Sistema1927
Member
I really like that .44 Special. Looks like it would make a great trail gun.Love my 3-inch GPs. Top is an older .357, bottom a recent .44 Spl.
Also really like my 3-inch S&W 317.
Regret buying a 3 inch?
- Thread starter Blue Brick
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To chime in late. I like my M60 in 3". It's what I carry working around yard. I have a hard shell IWB holster, but most of the time I carry it under the belt OWB. Since working outside can get messy and damp, I'm not concerned about the hard shell getting wet.
tightgroup tiger
Member
I have no problem with 3" barrels. I just bought another one today.
5 screw hand ejector in mint condition. (maybe, I'm no expert).
32 long,
I love 3" barreled handguns, especially small caliber ones, they are a hoot to shoot at 25yards. Don't know if I can bring myself to shoot this I-frame though.
Don't know if it's ever had more than a box of shells shot through it from it's condition. Looks like it spent it's life in a sock drawer judging from the amount of lint that was in the barrel.
I thought it had a rough bore until I ran some Hoppe 9 through it.
The bore is as pristine as the surface is.
Don't be afraid of a 3" barrel, take your time with them, they will only make you shoot better than you ever thought you could shoot when you pick up and shoot a longer barreled pistol.
As far as concealment goes, your have to make that decision.
5 screw hand ejector in mint condition. (maybe, I'm no expert).
32 long,
I love 3" barreled handguns, especially small caliber ones, they are a hoot to shoot at 25yards. Don't know if I can bring myself to shoot this I-frame though.
Don't know if it's ever had more than a box of shells shot through it from it's condition. Looks like it spent it's life in a sock drawer judging from the amount of lint that was in the barrel.
I thought it had a rough bore until I ran some Hoppe 9 through it.
The bore is as pristine as the surface is.
Don't be afraid of a 3" barrel, take your time with them, they will only make you shoot better than you ever thought you could shoot when you pick up and shoot a longer barreled pistol.
As far as concealment goes, your have to make that decision.
Eddietruett
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2018
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- 1,076
I had to add another one to my 3" K Frame Collection today. A Model 10 with a round butt. Of the very few 3" Model 10's I've ever seen, this is the first Round Butt
lincen
Member
The middle one is my newest 3" barrel revolver. I tend to shoot the S&W 686 plus the best but the new Kimber K6S DASA is getting more range time !
BlueHeelerFl
Member
How do you like the fixed sights on the Ruger?
Sistema1927
Member
The only gripe that I have with my 3" K6S (DAO) is the fact that they kept the 2" ejector rod and did not take advantage of the extra real estate.
I have had no problems with ejection, yet, but all of my experience has been at the range, and not during a defensive deployment.
Other than that, I am very pleased with my Kimber.
Crowman
Member
I have no problems toting a 3” barrel revolver. Owned several...
I just got this little gun and am now carrying it as my EDC around the property and occasional trips to town when I don’t dress up. 2019 Colt King Cobra 357 Magnum, 3” barrel.
I live in the woods bordering the National Forest and I’ve got some big critters here and like to carry a controllable 357 gun stoked with 158 grain hard cast SWC or 180 Grain hard cast RNFP for the woods. Anything that will put the hurt on a black bear will also handle the two legged varmints just fine.
This is a new gun model and I am looking for a leather OWB open top pancake holster for it. Not any “blue guns” out yet for holster makers to use to form the leather. Do not want anything kydex...wears out my pants and rubs me raw. Tossed all my plastic holsters and use only leather OWB pancakes. Most comfortable for me. Same with knife sheaths...tossed kydex and went to leather. Want good leather only.
I put the King Cobra in one of my S&W K Frame snubby holsters but barrel hangs out about 3/4 inch and fit is a bit sloppy. The King Cobra has a smaller frame than the S&W, almost like a SP101 but with six holes. I wear this to town under a vest with no problems.
I also at one time owned a 3” SP101 in 327 Federal. Thought it was too heavy for carry considering the mild cartridge. Also used to tote a 5 shot 3” S&W PC model 640 Pro Series but wanted that extra hole in the cylinder. The Colt King Cobra is about right for full house Magnums.
2019 Colt King Cobra 3” barrel, 357 Magnum:
I just got this little gun and am now carrying it as my EDC around the property and occasional trips to town when I don’t dress up. 2019 Colt King Cobra 357 Magnum, 3” barrel.
I live in the woods bordering the National Forest and I’ve got some big critters here and like to carry a controllable 357 gun stoked with 158 grain hard cast SWC or 180 Grain hard cast RNFP for the woods. Anything that will put the hurt on a black bear will also handle the two legged varmints just fine.
This is a new gun model and I am looking for a leather OWB open top pancake holster for it. Not any “blue guns” out yet for holster makers to use to form the leather. Do not want anything kydex...wears out my pants and rubs me raw. Tossed all my plastic holsters and use only leather OWB pancakes. Most comfortable for me. Same with knife sheaths...tossed kydex and went to leather. Want good leather only.
I put the King Cobra in one of my S&W K Frame snubby holsters but barrel hangs out about 3/4 inch and fit is a bit sloppy. The King Cobra has a smaller frame than the S&W, almost like a SP101 but with six holes. I wear this to town under a vest with no problems.
I also at one time owned a 3” SP101 in 327 Federal. Thought it was too heavy for carry considering the mild cartridge. Also used to tote a 5 shot 3” S&W PC model 640 Pro Series but wanted that extra hole in the cylinder. The Colt King Cobra is about right for full house Magnums.
2019 Colt King Cobra 3” barrel, 357 Magnum:
gotboostvr
Member
I like 3"-ers
I was issued a 3 inch barreled S&W model 13 .357 magnum, when I first got into law enforcement. It was a great carry gun, compact and fast from the holster and relatively light, but the barrel was too short for .357 magnum and I turned it in and never replaced it with a 3 inch. My next .357 duty gun was a private purchase S&W L-frame with a four inch barrel. It was heavy, slower on the draw and a much better all around gun for my needs! I had the action slicked and the barrel MAGNA-PORTED and I still shoot it.
All of my .357 magnums are 4 inch or longer. The flash, muzzle blast and noise are worse with a shorter barrel and they are bad enough with a 4 inch, in my opinion. Also, you lose velocity and that is the reason to use a .357 magnum in the first place.
I also had a 3 inch COLT DS VI. It was a really nice gun, but heavy for a .38 Special snub nose and I would rather have a 4 inch which is not much harder to conceal and will shoot more accurately (in most cases) and give me higher velocity.
I have several 2 inch barreled guns, all but one are 5 shot J-frame styles. They can be pocketed and carried in deep concealment holsters like an ankle holster. Their are few, if any ankle or pocket holsters for 3 inch gun.
To me, the three inch is either too much or too little, but never right.
Just my experiences.
Jim
All of my .357 magnums are 4 inch or longer. The flash, muzzle blast and noise are worse with a shorter barrel and they are bad enough with a 4 inch, in my opinion. Also, you lose velocity and that is the reason to use a .357 magnum in the first place.
I also had a 3 inch COLT DS VI. It was a really nice gun, but heavy for a .38 Special snub nose and I would rather have a 4 inch which is not much harder to conceal and will shoot more accurately (in most cases) and give me higher velocity.
I have several 2 inch barreled guns, all but one are 5 shot J-frame styles. They can be pocketed and carried in deep concealment holsters like an ankle holster. Their are few, if any ankle or pocket holsters for 3 inch gun.
To me, the three inch is either too much or too little, but never right.
Just my experiences.
Jim
Eddietruett
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2018
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- 1,076
I have got to get one of the New 3" Kimbers. If it is anything like the 2" Kimber I was talked out of then I will be in heaven. The only thing I didn't like about the 2" was no hammer. Now I can have my hammer, the extra 1" in length and the action that butter smooth in my 2". After a unimpressive trial with the new 3" King Cobra, I will probably break down and buy one more new Revolver before I die and it will be the DASA Kimber.
lincen
Member
The Ruger is a GP100 Wiley Clapp edition and was the first of the three inch barreled guns that I purchased. The factory grip has been replaced with the GP100 compact grip with aftermarket SP101 wood inserts. The front sight has a brass bead on it and is very visible. I like the rear sight and the combined sight picture on this Ruger but as with some short barreled guns this one shoots a little low. Only the Kimber was bought to carry so the Ruger and Smith are range guns.
sparkyfender
Member
tightgroup tiger
Member
OP, What gun did you buy that dis-allusion you from a 3" handgun of any kind? That would definitely help us understand your original post. This is wide open even after 4 pages of posts. Did I miss the gun that the op is having an issue with?
22-rimfire
Member
I like 3" revolvers for general woods carry. I carry shorter barreled revolvers for personal protection on the street. No regrets on buying the 3" revolvers at all.
km101
Member
I love the two 3” guns that I have! Wish I had a couple more.
texgunner
Member
No regrets here. For me 3" is the perfect barrel length for a K/L frame S/W revolvers.
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