More 3" K frames

[John Patrick]

I stopped carrying them quite some time ago, when the three variable/lines crossed negating my interest in doing so. The three lines were value, capacity and weight, a polymer auto wins all three of these variables, IMO.
Capacity - a no brainer 6 versus 10/12/15 (pick one)
Weight - again, no brainer, the polymer autos are lighter and "less bulky"
Value - 3" K frames are getting more and more valuable and harder to find in "collectible" condition while the polymer auto is a "throw-away"...

Just sayin'

IMO, you have to want to carry a revolver. Maybe every time you carry or some of the time, or maybe just around the hunt club or farm.

Otherwise, imo, a 10 or 12 round, 1.1" wide, ~24oz (loaded) Sig P 365, 365X or 365XL makes a lot more sense.

As much as I appreciate the utility of my P365 and P365X, they are just tools, whereas each of my revolvers have a unique "personality" and bring me some element of joy, or, occasionally, annoyance.

 

[SmithNut]

....snip......

As much as I appreciate the utility of my P365 and P365X, they are just tools, whereas each of my revolvers have a unique "personality" and bring me some element of joy, or, occasionally, annoyance.

Completely agree, and don't get me wrong, for defensive carry the polymer auto is just more utilitarian and, as I said before, a "throw-away" tool.

Revolvers are certainly fun to shoot, this past weekend I went with my son-in-law and my grandson shooting in a "wild-cat" shooting area in Eastern Washington, we shot all kinds of stuff, but the most fun I had was popping clay trap targets on a side hill (~25-35 yards away) with my trusty old 3" M66-5, shooting double action. Lots of fun and my hit ratio was ~50-60% . Can't take complete credit for these hits, it must have been the Spegel grips....

 

[smithman]

Ha, I missed the opening quote key in my post though I managed to hit the close quote key. It should have been ..."all" ... rather than ...all"..., since you can never say never and never say always with S&W.

Is yours a 3" from the factory? What grips to you like on it?

Yes. It's a factory Aussie police export six shooter. Apparently lots of those are square butt. I like it because it has character as it is. I just keep the factory service grips on it.

 

[John Patrick]

Yes. It's a factory Aussie police export six shooter. Apparently lots of those are square butt. I like it because it has character as it is. I just keep the factory service grips on it.

I like the SB K frame magna style service grips, and they look great on fixed sight guns, imo. I'll sometimes put a grip adapter on one or another for a change, but like the service grips plenty without an adapter, and I especially like the look of PC magnas.

 

[John Patrick]

Here are a couple more photos of 3" K frames in holsters.

The holster with the clip is a Lobo Gun Leather and is shown in a post above, with a 65-5 LS, the holster with the loops is a Kramer Horsehide #2. I bought the Kramer second hand (for $45!,) it was made for a 3" M19 or M66 based on the sight channel, but works great with the fixed sight 3" revolvers with it without the extractor rod shroud.

The revolvers are the 65-5 LS again and an M10.

 

[jtcarm]

Here are a couple more photos of 3" K frames in holsters.

The holster with the clip is a Lobo Gun Leather and is shown in a post above, with a 65-5 LS, the holster with the loops is a Kramer Horsehide #2. I bought the Kramer second hand (for $45!,) it was made for a 3" M19 or M66 based on the sight channel, but works great with the fixed sight 3" revolvers with it without the extractor rod shroud.

The revolvers are the 65-5 LS again and an M10.

I've got that same Lobo holster for my 3" M64.

Great for AIWB carry.

 

[Moo Moo]

Yes. It's a factory Aussie police export six shooter. Apparently lots of those are square butt. I like it because it has character as it is. I just keep the factory service grips on it.

As mentioned a number of times before (I hope it doesn't bore anyone) I was a State Police officer in Australia; New South Wales Police Force. (We only have State and Federal Police in Australia). When I joined in 1996, I was issued with a 3" Model 10 with a square butt. NSWPF first went over to the Model 10's in 1967 until they started issuing Glock .40S&W from 1997 onwards. I didn't get my G22 until 1999.

3" barrel was chosen as the Commissioner of the day wanted these guns concealed under the issued Police Tunic. 4" barrels were too long for this. A few other States followed NSW's lead and also bought 3" Model 10's.

