If You Could Have any 3 Inch Revolver…What Would You Choose?

[Richard Simmons]

Earlier in this thread I commented on the 3” pistols that are on my wish list. As far as the ones I currently own I’d go with my Lew Horton 610-2, my Lew Horton 25-14 and last but not least a RB, blued M36 with the standard barrel. The 610-2 is pretty much my favorite!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I like revolvers too much to say I simply love 3" versions. I had a 3" M629 and it made a great payment for a poker debt that I incurred around 15 years ago. That guy still has it and more power to him; that gun was really only good with .44 Special ammunition anyway. It was nasty with .44 Magnum rounds and I am not a .44 Magnum fan so goodbye to that gun.

Further. 3" J-frames seem kind of useless to me. J-frames are for concealment and that barrel really interferes with concealment. YMMV.

However, there is a special place in my heart for the 3" M686+:

 

[wood714]

I think I have all the 3" K's that S&W offered in stainless.

64, 65, 65-5 Lady, and my 66.

I'd love to have a old 3" Model 19.

 

[SAFireman]

629 EFFECTOR

If I could find a 657 EFFECTOR, I would go that route....

 

[heeter3]

One that I dont have and would like would be a 1970s 3 in colt cobra with a shrouded ejector rod.

 

[Irate45]

I'm partial to N frames, so it would have to be my 625-7.

 

[Stephanie B]

Of the ones I have (60, 65 and new model Python), the 65 is the one that I gravitate towards.

 

[Buford57]

In memory of my former partner and the finest officer I ever knew, a Model 13, which he carried.

 

[Joe4d]

Nooner has mentioned one of my grail guns.. Model 360 3" M&P or the Night something or other version. There was also the plain bead blasted version. I did get a 2.75" 386 I really like

 

[Mehutch]

For many many years I have wanted the S&W 686 .356 Mag plus, with unfluted cylinder, 7 shooter in a 3" barrel. Yesterday in my local gun store, there it was. It was magnificent, I had the cash for it; $1100 bucks. I believe it is a Lew Horton edition. My toes curled up. I wanted it.

And I walked away from it. Why? I have 7 686's and a few 586's in all barrel length, most pre-lock, two with the lock and added the 'Plug".

I am 70 years, I am not going to leave any of them to my only son. I have enough guns. Enough!

 

[jaymoore]

Hey all.

I’m pretty sure we all love 3-inch revolvers. I have a m65-5 that is a police trade in that picked up about 15 or so years ago. It’s my only 3-inch....

What would pick if you could have any one you wanted and why?


Thank you for your time.
BD

My favorite is the same as what you have.
And I have or have had quite a few other options. I think it comes down to the individual revolver's build as well as design differences and options.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I like the 1972 60-1 3". It has asked to be let out many times, but another gun always wins.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I have 2 629's, a 696,a 65 and a model. 60.I like them a lot.My favorite today is the model 65.It will probably change.

 

[Ameshawki]

Any manufacturer?

This one has grown on me.

That said, like an idiot I let a 3" Model 13 go a few years ago, and I wouldn't mind having another one or a 3" Model 65.

I just picked one of those up and it is growing on me as well. I swapped the grips for Hogue Bantams, reluctantly. I wanted to like the wood grips but even with 38s they were not pleasant to shoot. The Hogues tamed the beast.

 

[MJCDVL67]

MY CHOICE IS A 625-3 CHAMBERED IN .45 ACP.; I KEEP IT IN MY CAR AS I DO NOT LIKE CASINGS
FLYING INSIDE MY CAR.

 

[SmithNut]

MY CHOICE IS A 625-3 CHAMBERED IN .45 ACP.; I KEEP IT IN MY CAR AS I DO NOT LIKE CASINGS
FLYING INSIDE MY CAR.

You do a lot of shootin' inside your car, do ya???

Make sure you wear your earmuffs as it get kinda' loud in there...

 

[Papabear1324]

696 for me hands down.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I already own a 66-2 3" and a 686 CS-1 that I have had for several years. I also had a 696 ND that I traded to a friend last year for a NIB 27-2 5". Now he wants to trade me back. I really like the 3" guns for a number of reasons. The longer sight radius than a 2.5" with a longer ejector rod to kick out the emptys. If forced to choose, it would be my 66-2 or a 24-3 in 3"

 

[steelslaver]

a 3" 45 acp/colt

A 3" K frame 327 mag

 

[old tanker]

I have a few three inch revolvers, as I have mentioned before.

I like the looks and feel of a 3 inch barrel. Found this 1975 vintage square butt, heavy barrel Model 36-1 a while back, but the girlfriend seems to have taken a shine to it.

Luckily, while the J-frame is TDY at her house, I still have a 3 inch Police Positive Special made in 1915. 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!

...and then a few weeks back.

Y'all might think I am an apostate but, I was minding my own business when this caught my eye. Did I mention I have a weakness for three inch revolvers?

So right now, the three inch Python has me beguiled. Though that might change if I run across a nice 3 inch Model 13.