Richard Simmons
Member
Love those 3" wheelies.
3" barrel fans speak up
- Thread starter ravencon
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41magsnub
Member
fiVe
Member
As of 31 October, I'm a big fan-----
Model 36-1
Model 36-1
I've shot a 3 inch SP 101 a lot in .357, just a stock revolver, no mods whatsoever. Grip is a bit small, overall a little heavier than my Magnum Carry but it handles hot loads with ease. The ront sight is easier to see and easily replaced... think the 3 inch sp101 is a GREAT choice for a backpacking/camp/fishing gun.
Gixerman1000
Member
I like the balance, that they are compact yet have a full length ejector and the fact that you just don’t see them everywhere.
S&W 66-4 357mag
S&W 66-4 357mag
Wayne02
Member
Gixerman, good looking revolver there. What stocks are on it?
Thanks
Thanks
Cougfan2
Member
I have long salivated over a S&W M36 3" in Nickel. If I can find one at a right price, I think it would replace my Sig 232 in .380 as my daily carry piece. 
spwenger
Member
The Longer I Teach...
...the fonder I am of three-inch revolvers (even though the pair I carry have 2 1/8" barrels).
I'm not that persuaded by the sight-radius argument but, particularly for a shooter who is still building the basic skills, the reduction in recoil, going from a two-inch to a three-inch barrel is a big plus. An added benefit is a slight boost in velocity although velocity can easily vary from gun to gun and from chamber to chamber in the same gun.
A few months ago I did have a female student with a three-inch S&W M-60 who was having some difficulty clearing leather from a front-crossdraw holster - this is my only concern about that extra inch of barrel length, if the user is short-waisted.
While NYPD tradition was to use the four-inch, blued-steel, fixed-sight revolver on duty, it was also tradition to carry a two-inch revolver off duty or in plain clothes. Shortly before autoloaders were first authorized for patrol officers, the NYPD Firearms Training & Tactics Unit conducted a study. They had recruits fire the "qualification" with four-, three- and two-inch revolvers. (The nominally three-inch ones were either three-inch S&W M-10's or 2 3/4" Ruger Speed Sixes.) They found no significant difference in scores between four- and three-inch guns but significantly lower scores with the two-inch guns. As a result, there was a short-lived drive, killed off by the transition to autoloaders, to encourage recruits to opt for a three-inch gun and carry the same gun on and off duty.
(It was never clear to me which frame sizes were included in the two-inch guns - without proper grip stocks, most guys with average-size hands will generally shoot better with a S&W K-frame revolver than with a J-frame revolver, regardless of barrel length.)
...the fonder I am of three-inch revolvers (even though the pair I carry have 2 1/8" barrels).
I'm not that persuaded by the sight-radius argument but, particularly for a shooter who is still building the basic skills, the reduction in recoil, going from a two-inch to a three-inch barrel is a big plus. An added benefit is a slight boost in velocity although velocity can easily vary from gun to gun and from chamber to chamber in the same gun.
A few months ago I did have a female student with a three-inch S&W M-60 who was having some difficulty clearing leather from a front-crossdraw holster - this is my only concern about that extra inch of barrel length, if the user is short-waisted.
While NYPD tradition was to use the four-inch, blued-steel, fixed-sight revolver on duty, it was also tradition to carry a two-inch revolver off duty or in plain clothes. Shortly before autoloaders were first authorized for patrol officers, the NYPD Firearms Training & Tactics Unit conducted a study. They had recruits fire the "qualification" with four-, three- and two-inch revolvers. (The nominally three-inch ones were either three-inch S&W M-10's or 2 3/4" Ruger Speed Sixes.) They found no significant difference in scores between four- and three-inch guns but significantly lower scores with the two-inch guns. As a result, there was a short-lived drive, killed off by the transition to autoloaders, to encourage recruits to opt for a three-inch gun and carry the same gun on and off duty.
(It was never clear to me which frame sizes were included in the two-inch guns - without proper grip stocks, most guys with average-size hands will generally shoot better with a S&W K-frame revolver than with a J-frame revolver, regardless of barrel length.)
It may be significant that French police who carry revolvers use three-inch barrels, primarily. Manurhin MR-88's and similar guns, and some S&W and Ruger three-inchers.
Many years ago, I asked Lee Jurras, who headed Super-Vel, how much more velocity I could expect from my S&W M-36 three-inch over the snub version. He said that the snub would fire his 110 grain bullet at some 995 FPS, and the added inch of barrel would deliver about 1,080 FPS!
I soon learned to prefer heavier bullets, but that does illustrate how much difference in burning powder than one inch makes.
The three-inchers are easier to shot well, too, especially beyond 25 yards. The better extractor stroke has already been mentioned in this thread.
I do NOT see much point to N-frame guns or Ruger .44 Magnums with a three-inch barrel. These guns are best chosen with six-inch barrels, to, balance the large frames. That will also add velocity, and cut down on muzzle blast. They were never intended for concealed use.
Adjustable sights make sense on three-inch guns mainly in the form of the compact trail gun, like S&W's M-60-4 and its .357 descendants. They can be zeroed for best accuracy with the load of choice, and these guns may well be used to kill snakes or to take small game. But I think the sights are best zeroed to hit center with 158 grain lead HP loads, or the best 125-130 grain JHP's. The larger sights then are mainly useful because they allow taking a better bead on small game or on a snake's head.
Lone Star
Many years ago, I asked Lee Jurras, who headed Super-Vel, how much more velocity I could expect from my S&W M-36 three-inch over the snub version. He said that the snub would fire his 110 grain bullet at some 995 FPS, and the added inch of barrel would deliver about 1,080 FPS!
