Jodie Forster had one in Silence of the Lamb, that's why I like them.
3" versus 2"
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629shooter
Member
If we are taking about three inch K, L, and N frames, you gain a full-length ejector rod. A big plus, when it comes time to reload in a hurry. Besides that, they shoot like their longer barreled counter parts.
That said, a 3" J-frame doesn't do too much for me. If I want to IWB/OWB carry I might as well step up to at least a K-frame.
If I could find a 60-10 to try, I might change my tune.
That said, a 3" J-frame doesn't do too much for me. If I want to IWB/OWB carry I might as well step up to at least a K-frame.
If I could find a 60-10 to try, I might change my tune.
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OP
I don't think I could pocket carry a 3" J-frame the same way I carry a short barreled J-frame. My 642 with a 1.875" barrel vanishes in my pocket. A K frame 2" doesn't work in my pocket at all. Interestingly, I have wood banana stocks on my 638 and they make pocket carry impossible, too. Only boot grips seem to work well.
Someone said we need pictures:
Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: Revolvers - Picture
Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: Revolvers - Picture
I tote that 638 around a lot; I use it as my car gun, sometimes I carry it in a "murse", to wit, a "man purse" - usually an over the shoulder, olive drab, military messenger bag. Sometimes I use a cool looking leather bag, depending on where I'm going, etc. In either case, however, I can carry way more gun if I choose to carry off body (I'm VERY damned careful with those bags if they're "loaded"). Anyway, my point is the 638 never goes in my pocket - that banana butt sticks right out.
I think I need a 3" J and K for my overall collection but for EDC I have to stick with the tiny 642.
Someone said we need pictures:
Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: Revolvers - Picture
Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: Revolvers - Picture
I tote that 638 around a lot; I use it as my car gun, sometimes I carry it in a "murse", to wit, a "man purse" - usually an over the shoulder, olive drab, military messenger bag. Sometimes I use a cool looking leather bag, depending on where I'm going, etc. In either case, however, I can carry way more gun if I choose to carry off body (I'm VERY damned careful with those bags if they're "loaded"). Anyway, my point is the 638 never goes in my pocket - that banana butt sticks right out.
I think I need a 3" J and K for my overall collection but for EDC I have to stick with the tiny 642.
flagman1776
Member
I carried my 36-1 IWB when I "drove" a dispatch desk, rare plainclothes duty, OD. 3" is easy to shoot well. When carried in a vertical holster (or FBI cant) the barrel length does not matter but cylinder & grip size does.
I carried my 3" 66-2, OWB OD. Easy to carry & shoot well.
I have / had a couple of 3" Lew Horton N frames. I don't care for the feel of the light barrel of the 624, like the HD of the 657. Never owned a 3 1/2" N frame but I'd like to.
I carried my 3" 66-2, OWB OD. Easy to carry & shoot well.
I have / had a couple of 3" Lew Horton N frames. I don't care for the feel of the light barrel of the 624, like the HD of the 657. Never owned a 3 1/2" N frame but I'd like to.
Richard Simmons
Member
For me it's looks and or balance. I like a 3" barrel more often than not over a 2" or 4" but I also like a 5" most time over a 4" or 6"/6.5". Sometimes it's neither. One of my grail guns would be a 3" Model 38 or 49. Not sure that length looks better or feels better. For those models it's more about rarity. I just don't see those models in that barrel length too often.
Another vote for the three inch!
I like the looks and feel of a 3 inch barrel. There was a 1975 vintage square butt, heavy barrel Model36-1 languishing among the tactical tupperware in the LGS last week. When the young'un in the black "perfection" T-shirt finally figured out what I was talking about when I said, "Let's see the revolver..." I made an offer, he stammered, I said, "Do you want to sell it or display it?" Guess he figured it was ruining his neighborhood, but the sock drawer refugee is here now! Barely a turn line. Three hundred bucks out the door, but the girlfriend seems to have taken a shine to it.
Luckily, a hundred years ago, someone thought a 3 inch Police Positive Special would be handy. If she lays claim to the J-frame, I still have the Colt. Plus the same Bianchi 5BHL holster that fits the Police Positive fits the old first generation Charter Arms Bulldog as well. There's something to be said for big, soft 245 grain bullets over 6.5 grains of Unique!
I like the looks and feel of a 3 inch barrel. There was a 1975 vintage square butt, heavy barrel Model36-1 languishing among the tactical tupperware in the LGS last week. When the young'un in the black "perfection" T-shirt finally figured out what I was talking about when I said, "Let's see the revolver..." I made an offer, he stammered, I said, "Do you want to sell it or display it?" Guess he figured it was ruining his neighborhood, but the sock drawer refugee is here now! Barely a turn line. Three hundred bucks out the door, but the girlfriend seems to have taken a shine to it.
Luckily, a hundred years ago, someone thought a 3 inch Police Positive Special would be handy. If she lays claim to the J-frame, I still have the Colt. Plus the same Bianchi 5BHL holster that fits the Police Positive fits the old first generation Charter Arms Bulldog as well. There's something to be said for big, soft 245 grain bullets over 6.5 grains of Unique!
