3" barrels

C

chorlton

New member
On my current wishlist is a 3" 66 or if they exist 686 or something of that nature. My question to everyone is, why are 3" revolvers so scarce in the s&w lineup? I see 2" and 4" but there are very few 3" in the range. Many people see to agree that a 3" s&w .357 is pretty close to perfect for certain uses, so why doesnt the s&w range reflect that percieved need?
 
I dunno, but you don't see many 5 inch either... 2,4,6 are the common ones - maybe the simple explanation is they sell the most of those?
 
Yes, and thats probably what I'll end up with, but many people on many gun forums talk about the benefits and looks of a full 3" barrel. I'm just going on what I always hear... Ruger has the sp and gp models, all available in 3", so why not s&w?
 
Well, although the additional development cost is minimal on offering different barrel lengths, it still will add costs in terms of production, inventory, etc...

My guess would be that cost is an incentive to keep the number of offerings down, and they sell what they perceive the highest demand for.

2": Concealed carry
4": All purpose
6": Range/hunting

That covers it fairly well. There is of course some incremental compromise of offering odd inch lengths, but then someone can also say - 5" is too long, and 4" is too short... I really need a 4.5"!!! :D
 
so why not s&w?
Click to expand...
S&W has consistently offered the Model 13/65 with a three-inch barrel (and the Model 10/64 though they are not as common). There probably have been lots more three-inch Models 13/65 manufactured and sold than three-inch GP100s.
 
I beleive the 3" barrel to be an ideal size for most calibers. particuallary in the home defense role.
 
I have a 3 inch (Model 65) and a 4" (model 19). I have to say that while the 3" is good and conceals well I prefer shooting the 4" because the longer sight radius makes it easier to aim. Just personal preference though.
 
I have a 4", because I wanted it to be all-purpose, but for range, I prefer the 6" :D Again, the longer sight radius gives significantly better groups.
 
My father has a 3" Taurus 66 and thinks it to be the Ideal barrel length. I have heard that a 3" barrel is the shortest you can get for magnums and still have a full length ejector rod. I find them very appealing to look at: nice and short but still doesn't have that "snubby" look.
 
Chorlton,

I too have wondered this for some time now. In fact, I have recently emailed S&W to ask if they offer a 3" brl for a 686. I will relay what they reply with.

I would love to see a S&W 686 with a full underlugged 3" brl, a full length ejector-rod, and fixed sights.
 
2, 4, 6, eight...who do we appreciate?!?!

I have a 3" Ruger GP100 that is my alternate for conceal-carry.

I passed on a 3" S&W 66 (I think) for the same price for the simple fact I wanted something that could handle more stout loads and didn't need the silly safety lock.

my "bedside" manner includes a 4" Model 19.

my SASS guns are 6" ruger blackhawks.

My hunting gun is an 8" Taurus Raging bull I have borrowed from time to time from a friend. (44mag)

My dad has a 10" Ruger Blackhawk 357MAX that he uses for hunting..


"Two! Four! Six! Eight! Who do we appreciate? Ruger! S&W!....etc."
 
S&W makes the 3" in the model 60 5 shot which is what I am really thinking about, quite slim for all day CCW.
They also make a 3" in a Air Lite model.
 
I may find myself buying a m60, but I remember handling a 4" m66 in the store.... Though I'm sure its a fine gun, it looks like one day it wants to grow up to be a 66 :D
MCIWS - thanks I'd be very interested to hear a response.
 
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