I soon learned to prefer heavier bullets, but that does illustrate how much difference in burning powder than one inch makes.
The three-inchers are easier to shot well, too, especially beyond 25 yards. The better extractor stroke has already been mentioned in this thread.
I do NOT see much point to N-frame guns or Ruger .44 Magnums with a three-inch barrel. These guns are best chosen with six-inch barrels, to, balance the large frames. That will also add velocity, and cut down on muzzle blast. They were never intended for concealed use.
Adjustable sights make sense on three-inch guns mainly in the form of the compact trail gun, like S&W's M-60-4 and its .357 descendants. They can be zeroed for best accuracy with the load of choice, and these guns may well be used to kill snakes or to take small game. But I think the sights are best zeroed to hit center with 158 grain lead HP loads, or the best 125-130 grain JHP's. The larger sights then are mainly useful because they allow taking a better bead on small game or on a snake's head.
Lone Star
revolverman357
Member
3" SP101-great gun, carry all the time..........
RON in PA
Member
There is little that I can add to what has already been said on the virtues of the 3" revolver except this. If Big Brother dictated that we could only have one handgun I'd choose the 3" as it works well for a belt gun for CC and works well for home defense. It's the do it all gun with one exception and that's it is too big for pocket carry.
DawgFvr
Member
I love my 3 inch Barrel GP100...and another chance to post a pic. Hmmm, I need to take more pics.
This baby points/shoots well and carries ok in a good holster. Since I live in the Northwest, one can usually wear a sport coat or jacket of some kind regularly so OWB is the way to go for me.
This baby points/shoots well and carries ok in a good holster. Since I live in the Northwest, one can usually wear a sport coat or jacket of some kind regularly so OWB is the way to go for me.
DAdams
Member
3 inch
Here is my sole 3 inch. A classic 686 no dash CS-1.
Here is my sole 3 inch. A classic 686 no dash CS-1.
O.S.O.K.
Member
Just took a pic of mine
Here's my 696 with Eagle Classic grips installed - love em!
Its a great revolver and I'll add an endoresement for the holster shown - its an El Passo Saddlery #88 Street Combat - with deluxe floral stamping and edge stichery - a $180 holster that I bought many years ago at a gun show for $35 (was a return!). I just ordered a new one for my Sig P220 - plain $60 version.
Wow - some really nice revolvers shown in this thread - DawgFvr, that's a really interesting custom GP - looks like something Batman would wield
Here's my 696 with Eagle Classic grips installed - love em!
Its a great revolver and I'll add an endoresement for the holster shown - its an El Passo Saddlery #88 Street Combat - with deluxe floral stamping and edge stichery - a $180 holster that I bought many years ago at a gun show for $35 (was a return!). I just ordered a new one for my Sig P220 - plain $60 version.
Wow - some really nice revolvers shown in this thread - DawgFvr, that's a really interesting custom GP - looks like something Batman would wield
sm
member
Uh oh
Oh Nooooo!
People are finding out about 3" guns. *grin*
I have been a 3" revolver proponent forever.
In assisting with folks, in reference to shotguns, the 28 gauge is one I often hear. Oh, Oh, Oh usually followed by a husband, dad, grandparent going Oh Noooo! because I handed someone a 28 ga shotgun and they want one.
3" Revolvers are another platform I stay in trouble with. I had a conversation with a gun smith buddy the other day, along with a lady friend, and with some quick hash-mark figuring and this year so far I am to blame for around 50 3" revolvers obtained , be they new or used.
In speaking with a Mod on this Forum last night, two more 3" Model 64 HB RB are in route to him.
At the gunsmith's place, one just steps out the back door to shoot.
Couple had arrived to pick up a pair of 3" Model 64s and the Eagle Secret Service Stocks they had asked to be ordered in.
Guns checked out and ready to shoot.
Oh, oh, oh, oh... this couple kept going on, as they shot these new to them guns.
I closed the door leading out to where they were shooting.
"knock, knock" - "let us in"
I opened the door.
"How come you shut the door on us?"
"Well...the way you two were carrying on I figured you two needed some privacy".
They turned red, we all cracked up.
I stay in trouble.
Oh Nooooo!
People are finding out about 3" guns. *grin*
I have been a 3" revolver proponent forever.
In assisting with folks, in reference to shotguns, the 28 gauge is one I often hear. Oh, Oh, Oh usually followed by a husband, dad, grandparent going Oh Noooo! because I handed someone a 28 ga shotgun and they want one.
3" Revolvers are another platform I stay in trouble with. I had a conversation with a gun smith buddy the other day, along with a lady friend, and with some quick hash-mark figuring and this year so far I am to blame for around 50 3" revolvers obtained , be they new or used.
In speaking with a Mod on this Forum last night, two more 3" Model 64 HB RB are in route to him.
At the gunsmith's place, one just steps out the back door to shoot.
Couple had arrived to pick up a pair of 3" Model 64s and the Eagle Secret Service Stocks they had asked to be ordered in.
Guns checked out and ready to shoot.
Oh, oh, oh, oh... this couple kept going on, as they shot these new to them guns.
I closed the door leading out to where they were shooting.
"knock, knock" - "let us in"
I opened the door.
"How come you shut the door on us?"
"Well...the way you two were carrying on I figured you two needed some privacy".
They turned red, we all cracked up.
I stay in trouble.
mic214
Member
These are my two 3" revolvers. A "" frame M-36 and a "K" frame M-65. I love the 3" barrel for better balance and the full length ejector rod:
Gixerman1000
Member
Thanks.
I'm not sure, they came stock.
Big Boomer
Member
pictures speak louder than words
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