Regret buying a 3 inch?

I do not regret buying some revolvers that have 3" barrels. Many of the 3" revolvers I have have some collector value such as a Lew Horton M624.

I'd rather have a 2" barrel or 4" and longer barrel revolver.

I will admit that my 3" 357 Magnum Model 60 is nice to shoot with my 900 fps 357 Mag loads. The 3" barrel helps tame the round bit.

P I’m kind of like 3” Revolvers. Perfect Balance. Full length ejector rod and almost as easy to conceal as a 2 or 2.5”. I’ve added at least to more to my modest collection since this picture was taken. I can’t help myself. When I see one, it’s going home with me if anywhere close to affordable.

Threes and fives baby. Threes and fives.

460Shooter said:

Threes and fives baby. Threes and fives.

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I wish there where more half lug stainless 5's out there.

Bones741 said:

I wish there where more half lug stainless 5's out there.

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That is the correct response!!!!

I have a 3in Taurus 85 and a 3in Rossi 720.
They are in two words...... Perfect Size!

Just handled one of the new King Cobras.

If I didn’t have a mortgage to pay I’d have bought it.

I'm in the opposite boat- I have a 4" and a 2" and yearn for a 3" 357.

Blue Brick said:

Anyone wish they bought a shorter barrel instead?

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Not for one instant.

The best combat revolver I own is my 3" S&W Model 65. All around, it has the ideal combination of handiness, ease of use, capacity, and stopping power of any specifically defensive revolver I own.

Nope! I have a S&W Model 65 3" & bought a KIMBER K6S DA 3" !I like the KIMBER better than the MODEL 65
1
jIM

Regret?!?! oh hell no. I treasure my 3 inchers. By far the best balanced and quick handling guns I've ever owned. Many snubbies over the years and even a Single action army sheriffs model.

I only have one 3" revolver, my S&W 586 L-Comp from the Performance Center, love it!

If S&W had made the bulk of their revolvers with three and five inch barrels would we all be hankering for four and six inch barreled revolvers?

^ I suspect so.
Everybody would then be talking about how much better that extra inch shoots...


I have and love a number of 3 inch revolvers.
That being said - I tend to shoot a 4 inch gun better.
I can't deny that.

Regret buying a 3 inch? NO!

The older I get, the more I like 3 inch and 4 inch revolvers. The longest barrel I want in Ruger SA's are 4 5/8 inch. And, DA's with 4.2 inch barrels. The 3 1/16 SP101 is great. I carry it in an OWB leather holster. I also like the S&W 60/15 Pro very much. How well I shoot longer barrel revolvers are of no consequence, if I hate lugging it around! I always choose the shorter barrel lengths. I'm not very fond of two inch snubbies. Just my opinions.

I've always liked 3" revolvers but currently don't own any. A LGS had a sweet S&W M60 that I would hace loved to get, but I was under employees at the time. Another store had a nice blued Taurus 85 for an acceptable price (no deals aroubd my area) that I regret not grabbing. Need to go back and see if it's still there

AZAndy said:

No. I think it's the perfect barrel for a carry revolver. What's bumming you out about it? Holster trouble?

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I agree with Andy. For belt carry (IWB or OWB) I think the 3.0 inch barrel is the optimum length for a revolver. The only reason I'd recommend shorter would be for pocket carry. That said, I don't actually own a 3.0 inch revolver, because for some reason they seem to be much harder to find than 2.5 and 4.0 inch barrels.

Three inch gives the ejector rod more throw, too.

Eddietruett said:

PView attachment 843973 I’m kind of like 3” Revolvers. Perfect Balance. Full length ejector rod and almost as easy to conceal as a 2 or 2.5”. I’ve added at least to more to my modest collection since this picture was taken. I can’t help myself. When I see one, it’s going home with me if anywhere close to affordable.

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Nice collection!!

No regrets!
I've shot my brothers 2" sp101, I greatly prefer my 3" sp101..

I have never regretted buying any revolver!

I've owned four (6) 3" K & L frames. Sadly I never cared for them, all felt much heavier than my 2 1/2" M-19/66's. As they weigh within a ounce of each other, the felt difference must have something to do with the balance.

I don't regret buying any of them, as they were all high quality revolvers. I was able to quickly sell them at a SMALL profit.

For pocket carry 2" for belt 3"

Love my 3-inch GPs. Top is an older .357, bottom a recent .44 Spl.



Also really like my 3-inch S&W 317.

Bones741 said:

I wish there where more half lug stainless 5's out there.

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Not to get too far off the rails ... but I sure miss my 5" 686+ "stocking dealer's special" with the Ahrends Combat finger-groove cocobolo stocks ... stupidly traded off ...