Rarity of the 3" barrel Smith and Wessons

I've been on the hunt for a Model 65 3", but they just aren't easy to find.
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They used to be pretty common, but folks started hoarding them about ten years ago. They're hard to find now, and they've gotten quite pricey.

Here's mine, because Buckeye started it:

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Seems like 3 inch revolvers always fetch premium ..looks like manufactures would produce them by the hoards...


almost forgot this Ruger Speed Six 357 close to a 3 inch ..its 2.75

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I know it ain't a Smith..
 
Tom Servo said:
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.
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Apparently, some were made but are extremely rare.
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Someone on another forum posted a pic of a 3" M19. It was his father's duty weapon when in the FBI:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=5439903&postcount=12

As to other 3" k-frames, fixed-sighted M10s, M64s, M13s and M65s are out there, but they're much less common than others. A 3" M66 (adjustable sights) is downright rare, and you can expect to pay Python prices for one in good condition.
 
I just saw that this thread was about 3" Smith & Wessons. Somehow I read it to only be about 3" K Frames.

Anyway, in addition to my 3" Model 10-5 SB, I have a nice little 36-1.

(Pictured with a Charter Bulldog 3" and GP100 3".)

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Great Gun

I had been looking for a 3" S&W 357 for quite some time back in '08 and couldn't find one. Purchased a 4" but still wanted the 3" version. Finally found a new one at a local gun shop, but it was at full MSRP ($699). Bit the bullet so to say and purchased it because of the low inventory. The box just says "Model 60" but the receipt from the gun shop says "Model 60-15." Not sure what the difference is between the different Model 60s, but I am very happy with mine and highly recommend it.
 
I have two S&W's with a 3" bbl.

The first is a 629 with an un-fluted cylinder.

The second is a model 60 with adj. rear sight.
 
Salsa said:
The box just says "Model 60" but the receipt from the gun shop says "Model 60-15." Not sure what the difference is between the different Model 60s, but I am very happy with mine and highly recommend it.
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The S&W Model 60 is a J frame revolver that has been produced since 1965. Yours is a 60-15, meaning it is the 15th version (or edition, if you're into books) since the original Model 60. As technology and designs change, minor upgrades/revisions are made to all of S&W's revolvers, and instead of giving them new Model numbers, they simply add the "-XX".
 
I used to have a 3" M13, but got newgunitis and traded it. The 3" is to me about the handiest length there is. I want more, both in J- and K-frames! It's just hard to choose which is actually handier: 5-shot vs a slightly larger 6!!
 
I know the thread is old, but I couldn't let it go by without some pics of my S&W Model 13-2 that is LNIB, unpinned barrel, but a recessed cylinder, making it a transition gun. Got it pictured with my favorite load for these, the Remington 158gr LHP+P .38 Special.
 

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That's a nice one j frame.

And good ammo choice too. The soft swaged 158 HP SWC is a good bullet for 38 Special. It has good weight, yet will expand. Low-tech but under-rated IMO.
 
"How about the model 60 Smith and Wesson?? Is this a rare find?? Yes, 3" barrel, 357."

No, not particularly. 3" Model 60s in both .38 and .357 are fairly common. I generally at least one or more at each gunshow I hit, and occasionally see them in the local shops.

As someone mentioned previously in this thread, it's likely that there are more 3" J frames than there are any other frame size.

Years ago I had a 3" square butt 36 in nickel that I ended up selling to a friend.

Last December I picked up a 3" round butt 36 blue to replace it.

3" I and J frame .32s are also fairly common.
 
3" S&W Model 60-15, .357 magnum

Yup. Not uncommon at all. I bought mine at an auction where there were 5 identical ones for sale. $250 5 years ago.
 
I have a 3" S&W 629. Don't know for sure how rare they are, but I've only seen 1 or 2 others with that length. Certainly not common.
 
Yes, the three inch Model 60s are pretty common. I have one. I also have a three inch Model 547 and a three inch Model 10. The M10 has a square butt and I have thought about having it converted to a round butt for carry. It's a police trade-in so it's not a collector piece.
 
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