In praise of the 3" K-frame revolver

[ezypikns]

It's not a K Frame....

but I really like my Model 36 J frame with a 3" barrel. 3" seems like a real good compromise between concealability and accuracy.

 

[Dienekes]

My daughter picked up one of those (J&G?) 3" pencil barrel, square butt Model 10s about a year ago. I did a little inside work on it and smoothed the trigger for DA, and by the time I was done I wished I had gotten one too.

I think it was instrumental in getting her away from the Glock Side, as she followed up with a Model 19 and a Model 64 shortly afterwards.

Shows real maturity to my way of thinking.

 

[grayelky]

I curently have a 4" Model 65 as my stay-in-the-truck gun. I have been looking, on and off, for years for a 3". I'd love to find 3 or 4 of them and have my Visa w/ me.

 

[SixForSure]

Mine:

 

[357wheelgunner]

I had a 3" model 65 (pre lock) and a 3.25" model 66. I traded both of them. The Model 65 was traded for a mint '70s Wingmaster riot gun, the 66 was traded for a pinned and recessed nickel model 19. I miss them but they served no purpose when I have 3 4" K-frames and a pair of J frames. I shoot the 4" guns better and they generate more velocity with the 158gr LHP+P I like to carry in them.

I really don't see a need for 3" revolvers when you can have more than one gun. They were great when they were my only two wheelguns though.

 

[denfoote]

Here's mine.

A SWEET 65-6 Lady Smith!!!

 

[Martin Aston]

No firearm feels better balanced or more natural to my hand than my 19;



and, BTW, with the ambidextrous grips it feels right at home in either hand...

 

[Martin Aston]

BTW...

Isn't that the beauty of the revolver? It's almost organic in how it becomes an extension of your arm whereas an auto feels like you're holding a machine. Kinda like the differance between driving a Porsche 911 and a Ford Explorer...

Sorry. Didn't mean to get off topic. I'm still praising...

 

[Jim PHL]

I'm lucky enough to have a 3" M65 and a P+R 2.5" M19. I agree that they are pretty much #1 and a very close second as carry revolvers. The 3" M65 is the one gun I would keep if I had to get my small collection down to only one. I prefer the fixed sites on a carry gun.

 

[Martini13]

I have a PC M13 3" in Black. Trigger is the smoothest ever.

Being from MA, we will soon be able to marry our firearms, after, sisters, and dogs [cats if you're a fan] and I've chosen my bride.



Common sense, the rarest of all senses

 

[DouglasW]

Okay, now I need a shopping list

All this talk of 3" K-frames has piqued my curiousity. As far as 3" fixed-sight k-frame revolvers go, it seems I mostly hear about Model 65s and 13s (with a few Model 10s thrown in -- which I think was only chambered in .38). Model 19s were adj sights only, right?

To facilitate the search -- could one of the THR gurus please list S&W model numbers that feature all of the following:

• K-frame
• Three inch barrel
• Round-butt,
• fixed-sight,
• chambered in .357
• Blued or stainless.

Thanks!

 

[jad0110]

Doug,

This site doesn't have all the info you are looking for, but its a start.

If some has something more all-inclusive, please post!!!

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp

 

[Brian Williams]

That would be S&W models 13 and 65, blue and stainless respectively

I forgot a few model 10s for the Michigan State Police(pre 13) and a few 19s were fixed sight for Peru

 

[W Turner]

I bought a 3" model 13 a little over a year ago and have been very happy with it. I watched it sit on the shelf at a local pawn shop for well over a year before I bought it. The balance and "feel" of it is second to none and the only reason it has not made it into my carry rotation is because I haven't had the money to order some quality leather for it.

BTW- Old Fuff- Since you mentioned it, would a slip-in dovetail Trijicon night sight be the proper height to do what you were talking about? They run .185" if my memory serves me correctly. I would love to have mine slicked up, have a dovetail machined where the front sight is currently and install a night sight of some sort.


W

 

[jonsidneyb]

While I do like the 3 inch K's

I am starting to more and more appreciate the 3 inch J

 

[DouglasW]

that was quick.

Thanks everyone for the info. Jad, I'd seen that link before...but it unfortunately doesn't list barrel length information so I wasn't sure which models were available in 3".

Sounds like my search should center on Models 13 and 65. The Model 10s are probably too rare for me.

 

[MK11]

Don't forget the 3-inch GP100. It might be as hard to find as a 3inch K frame but it is still manufactured. It's a little beefier but very nice and easier on the hand when shooting magnums.

 

[DouglasW]

Don't forget the 3-inch GP100. It might be as hard to find as a 3inch K frame but it is still manufactured

I actually saw a stainless 3" GP100 at a Denver gunshow a few weeks ago. Nice piece, not too used (but definitely not NIB). The dealer wanted $529 for it and he wouldn't budge on price...but he was willing to throw in a Lorcin .25 to sweeten the deal

I took a pass.

It's my understanding the GP100 is a tad larger than the K-frame. More like an L-frame, right?

 

[Jkwas]

The 3in K is still manufactured in the round butt version in stainless. Check budsgunshop, they have them in stock. M64.

 

[stormspotter]

3" K-frame

The 3" k's are nice but there is another that I like better and wish I had the extra $$$ to buy. On gunbroker there is a NIB 4" Colt Police Positive, around 1978 mfg, with 4" barrel and one of the best feeling factory wood grips made, IMO. The D frame Colts are smaller than the K but larger than the J smiths and hold 6 rounds.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[MCgunner]

Just bought a 3" Taurus blued M66. Does that count? It was at a gun show and the only reasonably priced gun there. I like it IWB much better than my 4" guns. It seems a little lighter on the hip and it doesn't poke down so far in the pants. I am going to the range for its first testing tomorrow.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I NEVER liked revolvers...

Till I picked up a S&W 3" 66.
I now carry a 3" Bodyguard as a BUG and am always looking for 3" Smiths...

 

[XavierBreath]

I just purchased one.........Why? This thread. You dadgummed enablers!
S&W Model 65-5

 

[Adam Selene]

Nice Lady there XavierB, Treat her nice, and she will work well for you...

 

[jazr45acp]

M64-3

Here's my M64-3 with a 3" tube sporting tulipwood grips with finger grooves made by Hogue. Shoots simply awesome. Hope it's warm and dry where you are.