3" barrels

Thats why they only load factory .38+P they call .357 now...all the K frame short guns. They do say .357 S&W mag on the barrels but they aint no .357. Smith does list a 3 inch 629 and a 627 in their catalog if you want a short mag gun though.
 
I think the reason that they do not offer a 3" very often is that it would take away sales from an already depressed industry. After all the semiautomatic market is the biggest and fastest growing area, the revolver market is shrinking fast. The buyer of a 3"' revolver is likely to be the buyer of a standard barrel length wheelgun. They would be cannibalizing their own sale. There would be no new revolver customers just the same customers buying a different model. The profits would drop because of the expanded product line.
Personally, I prefer the 3" but I would buy a four inch if the 3' was not available.
 
106RR makes a good point saying, "The buyer of a 3"' revolver is likely to be the buyer of a standard barrel length wheelgun. They would be cannibalizing their own sale. There would be no new revolver customers just the same customers buying a different model." Very valid point, but I would add the counter-point that many revolver buyers, especially in a shrinking market as semi-autos gain in dominance, will buy mulitiple versions of a favorite wheelgun. As a kid I sold encyclopedias one summer and everyone avoided one family because the word was they had five sets of encyclopedias. One intrepid and perceptive lad (a real salesman) couldn't wait to visit them, reasoning that anyone who would buy and keep five sets of encyclopedias would certainly buy a sixth. He was right. For reasons of "security" and not wishing to expose the depths of my own addiction, I won't mention the number of Ruger revolvers in various configurations I have. Suffice to say it is far more than any need. I just snapped up a LNIB GP100 3" when my regular shop took it in. There is a market, if small and only for limited, even sporadic, production. I didn't cannibalize my own purchases, I added to them.
 
I picked up this nice M.36-1 at a gunshow yesterday. I like the looks of the 3" barrel. I also have a 686-6 2.5" 7 shot....Norm.
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The three inch K-frame has a unique balance and pointability. The 2 1/2" and 4" guns are fine, but the 3" is magic...short enough for decent concealment, long enough for a full-length ejector rod, and it points just right.

I carry a 3" Model 10 daily.

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Marko - take a little bluing off the high spots and make it a .357 and you have an exact copy down to the grips of my latest acquisition.

I never understood the excitement over 3" k-frames until I held one. As soon as I can afford good leather for mine it will likely take the place of my Glock 19 as my OWB gun. Looking at an El Paso Saddlery rig.



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The grips (Pachmayr Compac Professional) are now on two of my K-frames, and they'll be ordered for any new round butt K that comes into my possession from now on. They're not as pretty as wood grips, but they're very comfortable, easy to conceal (thinner than stock grips), and the best fit for my hand by far.

I used to search all over for three-inch Magnum K-frames, never giving the ".38-only" M10s a second look. Now I actually prefer the .38 in a K...the caliber is perfectly matched with the frame, I only ever carried .38 +Ps in my Magnum Ks anyway, and I don't have to worry about crud rings in the chambers when shooting .38 Special at the range.
 
There have been some unusual configurations in the near 3-inch barrel length. Someone has already mentioned a 3" barrel Detective Special. I've seen one but you could easily call it a Police Positive Special. But until S&W started producing the 3" Model 10 I don't think they were common. They used to have a 2" tapered barrel Model 10 as well (may still do) that looks a little odd by comparison. My personal favorite is the M65 Lady Smith, not that I have one at the moment. I am evidently attempting to own one of everything, one after the other. They love me at the gun shop.

At one time a 6" barrel revolver was not considered unreasonable for a concealed carry gun but that was when men dressed up more and even had their coat tailored for the bulge. You had to use a shoulder holster. Other old timers were content with a variety of .38 S&W revolvers (.38 Regular, as the army manual called them), which also came in a variety of barrel lengths. The reintroduced S&W Centennial, if I spelled that right, included a 3-inch variation but in that case I don't think it added anything.

All sorts of things to choose from, aren't there?
 
Now I actually prefer the .38 in a K...the caliber is perfectly matched with the frame, I only ever carried .38 +Ps in my Magnum Ks anyway, and I don't have to worry about crud rings in the chambers when shooting .38 Special at the range.
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That's a good point...I really don't like cleaning my .357 after shooting 38 specials...a good reason to buy a new gun! :D
 
I have a....its a Ruger Security Six with I think, (not home now) a colt barrel. Apparently the made a run of these about 20 years ago and I seem to remember there was an article about them in CHG's about the same time. I think some outfit in Bellevue WA made them up...Anybody got any more info?

Oh the reason I mention it is it has a 3" barrel on it, looks alittle funny the finish on the barrel is dull stainless steel and the receiver is bright SS.
 
3 inch is ideal size for self defense. for target, get a 4 or 6 inch. I cant hit anything with a 2 inch. 8 inch is too long and unweildy. I got my guns decades ago, and there were lots of 3 inch smiths made then. Get a used one.
 
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