[MikeJ]

The 3" .357 appears to me to offer a really nice blend of size and balance yet there seem to be so few around. I handled a 3" GP100 with the full underlug some time ago at the range where I go and thought it was an extremely well balanced gun as I did the 3" S&W 65. I never see the 3" in stores and S&W discontinued the standard 3" 65, replacing it with the Ladysmith version which I rarely see as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on why this is or is it simply because there isn't enough of a market for these guns? Regards, Mike

[Blueduck]

Puzzels me as well:confused:

S/W also went with the 2 1/2" bbl's on 99% of the 19's and 66's. Extra half inch gives you full extraction and I've not found it any harder to hide.

With the J-frame 357's I doubt well ever see the "error" fixed on the mid size guns, but I am seeing several 3" Models 60's being toted around the office...

[firestar]

Demand?

This is just a guess. I don't see people really demanding any .357 in bbls shorter than 4". I think .38s fill the short bbl nich for most people.

[4thHorseman]

I think the 3" model 65 S&W is very well ballanced also. I love the gun. I only seen one for sale in all my 10 years of shooting S&W. I bought it and I am glad I did.:)

[PALongbow]

I just purchased a 3" GP100 357 mag and couldn't believe how accurate it was with my handloads and how well the revolver is balanced.

Ron

[rugerfreak]

Part of the reason I snapped right up on my model 66 with 3'' barrel is because I had never seen one before.

Now I'm seeing them in the CDNN and JG Sales catalogs.

[yesterdaysyouth]

the 3" 66 looks and shoots great, but it will hurt you with hot mags in the clyinder.... but the huge BBBOOOOOMMMMMMMM makes it all worth while....:D

[HarryRod]

Personally I think that revolver manufacturers are missing out by not manufacturing more 3'.
I LOVE my S&W 65 3". Even with the hottest loads it is still fun to shoot and not having that extra inch makes it a lot easier to conceal even here in Bama where I have been wearing shorts for a while now.
IMHO it is the perfect carry weapon.

[Hkmp5sd]

I know a lot of folks, myself included, that have stainless 3" (technically 3 1/16") Ruger SP-101s. Excellent guns!

[COK]

I picked up a 3 inch GP-100 this fall and it has become one of my favorite guns, Fun to shoot and good accuracy for a 3 inch . I did have to order it as none of the local dealers had them in stock.

[Mannlicher]

I tote a 3 inch Mod. 60-3, in .38 Special. DAO, fixed sights. A great little gun. I also have a 3 inch Mod 65, DAO. This is work in progress. The latest addition is the LamoCamo grips from Hogue. Oh my, they are nice.

[DeltaElite]

As soon as I saw my pinned and recessed 3" Smith 13, I grabbed it and began chanting "mine, mine, mine, mine".
No better balanced gun made as far as I am concerned.

[charleym3]

I know the location of a 3 inch 60 and a 3 inch 65LS. $475 roughly for the 65LS. The force is strong with this one. I had a 3 inch GP. I never really appreciated it. The sights were just enough different from the adjustable site version that I had trouble with it. I too think that 3 inches is the optimum length for this size gun.

[Poohgyrr]

:D
I know where a 3" M65LS is :0... And a 2 3/4" Speed Six :) as well.

And I know the 3" M66 F comp was just approved here in CA :):):):)..... A very good thing its not a blued model- I'd be in deep trouble at home....... And I don't need any help getting in trouble ;)...

[chaim]

I am another lover of 3" medium framed revolvers, I think they are just about perfect.

I think you don't see many because the gun makers are trying to further standardize to save money (the reason the 5" disappeared a while ago). They figure if you want smaller get a 2" J-frame or 2 1/2" K or L-frame and if you want sight radius get a 4".

Too bad too.

Perfect would be a 5" and 3". The 5" isn't that much bigger than a 4" and the extra inch will give you more velocity and even better sight radius. The 3" is very handy and just as good for any snubby job as a 2 1/2" (the 2" snub is only better for pocket carry actually, and the 2 1/2" has no advantage over the 3") plus the sight radius is long enough for most people to be accurate (can't say that about 2" or 2 1/2").

I love my 65LS. I would jump for a 3" 13 in good shape. I'd like the 3" (not 2 1/2") 66. I would also like some 3" Rugers (Security/Speed/Service Six or even GP100).

