IMHO the 3" M65 is the best concealed carry 357 Magnum ever made!

It is not nearly as "sexy" as the popular 2 1/2" M66 or M19, but better and more practical. Let me explain:

1) The 3" M65 gets more velocity (about 50 - 60 fps) out of the .357 cartridge because of the 20% longer barrel.

2) The M65 has no adjustable sights to catch on clothing, break or become out of adjustment

3) The M65 has better pointability and balance ( at least to me) than the shorter M66 does.

4) The M65 doesn't have the full under-lug (except for the "Ladysmith" version) and so it is lighter and trimmer than the M66

5) Unlike most J-Frame .357's the M65 is fully controllable and accurate with .357 Mag's. Shooting Magnums out of a J frame is impractical and difficult to do and do well. The 2 " tube of the J Frame is not really condusive to a .357 Magnum cartridge.

6) It is a no nonsense defense gun and I stoke mine with 180 grain hard cast LSWC .357 Magnum Buffalo Bore bullets while hiking in Bear Country.
Out of my 3" M65 I get a chronograped 1304 fps (avg) from that combo. A nice sized and reliable package to have with you while hiking through the woods.

Chief38