brain can become clouded, then out of the blue, the power of recall is restored, even if only very briefly............ Errrrm, what else did I want to add?

[@aaleaadam2680]

Did not mention caliber

[@thomaswhiteman4261]

38 special

[@mahendraargantara]

" Sound a like a S&W 36 model series ."

[@fk4515]

Military grade sounds impressive, unless you've actually been in the military, then it sounds scary. The Air Force went with double action revolvers because they thought we weren't skilled or smart enough to remember to rack a round in the chamber, take the safety of and possibly cock it before we had to fire it.

[@thomaswalsh5097]

S&W Model 56. How would you like to find that.......

[@rpbajb]

Anodizing is not a paint finish. It is an electrolytic process, much superior to paint.

[@pauldavidson6321]

As if the difference in weight between an alloy frame revolver and a proper steel frame would overly tax the airframe of a b52 !

[@BillSprague]

Because of its location under you armpit, it was subject to corrosion. Heck why would a pilot sweat, when SAMs are coming your way? 😉 The M6 was .22 Hornet over .410.

[@philryan7254]

Looks fantastic I would love to have this .but unfortunately I live in the U.K. So owning a gun here is I big no no ...cheers Phil

[@MrADjam5]

The M6 is not a semi auto. Single shot.

[@LegacyCollectibles]

Thanks

[@kelleysauer1693]

I understand the idea of saving weight so the desire for a light revolver. But pilots come in multiple sizes and I'm sure they vary by at least 40 or 50 pounds from the lightest to the heaviest. Designing a special revolver to save a single pound or even 24 oz seems silly.

[@kevintrumpf4156]

machine a cylinder from 7075 alu works 100% without any issues up to 500 shots

[@ta192utube]

Fighter crews?

[@buckshot4428]

Spoke too soon.

[@thesheepman220]

I just think why not just give them a colt 1911 which would have been a better choice

[@BOB-wx3fq]

Why didnt Smith fix this! It's basically a 6 shot jframe

[@nuclear1617]

I liked everyone's comments first

[@blatherskite9601]

38SPL -P- load... where's the point in that? A few ounces to save in an aluminum cylinder as against a steel cylinder - or, just a complete steel revolver. EDIT: That should read 38SPL minus P minus... for some reasons, the - is mashed into the P...

[@RaulRodriguez-bq4nj]

Wasn't money what they saved? Have to shoot a gun inside enemy territory while trying to survive and escape...wouldnt be recommended to use a silencer(not for that revolver)

[@juandemarko8348]

Awesome.

[@Waleram1]

"Smith & Wesson. Marcas Registradas" Why in spanish???

[@nicholasstilley2370]

Well I don't have the gun but I got the holster for like 10 bucks

[@briankerr4512]

38 special - P

[@pelonpapi9246]

beautiful😘😘😘😘cd México Tepito

[@JuanCastillo-pv4uy]

Looks like the “lady smith” from s&w.

[@michaelrobbins6694]

And an Air Weight... And A Colt Viper. Not a Cobra.

[@smhnoname2145]

Saw it on Google my boy first thing came to mind u not hold off anything for to long in that that's there to take ur life sadly

[@พงษ์ศักดิ์จันทร์ศรีเมือง-ฅ3ฐ]

I.. WANT

[@patrick_7848]

I like colt special 38 pake telor

[@rudybishop9089]

feeding the al . . .

[@MikeMiasuki-vy3xx]

As usual the AF never does any research on what weapon should be used in what circumstance since a weapon is just a tool in these circumstances.

[@MPGunther1]

👍❤

[@edwilliscroft9894]

A