Suggest a 3" revolver!

My vote: a 20-40yo S&W Model 10, or a 19 for more money. They're rising in price, but you can still buy a Smith from the pre-MIM, hand-fit, deep-blue, Golden years for $350-ish. Mine are slicker than deer guts on a doorknob.

Mr. Tettnanger said:

I am on the hunt for another 3" revolver. I own an SP101 3" already.

Not too concerned about caliber, but would probably prefer 38/357 or 22LR.

I've looked at a few S&W online. I read a lot about canted barrels and problems. Interenet lore or a real concern?

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If you have the sp101 (was my first thought) next I'd think of the other rugers. Followed by the s&w model 60 pro.

Kimber K6S, new

S&W 64 or 65 or 13, used, but you might need to do some looking since they are very popular.

I have an older 3" 65 Smith. Its a good shooter.


This is a 686+ with a 2.5" barrel. Really no difference in how they shoot or handle.



This is a 3" 696 in 44special. Bit of a collectible, but they are out there. Id skip the Magna Port if you can find one that doesnt have it.

686+ is a good shooter.

However the canted barrels rumor is true in my experience. Look over ANY gun you intend to buy from ANY manufacturer. I have a second 686 that has issues also. There were a rough couple years. Both guns shot straight though.

I carry a Ruger GP100 in stainless in my truck and it fits the bill. Plenty heavy enough to help with recoil and accurate.

586 L Comp, but imo a three inch model 13 or 65 is the bees knees and the Pinnacle of a personal protection revolver

AK103K said:

I have an older 3" 65 Smith. Its a good shooter.
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This is a 686+ with a 2.5" barrel. Really no difference in how they shoot or handle.

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This is a 3" 696 in 44special. Bit of a collectible, but they are out there. Id skip the Magna Port if you can find one that doesnt have it.

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Great pics.

I was going to suggest the 65

Mr. Tettnanger said:

I am on the hunt for another 3" revolver. I own an SP101 3" already.

Not too concerned about caliber, but would probably prefer 38/357 or 22LR.

I've looked at a few S&W online. I read a lot about canted barrels and problems. Interenet lore or a real concern?

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I wouldn't be any more concerned about getting a canted S&W than a Ruger or Colt. I've seen pictures of canted barrels on revolvers from all three including a new King Cobra recently. Make sure to inspect it carefully whether new or used.

My 3" J frame carries like a Chiefs Special and shoots like a Military & Police.

The only 3" I own is a S&W model 36-6 J-Frame 38 special. It has a matt black finish like on the highway patrolman and adjustable sights. They are sort of rare since S&W only made 615 of them. But it makes me appreciate 3" barreled guns. Short enough to be handy but enough sight radius to help with aiming.

Ratshooter said:

The only 3" I own is a S&W model 36-6 J-Frame 38 special. It has a matt black finish like on the highway patrolman and adjustable sights. They are sort of rare since S&W only made 615 of them. But it makes me appreciate 3" barreled guns. Short enough to be handy but enough sight radius to help with aiming.

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WOW - That is a great sounding piece. May we see it?

Chiefs special is a good choice, but so is anything from that era. I have a 30-1 and absolutely love it.

One of my favorites! 3in GP100, bobbed hammer, compact grips.
Handy, yet big enough to handle (control) the recoil of full house 357's. Carries and shoots excellent!

Waveski said:

WOW - That is a great sounding piece. May we see it?

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OK here you go. Its not a real fancy gun. I have read that S&W just made a short run and the rubber grips were original to the gun. I didn't get the box and docs. Its in my simple home made holster. I am not a leathersmith so don't laugh too much. And this reminds me I was wrong. I do own another 3" gun. A S&W model 30-1 that I do have the box and docs for.

I lucked into a S&W Model 60-3 in .38 Special (not .357 Mag) with a three inch barrel, adjustable sights, target hammer, target trigger several weeks ago. We are getting acquainted. Target was 7 yards, two-handed, single-action. There was a stick-on spot in the middle of that group but it decided to leave after the third shot. I think I can tune a load that it likes better. It's something to do.

I figure somebodies going to ask for it so here is the model 30-1 I mentioned in my other post. It came with the Mustang Zebra Wood grips.

Rat , J-Bar ...

I think that between the three of us we've made a pretty strong case for 3" J frames!

And - I strongly believe that .38 special is the proper caliber for the J frame.

Waveski said:

And - I strongly believe that .38 special is the proper caliber for the J frame.

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I have 4 J-Frames in 32 long and 32 mag and think they are pretty good for that round too. Plus a model 34-1 flat latch in 22lr. And it is like shooting a laser.

J-Bar said:

I lucked into a S&W Model 60-3 in .38 Special (not .357 Mag) with a three inch barrel, adjustable sights, target hammer, target trigger several weeks ago. We are getting acquainted. Target was 7 yards, two-handed, single-action. There was a stick-on spot in the middle of that group but it decided to leave after the third shot. I think I can tune a load that it likes better. It's something to do.

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Nice find, J-Bar!

.

Waveski said:

And - I strongly believe that .38 special is the proper caliber for the J frame.

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Allow me to amend my statement.
I have practiced with .357 magnum from a J frame ; I had a 60 dash something chambered for it. That was after shooting and carrying a Chiefs Special for several years. I sold the .357 , bought a 60 no-dash and never looked back.
I am sure that .32 is a sweet round from a J frame. I would think that .22 from that frame is pleasant and accurate. The J frame was built for the .38 special ; based on my experience I will not exceed that caliber in that platform.

357 Terms said:

One of my favorites! 3in GP100, bobbed hammer, compact grips.
Handy, yet big enough to handle (control) the recoil of full house 357's. Carries and shoots excellent!


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I also have a 3" GP100, and love it!

For current-production (new) revolvers in .357, the Performance Center 586 L-Comp, Model 19 Carry Comp, and the Ruger GP-100 Wiley Clapp edition.

Canted barrels were a S&W problem around 4 years ago. I have not seen any more recent reports of that issue. Both S&W and Ruger have quality control issues on a variety of things. Inspect the revolver carefully before accepting the transfer. There are "revolver checkout" threads that can advise on how to check b/c gap, timing, lock-up, etc. Look for burs and finish problems.

The 586 has the advantage of being cut for moon-clips. While not necessary for a hunting revolver, I can't think of why it would be better to fumble around with loose rounds or speedloaders for any purpose that involves a significant volume of shooting. The Model 19 and GP-100 can be cut by TK Custom. Just ship them the complete cylinder and they will ship it back cut and with moon clips. Get a BMT mooner/demooner tool.

An oldie but a goodie, with something of a cult following...

Rossi only made the Model 720 for a few years in the early 90's. Sizewise it's in between a j-frame and a k-frame. They are all 44 special, 3" barrel, and stainless. They made them SA/DA with adjustable sights, SA/DA with fixed sights, and DAO with fixed sights.

My SA/DA version with adjustable sights is one of my favorite revolvers. The trigger and accuracy are excellent. Everyone who shoots it likes it. The recoil is easy. It's just plain fun to shoot.

I need to take a better picture of this thing next time I have it out of the safe. I like the way they look. The only trouble with the adjustable sight version is that the front sight has a plastic part that can break off. I've been careful with mine and it's been okay. I've seen them for sale cheap with that part broken off. I guess you could make one out of metal easily enough if you took your time.

I also have the DAO version. Its trigger isn't nearly as nice, but it still goes bang every time.

I think I paid in the low $400's for the first one. I lucked into the DAO for $300 (IIRC) because the guy at the pawn shop apparently didn't know much about it.

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