The next gun on my list to buy is a small/medium frame revolver in .357. That much I know. However, for some reason I am fixated on getting one with a 3 inch barrel, instead of the usual snubbies, which are between 1 7/8 and 2 1/8 of an inch. I am assuming that the extra inch or so of barrel will improve accuracy somewhat, and get a bit more out of .357 loads, but you know what they say about assuming. Does it make up for the marginally more difficult concealed carry of the gun? So far as I know, only S&W and Ruger make guns with 3" barrels.
Why am I fixated on this?
- Thread starter priv8ter
- Start date
Will Beararms
New member
I have a 3" Taurus 605 .357 that has never missed a beat. Meanwhile back at the ranch, my NIB POS Smith and Wesson Model 60 2.1875" .357 shaved lead so bad within the first 60 rounds the thing has locked up. It will go back to the factory as soon as I get the return label.
I like the the three inch barrels. Go for it.
I like the the three inch barrels. Go for it.
priv8ter--
I have a 3" Dan Wesson with adjustable rear sight. The frame is comperable to a S&W L with a cylinder the size of a K. This gun is a 6 shot .357 and I really like it. Yes it's harder to carry concealed and a bit heavy but that means I can shoot boxes of .38s through it very comfortably and want more!!! I have had 2" snubbies and they are clearly more concealable but not as much fun to shoot, not as accurate, fixed rear sights, etc.
So many guns, so little money and time!!!
I have a 3" Dan Wesson with adjustable rear sight. The frame is comperable to a S&W L with a cylinder the size of a K. This gun is a 6 shot .357 and I really like it. Yes it's harder to carry concealed and a bit heavy but that means I can shoot boxes of .38s through it very comfortably and want more!!! I have had 2" snubbies and they are clearly more concealable but not as much fun to shoot, not as accurate, fixed rear sights, etc.
So many guns, so little money and time!!!
I have a 3" S&W 65 that I've used as a house gun for years. It's very comfortable to shoot even with magnum loads but it seems a bit large to carry concealed if you're a small framed guy. The 3" barrel makes it a lot more controllable than really short snubbies for me. If concealability is an issue, you might want to consider the 3" Ruger SP101.
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
Surprised no one's mentioned two things - - -
1. The three-inch guns have a full length ejector rod, and thus will completely extract/eject .357 empties. This, even if you don't hit it a solid lick with heel of the hand. It COULD make a difference some evil evening.
2. Unless you're into pants pocket carry, the three-inch bbl revolver is actually easier to conceal. The added half-inch probably won't show beneath the tail of your jacket or overshirt. If it does, concealment was marginal to begin with. BUT, the added barrel presses against the hip and keeps the butt pushed back into your side. Any size revolver with insufficient barrel, even in a decent holster on a proper belt, tents to sag outward, and you get burned by the butt bulge rather than muzzle peek. AND, with an IWB holster, or when you just cram gun sans holster into your waistband, the added length may keep it in place, where a short snubby had been known to pop out at inopportune moments.
Given the right holster/belt combo, many people hide four-inch magnums and full-size 1911s, while others of similar build print badly with a two- or 2-1/2 inch K-frame.
Best,
Johnny
1. The three-inch guns have a full length ejector rod, and thus will completely extract/eject .357 empties. This, even if you don't hit it a solid lick with heel of the hand. It COULD make a difference some evil evening.
2. Unless you're into pants pocket carry, the three-inch bbl revolver is actually easier to conceal. The added half-inch probably won't show beneath the tail of your jacket or overshirt. If it does, concealment was marginal to begin with. BUT, the added barrel presses against the hip and keeps the butt pushed back into your side. Any size revolver with insufficient barrel, even in a decent holster on a proper belt, tents to sag outward, and you get burned by the butt bulge rather than muzzle peek. AND, with an IWB holster, or when you just cram gun sans holster into your waistband, the added length may keep it in place, where a short snubby had been known to pop out at inopportune moments.
Given the right holster/belt combo, many people hide four-inch magnums and full-size 1911s, while others of similar build print badly with a two- or 2-1/2 inch K-frame.
Best,
Johnny