[duckfoot]

Been looking for a S&W model 13 with the 3" heavy bbl. Just found one over on gunbroker, but three guys are ducking it out and are up to 510 bucks and that's way too much even for me for a used gun. So the question is, does any current make something like the S&W model 13 with the 3" heavy bbl? Or am I hunting again?

Thanks gents, and ladies

Duck

[yesterdaysyouth]

mod 13 was disc. in 99' so it's hunting time, shouldn't be that hard to find though... i'd stick with local pawn shops, and stay away from gunbroker...

[chaim]

The closest you'll find is the S&W 65LS. It is stainless but otherwise a 13. The LS means you get lighter springs which gives you a better trigger pull and smoother action.

Another option (though a bit heftier) would be the Ruger GP 100. I think the fixed sight model is made with a 3" barrel and half underlug.

If you don't care that much about the fixed sights S&W recently made a 66 with a 3" barrel with the Hi-vis sights and there may still be some out there new.

[SnWnMe]

M65 Ladysmith. Same gun in stainless steel.

[yesterdaysyouth]

you can get the 3" m66 from cdnn ..... cheap too....

[Blueduck]

Sure they are not 3" 65's or 2 1/2" 66's yesterdaysyouth???

The 3" 66's are normally a bit rare and priced accordingly.

[The Reverend]

While S&W continues to discontinue their traditional line-up in piece meal fashion, Ruger still makes available the GP-100 in a 3 inch barrel/compact grip format.

Yes the gun is a bit hefty, but with a quality holster it can be carried with easy. The gun handles well and the shorter barrel provides a good balance. Full load magnums are a dream to shoot!

If you are stuck on S&W, the auction sites should be full of them. Local pawn shops are good too, but you are bound to get a better price online. I have purchased 4 weapons from these auction sites and have gotten great deals all the way around!

God Bless!

[Prodigalshooter]

I have the GP100 in 3" length and it is a great size. I know someone who has a couple of the model 65s and I think it's a great gun also, perfect for IDPA, great trigger, easy to carry, but not as much fun to shoot magnum loads with as the Ruger is. I think you gotta have both. :cool:

[J.BELLINO]

RUGER SP-101 COMES IN 3" FORMAT ALSO. A TOUGH LITTLE GUN!

[chaim]

J.BELLINO may have an idea to give you more choices as well. Would you consider a 3" J-frame? I don't know if the M60 or any other J-frame .357s are still made (I know S&W still has some of their .22s and I think at least one .38 in a 3" J-frame), but even if you can't find a new 3" J-frame I do see a fair number of used 3" J-frames.

[yesterdaysyouth]

yeah cdnn# smi162720.... 66 round butt, k frame, stainless, 3.25" barrel, green hi-viz front sight... 369.99 *don't know if they are still in stock, i haven't got a catalog in some time now*

i have one but i can't stand that front sight... itty bitty v notch rear, and big green round front sight....:barf: give me a square notch and a red ramp front anyday....

[Blueduck]

Ahhh.. Forgot about the 3.25" hi Viz versions, thought maybe some department had traded in or sold some of the "real" 3" 66's. :(

[Poohgyrr]

It's not blued, but here is another vote for the 3" M65LS. A great .357: reliable, accurate, handy, and easy to care for.

[The Reverend]

I too am a fan of the slightly snubbed barrel on a magnum revolver...That's why I picked up one myself. :)

I wrestled with the S&W, Ruger, Taurus choice and I ended up selecting the Ruger GP-100 with the 3 inch barrel, fixed sights (only option), and compact grips. I could not be happier with the weapon in its role of serving as a field gun while trapsing the mountain country of NW North Carolina where my folks have property. It carries and even conceals well in my Bianchi Cyclone holster.

The weight and bulk of the gun is up there, but the trade off is excellent. Performance with full house magnum loads is superb, in hand feel is bar none (and that's with the factory grips), and the accuracy is really very good. The trigger was a "bit" rough at the outset, but with use and practice has lightened considerably.

