Does Anyone Else Like Three-Inch Revolvers?

[P5 Guy]

Two 3 inch barreled revolvers 60-4 and 696

 

[CajunBass]

I've owned a few over the years. A couple of Charter 38's, a Model 13 Smith and Wesson, some others I don't really remember. Heck I've got a Heritage Rough Rider with a 3" barrel and birds head grips even now. Still it's always been something I've bought in spite of the 3" barrels, and not because of them.

BUT...a 3" Python at my LGS is really tempting me. Not for any real reason. Just because it's different I suppose.

 

[Rexster]

A 3” barrel, on a small-frame revolver, makes it so much more shoot-able, compared to a 2” version. One of my most painful seller’s regrets has been letting a squared-butt 3” S&W Model 60 get away from me, in the Nineties, but, really, the ~3” Ruger SP101 has a grip that is absolute perfection, for my hands, so, I successfully “replaced” the Model 60 about 2006, with the ~3” SP101, and, just recently added a second ~3” SP101. (I think that the 3” SP101 has a barrel length of about three and one-eight inches.)

In the case of medium frames, a 3” barrel can make the revolver noticeably more convenient to conceal, and to clear leather a bit quicker, than a 4” version. One of my Ruger GP100 revolvers has a 3” barrel, and a spurless hammer, making it a favored carry gun.

 

[Tallball]

Apparently I'm not the only one who likes them.

I'm seriously considering a range trip where I shoot 2" and 3" versions of the same revolvers back-to-back to see how the accuracy compares.

I think this little top-break 32 might be my only other 3". I have five or so 2.5", but those don't count.

 

[chicharrones]

I only have 3 inchers in rimfire, but they sure are fun shooters.

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[357 Terms]

Love my 3in GP 357!

 

[Armored farmer]

I really like the uberti Schofield 3" break-top .45colt nickle/pearl....
But its.......
<gulp>
$1700


https://www.gunbroker.com/item/966341159

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’ll second the KC

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Three inchers are my length of choice for small-framed carry revolvers. I'm down to two at the moment.

 

[Rock185]

Though I only have one, a Ruger SP101 in 9mm, I like them in general.

 

[trackskippy]

I have three, a S&W 65, a 696, and a Ruger SS Blackhawk.

Truthfully, sorta like the Glock 19's, I just never really saw the point of them. I really prefer the 2"-2.5" revolvers on the shorter side, and with the 3", it might as well be a 4".

The Ruger is a little different, as you dont see Blackhawk snubbies, and not that it is one, I do like the shorter barrel on it.

I only took the 65 in a trade as I knew they seem to be a bit more desirable, and I could probably do better with it in a trade down the road, but I really would have preferred a 64 or 66, and Im still always on the lookout for one of those.

I do like the 696 (except for the ports), and have thought about trying to pick up a 2.75" 69 or better yet, a 29 or 629 snubbie.

 

[Jonesy814]

I have 2 of them. A 686 and model 60 Pro

 

[Tallball]

I have a few 3” to 3.5” revolvers about. I do appreciate the slightly longer sight radius and slight bit of recoil dampening weight out front over the 2”- odd snub nosed revolvers.

Of mine, a 3” Model 36 .38 Spl. with Pachmayr grippers.
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A 3” Model 13 .357 with Hougue Bantam grips.
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A 3” Model 37 Airweight .38 Spl.
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A 3” Model 317 .22 LR.
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A Dan Wesson 15-2 with an EWK 3” VH barrel/shroud and wooden Hogue grip.
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A 3” GP-100 .44 Spl. with GP-100 Compact grip.
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And a 3.5” Wrangler Birdshead .22 LR.
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For CCW, one thing that I recently figured out was a 3” Model 36 with oversized grips is much easier to shoot than with the tiny ones (especially the wooden panels!) But, this makes the J frame nearly the same size as a 9mm Browning Hi Power pistol. So for me, CCW with a 3” J frame 5 or 6-shot vs a similar sized auto with 15-shots +/- one or two, tilts me to carry the auto.

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But this still does not dampen my love for revolvers with a 3” barrel.

Stay safe.

You have some very nice revolvers!

