3" .357s

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A "K" frame S&W will never hold up to a steady diet of 357 mag loads and on the other hand, you will never wear out the GP100...
 
A 3" 686+ will hold up to a steady diet of heavy 357's and look good doing it. Plus you get and extra rd. or two over the other options.
 
I've about eliminated the J-frame due to recoil and not handling the stouter loads as well.
Click to expand...
bratch,
The recoil is very hard to handle when firing a 12oz Airlite but not when firing a 23oz Stainless J frame. As a matter of fact the 3" M60 weighs 24oz and is fairly easy to shoot even with Magnum rounds. I own a M640-1 which weighs 24oz and can shoot as many .357 Magnum rounds through it as I want without undue discomfort.

If the funds are available it's my opinion there is no finer 3" J frame .357 Magnum revolver than the 3" Model 60 Pro. All of what you would want done by a good gunsmith to make your carry revolver the best has already been done to this M60. I like a good K frame but I also like this 3" M60 Pro.
 
I'll put in my vote for the 65.
Substantial, yet not overweight.

A steady diet of .357 mag isn't necessary
any more than a steady diet of prime rib.

Model 60 is a fine choice, also.
 
S&W 640. Have your gunsmith put a 3" barrel on it. S&W makes one for its 60-15. If you can have a gun made this way I think it would be about perfect, able to handle .357 loads yet lighter than the SP-101. Oh yeah, get it magna-ported.
 
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Hi,
I've had a 4 " gp-100 carried well in a shoulder holster, accurate etc. Also had a Speed six snub-accurate, my 6 yr old daughter could shoot it with full mag loads. I now have a sp101 3" it carries the best in a IWB from Ken Null and woods carry with an uncle Mikes or Miltec. I kind of wish I'd got the 2inch 101 for ease of carry.
lloveless
 
Here's mine. It's a Taurus, works great for me. I like the SP101, though, and of your choices, I'd go with a SP101. I sold my 2.3" version, prefer the Taurus 3" 66, shoots better and carries about as easily, plus an extra round. I got it used in a sea of 400 dollar used 4" K frames for $180. It's a tack driver. It's only an inch shorter than my 4" gun, but is amazingly easier to tote and draw IWB. I do recommend a 3"er for carry IWB. The K frame, if you could find a good deal on one (good luck on a 3"), would be about as light and easy to tote as the SP101, but the SP101 has a little more compact grip and is a whole lot better deal, very strong gun. K frames are a little fragile.

attachment.php
 
Hows it going New York ?

Thats right your tell'em ladder. I traded the 66 2.5 inch I bought from you in on a 681 PC 3 incher that is house gun. I like the 3 over the 2.5 hands down. I have a 3 inch 19 PC and 686 csi and 66-4. I am a sucker for the 3inch Combat,,, I have a 3 inch Python and I am Smith and Wesson Guy.

John Fugate fugatefirearms.com
 
I saw that 13 on dragnet lastnight about 1 a.m. on cable. Get a tyler t and some patton leather black shoes and walk the beat. I like guns with character.
John
 
That model 13 is absolutely beautiful. It is the pinnacle of six-shooters, imo.

That said, I also like the model 65. And the J-frame bodyguard. And the colt super cobra, and the colt...

Ok, there's lots of "pinnacles".

The s&W round butts are especially nice though.
 
I just picked up this Colt Python for a short barrel .357. I never fired a Python with a 2.5" barrel, but if anyone has, I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts.

PythoninMontana1a.jpg
 
That Python snub...Can't be beat...I've had several,and shot one...they are MIRACULOUS.
If hat gun is not a TRUE 100% NEW UNFIRED GUN...Shoot it...You can't do better for a CCW...If You can bring Yourself to pack and fire it...
You only live once.
It's like a Rolex in Your hand that shoots .357.
 
A "K" frame S&W will never hold up to a steady diet of 357 mag loads and on the other hand, you will never wear out the GP100...
Click to expand...
As long as you stay away from light bullets at full house magnum velocities the K frame's forcing cone will be just fine.

If I couldn't find a good 3" 65 on the used market a 3" GP 100 would be my choice new because of certain "features" that are on current production S&W wheel guns.
 
One factor to consider is whether you want adjustable or fixed sights. I don't think either of the Ruger 3" SP101 or GP100, or the J-frames, have adj. sights; whereas the S&W K and L frames at least come in both.

Another factor is the trigger. I have found Rugers with very smooth triggers and Smiths, mostly L-frames, with gritty monsters. I would check out specific examples and tend toward whichever ones had the best trigger for me.

I would lean toward the SP101 having owned it and J-frames and K-frames. I just like the compact robustness of it. But the Smiths are fine guns too. You really can't go wrong with any of them in my opinion.
 
I believe Smith and Wesson is still making a 3 inch J-frame with adjustable sights in stainless steel. I'm an SP lover myself.
 
Folks who recommend the 3" GP100, where are you finding them (new with full lug bbl) reliably and not overpriced?
 
Pistola

All the above are great firearms. I hunted down and traded for a M65, 3" and I have not touched it since. :banghead::banghead::banghead: The only times I see it is when my wife pulls it out. :banghead::banghead::banghead:

I keep it loaded with 38+P and she loves it.

What I would like is a nice M13 unless I can find another M65.

All this to say. K-FRAME

K-Frame, K-FRAME


guess I kinda like the K-frame
 
A "K" frame S&W will never hold up to a steady diet of 357 mag loads and on the other hand, you will never wear out the GP100...
Click to expand...

True enough, but then the GP100 might wear YOU out trying to carry that lump all day. The SP101 is the superior carry piece, still much stronger than a K frame and only 28 ounces. It's the Ruger of choice IMHO. If the extra round is that important to you, you probably ought to be carrying an auto.
 
Another K frame 3 inch picture

In the week since I first posted on this thread I got some new Badger corian white grips for my S&W 66 3 incher. So I'll post a picture wearing the new grips:

SW66-452.jpg
 
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