Go directly to S&W PRE-lock with 3" barrel, to include the following models:
Blued models 13, 19, or Stainless models 65, 66 if you are NOT going to be shooting it a lot (K-frame)
Blued models 581, 586, or Stainless models 681, 686 if you ARE going to be shooting it a lot. (L-frame)
If for carry/personal defense use, go fixed sights for no snag:
Model 13 or 65 if you are NOT going to be shooting it a lot. (K-frame)
Model 581 or 681 if you ARE going to be shooting it a lot. (L-frame)
If you MUST have adjustable sights for careful target work:
Model 19 or 66 if you are NOT going to be shooting it a lot. (K-frame)
Model 586 or 686 if you ARE going to be shooting it a lot. (L-frame)
You will have the best luck finding pre-lock model 65's and 13's with 3" barrels. On the other models, 3" barrels are relatively rare; 2.5" models are much more common. Keep in mind that the ejector on the 2.5" models is a bit shorter than ideal for quick, clean ejection.
There are fine, low-mileage examples of these models to be found with a little hunting (start with Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, etc.) These models will ALWAYS demand good money and whatever you pay for a used one today, you're likely to get that (or more) in years to come.
Here's a favorite of mine:
That said, a stock pre-lock 65, with a 3" barrel, is about as good as a carry/defensive revolver gets... and shouldn't be difficult to find: