3" Barrel Revolver Love (pic warning)

jad0110 · Oct 4, 2015

I confess, I am a raging revolverhaulic

. Ever since the summer of 2006 when a friendly stranger let me shoot some .357s out of his 6" S&W Model 66 I've been hooked. Though I like my semi autos and do carry them now and then (the extra rounds are nice), I always come back to my trusty wheel guns.

The brands I own include Taurus, Ruger, Harrington & Richardson, Cimmaron, Heritage and my personal favorite, S&W. Of all the configurations, 3" barrel guns hit a real sweet spot for me. With boot grips installed, they look symmetrical and feel superbly balanced. And with a 3" barrel, you get a short, handy package that is still easy to shoot while retaining a full length ejector rod. My new favorite carry gun is a 3" S&W 686 Plus (7 shot) with a round butt frame. With boot grips installed, you have a highly concealable package that packs plenty of punch and is exceedingly easy to shoot. What can I say, I'm hooked, so much so that I just picked up a 3" 629 for carry, particularly when I go hiking in black bear / wild hog country (the 686 serves in that role well too). Though they aren't the most common barrel length that I own, they are my favorite.

Anyway, time to share some picks. Please share your favorite 3 inchers ...

S&W Model 13 .357 Magnum:

S&W Model 36 .38 Special:

S&W Model 629 .44 Magnum (Talo edition):

S&W Model 686 Plus .357 Magnum:

Taurus Model 431 .44 Special:

C0untZer0 · Oct 4, 2015

I think the 3" barreled S&W Model 19 is the most beautiful revolver ever created, but that's just my opinion.

kBob · Oct 4, 2015

Those are all nice.....but that Model 13 with the tyler t grip just does something for me the rest don't. That's the very definition of simple is good.

I'd have a hard time getting rid of that if I owned it.

-kBob

stoky · Oct 4, 2015

po boy's triple lock
SP101http://s563.photobucket.com/user/stoky

spaghetti Sheriff's SAA

red rick · Oct 4, 2015

Nice collection of 3" revolvers . I really like the 13 and your 36 is a beauty .

I carry this one a lot .

bannockburn · Oct 4, 2015

Some very nice 3" revolvers to look at. My weakness has always been for 3" J frames with the round butt configuration and the non-tapered barrel.

MikeJackmin · Oct 4, 2015

The cheap repro holster is too tight to fit my Victory model, but it holds the little M60 very comfortably.

edmo01 · Oct 4, 2015

Three inches?? I've got some of that...

Edmo

Elm Creek Smith · Oct 5, 2015

edmo01 said:
Three inches?? I've got some of that...

Edmo

How does your Ruger LCRx shoot? Been thinking about a lightweight backpacking/survival/kit gun.

Confederate · Oct 5, 2015

This Ruger Speed-Six was originally a .38Spc, but was reamed out and is now a .357.

And this is my Rossi .38 Spc. Both guns are 3-inchers.

edmo01 · Oct 5, 2015

Elm Creek Smith said:
How does your Ruger LCRx shoot? Been thinking about a lightweight backpacking/survival/kit gun.

It shoots well...

Recoil is well managed, even with +P, and the extra sight radius allows for easier accuracy. It is easy to hit with.

One thing I've noticed is the grip angle is different than the J frames I own. When I aim the 3" LCR it points low. Nothing bad, just a fact.

It combines light weight for carry with accuracy and an effective round.

Edmo

CajunBass · Oct 5, 2015

I'm not a particular fan of 3" revolvers, but I've got one, a Taurus 431, in 44 Special.

Good shooter and a nice handling gun.

Zaydok Allen · Oct 5, 2015

My favorite trail gun. 686+

aarondhgraham · Oct 5, 2015

Libby is one of my all-time favorites,,,

I found this 3" Model 36 languishing in a pawn shop,,,
She was wearing white "Mother-of-toilet-seat" pearl grips,,,
And had some very big rub spots on the side plate and top strap.

The proverbial "rode hard and put up wet" scenario.

I cleaned her up as well as I could,,,
Bought a set of wooden grips,,,
And applied some cold blue.

She still won't win any beauty contests,,,
But she sure performs well for me.

I named her after Libby Thompson.

This is the one I let a close friend buy from me,,,
I had picked it up on gunbroker for a mere $325 after shipping.

A terrible picture of a beautiful gun,,,
She is a 3" Model 36 Ladysmith.

I let my friend shoot it one time,,,
She put 5 rounds in the 10-ring at 7 yards,,,
Then begged for me to sell it to her as she shot it so well.

It's all good though,,,
She actually carries it daily,,,
I would have probably just made it a safe queen.

Bottom line is,,,
3" J-frames and 4" K-frames,,,
Are quite possible the perfect revolvers.

Aarond

.

Stephanie B · Oct 5, 2015

My one 3" revolver: A S&W 696.

Ric · Oct 5, 2015

S&W 586 L-Comp

Desertrat357 · Oct 6, 2015

I definitely have become very fond of my Wiley Clapp GP100. Just an all around great revolver. I will be keeping this revolver for a long time.

I would also include my Talo Super Blackhawk, except the barrel is closer to 4" rather than 3"...

RainDodger · Oct 6, 2015

I inherited this one last March. Unfired, in the original blue box with matching, serialized grips. 3" Model 36.

Doug S · Oct 6, 2015

CH47gunner · Oct 6, 2015

Only two 3" I own -

S&W Model 624 LHS

S&W Model 629-4

Dframe · Oct 6, 2015

I've been hooked on 3 inch revolvers for a long time. I own mostly Colt, a few S&Ws, and one High Standard. As you say they seem to hit a sweet spot and I find the balance nearly perfect. I love'em!

lowercase · Oct 6, 2015

My collection of 3" revolvers has been steadily growing.

I need to get some more pics, but here are a couple 3-inch guns that I really like.

A model 65-3 and a Charter Bulldog.

Tallball · Oct 6, 2015

Terrible picture of a great revolver. The Rossi 720 is often described as the best Rossi ever made. I LOVE me some 44 special!

R.W.Dale · Oct 6, 2015

Tallball said:
Terrible picture of a great revolver. The Rossi 720 is often described as the best Rossi ever made. I LOVE me some 44 special!

Yours looks like mine sans fluting. I just wish there were more grip options

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1444168167.985688.jpg

g17 · Oct 6, 2015

Ruger gp100 1753 and 1708 x 2

3" Barrel Revolver Love (pic warning)

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