Why are 3" revolvers rare?

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rs525

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I've been looking around at revolvers and their barrel lengths and something that comes up frequently is the coveted 3 inch length barrel. Everybody praises them, singing their virtues of weight, balance and shootability compared to a 2"/2.5" or a regular 4" barrel. And yet...they're very rare specimens with some being more scarce than others. Why is that? Many revolvers were offered in such a length: S&W Model 10, 13, 19, Colt Detective Specials and Pythons just to name a few. If people love them so much as the ideal carry revolver, why did companies make so little of them? I want to hear your thoughts on this.
 
Odd numbers freak people out ;)

Ok - more seriously I think the common 2 and 4 inch revolvers probably sell at a much higher rate than the 3" variety. That could change, but the history of police use - snubs and service revolvers probably set the standard at 2 and 4.

I actually want a 3" 38 special to go with my 2",4",6" 38/357 revolvers. I figure it would work on a belt inside or out, provide a longer sight radius and a little more oomph than the 2" and be lighter and more concealable than a 4 inch.
 
I don't think manufacturers, particularly the MBA bean counters who make a lot of the decisions, give a (expletive deleted) about what the buyers want. They sell all the revolvers they are willing to make now and they see the future in plastic squeeze tickers.

YMMV,
Dave
 
I should also say this is only about the Old School revolvers, not ones currently manufactured.
 
The only official use of a 3" revolver I can think of offhand was the last FBI issue before they went auto.

Now the 3" .38 is a cult object and gunsmiths are making good money by sawing off police trade-ins.
The Taurus 856 Defender is selling well, even to people who would prefer a US brand, because it is such a convenient size; 3" barrel, 6 shot cylinder, 17 or 23 oz.
 
If people indicated a large preference for more 3" guns, they'd make them.

As usual, because they didn't make many, and as a result are rare, people want them. The typical "people want what they can't have".
 
Because a 3" barrel is a compromise between concealment and accuracy that just wasn't very popular back in the day. Either you wanted a pistol that would conceal well or one you weren't going to conceal at all thus 4 to 6 inch barrel lengths.

Only in recent decades has that particular compromise started to become more popular. I have one myself.
 
Odd numbers freak people out ;)

Ok - more seriously I think the common 2 and 4 inch revolvers probably sell at a much higher rate than the 3" variety. That could change, but the history of police use - snubs and service revolvers probably set the standard at 2 and 4.

I actually want a 3" 38 special to go with my 2",4",6" 38/357 revolvers. I figure it would work on a belt inside or out, provide a longer sight radius and a little more oomph than the 2" and be lighter and more concealable than a 4 inch.
Keep your eyes out for a S&W Model 60. I have one and really like it for shootability and concealment.
 
Because a 3" barrel is a compromise between concealment and accuracy that just wasn't very popular back in the day. Either you wanted a pistol that would conceal well or one you weren't going to conceal at all thus 4 to 6 inch barrel lengths.

Only in recent decades has that particular compromise started to become more popular. I have one myself.
It's baffling that people believed that. It sounded like ways of thinking were more black and white than they are today.
 
Most revolvers were designed as Duty Guns. Concealed Carry by the masses is something of a new thing over the last few decades. 4” is perfect for a Duty Gun, 2” is an off duty, Detective, Supervisor armed Civilian mode. The Federal Government used 3” revolvers prior to the transition to semi autos. A few other departments authorized 3” guns but although it sounds funny now it was for the ladies. But predominantly revolvers that were to be carried were 4 and 2”. I agree that 3” is a great carry/self defense option. This is the new market for revolvers though, not the traditional one.
 
Most revolvers were designed as Duty Guns. Concealed Carry by the masses is something of a new thing over the last few decades. 4” is perfect for a Duty Gun, 2” is an off duty, Detective, Supervisor armed Civilian mode. The Federal Government used 3” revolvers prior to the transition to semi autos. A few other departments authorized 3” guns but although it sounds funny now it was for the ladies. But predominantly revolvers that were to be carried were 4 and 2”. I agree that 3” is a great carry/self defense option. This is the new market for revolvers though, not the traditional one.
Like Jim Watson said, the FBI is the only agency I know of that used 3" revolvers, specifically the Model 13. I believe the Secret Service actually used the Model 19 in 2.5". I would think the only other agencies that had them were small departments that allowed their officers to carry a personally approved firearm.
 
Like Jim Watson said, the FBI is the only agency I know of that used 3" revolvers, specifically the Model 13. I believe the Secret Service actually used the Model 19 in 2.5". I would think the only other agencies that had them were small departments that allowed their officers to carry a personally approved firearm.
NYPD used 3” guns at points also. 3” Model 64’s and Rugers. Matrons (Women before they became Patrolman) carried Model 30/31 .32 Longs and Model 36 3” with square butts. I may have missed a few but not the only department. I think the Treasury Department had 3” K frames at some point as well.
 
To answer the OP's question, I haven't a clue. Some of the finest carry revolvers I have ever owned were 3 inch barrel.
 
Can I just go on record and say that I hate it when they cut the spur off the revolver hammer and make it DAO? I understand why they do it, so you can't have an accidental discharge if you cock the hammer back, but it just looks ugly. They should have just trained cops better to just not use the single action mode.
Politics, revolvers were used for over 100 years. I agree with the spur less not my thing. I am having my Bulldog 3” DAO out back to a spur as we speak. Some people love them though. To each his own.
 
2" or 2.5" is better for carry. 4" is better for shooting. 3" is kind of no-mans-land. 3" can work great for either roll, but most people will want something shorter than 3" for carry and prefer longer for range shooting.

If 3" and 5" were the popular lengths then people would be asking why more 2", 4" & 6" weren't offered.

FWIW there have been a very wide variety of 3" offerings by S&W, Colt, Ruger and many other manufacturers over the years. If 3" was the preferred length manufacturers would standardize on it rather than making it more limited model.

For collectible models the 3" is often times the more desirable option because so few were made. Not because it's necessarily any "better" than other barrel lengths.
 
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