Which 3" model S & W is the best?
- Thread starter dentodoc
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Sammunition.44mag
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You could go with an M629 Trailboss, which is the stainless 3 inch .44 mag. So you could shoot .44russian, .44spc, .44spc+p (if such a round is made) and .44 mag. Its an "N' frame, but extremely compact and handy. The gun also has an esthetic appeal for those who like unfluted cylinders. BTW...I wasnt too crazy about the lanyard ring on the Trailboss, so I swapped it out with the grip screw on my 686+ duty gun...perfect!
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I just absolutely love my performance center trail boss 3" (Factory magna-ported w/4 ports.) 629 as a woods/hiking gun.
I never believed that porting could make such a difference!!
It has 1/4 the recoil of my same-length .41 mag 657.
It has an excellent DA trigger, power to spare, and the durn thing has the recoil of a .357 magnum shooting .38 specials.
It does a number on raccoons!
And accurate to boot.
I never believed that porting could make such a difference!!
It has 1/4 the recoil of my same-length .41 mag 657.
It has an excellent DA trigger, power to spare, and the durn thing has the recoil of a .357 magnum shooting .38 specials.
It does a number on raccoons!
And accurate to boot.
4thHorseman
New member
I guess your asking about a 3" because it will be concealed carry.
Probably within reason, a 3" may be as big as you can go effectively on a CCW. I have a L-frame and it was hog leg to carry around. So now it sits in the safe.
A k-frame probably will be your answer in 357 mad catagory.
A L-frame is much bigger and defeats the practical side of CCW.
The best balanced 3" I have found is the model 65 in SS or 13 in blue.
Probably within reason, a 3" may be as big as you can go effectively on a CCW. I have a L-frame and it was hog leg to carry around. So now it sits in the safe.
A k-frame probably will be your answer in 357 mad catagory.
A L-frame is much bigger and defeats the practical side of CCW.
The best balanced 3" I have found is the model 65 in SS or 13 in blue.
Didn't someone make a 3" M19??? If so, that would absolutely be my first choice. I would really, really like one with a good blue finish.
Otherwise, I honestly think any 3" K or L frame would do well. The M13/65/65LS are classics here, and good reasons too. Grips are easy to change.
And one of the M24 3"ers would be a great pistol too...
Otherwise, I honestly think any 3" K or L frame would do well. The M13/65/65LS are classics here, and good reasons too. Grips are easy to change.
And one of the M24 3"ers would be a great pistol too...
CC a Colt DS for years but found a M13PC 3" at a local shop, I no longer have the DS. I only use 38+Ps out of her (but had to fire a few 357s just to prove it...!) and either the wife or I can nail a can to the wall at 25. Great gun, great point, too bad they don't list it anymore.
Go with the 357.
The main reasion is resale, There just easer to sell if you ever want to get rid of it. But load 38's if the recoil bothers you.
5 shot or 6 depends on your ability to carry and conceal. Your selection are all good reliable guns which shows you have been reading.
For my self, I dont plan on getting in a fire fight so 5 or 6 means nothing to me, and if I do need to protect my self the better money is spent on ammo becoming proficent. If your going to carry a gun and dont plan on shooting at least 500 rounds through it in a short time, then dont carry one.
God made men equal, Colt made them ok with that.
The main reasion is resale, There just easer to sell if you ever want to get rid of it. But load 38's if the recoil bothers you.
5 shot or 6 depends on your ability to carry and conceal. Your selection are all good reliable guns which shows you have been reading.
For my self, I dont plan on getting in a fire fight so 5 or 6 means nothing to me, and if I do need to protect my self the better money is spent on ammo becoming proficent. If your going to carry a gun and dont plan on shooting at least 500 rounds through it in a short time, then dont carry one.
God made men equal, Colt made them ok with that.
I've had an M-19 in four inch for many years and have been looking for one in 2 1/2 for quite some time. They're hard to find here in good condition at not outrageous prices.
I'd skip over the L frames to and go with an N frame for larger calibers. I have a couple 629's in three inch that carry just as well in a proper holster and belt and I'm no big guy either.
I'd skip over the L frames to and go with an N frame for larger calibers. I have a couple 629's in three inch that carry just as well in a proper holster and belt and I'm no big guy either.
For CCW I would go with a S&W Model 65, ladysmith or whatever you like.
The lack of adjustable sights is a huge plus for a revolver in CCW. At first I carried a M19 2 1/2 with adj sights. Great shooter but the sights snag and I've heard of them breaking.
I like J-frames Ok, just from my experiance K frames are a better shooter than both the J or L frame revolvers. L frames will take a lot more of a pounding over the long run, but just doesn't point or hold in the hand the way an old K frame does.
