Hey all,

Like seemingly everyone on here, I too love the 3 inchers. The only one I have right now is a 65-5 3 inch with factory grips with T adapter. I love it. Haven't shot it too many times with the heavy stuff though. I got it about 5 years ago from one of the places in SGN. The lady told me they got them from PD's that were modernizing. The trigger on mine is as good as I have felt on any handgun. Someone must've had work on it.

Anyway, what I am curious about is what 3 inch 357 or 38+P would be easier to conceal and ggive you a better edge. I know mine is a K frame, are the 3 inch 66's also K frames? One of my other possibles is a 586 L Comp. It holds 7 and I believe it is an L frame which is larger than they ones I mentioned earlier, aren't they? I would like to have an extra round in their to at least get close to the popular autos that are in use by everyone. I know I can't catch the Wonder Nines, but I can nip at the heels of the 1911's and some of the COMPACT versions in autos.

Lastly, how would the 687 BloodSPort compare to the others 3 inchers I mention? Would it be MUCH BIGGER than the others or kinda close?

My all time drea 3 inch would be the M27 with 3 inch barrel. Gosh I adore that gun, but I don't think it is suited for CCW use.

OK, I' went on too long.

So what do you all think would be the most concealbel 357,mag 3 inch? Does the 386 Mountain Lite count in your thinking? Kool gun, but don't know how it would wear and draw in a holster.

Let me know what you think as this could be important in the coming months.

Thank you for your time. Of course if I left any off the list, feel totally free to school me Obi Wans....

Thank all,

Nalajr

60-10 or 60-15 would be the smallest frame. 65 would be the smallest frame with fixed sights, I believe. add service grips to make either easier to conceal.

In my opinion, your 3" model 65 is a good balance between size and concealability. The 3" 66 is a K frame but are difficult to find (expensive) and not all that different for your intended purpose; likewise with the alloy L frame 386. A steel L frame like the 586 or N frame like the 627 PDR (I presume you meant to write "Bloodwork") or 3.5" 27 would be big and heavy to carry regularly, but if you commit to doing that they are great. The 3" J frame .357s are easier to carry but more difficult to shoot than your 65.

Whichever you choose, mindset and training are just as if not more important than hardware. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'd stick with the 65, set up just as you have it and use a DeSantis IWB suede holster. I use one with my 642 and a loose t-shirt.

I carry a 3" N Frame quite frequently and I like that 3" barrel because it clears the holster more quickly than does the 4" barrel. Getting the revolver OUT of the holster is a much more important consideration to me. I carry my 3" revolver in a holster that was made for the 4" revolver, so concealing that extra 1" of barrel is really no challenge to me. As to which frame size is more easily concealed, the smaller revolvers will have smaller cylinders, making them easier to conceal. But to me the difference is not a big deal.

Dave Sinko

Product: Model M&P360

Personally, I have owned several 3" over they years (including an ultralight 360SC right now), and found it to be the most useless barrel length ever! To long to be a good pocket revolver....but to short for hunting or dangerous game defense. That said, the M&P360 is a sweet little gun!

My 65,3" bull barrel works great for me. I use Hogue grips on it.

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NRA Bene Life, SWCA 2372

I have snubbies in j,k,l &n frames. My 65-5 3incher is by far the best all around concealed gun. I usually carry my 342 though because of how easily it slips in my pocket. I have factory wood magnas on mine.

My 686 3" conceals well in it's pancake holster covered by a shirttail. It's really tight to the body.

I often carry my model 36 3". I bought it for my wife to use as a home defense weapon but was very impressed when I started training with it for concealed carry. It is the fastest handgun I own to draw and engage a target. I think it's the small "old school" grips that are easy to grab. I don't think it's what you are looking for but I was surprised that this little pistol handled so well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bdQOrYjrHs

I have a 4" 686+ which is not hard to conceal. A 3" with a boot grip would be even easier, and heavy enough to manage recoil well. The grips, more than cylinder size, determine concealability. A steel 3", at 38 oz or so, is a little heavy, but not bad with a good belt. That's about the same weight as an aluminum 1911 Commander.

Your ears are gonna ring for a while

I have a 3" 65-6, a 586 L-Comp, and a chopped 2.75" 25-2 with the grip frame cut down to K round butt dimensions. Of the three, the 65 is the lightest and most convenient/comfortable for carry. I'd keep the gun you have and buy some good leather and some speed loaders or strips. I wouldn't fret over capacity, how many bullets you have isn't nearly as important as what you can do with them.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

I can say that the 3-inch Model 13 would be a good gun, but I love my 3 1/2 27 and I have never had any problems concealing it. Each is going to be to his own.

