I have never compared the size of my 3" J frames to any auto....never would have guessed they're about the same as a HP... You've opened my eyes, Rio. But......that M-60 in my post will still ride the hip for much of the time, as I do like its simplicity...Rod (carried a 9mm Hi Power for ~9 months on tour #1 in Vietnam, 1970...liked it for its capacity and that wonderful feeling grip...USAF had issued me a M-15 Smith with the Magna grips for carry in the airplane...).
Does Anyone Else Like Three-Inch Revolvers?
- Thread starter Tallball
- Start date
Always have likeed 3" 38 Spl in "J-Frame" class. My favorite was an old model Taurus 85 stainless 5-shot, 3/4 underlug. I initially bought it for the wife. It's still her nightstand gun to this day.
Back in my LEO days in the 1990s I would occasionally carry it concealed in a body armor holster as my "onion field gun." We didn't have a backup gun policy in that department. I took it upon myself when I worked night shift to put my life over the rules. To this day my coworkers don't know I carried it... unless they read this post.
I loaded it with Federal 158 grain +P lead semi-wadcutter hollow-points. Nice balance. That one extra inch made a difference over a snubby. It was still easilly concealable, more controllable to hit what you're aiming at with those +Ps, and a bit more oomph in velocity. I would love to find another one just like it from that era.
I don't have a photo of it because it's in her nightstand at the moment, so I stole this pic of one like it from the web. (The one she has is in better like-new condition than this random photo)
Back in my LEO days in the 1990s I would occasionally carry it concealed in a body armor holster as my "onion field gun." We didn't have a backup gun policy in that department. I took it upon myself when I worked night shift to put my life over the rules. To this day my coworkers don't know I carried it... unless they read this post.
I loaded it with Federal 158 grain +P lead semi-wadcutter hollow-points. Nice balance. That one extra inch made a difference over a snubby. It was still easilly concealable, more controllable to hit what you're aiming at with those +Ps, and a bit more oomph in velocity. I would love to find another one just like it from that era.
I don't have a photo of it because it's in her nightstand at the moment, so I stole this pic of one like it from the web. (The one she has is in better like-new condition than this random photo)
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Lo-Profile
Member
Got a couple. They're okay
stonebuster
Member
After buying a Ruger Speed Six 3" I got the bug for the shorter barrels. A 2 3/4" Speed 6, 3" fixed sight GP100 and 3" Model 64-5 3" followed.
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chicharrones
needs more ammo
ECVMatt
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2004
- Messages
- 2,870
That Pachmayr S&W sure is something. Nice find.
Thank you Chich! I am beyond happy to have had the opportunity to add this one. I will honor the fine gentleman who was the previous owner by shooting it, keeping it clean, and enjoying the heck out it!
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Brubz
Member
I have the Taurus 605 Defender .357 Magnum with the 3 inch bbl hogue grips and tritium night sights.
No complaints at all
No complaints at all
Whiskeyhotel2020
Member
I've only owned 4& 6 inch revolvers. I would however like to have a 3inch Smith 625-3 in my safe next to the 4 inch one I have.
Oninotaki
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2022
- Messages
- 398
I really appreciate the 3" revolver, however it didnt start off that way. I initially began my revolver journey with unfounded prejudice towards even number barrel lengths.
I started with a 6", then a 4" then a 2" all in 22lr/wmr loadings. I had so much fun with them and found them so easy to shoot that I started exploring 2" snubbies for EDC. It wasn't until I started looking for maximum capacity in a centirefire EDC that I caved and gave a 3" revolver a try. It quickly became my favorite. Quick to draw, easy to aim, just enough more heft to reduce the recoil a bit too. I really do prefer to carry and use that 3" over my 2" snubbies
Now my most recent acquisition is a 5" and while I don't know for certain, I think I may prefer it to my 4" and 6" revolvers as well. It really goes to show that you gotta really handle a firearm to know how well you are going to get along with it. For now me and 3" revolvers get along mighty fine.
Hmm maybe I need to start investigating if they make a 3" in 45acp.......
