In my mind, a 2.5"-3" 66/65, at 32 oz and 7 7/8" OAL, is a bit big for a pocket gun. I have a 642 and 296, each with a Mika pocket holster & boot grips, for fast presentation, as pocketable protectors. A standard hammer, again, in my mind, belongs in an OWB holster. That line of reasoning made the UDR pictured a valid choice for holster carry - even at 37.6 oz & 7 5/8" OAL. I liked it so well, I sold an old friend to buy another one - as a house defender! It's a Performance Center revolver - with several nice added goodies, too. I can shoot it as well as I do my 4" 627 Pro - a 2.5" - 3" barrel is 'sufficient' for some decent plinking.
Oddly, that line of reasoning, larger is a better 'deal', led to the CRK Umnumzaan shown, too. I wanted a 'nice' little knife to commemorate my getting my first SS retirement check... and went a bit overboard there, too. And - the tired references to 'The Lock' and current production being inferior - need to be addressed. I think it's hideous - and hate paying extra for it's parts - but it's a fact of life, ever since it was introduced nearly ten years ago - during Bush's reign. Guess how much S&W has had to spend defending themselves against lawsuits over it's operation? ZERO! It is a 'necessary evil', if you want to buy something recent, of course, it'll have an IL. Even my 642-2 pocket gun still sports it's IL.
Oddly, I had a 2" 10, a 10-11 bought new 9/03, when my wife decided she wanted a 3" 65 - like the LS version. That 2" 10, standing and hand held with my plinker loads, could ping steel plates at 100-110yd 3-4 times out of 6 once I found the elevation 'drop' - unreal plinker! I bought a late 80's production 3" 65, a security guard company trade-in, from a mail order store. Lots of scratches/dings, but very little use - new inside, in fact. Cleaned up - goncalo alves rounded fg Hogues fitted to her hand, and she liked the 65 - just couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it (It was her!) - especially with +P 158gr LHPSWC's. She declared my 2" 10 hers - and I put those fitted Hogues on it - instant sharpshooter - with the same ammo. Go figure. I sold the 65 - too cheaply. I miss the 2" 10 - it's 'her' gun now - a car gun - her pocket gun is a Seecamp .32... barf!!
If I had a 2.5" K-frame, I wouldn't sell the farm for a 3"-er, JMHO.
Stainz
PS One thing the K-frames, with partial or no lug, have over the L-frames, etc, is the feeling of balance. Nothing feels as natural in the hand as a 4" 64, 65, 66, or 67. The shorter barrel models - and my 6" 66 - cannot match that natural pointing, either - it seems, to me, solely a trait of the 4"-er. Oddly, the difference in trigger feel between my 6-7-8 shooters seems minimal - and easily managed.