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Vaya con Dios

I have a model 10 3" and I think - since you want .357 - that your 65 would be the best thing going for concealed carry.

Methinks you may have caught the 'disease' that afflicts me; I sometimes find it difficult to "...just sit there and be happy with the really, really cool thing we already have...".

I prefer .38 so I need to just sit here and be happy - stop wishing I could find a stainless version, or a 2", or a ....it just never ends!

JMHO...

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But then, what do I know?

I would stick with the 65. I really like my 13-3 3 incher

WC145:

Your 25-2 is BEAUTIFUL !

Did you have the work done? If so, by whom?



Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

I had a couple M13 3" that were great. But as usual, I sold both of them. Have a M66 3" now, but I'll probably sell it too. Pretty much gone to 1911's for carry any more.

Thanks, but the only credit I can take is for being smart enough (and quick enough) to buy it from another forum member who had listed it in the classifieds here.

He bought this one (which is Armoloyed) and a matching blued version from the original owner who sent them to Austin Behlert to be modified. It has the full Behlert treatment - shortened barrel, crane ball detent, K round grip frame, smoothed trigger face, recontoured hammer spur, action job, etc, very similar to the Jovino guns.

It's a great shooting and handling gun. Right now it's at Pinnacle getting tightened up, a new ball detent, and the charge holes chamfered. Can't wait to get it back and shoot it!

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

My 13-3 3" is one of my favorite guns - and I'm more an auto guy than a revolver guy.

So the 3" is too big for pocket... I'm not going to pocket carry a K-frame, so I don't care.

It's too short for hunting... that's why I have a 6" Model 29.

But the 3" balances well, points well, clears leather easily... and it has one more advantage that I haven't seen addressed yet in this thread - it offers a full-length ejector rod. This is helpful with .38 cases, and extremely helpful with .357 brass.

2.5" and shorter don't have full-length rods, and are not forgiving of less than perfect form on ejection.

I would keep it simple and dance with the one ya brung! That 3" 65 sounds just like what you are wishing you had! Sure there are other options, and they arent nessasarly better. I have a 3" 66-3 lew horton special, ported and trilijon night sights, also a 2 1/2" python. And then again I have a 3" model 36, a 5 shot but still can handle hot 38s on occasion. I find myself packing the 36 more even though I got the desireable pythons and 66-3. That is strickly do to the 36 being so much more lighter on the belt than the others, and by the way, I mostly use the same ammo! You get right down to it, if your going to pack a 3" on the belt OC, really can almost pack a 4" as easily! Got plenty of them too, but a old pencil barreled 4" M&P gets carried a lot too. Thats cause I dont like banging my pythons or 66-3 around on the dusty trails I ride.
Save yourself the exspence, you already have as good as it gets!

My 3" 66-3 carries very well although it shares time with the 2 1/2 66-1. The full ejector rod does make a difference on reload.

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Model 60-15 with a Pachmayr Compac Pro is very easy to hide. IWB holster or a Rhino Holster that fits between the belt and the outside of pant work just fine.

HiCap

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HiCap

I agree with many of the other posters. Your 3" 65 probably has the best balance between controllability and shootability of any DA revolver. I've carried mine IWB with very little difficulty, using only an untucked shirt for a covering garment.

You don't need to carry it with heavy loads, unless you want to. I've carried the Speer 135gr Short-Barrel GDHP in both .357 Magnum and .38 Special +P. The heaviest load I carried and shot in it was Buffalo Bore standard pressure .38 Special 158gr LSWCHP. My favorite load, though, was the Winchester 110gr SJHP in .357 Magnum, but there was just too much muzzle flash for me to use it as a self-defense load.

Model 13 3" good conceal and firepower when the wolfs knockin at the door...just my 2 cents..

I like the M36-1 3" or the M60-4 3" carried in an El Paso #77 Tortilla holster.

Except for the "Bloodwork" revolver, I own all the revolvers in your post.

The 3" 65 and 3" 13 are the most ideal carry revolvers made, IMO. Good size and capacity.

The 3" 66's are very nice too. Adjustable sights are great, although some feel they are prone to snag or break. I like them.

The Pre lock L-comp is bulkier than either the 3" 65 or 66. I doesn't handle as quickly or point as naturally as the K-frames do, for me.

I'd hold what you have and add to your collection as you go along. Regards 18DAI.

The 65 3" is about as good as it gets. I've got a 4". My 66 no dash 2.5 is also a great carry revolver. I know this is a S&W forum, but my Ruger SP101 3" is the easiest to conceal and I am more accurate with it.

THAT's awesome, what a great carry piece

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RIP Labworm 11/22/2019