Best general purpose .357 3"

amd6547 said:

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Yeah, except for the six shot cylinder.

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I had to really study it to see it was the GP100, Something about that black panel grip was a bit of a mind-twist.

That's a great GP100.

Here's another look at the LCRx 357. I picked it up as soon as I saw it available.

MachIVshooter said:

.32 cal SP-101s are 6 shot.

I had to look real hard at the frame above the grip to be convinced that's a GP-100. I've never seen one with the SP101 style grips.

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Shane in MT said:

I had to really study it to see it was the GP100, Something about that black panel grip was a bit of a mind-twist.

That's a great GP100.

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The grip is the compact Lett grip. It uses the same size panel as the SP101...
In fact, the black panel on my GP came from a 3" SP101 I used to own. I sold that revolver because POA didn't coincide with POI.

If I'm a spy, I want a blued handgun, not stainless (unless I'm wearing a white dinner jacket) ... There can be only one: the Model 13 in 3" trim. Still the king, best concealed-carry .357.

Ruger SP101 or GP100 are my top pics, both in stainless and the 3" is a good barrel lenght for my needs. Just a personal preference on the Ruger for me and nothing wrong with all the other choices.

The timing of this thread is funny to me. In an earlier post I mentioned that I have a 3" GP100 and 3" SP101 but it looks like I'll be parting with the GP100 and keeping the SP101. I put the GP100 on GB a couple of weeks ago and it didn't sell. I had it set up for automatic relist and it looks like someone met the starting bid of $495 so it'll be shipping out in a week or less. I recently sold a pair of Blackhawk Bisley revolvers so my Ruger collection is getting smaller. I'll be left with two KLCRs (.357 Mag), an SP101 3" (.357 Mag), a GP100 4" (.357 Mag), a Redhawk 4.2" (.45 Colt) and a Super Redhawk Bowen "Alaskan" 4" (.454 Casull). The only none Ruger I have is a 4" stainless Python that I ordered new in 1992. I don't plan on parting with any more revolvers and probably won't add any either ... although that 3" LCRx sure is interesting.

MCMXI said:

The timing of this thread is funny to me. In an earlier post I mentioned that I have a 3" GP100 and 3" SP101 but it looks like I'll be parting with the GP100 and keeping the SP101. I put the GP100 on GB a couple of weeks ago and it didn't sell. I had it set up for automatic relist and it looks like someone met the starting bid of $495 so it'll be shipping out in a week or less. I recently sold a pair of Blackhawk Bisley revolvers so my Ruger collection is getting smaller. I'll be left with two KLCRs (.357 Mag), an SP101 3" (.357 Mag), a GP100 4" (.357 Mag), a Redhawk 4" (.45 Colt) and a Super Redhawk Bowen "Alaskan" 4" (.454 Casull). The only none Ruger I have is a 4" stainless Python that I ordered new in 1992. I don't plan on parting with any more revolvers and probably won't add any either ... although that 3" KLCR sure is interesting.

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What is a KLCR? I only know of the Ruger LCR and LCRx.

fxvr5 said:

What is a KLCR? I only know of the Ruger LCR and LCRx.

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KLCR is the hammerless stainless steel framed version. I bought two of them new back in 2013 and have been carrying at least one ever since. It looks like the 3" LCRx is also a stainless steel framed version rather than aluminum like the LCR. I corrected my previous post in which I referred to the 3" LCRx as a KLCR. Sorry about that. When did Ruger drop the KLCR name?

Not a revolver guy ,yet, but why they make so many models of the same gun? What is the difference between them. Like a S&W 65 and a 66 or so many model numbers looking the same. I'm not ignorant about guns, like I know there are all kinds of Glocks that look the same but diff. calibers.

Now that the poll has been updated, I hope folks will come back and recast their votes...

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MCMXI said:

KLCR is the hammerless stainless steel framed version. I bought two of them new back in 2013 and have been carrying at least one ever since. It looks like the 3" LCRx is also a stainless steel framed version rather than aluminum like the LCR. I corrected my previous post in which I referred to the 3" LCRx as a KLCR. Sorry about that. When did Ruger drop the KLCR name?

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Thanks for that information. I'm clueless on the name change.

According to Ruger, the 22 and 38 Special versions have an aluminum frame, and the 357, 9mm and 327 magnum versions have stainless steel frames.

jonb32248 said:

Not a revolver guy ,yet, but why they make so many models of the same gun? What is the difference between them. Like a S&W 65 and a 66 or so many model numbers looking the same. I'm not ignorant about guns, like I know there are all kinds of Glocks that look the same but diff. calibers.

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Depends, but for some it's the caliber, 38 vs 357 vs some other caliber, or fixed sights vs adjustable sight, aluminum vs steel frame, and the LCR v LCRx the LCRx has an external hammer.

Sometimes the only difference is barrel length.

jonb32248 said:

Not a revolver guy ,yet, but why they make so many models of the same gun? What is the difference between them. Like a S&W 65 and a 66 or so many model numbers looking the same. I'm not ignorant about guns, like I know there are all kinds of Glocks that look the same but diff. calibers.

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AFAIK, the 66 is just the adjustable sight version of the 65.

But I can certainly understand your frustration with trying to keep up with all the various model numbers...

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JFrame said:

AFAIK, the 66 is just the adjustable sight version of the 65.

But I can certainly understand your frustration with trying to keep up with all the various model numbers...

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Thanks, you and fxvr5 make it a lot clearer. they're so much money though. Maybe when I get older I'll be able to get one,I'm 71.

Best general purpose .357 to me would be a S&W Model 13 with a 3" barrel and round butt configuration. Not quite 3" but a Ruger Speed Six with a 2 3/4" barrel would also do quite nicely.

Tallball said:

I have a couple of SP101's and can't shoot them worth a darn.

My 2" Model 10 is easy to shoot well. With a 3" barrel it would probably be even easier.

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I'll never bash a Ruger. They are well made guns and built like tanks. Don't think you could wear one out, but as far as shooters, they won't compare with a S&W in my opinion. I've owned a few GP100's and SP101's and while not bad guns, I just don't think they shoot as well as Smiths. Not as smooth and certainly no more accurate. I am a lot more fond of the older Security Six, Service Six and Speed Six. While the above poster does have a point with the 7 shot revolver versus 5 or six, I'd rather carry a 6 shot that I shoot well than a 10 shot that I don't shoot as good. I shoot my 3" K Frames as well as anything I've ever shot and for the most part better and actually I prefer the fixed sight models over the adjustable sights especially in a defense or combat situation. If you get caught up in that situation, the adjustable sights aren't going to be much help anyway.

jonb32248 said:

Thanks, you and fxvr5 make it a lot clearer. they're so much money though. Maybe when I get older I'll be able to get one,I'm 71.

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Yes, wheel guns can get very expensive compared to many semi-autos.

I have no 3-inch revolvers, but the LCRx and GP100 are on my list.

There can be only one - SP 101.

I can’t imagine a better one than this 3” model 65-5 I bought it last month at a pawn shop for $440 out the door. It shoots like a target gun from a bench at 25yds.

JFrame said:

AFAIK, the 66 is just the adjustable sight version of the 65.

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No, it's the stainless version of the Model 19.

Here's my SP101 3" .... along with the GP100 3" that appears to be sold (currently up to $505 with a day left).