I'm fortunate to have bought, new, a Model 65-5 with a 3" heavy barrel. The ballistics are a good compromise between a snubby and a longer barrel. It is a joy to shoot in .38 Special, a little livelier in .357 Magnum. I've had it since the early 1980's.

I also have a Model 60 with a 3" barrel -- picked it up used recently -- it looks like a baby 686. It is just fine with .38 Special, but has a lot of recoil in .357 Magnum (which I don't generally shoot in it).

I even have a Ruger SP101 (with adjustable rear sight!) with a 3" barrel, in .32 H&R Magnum.

So across the three guns, what stands out is the perfect proportions of the 3" barrel with a revolver. Perfection!

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S&W Rover