...does the sight of a 3"....

[SuperMan]

...gun drive people mad? Must as these prices are INSANE!!!

I picked up a mint 13 just like this last year off GB for less than half of this one...

Just a moment...


..also have one of these in nice shape but no box....

Just a moment...



...and a .44 3"....$3k!!

Just a moment...


I think this is closer to 3" than 2.5....

Just a moment...


Have seen two 3" 547 9mm 3" guns sell for the mid $2000s in the last month....there is another on GB now...who knows where that one will go...


So do 3" guns drive you "wild"????

Bob

 

[Rodan]

Yes.

2 Smiths on my 'list' are a 3" M66 and 3" CS-1, and the current prices are just nuts.

I was watching the M66 and M629 auctions you linked... I figured the porting on the 66 would hold it back, but apparently not. Both of those sellers manage to get very high prices on their items...

FWIW, I have seen two 3" M66s go for reasonable prices here on the forum in the last couple of months. I bought a very nice 3" M13-3 for $700 locally last year, and a 3" M65 for $600 locally during covid. I passed on a 3" M627 locally last year at $1000. If it had been a 629 I would likely have bought it.

The problem with some of the rarer models is the auction sites are the only place to find them, and the prices reflect that. Even my small local shops are now putting collector guns up on the auction sites and not out on the shelves because they get more for them. It's a self-feeding monster...

 

[22hipower]

Yes.


The problem with some of the rarer models is the auction sites are the only place to find them, and the prices reflect that. Even my small local shops are now putting collector guns up on the auction sites and not out on the shelves because they get more for them. It's a self-feeding monster...

Seems to be going that way, auctions getting most of the collectible pieces, although someone was here last week with an Effector that they found for $1200, at an LGS if memory serves. That one in the OP's link sold for about double what I would have expected.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Hawg Rider]

Although I've been "acquiring" S&W revolvers for quite a few years, most have been N-frames and K-frames with 2", 2-1/2", 4", 6", and 6-1/2" barrels. However, I've recently developed a liking for the 3" barrel as well as for the L-frames. Like Rodan, I'd like to have a 3" CS-1 revolver, and I've been trying (unsuccessfully so far!) to pry one away from my son's boss. He's also got a Lew Horton 3" Model 29-3 that I wouldn't mind picking up, too. While I patiently wait, I did buy a 3" Model 686-6 Plus that I'm very happy with.

 

[Plinkasaurusrex]

There was a 3", M657, no dash, Lew Horton for sale at a local gun show yesterday. He was asking $2250. If I were a collector, I would have jumped on it.

 

[SuperMan]

Have had four of the the 3" 657s over the years...kept the one in the poorest shape and is Mag-Na-Ported....but a great action and accurate shooter.

FYI...they were not LH Exclusives...they were a Stocking Dealer Special...5500 of them.

Generally they sell for $1600-2000 on GB...

 

[ImDrRich]

Gun prices are going through the roof everywhere. Given the prices of the newer, very good brands such as BulArmory and Staccato, I'm not surprised.

It seems that the prices on the most desirable models (625, etc.) are crazy but somehow people find the funds, although personally I am resisting anything more that $1300.00, which is what I paid for my immaculate 13-3.

 

[Bald1]

There was recently a custom 3” model 10 on GB by by Raven Arms or something like that ( I’m probably wrong). Action job, DAO and ported. I actually read about it online. I think they were asking over $2k. I don’t think they said what the barrel originally came off of but it was a donor

 

[alwslate]

I have a very nice 3" RB model 10-8 that I bought several years ago at a gun show for $225. It is a very good revolver, tight as new, but is a fairly common fixed sight model 10. So I guess at today's prices it is worth a lot more than I paid for it. Don't understand it but I like mine so it's not for sale.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

Picked up a 3 inch 65 LS a week ago 1000 with incorrect box. Seen a 3 inch 10 for 900. Might have got it for less but I didn’t ask. I think the 3 inch guns are just about right. Probably my favorite barrel length though I only have a handful of them.

 

[bobsguns]

3" models have been steadily climbing in the last 5-6 years. I don't know if there's a specific single reason for that, to be honest. There was certainly fewer of them made than other bbl lengths.

I got a 3" Model 36 a year or two before covid at a Knoxville gun show. The owner was walking around with it but had no takers. I asked him to see me before he left, see if we could agree on a price. He did & we did. I think I got it for either $350 or $400. It's well above 90%, no telling what it would bring on the market these days.

When I become King of S&W. I think there'll be a good run of J-frames with 3" barrels, just to see how they sell. We all know K-frame 3" models sell.

I also have some modern Colts in 3".

 

[Grayfox]

I consider a 3" K-frame to be the ideal carry revolver. Big enough to shoot well, but small enough to carry and conceal. They're always been very popular and bring the big bucks.
I have 3" Models 10-8 and 13-4.
I also have 3" Models 60-4 and 696 that I have used on many camping/hiking trips.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I always wondered if "snubbie" applied to any handgun over 2.5" because they don't look snubbie to me, but maybe it's just a matter of taste.

2.5" M686+ - this is a snubiie!

3" M686+ - this is not!

As always, YMMV and, no, I'm not bat wing crazy for 3" revolvers, I just liked this one to complete a trio, the third being a 4", and they have a 6" 586 cousin.

 

[WCCPHD]

Can't understand why people go crazy over the 3 inch S&W's.

 

[boykinlp]

There are 2 barrel lengths that I have never chased, but look at more now. A 3 incher and an 8 3/8 incher. Both are appealing now, just because!
Larry

 

[413Maxwedge]

I'm new to the revolver game but I consider the 3" guns a compromise. Smaller than a 4" duty length, but better shooting and extracting than a 2" stubby. Not a range gun, and not a pocket gun.
A compromise that I wouldn't pay extra for.

That being said, I really like my 3" 686+. It shoots well and fits in a winter coat pocket well. It's mainly my nightstand gun. I am LTC and live in an open-carry state but it's too bulky for me to edc.

I DO go ga-ga for 2" - 2.5" K/L frames though. I could see myself spending dumb money on an L-frame converted to 2".

 

[DR505]

Have had four of the the 3" 657s over the years...kept the one in the poorest shape and is Mag-Na-Ported....but a great action and accurate shooter.

FYI...they were not LH Exclusives...they were a Stocking Dealer Special...5500 of them.

Generally they sell for $1600-2000 on GB...

I still have two of them. Each was right at $800 a few years back. Only one had the original combat stocks though.

 

[AJ]

Not a 3", but a 3.5". I bought mine several years ago for $650. Now look at them. Just a moment...

 

[toroflow1]

 

[Buzzzer]

I have a couple 3" and I do like them for carry. Small enough that the barrel doesn't like to stick in my back pocket at the 1600 position like the 4" (makes getting the wallet out, interesting). Seems a great compromise between the 2" and 4", as has already been stated. Would I pay thousands for one? Nope, I wouldn't. I tend to buy what I can afford and if I can't afford it I do with what I have. Obviously someone has the dough though.

Now, if we could only get more holster options, that would be nice. Ones that actually fit a 3"...