Lightweight 3" revolver recommendation

[NCBeagle]

3" barrel at 18 oz or less...Maybe a Model 37 3". Won't help you with a bear though...unless your plan is to off yourself before the bear can do it.

Incidentally, I've shot plenty of +P out of older Airweight J frames...no problems.

 

[MajorD]

Finally some one mentions the old model 37! With most people wanting a snubby these can often be found pretty reasonably

 

[MajorD]

Finally someone mentions the 37! As most j frame people look for snubs these can often be found at a reasonable price

 

[Triggernosis]

I used to have a 37, a fine gun, but the lack of adjustable sights just didn't work for me as a woods gun.

 

[mazer]

Here you go, Alaskan Backpacker, super light 44mag fun! Keep in mind the 44mags are stiff coming out of this light frame!

 

[Munsterf18]

396

I carry the 396 (on the right) in the woods and hunting all the time. Don't even know it's there. And I keep a few .44 shotshells in my pocket for snakes, etc. It is by far my favorite for that purpose.

 

[Jebus35745]

I agree the animals mentioned would run if they saw us and it would be cool to see them. We hiked the Smokey Mtns this year around Gatlinburg every day we were on vacation. We wanted to see a real bear, not the ones in a zoo. We watched one in a tree eating cherries in Cade's Cove, there was a crowd there. When the bear came down, it ran into the woods. We hiked a few trails that no one was on (quiet trails) for abt a mile one way, then back to the car. The trails were open enough that the animals would have been at a distance. In a few spots I was afraid of being face to face with one. I hiked with a 386 mountain lite with a 3 1/8" barrel. The first shot would have been in the ground, had 6 more if needed. Larry

 

[RobertoDeNuevoMexico]

Thanks for your recommendations

After reviewing your recommendations, I tried to find a Model 337 Airlite (out of production), but was unable to find an acceptable one. I also checked the local gun stores and was unable to get my hands on the new Ruger LCRx 3" to try. So even though it weighs 9 ounces more than those two, I went with a Model 60 Pro 3" barrel.

I took it on a long hike, and at 24 ounces it is more noticeable than the 7 ounce Keltec P-32 I used to carry, but after a while you get used to it. I'm looking for a good OWB open carry holster with a thumb break and possibly covered trigger guard, if anybody knows of a good one.

At the range (actually an arroyo out on BLM land) the Model 60 3" is surprisingly accurate. Shooting .38 Specials was a breeze. Then .38 Spl +p had slightly more kick but very manageable. But shooting .357 magnums on a chilly day, no gloves, was downright uncomfortable, especially with these factory wooden grips. Don't get me wrong, the wood grips looks nice, but don't do much to soften the jolt. For now I'm going to hike loaded with .38 Spl +Ps while the bears are still hibernating, but I'm thinking about changing the grips. I'm considering the S&W synthetic J-Frame grips that they put on some of their J-frames at the factory, and also the Hogue and Pachmyr, so if you have any recommendations, please fire away.

Thanks again.

 

[Cal44]

This 3" Model 37 no dash 38 special weighs about 15 oz.

 

[wrangler5]

For balance between comfort and reasonable size, it's pretty hard to beat the Pachmayr Compac grips. Room for all your fingers but nothing more, and decent padding. (But 357 Magnums still won't be any fun.) Unlike the Hogue's I've tried, they're held on with a single screw. Downside is that they're fairly heavy for not so large grips.

For pure padding, the larger Pachmayr Decelerators are the cushiest grips I've ever used on a J frame. But they're BIG.

 

[rwt1405]

I think you made a great choice!

I wish you good luck with it!

 

[GCF]

... I went with a Model 60 Pro 3" barrel.

I'm looking for a good OWB open carry holster with a thumb break and possibly covered trigger guard, if anybody knows of a good one.

At the range (actually an arroyo out on BLM land) the Model 60 3" is surprisingly accurate. Shooting .38 Specials was a breeze. Then .38 Spl +p had slightly more kick but very manageable. But shooting .357 magnums on a chilly day, no gloves, was downright uncomfortable, especially with these factory wooden grips. Don't get me wrong, the wood grips looks nice, but don't do much to soften the jolt. For now I'm going to hike loaded with .38 Spl +Ps while the bears are still hibernating, but I'm thinking about changing the grips. I'm considering the S&W synthetic J-Frame grips that they put on some of their J-frames at the factory, and also the Hogue and Pachmyr, so if you have any recommendations, please fire away.

Thanks again.

Nice choice on the M60.

You might check out Andrews Custom Leather. I use his suede lined "Saddle Style" belt rigs, for my 2 1/8" M640-1, & my 3" M65-3. Very innovative design, & top notch construction. Mine are both adjustable tension hold, but he does offer thumb break. Conceals well, very secure, & fast presentation. Hands down, the most comfortable OWB holsters, that I own.

