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

[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.

 

[CarNDrvr]

I have owned many 3" S&W models over the years, but my hands down favorite is my 29-4 3" unfluted 44 magnum with target trigger and target hammer...Roger

I just happen to have one.

 

[shawn mccarver]

S&W Model 10 or 64, 3-inch round butt

 

[SW357Addict]

1. 625 3" (Model of 1989, .45 ACP)
2. 24-3 3" (Lew Horton, .44 Special)
3. Colt Python 3" (2020, .38/.357)

 

[much ado]

If allowed to suggest I would go for a Colt Diamondback, I guess in the now standard stainless, in 22LR ( would spend my bucks) and 38 Special.

 

[H Richard]

One of the "original" 38 Special 60-4's.

 

[stu1ritter]

I ended up building what I wanted in a 3" L frame starting with a 6" 686-3 that needed a cylinder replaced. I had it cut to 3" (Weigand base sight installed which takes interchangeable sight blades) and then sent it to S&W to have the cylinder replaced with a 7 shot non fluted version. S&W reset the barrel/cylinder gap, the headspace and tuned it a wee bit. Lots of internal polishing and spring weight setting along with a target hammer and round butting the square butt gun yielded exactly what I was looking for. I just love shooting it.

Stu

 

[Photog]

Well, if I can fudge a bit, it would be a 3.5" M27. And second choice, but not by very much, and please, please don't hurt me, would be a 3" fixed sight Ruger GP100. I have one and it is easy as a K frame to carry, built like a tank, and I think Ruger has one of the best customer service departments in the firearms field. Also, since I will only own pinned and recessed Smiths, and those are getting tougher to find and a lot more costly if you find one, and parts are sometimes hard to come by. The only thing I don't like about the Ruger is rubber grips and it is stainless. I will only own a stainless gun if that gun is not made in blued steel.

 

[pawngal]

Want would be the Kimber K6s or S&W M66
Have S&W 65LS, Ruger SP100 in 327 Fed MAG, and Colt Python

 

[NOTREDAME]

If I could pick one it would be a 3" 547 due to 9mm availability,
Otherwise it would be my 686-4.
3rd choice would be my custom built 10mm

 

[reccpd101]

I have a Model 10 3 inch with 2 cylinders, a 38 and a custom 9mm using moon clips. They both shoot well. I also carry a Model 36 3' no dash nickel and a 642 3 inch alternately.

 

[scruffy]

I have it. A 686-6 3-5-7 series with 3" barrel. Everything about it is simply perfect for me.

 

[Telecaster]

Though I love all the 3" revolvers I've owned, even the ones I've sold, if my remaining ones got lost in a boating accident I might try a 3" King Cobra.

 

[K Harris]

Hey reccpd101! Tell us a little more about the 9mm conversion cylinder on that 3" Model 10.

 

[329]

Mine would be the 3" 19 carry comp...which I own. I am very pleasantly surprised with how well the big porting tames full power magnum loads. The trigger, (while not a custom tuned trigger) is very smooth and just right for a carry type gun.

 

[Kingspoke]

S&W 629-3 Carry Comp - 3" fixed sight 44 Mag Power Ported

Well, I traded my pristine 29 "no dash" for an ideally engraved (my style, minimum scratch) 629-3 CC grail gun. Then I just happen to see the consecutive numbered (#249 & #250) unscratched variety on an auction site & naturally had to buy it! Them me thinks, neither one has the box n papers, so I buy #3 as my "collector"!

Hands down the engraved CC is my favorite 3"! Looks great, feels great, & shoots great!

 

[desmobob]

So far, the 3" revolver I DID choose is a 317-3 Kit Gun. Love it. I have to admit, the other 3" revolver I've always wanted is a classic Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I am good with the two model 29s.....

That I already have.

 

[CALREB]

Mine would be the 19-7 LH special. Cant remember right when they were made around 94-96. Only 55 or so made. The first carry comp I believe. It is magnaported not a comp. I would prefer neither. Smith had some barrels left after the run and I have seen them on other 19s. I called the P/C but alas the last barrel was gone.

Last one I saw for sale went for 2500 or 2600. More than I was willing to spend.
Still I have some 6" model 14-6 barrels and a couple of 2.5 inch 19s, one is even a 19-7, so I might have one worked up. If you take the 6" 14-6 barrel and cut it back 3 inches from the front, after threading it leaves you a nice clean 3" barrel with no printing and the original front sight. I just found a local gunsmith that is up to the task, so might still see about getting it done. Until then here is a photo or two taken from the net. I believe one belongs to a moderator here.

 

[jcs266]

I have it. A 686-6 3-5-7 series with 3" barrel. Everything about it is simply perfect for me.

I like those Pachmyers! Which "model" grip is that?

I have the same 3" 686 and it's by FAR my favorite handgun and gets 90% of the carry time anymore. It's perfection IMHO.

 

[Joe in Fl]

I would love to have a 696, I already have 686+ and a 60-4. First 3" was a 1970's Colt Cobra, it was traded years ago for 2 Colt SAA, one 45 Colt, the other 32-20. yep, you guesssed it, they're gone now too! LOL