I started with a 6", then a 4" then a 2" all in 22lr/wmr loadings. I had so much fun with them and found them so easy to shoot that I started exploring 2" snubbies for EDC. It wasn't until I started looking for maximum capacity in a centirefire EDC that I caved and gave a 3" revolver a try. It quickly became my favorite. Quick to draw, easy to aim, just enough more heft to reduce the recoil a bit too. I really do prefer to carry and use that 3" over my 2" snubbies
Now my most recent acquisition is a 5" and while I don't know for certain, I think I may prefer it to my 4" and 6" revolvers as well. It really goes to show that you gotta really handle a firearm to know how well you are going to get along with it. For now me and 3" revolvers get along mighty fine.
Hmm maybe I need to start investigating if they make a 3" in 45acp.......
I re-stocked my M-60 just this week with a set of Altamont Bateleurs...they feel as good a Hogue Monogrips but we'll see when I take it out to the range for its next work out with my version of the "FBI" load: 158 LSWC at 950 fps. Authoritative but not punishing.
I've had many...off the top...3 inch 686 talo, 3 inch 856, 3 inch rossi 38 (forget the model), 3 inch sp101. I know there's probably been more.
Count me among the "meh" replies.
Neither fish nor fowl. I conceal smaller barrels better, if I'm going larger I'd rather have 4 for the balance and ballistics.
Meh.
Count me among the "meh" replies.
Neither fish nor fowl. I conceal smaller barrels better, if I'm going larger I'd rather have 4 for the balance and ballistics.
Meh.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Savage30L
Member
Two thumbs on that one....
Armybrat
Member
.327 Ruger SP101….
chaim
Member
No pictures, but I have a few, and love the 3" in general.
I have a S&W 65LS which started it for me. I will never carry it, it is in too good physical condition and too valuable for me to feel comfortable carrying it, but it is a fun range gun and I sometimes load it for home defense.
A 3" .38 or .357 is about perfect for carry. The 3" barrel gives the round more velocity vs. a 2" so that the HP will more reliably expand. However, it is easier to carry than a 4". It is quick to draw and very handy. To me, a 3" J frame or K frame is about the perfect carry revolver.
Next, I bought a 3" Rossi 461. I've never carried it though. My 2" Rossi 461 was unreliable (my only unreliable revolver) and would quite regularly have the cylinder bind when shooting magnums, so I never trusted my 3". Then came the reports of it possibly firing when dropped - during the recall, you were supposed to fill out the form, return it to Taurus/Rossi and wait for them to contact you, I sent it in (the form), twice, and never heard from them and now the recall is expired. I will never carry it, and I haven't shot it in 3-5 years, I plan to sell it (disclosing the 2" reliability issue and that it never got the recall fix, so I won't get much money, it will be just to make room in my safe).
I currently have, and sometimes carry, a 3" new model Colt King Cobra and love it. I have a 3" S&W 317 that I don't carry (it is a .22lr), but I love it and may sometime carry it as a BUG just because I want to. I have seriously wanted a 3" Taurus 431 (.44spl) for about 2 decades, though when I finally got one this past autumn it was a 2.5" (I may sell it and replace it with a 3"). My current wish list includes: a 3" S&W 686+, a 3" GP100, a Taurus 856 Defender, and a Taurus 905 Defender.
I am definitely a fan.
I have a S&W 65LS which started it for me. I will never carry it, it is in too good physical condition and too valuable for me to feel comfortable carrying it, but it is a fun range gun and I sometimes load it for home defense.
A 3" .38 or .357 is about perfect for carry. The 3" barrel gives the round more velocity vs. a 2" so that the HP will more reliably expand. However, it is easier to carry than a 4". It is quick to draw and very handy. To me, a 3" J frame or K frame is about the perfect carry revolver.
Next, I bought a 3" Rossi 461. I've never carried it though. My 2" Rossi 461 was unreliable (my only unreliable revolver) and would quite regularly have the cylinder bind when shooting magnums, so I never trusted my 3". Then came the reports of it possibly firing when dropped - during the recall, you were supposed to fill out the form, return it to Taurus/Rossi and wait for them to contact you, I sent it in (the form), twice, and never heard from them and now the recall is expired. I will never carry it, and I haven't shot it in 3-5 years, I plan to sell it (disclosing the 2" reliability issue and that it never got the recall fix, so I won't get much money, it will be just to make room in my safe).
