3" barrels?

L

L_Killkenny

New member
Iowa's carry law changes to shall issue on Jan. 1 and I'll be picking up a permit. I'm not planning on carrying much, mostly while doing outdoor activities and traveling to and from (and I have those times covered) but I have been thinking about what I might get if I choose to buy a "going to town" gun. Semi's are out as I have little time for brass chuckers and doubt I'd get a snubby because it's lack of versatility. So I got to thinkin about 3" barrels. To tell the truth I don't know what's available on the new/used market for 3"er's. What's the availability of smallish (smaller than service size) 3" barreled guns? What should I be looking for? Pics are always good................

LK

Edited to add: Adjustable sights prefered.
 
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Can't go wrong with one of these,,,

Ruger SP-101 in .357 Mag with 3 1/16th barrel,,,
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3 inch barrell

Smith and Wesson classic Chief Special is available with a 3-inch barrel.

Personally, I like that length for CCW - I don't see a problem with a 1 inch longer weapon since my carry position is Up/Down the lenght of my body.
I actually have more of an issue with the grip 'printing' that I do with a longer barrel. That length makes it easier to keep in a holster - but I admit most J-Frame holsters are designed for 2-inch barrell.

The .44 Charter arems is, I think, 2.5 inches and thats a viable alternative.
 
I'm going to have to go with aarondhgraham and second the Sp101. I carry the 3" in the new .327; its my favorite gun of my collection at the moment. I am also likely to pick up a 3" .357 for outdoor activities, but my wallet is already pretty light these days :(

The .327 has wind-age adjustable rear right, a feature on no other Sp101. I've also purchased a Meprolight front night-sight, but haven't been able to install it yet due to a lack of drill-press to tap the sight.
 
Another satisfied SP 101 user

I'm going to have to go with the 3" SP 101. Hides pretty well and is very accurate. Mine's a 357 and most of the time carry with +P loads. The mag rounds will really make you deaf if you fire them without hearing protection. I don't need any more hearing loss. (Huh.....what?)
 
For years as an LEO, I carried a 3" square butt Model 36. I still think it is a fine combination of weight, balance, and sight radius. With most carry methods, the extra inch of barrel doesn't matter, but in a point and shoot situation, it can be very useful and when aiming, that extra sight radius makes a lot of difference.

Jim
 
Well now, if we discuss used 6-shooters....

The Colt 3-inch Detective Specials are nice. But hard to find.

The Ruger Speed Six was made in 2.75-inch, with a round butt handle. I've got mine in 9mm but probably should buy one in .357. It may not be small enough for you.

There is a 3.5 inch S&W Model 27 in the used market, but not many consider an N-Frame to be small. And it is a bit heavy since the holes are small in a mass of metal.

And for .44 (both flavors) don't avoid Taurus. The Short Tracker will handle the .44 Special but will fit in most K-frame holsters.

I like my 3-inch all-stainless steel Charter Bulldog, but can't recommend it. Two screws and a pin rapidly back out when I fire it (even dry-fire!) so I have to make it reliable.

Bart Noir
And we didn't even start on 3-inch N-Frames.
 
3" six-shot .357 Magnums are what I prefer.

The K or L Frame, or the Ruger GP100 can be had with a 3" Barrel. Some can be had "New" and some are "Used". I myself like the robust 3" GP100. The 2 1/4" SP101 makes a great BUG for it's 3" brother.

Biker
 
3" K's are hard to find, especially in the 66. I think my 65LS "Lady Smith" is the best of the bunch, IMO, and only way to get combo of 3", fixed sight with full shroud, plus satin (beadblast) stainless. Also getting very precious - rare and pricey. There are also some nice non-shrouded (vast majority) 3" 65s our there, but also getting pricey. Since the purpose of carry is SD (versus target or hunting), and most likely fairly close-in, I prefer the fixed sight. Smoother lines functionally (and I like the look as a bonus) and in that setting you're only talking minute-of-man or minute-of-critter sighting needs anyway.
See a related 3" thread going on now in the Revolver section for other ideas.
 
I carry exactly what Cool_Hand does, an S&W M60-10, except for the pretty ivory grips on his. I've got Crimson Trace instead, and also replaced the front black sight with a HiViz fiber optic sight. It's an *excellent* all around carry gun, concealable but also shootable.
 
Late last year I picked up a Smith & Wesson Model 36 3", manufactured back in '73. The gun fits comfortably in the front pocket of my cargo pants even with the full size Uncle Mike's rubber grips from Smith that I exchanged for the tiny wooden manufacturer's grips. It is as accurate as any handgun I own and a joy to shoot.
 
My M66-4 three inch, I like just fine. I think it's perfect in a K Frame.

Has same ballistics, velocity wise, as my 4" M586.

Unfortuanately, the 3" was a limited production version and they're not easy to find. There are stil M13's out their with their 3" bull bbl. I let mine go some time back (gave it back to it's original owner), but it's a good one.

When it comes to snubbies (J-frames), I like snubbies with their short barrels, the wat they were designed.

Glad to hear you'll be getting your CCW. Not so happy to hear that you'll only be carrying where you "think you need to". Hopefully that philosophy will change. One NEVER knows where or when that'll be.;)
 
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The top gun is a custom 3" Ruger Service Six, the bottom a stock Speed Six, 2-3/4" barrel. The Speed Six is IMHO, the best "3 inch" revolver. You can shoot light loads or heavy magnums without damage to the gun.
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The three inch revolver is nice as a compromise between the popular 4" sportsman's sidearm and the 2" concealed weapon. If I could only have one revolver, a 3" Ruger GP100 or SP101 or 3" S&W 686 or model 13/65 would be just the thing.

However, as an all-around concealed weapon, the shorter 2" revolver is probably a lot better because (1) it can fit into more pockets and hiding places (2) it is harder to disarm at close range since the assailant has less barrel to grab. If you are threatened, it will most likely be at close quarters and the faster you can draw and shoot accurately, the better. The shorter barrel promotes a faster draw. Fixed sights won't snag like adjustable sights and at self defense ranges, adjustable sights will distract more than they help.

In reality, the 3" gun is not more accurate than the 2" gun but it is larger, heavier and more difficult to conceal. A 2" revolver is actually very versatile, especially if you get a .357 magnum.
 
3" K's are hard to find, especially in the 66. I think my 65LS "Lady Smith" is the best of the bunch,
Click to expand...

I didn't think there was anyone else in the known universe that had one of these!!

Yeah, you are correct. The 65LS IS the best of the best K-Frame snubs!!
Mine's a 65-6.
 
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