3 inch Carry Revolver

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FCDeputy1911

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I've been big on revolvers all my life . In fact my first two guns were Smith and Wesson Model 10 and 64 . Both had 4inch barrels and were the standard police sidearm at the time. Now I am at a point in my life where I carry my 642 more than my glock and I just want something a bit larger for my strong side carry. Can anyone reccomend a good 3 inch revolver ? I definately would like 357 but wouldnt turn down a good 38 at all. It just doesnt seem like there are many offerings out there anymore for this size revolver.
 
Well I would have to say the SP101 in 357mag. I carry the 3" and it fits so well I think i'll keep it to carry forever. It is a fantastic shooter.
 
Ruger SP101 comes in the three inch vatiety. Security/speed sixes came in two and a half or four I believe. I have a two inch SP101 that I absolutely adore. It has become my favorite carry. I carry it whenever I can.
 
I very much like my 3" Ruger GP-100. It is a well made revolver and handles either 38 or 357 mag loads well.
 
GP-100 3 incher is one option. Finding a tight Ruger Speed Six .357 with 2 3/4 inch barrel is another.

Or a Smith&Wesson 65 3 inch .357 (and get Secret Service grips for it!)

Or a Smith 19/66 2 1/2 inch .357 ($500 if you can find a good example.) Secret Service grips are made for it to!

Or an older 2 inch Colt Lawman III revolver in .357!

And I see 2 inch Smith 64 snub .38s at gunshows alot to!

Here is a couple of mine! One is a M66 Smith, the other a Ruger Security Six 2 3/4 inch barrel .357 I turned into a Round butt design like the Smith. Both have Secret Service stocks.

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Deaf
 
Smith Model 13 (blue) or 65 (stainless). .357, 3", heavy barrel,fixed sights, round butt. I think this model used to be the FBI issue handgun. I've had a model 13 for years, excellent gun. I had a 2 1/2" model 19, I like the 13 better.

If you don't mind a bit heftier gun, there is the Smith 696 3" .44 Special, if you can find one.
 
The S&W 686 in the 3" variety has one big advantage over the 2 1/2" K's & L's. Full length extractor rod.

They're also usually PC or Lew Horton specials.
 
I carry a 3 inch GP100 with hogue grips as my woods gun. I highly recommend it.
 
3 Inch Model 10 ( .38 Special ) was available in a Round Butt.

Ditto, Model 13 ( .357 ).


Either one are very nice Revolvers, well suited for IWB.
 
Security six in 2.75 or Taurus 605 3 in 357 . I have both and both are trouble free shooters. Carry in a Masters leather paddle for maximum comfort
 
No reason not to stick with police trade-ins...there's usually very little difference between them and brand new Smiths.

Okay...often they are smoother and always cheaper.
 
For those of you who are carrying the 3" SP101, what are you using for holsters? I've had the 3" for several months and really enjoy shooting it at the range but haven't found an IWB holster for it in my price range ($40 - $60). I won't pay $100 for a holster that I may not even like and wait months to get it.
 
The 3" 66 is the ultimate CCW revolver, IMO.

A 3" 13 or 65, or 10 or 64 will serve you well too. :)
 
I had an SP101 3" which I liked a lot. I carried it in a Don Hume IWB clip-on molded leather holster, and that worked great.
However, I stumbled into a S&W model 19-4 2.5" nickle, and quickly made that my carry revolver. I just liked the 6rd capacity and the adjustable sights, and it has a fantstic trigger. I like the grip better, too. I shoot it better than the SP101 easier.
Though the SP101 was a great revolver, it went up for sale shortly after I got the Model 19-4.
 
I've always liked the long action Smiths. In particular, I would like a post-war transition model with the updated hammer block. If I found one that I didn't worry about ruining the original finish on, I'd chop it to three inches, round the butt, put on smooth boot grips, cut the hammer spur, remove the single action notch, chamfer the charge holes, and maybe parkerize it.

In my mind, that would be a terrific belt gun.
 
I'm actually also facing the same dilemma as the OP. I'm going to be in the market next month for a 3" revolver, which I plan to have some customization done to once I get it. I'd prefer a .357, but since I have 3 other .38's in my daily carry rotation, I'm not exactly uncomfortable with that caliber either.

I'm keen on the SP101, and when it's all said and done that's probably what I'll end up getting. But I'd like to explore some 6-shot options as well.
 
If you're open to the idea of some modding/smithing, buy the six shot you like and have it cut and crowned.
That way you don't have to beat the bushes for a 3" you like and can use your time and resources more productively.
 
Sp101 .357

I like this pistol and find it to be easy to handle. As far as a holster, i like my bianci m-3 behind the back. Very comfortable except driving.can't go wrong.
 
S&W M13/65, M19/66(A bit hard to find in 3") M686, M60.

Ruger SP101, GP100.

I have a 3" M13 and have been looking @ a 3" GP100 lately.

Love the 3" revolvers.
 
wheelgunslinger, that's actually an interesting idea. 64's are inexpensive and easy to come by. You can pick up a police trade in for well under $300. Anybody got a recommendation as to who would do a good cut and crown job?
 
S&W model 60 J-frame. I think 60-10 up are 357/38. Best all around revolver I own,small enough for carry and 3 inch great for plinking. Lighter than the sp 101.
 
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