[chaim]

Opps, posted twice accidentally. Nothing really to add.

[Sarge]

I believe the original question was why we don't see more of them. The answer is that they aren't 'cool' or 'tactical'; they're simply out of vouge at the moment.

They are pretty decent guns, that in the better examples will shoot as well as a 4" in seasoned hands. What they don't do is hide as well as a 2", especially in ankle holsters. I'd have carried these guns some, and they are still a compromise. The medium frame guns are nearly as heavy and bulky as a service revolver, and the SP-101 3" is about the best of the breed if you like 5-shooters. I imagine if I ever buy another snub it'll be a 2" this time.

[Mr. Purple]

If I could only have one handgun it would be my S&W model 65 with a 3 inch barrel. This has got to be one of the most versatile weapons ever made. It does everything well but nothing great like some of the more specific handgun designs out there.

Nothing fancy just a plain jane takin care of business machine.

I wouldn't mind finding a 3 inch 66 or 19 but the majority of them came with the 2 1/2 inch barrel and the short ejector rod. I'm not a big fan of ported barrels so that pretty much leaves out the PC models.

[Topgun]

The movies all show TWO inch snubbies. I would like to get a "movie" snubby as they are dead on at 400 yards.
;)

But, I fear it is just that the only people 3" guns appeal to are those who know guns.

A 2 incher is an easier sell to the poor sap who thinks he is going to win a street war with the same gun Boston Blackie used.

For those who do not know Boston Blackie, just shut up and eat your Gerber strained peas.

:D

But really, in my opinion, the 3" is for small frame guns and 4 or 6 is for the medium and large frames.

I ....HAD... a M27 S&W in 5" that I gave to my son.
Dads are stupid

[MR.G]

I bought a new 3" Performance Center model 627 a few months ago. I see that S&W has recently dropped the 3" model 627 from their line. They still make the 5". 3" must not have been a mover.

[ruger357]

Have the S&W F-Comp 66. Great gun.

[Hal]

Ya know all you guys talking about your 3 inchers makes me envious.

(hmm, THAT doesn't really sound right :D)

One of the dumbest moves I've made in a while was passing on an unfired 3" Model 13:banghead: :banghead:

If I only knew then what I've learned since.:(

[briantf]

It's somewhat annoying to shoot a pistol that is SO much more accurate than you are, and that's a fact.

Still a big heavy gun with Smith's target hammer/trigger (no fun rolling cans with a wide trigger shoe) but GLASS smooth. Too bad they don't make them like that anymore - at least I'll inherit it if they still allow private ownership in the States.

Regards,
Briain in CA

[Poohgyrr]

briantf,

I don't "know" why S&W doesn't make the 3.5" M27 (or more of the other 3"ers) anymore. I remember hearing "the N frame is too large for a .357" in the early '80's when we could still buy them. I wish I had known how great these snub N frames are back then .... but, that is life :(

I'd definitely guess It's because folks buy more of other guns now....

[amprecon]

I just bought a 3" SP101, I feel it's a perfect compromise in size, weight, balance, concealability, it's just symmetrical. For a six shooter though, I feel 4" is better for the balance.

[MJRW]

I think if you are going to get a 3", why not just get a 2" 5-shot of some flavor? And if you were thinking of a 3" 5-shot, why not just step up to a 4" 6-shot? Its that in between the two, a compromise of two popular uses like the 9mm and the .45 that gives us the .40 debate.

[Archie]

Shorter barrels loose velocity. Lighter bullets that require more velocity to function properly loose more velocity in shorter barrels..

Lighter bullets are the "in" thing these days. Only me and one or two other dinosaurs carry 158 grain bullets in our 357s anymore. 'Most everyone else carries 110s or so. For that matter, 'most everyone else carries a double stack magazine auto pistol.

MJRW makes a good point too. To many folks, a 3" 357 is neither fish nor fowl.

The bottom line is, there ain't no demand. If there was, some company would make them. How do you think the 3" model 13 and 65 came into being in the first place?

However, for the true believer: There will always be 4" 357 Magnums and hacksaws..... which is the other part of the equation about how the 3" model 13 and 65 came into being in the first place.