2.5" or 3" - what to buy?

[jmoln]

I'm looking for a discussion on 2.5 vs 3 inch barrel lengths. I own two 66-3's with the 2.5" barrel and am thinking I also want a 3". I used to own a 3" 66 F-Comp (with lock) and regret selling it. My Dad has a 3" 65LS so I know I like the size, balance, and scalloped semi-lugged barrel.

So perhaps the issue I'm questioning is new/old, 66/686, lock/nolock. Finding an old, prelock, 3" 66 is hard. On the other hand I can pick up a new 3" 686 tomorrow at my local shop. Should I just go for the L frame and not worry about looking for the right K frame?

 

[18DAI]

I own both 2.5 and 3" 66's and a pre lock 3" 686.

Based on what I see the asking prices are for current production 686's with lock MIM and all the innovations, I'd save just a little more and find a nice 3" pre lock 66.

The 66 points better, handles faster, for me. For just a little more money you will have a superior revolver in the 3" 66. The 3" is likely to hold its resale value too. My 0.02 Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

 

[RightWinger]

the things I like about a 3 inch are....

Slightly better velocity
Better balance
Still very concealable
Better sight radius
Full length ejector rod
Extra weight could help with recoil and muzzle flip

To me the extra 1/2 inch has more pros than cons......

 

[mtime7]

I would look for a 65 in 3" and keep some money in my pocket..To me the prices for the 3" 66s seem way to high, from the few I have seen for sale.. Just my thoughts

 

[mike56]

My very first gun was a 2.5 model 19.
At the time, stainless model 60's were all the rage and hard to come by.
Our issue gun was a blackened 4 inch model 66, so the 19 was easy for me.

Had a 3 inch model 65 and loved it, but it was fixed sight.

I latched onto a hardly used pre-lock 686 in 3 inch and love it. Handles everything and sights can be adjusted for the loads.
It is heavier/bulkier than the k-frame, but the right holster handles that.

I guess it depends on if you want a better carry gun, or a great shooter?

 

[jmoln]

If I could find another 65LS that would be great - I prefer the smooth top rear sight and semi-lugged barrel. I don't care for the unlugged barrel.

That raises another question on the model 66 - did the transition to the current rear sight (three screw holes in frame, rounded front) coincide with the lock or did it preceed it? This is important as the C&S and D&L combat rear sights require the newer hole size and pattern and I don't care to redrill the old frame to accomodate it.

 

[Sebago Son]

3" guns will give you full length .357 case extraction. Such is not true with all 2.5" guns.

 

[SNW REV]

The three hole top strap came before the lock.

Frank

 

[18DAI]

It preceded the lock. The 66-4 was the first 66 to incorporate the rounded front on the sight leaf. The IL was incorporated on the 66-6. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I own both 2.5 and 3" 66's and a pre lock 3" 686.

Based on what I see the asking prices are for current production 686's with lock MIM and all the innovations, I'd save just a little more and find a nice 3" pre lock 66.

The 66 points better, handles faster, for me. For just a little more money you will have a superior revolver in the 3" 66. The 3" is likely to hold its resale value too. My 0.02 Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

Ditto! The 66 handles much better for me than the 686. Have both and woud rather take the 66 for SD.

 

[smith revolver cop]

I would look for a 65 in 3" and keep some money in my pocket..To me the prices for the 3" 66s seem way to high, from the few I have seen for sale.. Just my thoughts

I'll second this suggestion. Especially for concealed carry, I prefer the K frame and fixed sights. I don't know that you'll save a whole lot of money on the 65 vs. the 66, but that's what I'd go for. (I know you won't save money with a 65 LS, but that might be a nice one to look for!)

 

[Maximumbob54]

If you are talking concealment for 2.5 vs. 3 inch I would go with the longest barrel you can comfortably carry concealed. I know several people that put small grips on four inch barreled guns and think it works just fine in a proper holster. The standards of the longer the barrel means the more velocity, sight radius, mass vs. recoil, and more will apply for you as well.

As for a collectible... It is beyond me why some people can slam you for being fine with certain parts and pay a ransom price for finding a certain model. But to each their own.