Although....
Smith & Wesson has out a stocking dealer gun, a 5' barreled 686 with High
vis sights which might be the perfect general purpose 357
The lack of adjustable sights is a huge plus for a revolver in CCW. At first I carried a M19 2 1/2 with adj sights. Great shooter but the sights snag and I've heard of them breaking.
I like J-frames Ok, just from my experiance K frames are a better shooter than both the J or L frame revolvers. L frames will take a lot more of a pounding over the long run, but just doesn't point or hold in the hand the way an old K frame does.
Although....
Smith & Wesson has out a stocking dealer gun, a 5' barreled 686 with High
vis sights which might be the perfect general purpose 357
Arizona Fusilier
New member
I have a 3" Model 13 round-butt, with Guy Houges hard, pebbled grain grips. My most potent CCW; I recommend this configuration highly.
LeadPumper
New member
K Frame S&W
I used to think the 686 was well balanced. At least until I handled this 66-6 PC F-Comp. It's a great range gun, though I doubt I'd carry it even if I could.
-LeadPumper
I used to think the 686 was well balanced. At least until I handled this 66-6 PC F-Comp. It's a great range gun, though I doubt I'd carry it even if I could.
-LeadPumper
Tamara - you missed out on getting one of the 3" 657s! 
It's pretty hard to go wrong with a 3" S&W with fixed sights for carry. The model 13 & 65 are twins with the 65 simply being a stainless steel version of the blued M13. Likewise, the Model 19 & 66 are the same twins with adjustable sights.
I have a 2.5" S&W 66 that does good duty as a CCW gun. You can probably find a 2.5" model 19 if you prefer a blued gun (I'm still looking). Another possibility is to obtain a used 4" version of the gun and either have a gunsmith change the barrel out or cut it down and recrown the barrel. A friend did this with a beat up looking police trade in model 19. He polished out the dings & scratches as best he could, had the barrel cut down by a good 'smith for $80 then had the gun reblued. The result was a very nice carry gun.
The 686, IMO, is a tad large for CCW. At 5'8" I can't conceal an L-Frame as easily as a K-Frame.
It's pretty hard to go wrong with a 3" S&W with fixed sights for carry. The model 13 & 65 are twins with the 65 simply being a stainless steel version of the blued M13. Likewise, the Model 19 & 66 are the same twins with adjustable sights.
I have a 2.5" S&W 66 that does good duty as a CCW gun. You can probably find a 2.5" model 19 if you prefer a blued gun (I'm still looking). Another possibility is to obtain a used 4" version of the gun and either have a gunsmith change the barrel out or cut it down and recrown the barrel. A friend did this with a beat up looking police trade in model 19. He polished out the dings & scratches as best he could, had the barrel cut down by a good 'smith for $80 then had the gun reblued. The result was a very nice carry gun.
The 686, IMO, is a tad large for CCW. At 5'8" I can't conceal an L-Frame as easily as a K-Frame.
I've always been really partial to J frames with 3 inch barrels. I have a Model 36 with a tapered barrel, a model 60 with a heavy barrel, and a model 650 as a practice gun.
When I started in police work (1981) the 3 inch J frame was a popular choice for off duty & backup gun use among the "shooting enthusiasts" on the City PD and Sheriff's Department.
I still qualify with my S&W 60 quarterly and carry it off duty once in a while.
When I started in police work (1981) the 3 inch J frame was a popular choice for off duty & backup gun use among the "shooting enthusiasts" on the City PD and Sheriff's Department.
I still qualify with my S&W 60 quarterly and carry it off duty once in a while.
$.02 ( might need change! )
I am a sucker for the classic lines of an older K Frame.
I don't kow that this will help you, but I do know that with just a little looking you can locate good used 3" Model 10. It will digest standard .38's all day long and mine handled the .38 +p ocassionally with no complaint.
I would suggest standard .38's for practice, with the ocassional cylinder of +p for familiarization. Then, carry the +p's for defense. Chaeck out Corbon ammo for that.
Just my thought, but I guess the name may indicate a SMALL preference
Good luck in your search and safe shooting.
I am a sucker for the classic lines of an older K Frame.
I don't kow that this will help you, but I do know that with just a little looking you can locate good used 3" Model 10. It will digest standard .38's all day long and mine handled the .38 +p ocassionally with no complaint.
I would suggest standard .38's for practice, with the ocassional cylinder of +p for familiarization. Then, carry the +p's for defense. Chaeck out Corbon ammo for that.
Just my thought, but I guess the name may indicate a SMALL preference
Good luck in your search and safe shooting.