 

[12Bravo20]

I have to say that I definitely enjoy shooting my 3" Taurus 85 compared to my 2" Taurus 856. Mine has a ported 3" barrel

Here is my 3" Model 85 along with my 2" 942 and 2" 856

Here is a photo of the ports on the 3" 85 barrel

 

[TTv2]

I have two, both in .32, an H&R top break and the Charter Professional, they feel and shoot fine. I can't say that I would prefer them to be longer or shorter in barrel length, it always depends on the purpose. The H&Rs, I have plans to buy more of those .32 top breaks, but with a longer barrel in. 32 S&W Lg and a snub 5 shot in .32 S&W. I figure the smaller frame is best kept small for easier carry, so keep the barrel as short as possible, the larger .32 Lg a longer barrel to increase the sight radius of an accurate cartridge.

This leads to my next point: revolvers today are being made with larger and larger barrel/cylinder gaps which the added inch of barrel over a 2" snub means velocity increase isn't there.

This means the only improvements are possibly better balance & handling and longer sight radius.

I'm not sure those are worth me sacrificing a smaller size gun to get. If I can't carry a 3 inch like I can a 2 inch snub, then I may as well go for a 4 inch.

 

[Rodfac]

Here are some of mine...a great length for carry, on the belt, in the tackle box, glove box or even in your pocket with a cold wx parka on. I'd estimate that the M-60 shown is my choice 50% of the time for CC purposes. The M-63 is my understudy for the Magnum, and the M-36, .38 Chief's Special does it all by itself. Best Regards, Rod

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[.455_Hunter]

I wish a 3" Model 12 would have been a standard catalog item.

 

[Riomouse911]

You have some very nice revolvers!

Thanks . Of all I think the 37 has maybe fired 10 shots through it. It looks and feels practically brand new. (I still haven’t fired it.)

Stay safe.

 

[Tallball]

Thanks . Of all I think the 37 has maybe fired 10 shots through it. It looks and feels practically brand new. (I still haven’t fired it.)

Stay safe.

Riomouse - My Model 36 looks like yours now. I put a Hogue Monogrip on it (almost as big as your Pachmayrs), and that fits my hand better than the Siles wooden one does. Too bad, because the wood looks so cool. Your size comparison to the auto was interesting and sensible. I'll still carry the 36 on my belt sometimes when I'm in the woods with my dog, but at least now I'll know that one of my small 9mm pistols would have been more logical.

 

[KyJim]

Count me as a fan.
SW model 547
SW model 10
SW model 60
SW model 19
Colt cobra .22
Colt king cobra

 

[buck460XVR]

I seem to shoot them about as well as a 4".

I can shoot a nice 3" K-frame about as well as a 4", and had fun doing that.

The fact that you stated this twice(about as well) is telling. My experience is similar. I happen to have 686s in 3", 4", 5" and 6" barrel lengths. Shooting them on the same day, using the same ammo, for me, the 6" shoots better than the 5", which shoots better for me than the 4", which shoots better for me than the 3". The 3" does in fact shoot better for me than my 1 7/8" J-Frame. At 10 yards the difference in accuracy seems slight. Move out to 40 yards and it is glaring. Out of the 4 686s, the one I shoot the least is the 3", not just because of the difference in accuracy, but the increase in recoil and muzzle flip. While the difference is slight, it is there. I originally thought I would use the 3" for CWC...but even tho it packs more punch than the little J-Frame, it also packs a lot more weight.

 

[mavracer]

I would say I do but most of mine aren't exactly 3"
My Speed Six is 2 3/4" and my Sp101 is 3 1/8" lol

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

The first pistol that I ever bought is a Model 27, 357 magnum with a 3 1/2" barrel. It really seems to be a "sweet spot" barrel length, wish I had more revolvers in that length.

 

[ECVMatt]

I really love my 3" revolvers. They pack so easy and balance just right for me. My Smith 65-3 has a great trigger that was tuned up as part of the Combat UC package offered by Pachmayr long ago. My Ruger is a beast and is a tad more accurate than the Smith. Both are keepers!

 

[KevininPa]

I only have 3 inchers in rimfire, but they sure are fun shooters.

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I love that little Ruger. Every time you flash that baby, I keep thinking I really need to get one.