 

[stonebuster]

I've got that same Lobo holster for my 3" M64.

Great for AIWB carry.

Your photo gave me an idea on grips for my Model 64-5. The magnas it wears abuse my arthritic hands and my Model 10 trade in has Uncle Mike's like yours appears to be. I pulled the grips off the Model 10 and installed them on the Model 64 and they feel really good. My 64 will likely be limited to the range where comfort is the objective. My question is do you see marring of the side plate under the Uncle Mike's?

 

[jtcarm]

Your photo gave me an idea on grips for my Model 64-5. The magnas it wears abuse my arthritic hands and my Model 10 trade in has Uncle Mike's like yours appears to be. I pulled the grips off the Model 10 and installed them on the Model 64 and they feel really good. My 64 will likely be limited to the range where comfort is the objective. My question is do you see marring of the side plate under the Uncle Mike's?

I'm not sure what you mean by marring.

Rubber doesn't mar but does leave a visible outline of the grips that I haven't been able to remove. Rubber traps moisture which is magnified by every-day AIWB carry here in Texas (which is why my carry guns are all stainless).

Maybe it wouldn't be there if I were more anal about cleaning.

The Uncle Mikes are the perfect grips, IMO. All of my K-frame RBs wear them.

 

[scout II]

Please don't hate me for this. My fishing carry gun is a 3" fixed sight Taurus 65 in a Bianchi Black Widow holster. I really like the looks of the 3" under-barrel. I wish S&W would have done that to their model 13. That Taurus cost me about $150.00 OTD when I bought it brand new many many years ago. My S&W model 13's and 65's are just worth too much to carry anymore.

 

[smithman]

As mentioned a number of times before (I hope it doesn't bore anyone) I was a State Police officer in Australia; New South Wales Police Force. (We only have State and Federal Police in Australia). When I joined in 1996, I was issued with a 3" Model 10 with a square butt. NSWPF first went over to the Model 10's in 1967 until they started issuing Glock .40S&W from 1997 onwards. I didn't get my G22 until 1999.

3" barrel was chosen as the Commissioner of the day wanted these guns concealed under the issued Police Tunic. 4" barrels were too long for this. A few other States followed NSW's lead and also bought 3" Model 10's.

Was that flap holster in your picture the issued carry holster?

 

[Moo Moo]

Was that flap holster in your picture the issued carry holster?

Yes they were at one stage.

 

[stonebuster]

I'm not sure what you mean by marring.

Rubber doesn't mar but does leave a visible outline of the grips that I haven't been able to remove. Rubber traps moisture which is magnified by every-day AIWB carry here in Texas (which is why my carry guns are all stainless).

Maybe it wouldn't be there if I were more anal about cleaning.

The Uncle Mikes are the perfect grips, IMO. All of my K-frame RBs wear them.

Some Pachmayr rubber grips I've used have metal under a very thin layer of rubber in places to stiffen them which wears through the rubber causing metal on metal. This scratches the finish which is what I meant by marring. I'll just keep an eye on it because they feel too darn good to take off. I shouldn't be so anal about it anyway but my Model 64-5 finish is nearly perfect.

 

[John Patrick]

Was futzing around my gun room and grabbed a couple more 3" in holster shots.

Just the 65-5 LS in the two photos.

Iirc, a Masters Leather, made in USA holster. Vertical strong side or cross draw options, but I prefer cross draw slot on strong side in front of my hip pocket. Not an expensive holster but works great. Triple K in the second photo. I stretched both holsters to accommodate my 3.2" 386 MountainLite, but with the thumb break they still work with a K frame.

 

[jdlii]

A Mod. 65 with a 3" barrel is the one that I currently care for and have carried on occasion. The former owner sent it back to S&W for the "Master Package" treatment and there is not doubt that it made a difference.

 

[Llance]

Some Pachmayr rubber grips I've used have metal under a very thin layer of rubber in places to stiffen them which wears through the rubber causing metal on metal. This scratches the finish which is what I meant by marring. I'll just keep an eye on it because they feel too darn good to take off. I shouldn't be so anal about it anyway but my Model 64-5 finish is nearly perfect.

Put a piece of heavy construction paper under your Pachs and cut to fit then oil the paper before screwing down the grips. Stops the marring.