I know that S&W makes a dandy gun and their revolvers have garnered a great reputation. What bothers me, and only slightly, is the continual practice of S&W to discontinue the long standing products in their line. I understand that if they are not selling, they should be dropped if only temporarily to allow intrest to be rejuvinated. I just think a solid, basic 3" .357 is something you should have always. I dunno... maybe I'm nuts.

God Bless!

[Handgun]

A local shop just took in a S&W model 66 with 3" magna-ported barrel and nice S&W wood grips. It is unfired in the box. It was a special limited run (250 total I believe) for RSR in 1996. Very nice but too rich for me at this point at the $575 asking price. [If interested, call John at Seneca Arms 215-234-8984.]

[duckfoot]

Thanks everyone I'm looking into all of your suggestions, and will let you know how it turns out



Duck

[DennisE]

I carry my 3" S&W F-Comp in a Milt Sparks IWB VersaMax2 holster. Concealment isn't difficult. I have 1000s of rounds through the gun and can keep bullets within 5" bulls-eye shooting DA off-hand at 25 yards. I like the power of the .357 Magnum and am currently using Federal 130 gr Personal Defense Hydra-Shok ammo. The F-Comp is in production and seems to sell for $580-$600 most places. Some folks don't like the power port - I do. Dennis

[DennisE]

I carry my 3" S&W F-Comp in a Milt Sparks IWB VersaMax2 holster. Concealment isn't difficult. I have 1000s of rounds through it and can keep bullets within 5" bulls-eye shooting DA off-hand. I like the power of the .357 Magnum and am currently using Federal 130 gr Personal Defense Hydra-Shok ammo. Dennis

[Mannlicher]

Duckfoot,

An idea is to buy a 13 or 65 with a 4 inch barrel, and send it off to S&W for the installation of a 3 inch. I did that with an inexpensive Mod65 I found, and boy am I happy with it. I also had a trigger stop added, and had the 65 converted to DAO, with a bobbed factory hammer.

[Karate]

Can someone post a link to cdnn....I too am looking for a 3 inch .357...perfer S&W

[dinosaur]

It`s www.cdnninvestments.com but they don`t list firearms on their website. Call them at 1-800-588-9500 and they`ll be glad to help you. You can get their paper catalog that way too.

[Yo]

The model 65LS is a great carry piece. The only thing I would change is to fit a fiber optic to the front sight. Wish it didn't say "Ladysmith" on the side, however. :(

As others have said, the Ruger 3" is a tough, very accurate piece. Trigger a bit better on the Smith though.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/products/firearms/images/standard/162608.jpg

[Poohgyrr]

There are a lot of good choices available. I didn't think to mention two things earlier:
Good used Smith's and Rugers (like the old Security Six/ Speed Six series) can be a great buy. And a friend has an old satin nickled Colt Lawman he bought years ago from a retired Copper; this is a reliable, accurate, smooth shooting piece too.
Also, Dennis is right about the F Comps, these are nice snub .357's with the Performance Center stuff too. I'd have one if it hadn't been the Wife's turn, and we bought a refrigerator. It is a nice refrigerator :(

[ruger357]

I have the F-Comp and it is indeed very nice.

[Karate]

Does anyone have the S&W 586 L-Comp...I believe that it is a PC piece that is a 7 shot 3inch .357 with a front night sight.

[sgt127]

Just a thought. I know you were looking for a Smith, but, I understand a bunch of 3" Ruger GP-100's S/S just came in from Canada on a trade. Might wanna look for one of those.

[SkaerE]

I understand a bunch of 3" Ruger GP-100's S/S just came in from Canada on a trade. Might wanna look for one of those.

came in to who? seen a price on em?

[goalie]

I just picked up an SP101 3" today. I really, really like that extra inch of sight radius. :D

[SkaerE]

just wondering if you can send in an L frame 357 and have the 3'' barrel installed. i'd love to have something like the L-Comp 586, but w/out the ports :)

[sgt127]

Sorry, Just saw this thread again. Century Arms imported the GP 100's w/3". Bachman Pawn and Gun in Dallas has some. I think they are going for $245.