3 inch barrel revolvers.

[MedWheeler]

I was previously unenlightened until earlier this year when I found a mint stainless Taurus 85 3-inch from 1995 in a pawn shop. I'm very impressed with its fit and balance, and it shoots very well at the range.

That same month, I found another rare bird, too, a stainless Charter Arms Undercover from about 1985. I hadn't even known they had made them in stainless then. It's my third Undercover, but all are 2-inch models (the others are from 1966 and 1987.)

Oh, and I also picked up a 3.5-inch Heritage Rough Rider "birdshead" model .22 convertible to go with the 4.75-inch one I already had.

 

[springer99]

Something' s just right about a 3" Smith.

 

[bannockburn]

Way back in the day snubnose S&W J frames were relatively hard to come by, especially the Model 60, and somewhat expensive when you did find one. Not so with the 3" barrel models. Round butt or square butt, new or used, typically with a blued finish, they were everywhere and could be had for a very reasonable price. My favorite was a Model 36 with a round butt and the slightly heavier non-tapered barrel. That along with a Rossi Model 88, all stainless steel with a 3" barrel and an adjustable rear sight, were my backwoods carry guns for many years.

Alas as time passed I was seduced by the allure of the semi-auto and sold or traded away my 3" barrel revolvers. All was not lost though as I still have a couple of snubbies in the form of a Model 649 and a Model 638, but every now and then I think about those 3" barrel beauties and how much fun they were to have.

 

[bigtubby]

I love the 3" K frames have the 65 ladysmith and a 13-3 but for carry I go with my 315 NG with a 2 1/2" barrel

 

[MaxP]

I have a couple of three-inch barreled revolvers and I think it is a great barrel length. They still conceal well as far as I'm concerned. My Model 36 and my Lew Horton Model 29.

 

[RealGun]

Something' s just right about a 3" Smith.

View attachment 225354

I like my 696 and Taurus 441 too but have set them aside as carry guns for something with six shots. That ranges from Smith 30-1 in 32 SWL, to 327 Magnum guns, to my GP100 3" converted to .41 Special.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Check out the gs33-ps speed six sometimes. Postal service special order six with a 3" barrel.

If 2.5" is close enough, I've got a S&W 19-4 coming around that I am eager to take out on the town.

 

[joed]

The 3" has just not been popular as said above. Nice guns and many command a high price because you don't see many of them. I've never owned one so can't say what they are like. Keep em coming!

 

[Kendal Black]

The 3" Colt Detective Special is one of those unicorns. There was a run of them made for women of an alphabet soup agency, and some (not a lot) for civilian sales, but you rarely see them.

It's an indication of how long ago that was that you could even mention giving women officers a smaller gun.

 

[stiab]

I've owned a bunch of them but think the shorter barrel is easier to carry. In S&W I've had a 3" 642, three Model 60's (two SB, one RB), a 3" M36, three Model 66's (-2, -3, -4), two Model 13's, M64, and probably some more I can't remember. Sold them all.

 

[Twiki357]

A 3” is my preferred barrel length. That’s why I have a 13-2, a 30-1, a 36nd, 2 model 36-1s, and a model 37nd. All with 3” barrels. Still looking for that model 65 or 66 with a 3” barrel that I can afford.

 

[Waveski]

I have carried and shot a 2" S&W 60-9 for several years. I recently acquired a 60-3 with a 3" barrel. I have long wondered about the handling characteristics of a 3" J frame - now I know. It points and stays on target noticeably better than the 2" ; much easier to put rounds on target and a lot of fun to shoot.

I am now on the 3" bandwagon!

 

[Tallball]

I like 3" barrels. My Rossi 720 in 44 special is one of my very favorite handguns.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Ow... Just saw a 65 LadySmith .357 magnum for sale at a LGS. It's pre-lock but case hardened trigger and hammer. $750!

Kind of puts a crimp in any plans to get it cause even if I talk 'em down it will still be a $600+ gun!

Oh, and I already have a 65 LadySmith, 65 3 inch plain .357, 64 3 inch DAO police trade in. Not like I need it.

Deaf

 

[Stephanie B]

Agreed that 3 inch barrels have advantages. No problem getting them in my pockets.

Have a three inch barrel for the Colt Detective with shroud and the S&W 36. Never found a gunsmith who would replace them though.

Have you asked Cylinder & Slide?

 

[c1ogden]

"I like the concept, but the marketplace doesn't. You can find two- and four-inch all over the place but for some reason, not a lot of three-inchers."

Actually, based on my observations that 3 inch Smith (pre-lock) models 36, 60, 13, 65, and 66 listed on Gunbroker command considerably higher prices than the 2, 2.5, and 4 inch models, it seems the marketplace loves them!

 

[cfullgraf]

I'm not a big fan of short barrel revolvers. I'm getting recoil sensitive in my old age.

I do like the way they look and I shoot my 3" N frame S&W M624 very well.

 

[sgt127]

No use for them. That's why I only own a few.

696 .3" 44 special
650 3" .22 magnum
2 X S&W 3" 65's
Ruger Speed Six (2 3/4").

For me, the perfect combination of carry ability, accuracy. A three inch 65 has ridden many a mile with me.

 

[cal44mag]

I sometimes pocket carry my 3" M60 above.

The holster is a Mika designed for a 3" J frame.

Pocket carry only works with pants having large pockets.

The gun is kind of heavy. I have a 3" Model 37 I might someday substitute for the M60 on my carry license.

 

[lowercase]

I have a few 3 inch guns.

I have a 3" Model 65, and a 3" Model 10 square butt (Aussie Police trade in). I also have a 3" GP100 that is just a great gun. Used to have a couple others like a S&W 36-1 and another GP100 that got sold off.

How about a nice pair of old school Charter Bulldog .44s? (Had the picture handy)

 

[Monac]

I have one 3-inch K frame revolver: A 9mm Model 547. It is an excellent gun, but my gosh, is it heavy for a 6-shot 9mm pistol these days.

 

[azrn]

I've got the ruger sp 101 3" 357; love this gun. I do miss my ruger speed six 2.75.

 

[Quoheleth]

I haven't seen one of these posted, yet, so here's my recently acquired 3" Wiley Clapp GP100. Haven't even had a chance to shoot it yet! I've wanted one for years, and one came up for sale locally so I horse traded and picked it up last week.

View attachment 225425

 

[Legionnaire]

I like my 3" GP100. I polished the warning off the barrel, then shined the whole thing up.

 

[Blacksmoke]

I like my 3" GP100. I polished the warning off the barrel, then shined the whole thing up.

That is an improvement. You did a nice clean job of it.

I did the same thing with my original SS Vaquero. It was infuriating to see that rubbish each time I picked the gun up.