 

[Sapper]

The 66 3" is the perfect weapon for a Ccw. A .357 with a 3" barrel, stainless, adjustable sights, what else could a man ask for? The thing I love about mine is were I point, it will almost always hit. Also it is drop dead reliable. And I will never feel under gunned. As far as your question goes all the notable advantages have been listed above.

 

[Dump1567]

If you do step-up to an L frame, you do get that 7th round if you want.

 

[jmoln]

What a great forum - thanks guys for all the thoughts and opinions. This definitely points me in the direction of a 3" K frame for size, pointability, balance, weight, ejection and style of the semi-lugged barrel. I also prefer smooth rear sights, thus my goal will be either a 65LS or a 66-4 or -5 to get the top strap that will accept a C&S sight. If I get too impatient I may even opt for a later model with the lock. I may even trade/sell one of my 2.5" if I find the right piece. Pictures will follow once the quest is fulfilled.

 

[Stainz]

Let me play devil's advocate...

Guess what costs $121 MSRP more than a 2.5"/3" 686+ - and only weighs 3 oz more?

A 2.5"-3" K/L frame is not much easier to conceal than the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR. Just a thought...

Stainz

 

[jmoln]

yeah but . . .
- its an N frame
- which is bigger than an L frame
- which is bigger than a K frame
- which is the goal for easy carry
- and another goal is the 3" barrel

yeah, its not much bigger but while a holster is the best way to carry such a revo I prefer to tuck it inside my belt at 11:00 o'clock perhaps in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster.

Nah, nice thought but just a bit too big.

Pinson, AL - huh? Perhaps you need to come up to Arley sometime and pop some caps with me in the woods alongside Smith Lake.

Anyway, I'll be at a show in Marietta this weekend picking up every S&W I see to figure out which ones feel best, and I'll be focusing on those tables that have used weapons. Finally, shows may be good to browse more than one piece at a time my local shops still end up having the best prices if I don't find what I want online in these forums.

 

[shotguntom]

I would look for a 65 in 3" and keep some money in my pocket..To me the prices for the 3" 66s seem way to high, from the few I have seen for sale.. Just my thoughts

While I already have both a 3" 66 and a 3" 65, I would tend to agree. The 66 prices are a lot higher than the 65. If I were in the market for a quality 3" gun, I would buy a 65.
JMHO,
Tom

 

[tom turner]

I LOVE the 3-3 1/2" barreled S&W revolvers (3" on J-K-L frames and 3 1/2" on the big N frames). They look great, point and draw faster than the 4" guns and shoot just as well, IMHO.

I've owned L frames but don't care for the heavy full-lugged barrel and the taller frame that results in the bore axis being higher.

IMHO, the higher bore axis which increases muzzle flip is balanced out by the additional weight BUT . . . why increase mass and weight when you want a CCW/carry revolver that will be fast, light and handy!

Thus, I'm totally done with L frames. Make mine the sleeker, faster K frames. Truly, the Model 65 revolvers with their dead-on fixed sights are perfect, and for pure shooting values I place my preference on the regular heavy barrel (standard) Model 65 over the classier-looking Ladysmith version.

Then again, our tastes change after we own a bunch of different guns. I went full circle . . . back to the 3" Model 65. Won a bunch of pin matches with mine too! What a gun!!!

2 1/2" K and L frames? Owned 'em too. As another said, no full-length extractor stroke + a real speed loss (and accuracy loss) with the shorter sight radius makes me REALLY appreciate the "perfect" 3" K frames over the 2 1/2" versions. Own 'em both . . . but totally prefer the sweet Model 65 3."

No S&W revolvers with locks for me, and no desire to have the seven shot guns with the change in trigger pull and stroke vs the 6 shooter versions. If I ever start craving a seven or eight shot . . . I'll realize I've been watching too much TV. LOL

Tom

 

[Marshal Tom]

I owned a 2.5" 66-2 that I had purchased in the early 80's, NIB. It was a great gun but I decided that I really wanted a 3" 66 instead. I looked and looked until I located a NIB 66-2 in 3". I really like it and am glad that I waited for the right one to come along at the right price. I also own a 3" 686 CS-1. It is nice but I just don't like the feel, weight etc. as much as the 66. I would look for a 3" 65 or a 66 without the lock. They are out there. Wait and get what you really want.

Tom