3" Barrel Revolver Love (pic warning)

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:

 

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

 

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

 

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

spaghetti Sheriff's SAA

 

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

I carry this one a lot .

 

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.

 

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

 

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

Edmo

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

My favorite trail gun. 686+

 

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

.

 

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

 

S&W 586 L-Comp

 

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"...

 

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

 

Only two 3" I own -

S&W Model 624 LHS


S&W Model 629-4

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

Ruger gp100 1753 and 1708 x 2