So I am still shopping and planning my holster purchase for my 3" Model 65 I picked up. As I search around, I just began wondering about just how uncommon the 3" barrels are. For example, for every 100 model 19's, how many were made with a 3" barrel as opposed to the 2 1/2", 4", or 6" barrels? If anybody knows, or can point me in the direction of an answer, that would be great.
Rarity of the 3" barrel Smith and Wessons
- Thread starter JimmyR
- Start date
Bill DeShivs
New member
My rough guess would be 1-2 out of 10.
redlevel42
New member
I think a Model 19 with 3" barrel would be extremely rare. Never say never with S&W, but I don't think a 3" 19 was ever a production gun.
I own a 3" Model 36 and a 3" Model 37. I would guess one out of 50 for those models. I believe there are a good many 3" Model 10s. I love the 3" j-frames, and would like to have a 3" Model 10.
I own a 3" Model 36 and a 3" Model 37. I would guess one out of 50 for those models. I believe there are a good many 3" Model 10s. I love the 3" j-frames, and would like to have a 3" Model 10.
Mike Irwin
Staff
There were apparently two separate runs of Model 19s with 3" barrels.
The first were made for the Massachusetts State Police. Apparently only a few were made, and they're quite rare.
In 1994 there was a run made with a full-lug ported barrel as the K Comp.
3" Model 64s are out there, and 3" Model 65s are pretty common, as are 3" Model 10s.
940 3" versions were made for less than 2 calendar years. You don't run across them every day, either.
In December I picked up a 3" Model 38. Still haven't shot it yet.
The first were made for the Massachusetts State Police. Apparently only a few were made, and they're quite rare.
In 1994 there was a run made with a full-lug ported barrel as the K Comp.
3" Model 64s are out there, and 3" Model 65s are pretty common, as are 3" Model 10s.
940 3" versions were made for less than 2 calendar years. You don't run across them every day, either.
In December I picked up a 3" Model 38. Still haven't shot it yet.
That has never been a real common length. In years past some square butt J frames were made in 3" length and a very small number of 19s were produced (I saw one on TV's "Get Smart" one time). In the recent past M10s, 64s, 65s etc have been made. In the 1980s Lew Horton sold some special order N frames with 3" barrels.
A 3" S&W is not super rare in general, but very rare in some specific models. I think a J frame would the most common with a 3" barrel.
A 3" S&W is not super rare in general, but very rare in some specific models. I think a J frame would the most common with a 3" barrel.
3" guns, be they J or K frames have a certain balance and symmetry about them. I have a 65 RB 3", a couple 13 RB 3", a 3" 940, and I just acquired a 3" RB 30-1 that I have been looking for for a while.
And, while they're not Smiths, I have a 3" Colt Det. Sp, and a 3" Colt Cobra.
I guess I just like the looks of a 3"
I'd love to find a nice 3" RB Model 10 Smith.
And, while they're not Smiths, I have a 3" Colt Det. Sp, and a 3" Colt Cobra.
I guess I just like the looks of a 3"
I'd love to find a nice 3" RB Model 10 Smith.
carguychris
New member
Despite this, I think it's worth mentioning that 3" is probably the least common M10 barrel length. However, the M10 is a very common gun overall, so this translates to a large number of 3" guns despite their relative rarity.Mike Irwin said:
Also, almost all 3" M10's are 1970's vintage or newer, and every one I've seen had a heavy bull barrel. I suspect that the decision to make 3" HB M10's was prompted by the increasing popularity of the 4" heavy barrel, which offered the muzzle-heavy balance of a 5"-6" gun in a smaller, more patrol-car-friendly package.
Apparently, some were made but are extremely rare. Interestingly enough, some were made for the European market, but with fixed sights. Essentially, they're Model 13's, but they're marked as 19's.
(This year's H&K calendar has a picture of a German police officer with one on his hip in a Bianchi holster.)
One of the advantages of the 3" models is that you get a full-length ejector rod. I also prefer the balance over the 2.5" models. I would post pictures of mine, but I don't want to make anyone cry with envy
686+ 3"
I have a 686+ w/ 3" bbl I bought new almost exactly a year ago.
It seems in the 686+, the 2.5" bbl's are more common. For me, I much prefer that precious extra 1/2" of bbl length over the 2.5". The 3" has a full-length extractor star (the 2.5 doesn't); and of course a little extra velocity (and at these short bbl lengths, 1/2" more is not insignificant).
I'm very happy with it. It's my carry revolver (cool weather attire required). It was a total impulse buy at the time. One day, I decided to poke my head into my LGS and it was behind the glass. I made the mistake of asking to take a closer look at it. Yeah, as soon as it hit my hand, I knew I just bought a gun
No regrets whatsoever.
(I'd add a pic, but Photobucket doesn't seem to like my login
)
I have a 686+ w/ 3" bbl I bought new almost exactly a year ago.
It seems in the 686+, the 2.5" bbl's are more common. For me, I much prefer that precious extra 1/2" of bbl length over the 2.5". The 3" has a full-length extractor star (the 2.5 doesn't); and of course a little extra velocity (and at these short bbl lengths, 1/2" more is not insignificant).
I'm very happy with it. It's my carry revolver (cool weather attire required). It was a total impulse buy at the time. One day, I decided to poke my head into my LGS and it was behind the glass. I made the mistake of asking to take a closer look at it. Yeah, as soon as it hit my hand, I knew I just bought a gun
No regrets whatsoever.(I'd add a pic, but Photobucket doesn't seem to like my login
)
This is my Model 36 3 inch barrel
I like 3 inch barreled revolvers..it is a happy medium
I recently purchased a Rossi 6 shot 357 mag..built on a "D" ish size frame... with a 3 inch barrel handy revolver...
And a older Intra arms Rossi 44 Special on the same frame size with a 3inch barrel
When I first became a LEO, I latched onto (by luck) a 3" barrel, square steel butt Model 36. I carried that gun off duty and later full time for more years than I like to think about. For those who feel .38 Special does not have enough power, I will note that I could routinely hit a 2" circle at 25 feet shooting double action, and could hit a silhouette target every shot at 100 yards, also DA. I never fired the gun at another human being, but never felt under gunned, either. That gun is still often near at hand and loaded.
Jim
Jim