Thinking about a 3" "K" frame. Build or buy?

I did exactly what you described. I bought a model 64 CAI 4" import for cheap, and it had the ugly electro-pencil import marks on the barrel. I found a 3" model 64 parts gun kit and had a local gunsmith swap the barrel to the 3", then bead blast the gun. I sold it a year or two later.

My 10-8 was a 4" with heavy external wear. I had the same gunsmith chop the barrel to 3", slabside it, and cut a dovetail for the front sight. To keep costs down, I put Oxoblue on it and the worn areas on the cylinder. I replaced the sideplate too. IMG_6295.jpeg IMG_9542.jpeg IMG_7730.jpeg IMG_7071.jpeg
 
I did exactly what you described. I bought a model 64 CAI 4" import for cheap, and it had the ugly electro-pencil import marks on the barrel. I found a 3" model 64 parts gun kit and had a local gunsmith swap the barrel to the 3", then bead blast the gun. I sold it a year or two later.

My 10-8 was a 4" with heavy external wear. I had the same gunsmith chop the barrel to 3", slabside it, and cut a dovetail for the front sight. To keep costs down, I put Oxoblue on it and the worn areas on the cylinder. I replaced the sideplate too.View attachment 1245167View attachment 1245168View attachment 1245169View attachment 1245170
Wow, that model 10 is exactly what I had in mind. What is that front sight blade from? And does it shoot to sights?
 
this shoot out between my 4" S&W victory model and my 2"10-5 both in 38 spl, shows not much difference between a 4" and a 2" and i don,t think a 3" would be much different, the 1/8 front sight thickness made all the difference for me.
 

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Not REALLY good at anything other than looking incredible. I have been down the 3” K frame route and now I just buy long barreled guns. No sense in giving up accuracy and range just for ease of carry unless it’s your carry gun, but if it is your carry gun there are better options than a k frame

Can't disagree. My 3" M65 is probably the last revolver I'd sell, especially if I were limited to just one of the revolvers currently in my safe. The thing is....I rarely shoot it, since I've got other revolvers better suited for the type of shooting I'd be doing at any particular range visit. That said, even though I'm not a collector, I still like 3" K-frames, and if I were to stumble on a bona fide 3" M66, I'd snap it up pronto.

As far as the OP, if you want a 3" k-frame with fixed sights, I'd just look for a nice example on the used market.
 
Back in the 70s dad wanted a 4" round butt 19. Not made. He bought a snubby, sent it back for fitting a 4" barrel and nickel plating. After three tries (first two stolen in transit) he got it. Brother got it, then I did. Gave it to my nephew. I still have the original barrel. 3", I think.
 
I you can't 'build' it yourself, it won't be cheap. If you can, you wouldn't have asked the question.
Don't take this wrong, but I can and have done it myself. But time and cost analysis is a thing, and while I'm handy, I'm no Hamilton Bowen, so this thread is about use case, value vs cost, and ideas that others have pursued. Truth is, I haven't priced out mods on a revolver in several years, and this group is a great source of information in the dreaming/planning stages. I also don't have my mill anymore, so what I can accomplish with simple tools is questionable.
 
Wow, that model 10 is exactly what I had in mind. What is that front sight blade from? And does it shoot to sights?
It's a 1911 Kensight brand sight. I don't remember the height, I got it on Amazon. I'll look to see if I can find anything on it. Yes, it shoots to the sights with 125gr +P .38's at 15 yards.
 
Back in the 70s dad wanted a 4" round butt 19. Not made. He bought a snubby, sent it back for fitting a 4" barrel and nickel plating…I still have the original barrel. 3", I think.

So…there’s a chance the original gun was a factory 3” Model 19? Did your dad special order it? Was he FBI? 3” M19s are exceedingly rare - I’ve only ever heard of 1, and that was online. If you’ve got the original barrel and paperwork, it’s worth looking into. If it pans out, I’d definitely get a letter from S&W.
 
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The 3" Smith 13 is IMO an outstanding gun. Had mine for years. I must admit that right now it's place in my collection is being challenged by the Smith 19 Carry Comp 2 1/2".
 
Like the OP, I love k-frames in .38 special. A perfect marriage of gun and cartridge. I have several in 4", and one 2" (a bobbed model 64).

If focused on collecting, having a 3" is a must, I suppose.

But I am more of a shooter. A shooter who is focused on defensive handgun use. Which, of course, is the use case these guns were originally designed for.

My 4" and 2" model 64s feel just a little bit different in my hands. And carry a little differently. The "feel" of a 3" might be a good compromise; I can only guess.

But when I use the 4" and 2" in drills that focus on defense against two-legged predators, the times and groups are just about the same. And I'm pretty sure results using a 3" would be the same, too.

For me, the juice of buying or making a custom 3" just isn't worth the squeeze.
 
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Around two decades ago I bought a six inch model 10 from a fellow for a good price. Long story, but I found the barrel had been bulged under the front sight. (I think someone shoot a stuck bullet out of the barrel.) So I fixed it. Cut it off right in front of the forward extractor lug. Finished the barrel with the tool for the matter sold (at the time) by Brownell. Cut off and replaced the front sight (somehow got it in the right place). On a roll I dehorned the hammer, round butted the frame and put real wood grips on it.

Finding a revolver in that state is rather 'iffy'. But it is possible IF one finds a badly used and worn finish revolver. Gun Shows seem to present in this equation.

By the way, I've never refinished the revolver. People who see it tend to underestimate.
 
I've got a 2-1/2" 66-2 and a 4" barrel of the same vintage and posited the same idea of a custom 3" on here 6 or 8 months ago. I'm still mulling it over, but it does seem like a lot on moola for a half inch of barrel and full length ejector rod. But the heart wants what it wants...
 
I've got a 2-1/2" 66-2 and a 4" barrel of the same vintage and posited the same idea of a custom 3" on here 6 or 8 months ago. I'm still mulling it over, but it does seem like a lot on moola for a half inch of barrel and full length ejector rod. But the heart wants what it wants...
It's that full length ejector rod that has me wanting 3" as the shortest one, although I wouldn't turn down a 2" model 10 either!
 
The new Colt Viper is basically a 3" Model 65 (photo from Google).

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I'm debating getting either this or the 2" Cobra as an EDC. I have a bad habit of buying the cheaper option and still being unsatisfied, so I'll probably get the Viper. It'll also be a perfect frame size match with my King Cobra Target .22, which should allow for cheap practice.

Probably $1100 shipped to you. I've only the one new Colt but I love it.
 

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If you watch eBay you can occasionally find 3” barrels for different K frame models / dash numbers. The 3” go for a premium price though.

3" revolver?

ROSCOE
I got all excited when I saw the first ads for the Roscoe because I thought they might be 6 shooters. Alas, they are 5 round revolvers.
 
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