Andrews Custom Leather

Magnum J frame grips? For belt holster carry, I really like the Hogue Centennial Tamers (1 pic attached) - on my M640. Ergonomically superior - to the extreme! Only problem, I'm thinking they may NOT work w/ an exposed hammer.

Come to think about it, I've got a set of grips (2 pics attached) that came w/ my 640. They are marked j frame / round butt. Not sure of the manufacturer, but the previous owner said they were Italian (Sile maybe?), & that he put them on to shoot magnums. Solid grips, in good shape - & extras for me. PM if interested.

A lot of guys make disparaging comments about Pachmayr's, but if you can find an older set (better quality I think) that fit your revolver, I'm pretty sure they will soak up the sting - from those magnum loads.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Uncle Mikes Combat grips are thought to be among the best J-frame grips for shooting comfort. They used to come standard on the 3" Model 60. The current S&W synthetic grips are similar but a little stickier than the Uncle Mikes.

 

[Neumann]

I think you would want a big bore for potential defense against bears of any size. That distills down to .44 Magnum. Hopefully you can compromise on weight and barrel length.

My recommendation would be a 329 PD. With a 4" barrel, scandium frame and titanium cylinder, it weighs 25 oz. It is not a gun you would use a lot on the range - the recoil is brutal with magnum loads. In a crisis, however, you may get only one shot, and .44 Magnum is more likely to count. If the threat level is low, you can shoot .44 Special all day and still write your name without assistance.

The good thing is the 329PD is not rare. You can even find them, used, almost like new, for reasons which the foregoing paragraph should make clear.

I carry a 3" 629 in those environments, which weighs 44 oz. The 329PD feels like a toy by comparison. I am not an "extreme" hiker, and above 10,000 feet I move as little as possible and stay hydrated. However I carry what makes me feel comfortable, including a 20# camera kit.

 

[PR24]

If you are looking for a lightweight 3" revolver chambered in 38 Special +P, I'll echo several posters above and recommend the Ruger LCRx 3".

I know this is a S&W forum, but they quit making a lightweight 3" revolver around 2000. The Ruger is currently available in stores. It doesn't have the aesthetic lines of a S&W, but it can be had for under $500.

I bought mine to fill the same requirements as the OP... I wanted a lightweight "kit" gun for backpacking.

Lightweight (15.7 oz); 3" barrel gives a longer sight radius and increased velocity over a snubbie; good adjustable sights allow you to accurately aim the gun and adjust them to a variety of loads; and 38+P is powerful enough to protect the OP against the threats in his woods and can take small game if needed.

Maybe S&W will bring back their 337 someday, however until then Ruger is the only one making a gun to these specs.

On Edit: Ruger has a lightweight leather Mitch Rosen belt holster for this revolver. Recommended...

Edmo

Agreed don't spend time and money chasing down out of production models. The 3 inch Ruger LCR is a fine choice. Likewise, you can get many different aftermarket front sights that are user changeable. As one poster said the biggest threat you're likely going to face is a zombie tweeker or angry mutt over some of the native residents. Unless you are carrying something big bore then bear spray is a better option for the larger carnivores. Keep the gun for the smaller threats. I know that ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain when hiking but you do have to have a shootable gun. Take a look at Hillpeople Gear chest pouches. They are a great way to carry a firearm up on your chest; concealed & off your waist. Its separate from your backpack.

 

[Triggernosis]

Guys, did you read? He's already made his choice - a 3" stainless Model 60.

 

[Triggernosis]

Roberto,
For OWB carry I'm a fan of off-the-shelf Bianchi holsters, either a Shadow or 5BH - both with thumb-breaks.

 

[Bat Guano]

Makes a lot of sense, and I love my M-66-3 four-inch. But this guy specifically wants a small, light .38, & he is walking, carrying a heavy load, and wants minimum weight.

That Model 19 is awfully good. I have had both the 60-4 and the .357 version (60-10?), in that order. I got some ridiculously high velocities out of that .357 J frame (1350 with 125 gr. JHPs in a 3" barrel!) but could never get a decent DA on it. Recoil was stout but tolerable with the rubber banana stocks. Went back to the .38 Special 60-4 which had a very nice DA pull.

 

[photoman]

The 3" Model 60 in .357 Magnum is a fine gun, but as you've already discovered, they are mostly unusable in .357 Magnum and the wood grips are not very practical.

My recommendation is a day late and a dollar short but the Ruger LCRx 3" would've been a much better purchase. The factory grips are excellent and no need in paying for a Magnum when you will be using .38 Specials anyway.

Grab A Gun has them for $379.

 

[Farmer17]

Man, those Ruger polymer revolvers may be good but they are sure butt ugly. A .40 S&W Shield might be what I would pick under the above stated circumstances.