I currently have, and sometimes carry, a 3" new model Colt King Cobra and love it. I have a 3" S&W 317 that I don't carry (it is a .22lr), but I love it and may sometime carry it as a BUG just because I want to. I have seriously wanted a 3" Taurus 431 (.44spl) for about 2 decades, though when I finally got one this past autumn it was a 2.5" (I may sell it and replace it with a 3"). My current wish list includes: a 3" S&W 686+, a 3" GP100, a Taurus 856 Defender, and a Taurus 905 Defender.
I am definitely a fan.
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Who and how much? I keep thinking about having this done to one of my 10-5s. Never found anyone local to do the job.
shoebox1.1
Member
I took my girls out to breakfast and some thrift store shopping and I’m on sentry duty in parking lot enjoying some bold Kentucky in my oom Paul pipe. 3 inch KC in Kramer belt scabbard conceals nicely under an untucked button up
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chicharrones
needs more ammo
shoebox1.1
Member
Haha dang voice text got me lol
I have 3" 44 Specials from S&W 624 and Ruger GP100. Even with standard ammunition, the 624 kicks like a Missouri mule.
I also have 2-3/4" S&W Model 69 and Model 986. I've only fired 44 Special loads in the Model 69 and it is about as unpleasant to shoot as the 624. The 968 is not too bad but 9x19 is not too powerful in a heavy revolver.
I'd rather have a 4" or longer barrel for the most part. But, I could see a short barrel large frame revolver would be useful as a backpack gun or hunting backup gun.
I have some 3" J-frames in a variety of small cartridges and they are nice to shoot. The extra barrel length gives a bit better sight radius and they are about as easy to conceal as the 2" J-frames.
I also have 2-3/4" S&W Model 69 and Model 986. I've only fired 44 Special loads in the Model 69 and it is about as unpleasant to shoot as the 624. The 968 is not too bad but 9x19 is not too powerful in a heavy revolver.
I'd rather have a 4" or longer barrel for the most part. But, I could see a short barrel large frame revolver would be useful as a backpack gun or hunting backup gun.
I have some 3" J-frames in a variety of small cartridges and they are nice to shoot. The extra barrel length gives a bit better sight radius and they are about as easy to conceal as the 2" J-frames.
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If1HitU
Member
I like 3" revolvers I only have one a Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum.
Old Hobo
Member
For a self-defense revolver, I believe the 3" is the best length. I'm not alone.
There's a stack of reasons. Me, I find a 3" barrelled revolver to provide the best balance. It's still short and thus concealable. Gives a bit of a bump-up in velocity. They're light to carry -- have the right weight for me, anyway. My most recent revolver purchase was a 3" barrelled revolver. I love holding it and aiming it. Something about its fit to my hand -- and again, just the best balance. In the accuracy department, it did great at the range. This revolver makes me smile. I have confidence in it. Plus, it's fun to take to the range and blast away / practice on 2-liter ice-filled bottles. What you are most comfortable with will be your best friend should things go sideways in life.
Snubbies w/2" barrels, they don't feel quite right to me; plus, I'm not as accurate with them. As to 4" barrels, they are less concealable for carry -- they are full-length to me. Target shooting and hunting call for the >= 6" barrels.
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There's a stack of reasons. Me, I find a 3" barrelled revolver to provide the best balance. It's still short and thus concealable. Gives a bit of a bump-up in velocity. They're light to carry -- have the right weight for me, anyway. My most recent revolver purchase was a 3" barrelled revolver. I love holding it and aiming it. Something about its fit to my hand -- and again, just the best balance. In the accuracy department, it did great at the range. This revolver makes me smile. I have confidence in it. Plus, it's fun to take to the range and blast away / practice on 2-liter ice-filled bottles. What you are most comfortable with will be your best friend should things go sideways in life.
Snubbies w/2" barrels, they don't feel quite right to me; plus, I'm not as accurate with them. As to 4" barrels, they are less concealable for carry -- they are full-length to me. Target shooting and hunting call for the >= 6" barrels.
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