Attachments
Here is a family picture of my S&W 3" K frame guns I posted about a little while back. Who wouldn't love these. Plus they look like they mean business. The top left gun is my model 65-5. Top right is a 10-8 in 38 special with factory target grips that match what the original box has marked on it. The middle left is a nickel 13-2 and the middle right is a 13-4. The bottom two guns are both 13-3's.
IMG_6498_zpsvhzkokyr.jpg.html]
IMG_6498_zpsvhzkokyr.jpg.html]
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Shorty 45 MK2
Member
I've not shot a 3" K-frame but have handled them at LGS's and at shows, so this is not the most informed opinion. 
But I prefer the 2" K-frames as personally I can tell little deference in getting good hits shooting SD drills next to a 4" and that the snubs tend to be a good $100 or so cheaper than the 3" versions in similar condition. Also haven't had an issue with ejecting spent brass (so far. knock on wood.) and lastly I tend to carry my 2" 64 appendix IWB so the shorter barrel length is better.
All that being said I still want a 3" fixed sight K frame, so I might just be bitter.
But I prefer the 2" K-frames as personally I can tell little deference in getting good hits shooting SD drills next to a 4" and that the snubs tend to be a good $100 or so cheaper than the 3" versions in similar condition. Also haven't had an issue with ejecting spent brass (so far. knock on wood.) and lastly I tend to carry my 2" 64 appendix IWB so the shorter barrel length is better.
All that being said I still want a 3" fixed sight K frame, so I might just be bitter.
My model 36-1 is so much easier ti aim and fire than my 442. Not sure if the 3 inch barrel helps the recoil as much as the extra 6 1/2oz but is sure helps helps that the site range is longer. I can carry both, but the 442 makes up for recoil with ease of concealment.
Nemo288
Member
Not all 3"ers have the longer ejector rod. The 396 is an example.
My only snubs are in 44 special so I have no experience with anything smaller.
But I do think the 3" does balance the weight and looks of the L frame 44.
(Nothing will balance the look of a Bulldog)
As far as performance the gain per inch is the most from 1" to 2" and second most from 2" to 3" and so on.
This can be important especially with the big, slow 44 bullets.
My only snubs are in 44 special so I have no experience with anything smaller.
But I do think the 3" does balance the weight and looks of the L frame 44.
(Nothing will balance the look of a Bulldog)
As far as performance the gain per inch is the most from 1" to 2" and second most from 2" to 3" and so on.
This can be important especially with the big, slow 44 bullets.
Attachments
M3Stuart
Member
Fair question.
I have 2" and 3" J's, 2.5", 3" and 4" K's. For me the 3" has better accuracy out to say 30' to 50' than the shorter barrel types, while the 4" shoots well out to 75'.
Soooo....different types for different purposes.
I have 2" and 3" J's, 2.5", 3" and 4" K's. For me the 3" has better accuracy out to say 30' to 50' than the shorter barrel types, while the 4" shoots well out to 75'.
Soooo....different types for different purposes.
bananaman
Member
flagman1776
Member
I'm glad you do not like 3" Smith's...
Do NOT Buy Any! NONE! You will just be unhappy, miserable with the not quite a snubby.
I, on the other hand, will scoop up your "rejects" all day long.
My 3" M36-1 the grips (factory bananna targets) & cylinder are bigger than the extra inch of barrel... working plain clothes, I had to prove I was armed to my OIC (Officer In Charge) IWB under a preppy sweater.
Do NOT Buy Any! NONE! You will just be unhappy, miserable with the not quite a snubby.
I, on the other hand, will scoop up your "rejects" all day long.
My 3" M36-1 the grips (factory bananna targets) & cylinder are bigger than the extra inch of barrel... working plain clothes, I had to prove I was armed to my OIC (Officer In Charge) IWB under a preppy sweater.
I once owned a S&W 60-15 as well as a 3" Ruger SP101 thinking they would offer a little bit of the best of both worlds being "stretch snubs", but found them to be a bad blend compromising the traits I feel most important in CCW, but I'm coming from the perspective of the only revolvers I'm interested in are snubs for CCW due to their enhanced weapon retention properties, ability to be pocket carried and quickness into action during ECQ scenarios, and in that context, 3" guns really offer no advantages.
10mmauto
Member
Balance and ejection. (Aesthetics if you are into that kind of thing.)
I have one 3" K frame, that I bought on a fluke. Threw out a silly low bid and forgot about it until I got notice I was the auction winner.
It quickly became one of my favored short barreled K frames. Hard to explain but it feels like I've got a REAL gun in my hand when I shoot it, unlike my J frame. The only downside is, it feels much heavier than my 2 1/2" K frames.
It quickly became one of my favored short barreled K frames. Hard to explain but it feels like I've got a REAL gun in my hand when I shoot it, unlike my J frame. The only downside is, it feels much heavier than my 2 1/2" K frames.
357-RevolverGuy
Member
3" is a good balance. It'll conceal like a 2" and shoot like a 4". Sort of like 5" barrel revolvers. Those shoot like 6" and carry like a 4".
jtcarm
Member
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True so long as your outer wear can cover the length.
I carry my 4" 66 in a Safariland 568 for IDPA. It feels like the butt is coming up into my arm pit. I wear a Large size T shirt but had to get a XXL fishing shirt to make sure the muzzle didn't show when I extend my arms out at 90.
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