Model 65 with 3-inch....Anyone CCW with One or Any Other 3 Inch model?

[Nalapombu]

Hey all.

I have a Model 65 with a 3 inch barrel. I got it from one of the vendors in Shotgun News many years ago. They told me they got a supply of them that used to be daily or backup carry in a Kentucky police force. The one I got has a few tiny dings here and there but the trigger is awesome. It doesn't look shot very much at all.
I have the standard grips on it but I added a polished set of Tyler's to it and it feels great in my hand.

Ok, what I am curious about is whether any of you use one of these 3 inch J or K frames as your daily carry piece.

I've never carried mine and shot it not much at all. I am planning on changing that this year. I'm gonna enjoy it finally. I don't have a holster for it right now.

What are your thoughts on using this as your primary carry weapon? It wouldn't be hard right now since I wear a heavy coat each day and will be for a couple months more. What about when the weather gets warmer? Do you still carry yours or do you swap to something else?

If you carry yours, or any other 3 inch revolver, what holster do you use? Do you use the same carry method year around?
What about reloading? Do you use the Speed Strips, speed loaders or maybe you had it milled to accept full or 1/2 moon clips?

Any info you care to share in carrying these 3 inch revolvers would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to pass on any advice too.

Before I forget, if you carry a Ruger 3 inch or one if the 2 1/2" SP-101, that counts too. I have looked at the smaller SP-101 in 357 mag as a potential carry piece and it's not much smaller than my 65. It is lighter by about 4 ounces though.


Thank you all for your time and any help you care to give me.
Have a good week and stay safe.

Larry

 

[Oracle]

Daily carry Model 60 pro series 3" J frame .357

Tucked in shirt
Pocket holster by Azula

Untucked shirt
Pocket holster by Azula
or
OWB by Versacarry

Two MKS speedloaders

 

[ContinentalOp]

Not anymore, but I used to carry a 3" 65 daily.

Normally carried IWB at around 3:30-4:00, either in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II or a VM-II style holster by another maker. I used a 1.5" Beltman belt. This setup was very comfortable for me, wearing it 12+ hours/day. I wore it under an untucked button-down shirt year-round.

Ammo was usually either Buffalo Bore .38 Special 158gr LSWCHP standard pressure or Speer 135gr Short-Barrel GDHP in either .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum. BB was more common, I think (it's been several years).

My favorite ammo to shoot, though, was WWB 115gr SJHP. Low recoil and easy to shoot. Made a really nice fireball at the indoor range. While I never carried it for self defense, if I had to I wouldn't feel underarmed.

I carried reloads in a Tuff Products Quick Strip, on my left side in a Simply Rugged ammo pouch and, if I was carrying a second strip, in a Side Guard Holsters pocket pouch in my right pocket. Reloads were either of the GDHP loads since they had a more rounded shape than the BB load. On the rare occasion I carried my 642-1 as a BUG, my reloads were .38 Special so I could reload either gun.

I tried different grips, including some nice Ahrends, but my favorite grip ended up being PGS Hideout grips with the smooth finish and no finger grooves. While smooth, it wasn't slick, so it offered decent traction in my hand. They're minimalist grips, so they worked well with my smallish hands and helped with concealment. They were comfortable for shooting my carry loads. They're relieved for speedloaders, which was nice even though I didn't use them. Best of all, they're only around $20 and available through Brownells or direct from the manufacturer.

I did have a trigger job done, including radiusing and polishing the trigger, and had the hammer bobbed and converted to DAO. Very nice action and fired reliably.

My experience was that it was comfortable and easy to do year-round with my usual clothing. YMMV.

 

[ars1876]

I live in the middle of 150 acres with 4 completely fenced around the house & pond . When I'm outside here or down to the barn I usually have my 3' M60-15. When I'm out in the woods its my 3 " M629-2 or my 3" 686+ 7 shot. I use Simply Rugged pancakes and you don't even know your carrying. Every now & then I'll carry one of my 3 1/2" m 27's but not often.

 

[Qmark]

I carried a three inch Model 10 for a few years. Loved it but after being offered a Mini-14 in a straight across trade I'd been a fool to turn him down.

Being a resident of Phoenix and light clothing printing is a problem. I removed the rubbers after picking up a set of older S&W service grips and it was a bit easier to hide. I also started using a cheapie leather holster from eBay that kept the revolver in a bit deeper below my belt. Unless I was wearing a tight knit shirt is just didn't show.

After giving up the three inch I started carrying a four inch Model 10 and the lousy extra single inch would poke me while sitting and driving especially. I tried carrying a three inch Rossi 44. It didn't print or poke but I just couldn't get accustomed to the weight. The Rossi, a Model 608 I think is very heavy. I also tried both a 38 and 44 Charter Arms but eventually threw in the towel and now very comfortably carry a J-frame.

I miss the three inch Model 10 and hope to find another in the future. I'm not sure of your physique and if your comfortable with a three inch I don't think you can go wrong. I'm bigger than average, a bit over 6'3" and somewhere between 200-210 lbs.

Of coarse there are better tactical options like a double stack 9MM or 40. I also have a four inch Model 58 I carry occasionally in the few weeks of cold climate. Guess I'm just a persnickety old geezer. I prefer to carry for comfort and not worry about printing. I could shoot the three inch as well as a four but just can't quite get there as good with my 2" J-frame.

Almost forgot, I use the speed strips. I prefer a speed loader but to be blunt they are a pain in the donkey to pocket carry. The strip fits nearly in my back pocket and I don't feel it there while sitting. I do however have a speed loader sitting in my car's center console.

 

[lawandorder]

Daily carry is a J frame short barrel but there.........

......are days when I carry a 3 inch K frame instead of or in addition to the J.

Two holsters that are used primarily are the above Milt Sparks Summer Special for IWB or a vintage Bianchi pancake style for OWB.

For reloads I carry a pair of Safariland speedloaders.

Practice, practice and more practice.

Stay safe!

 

[WCCPHD]

I carried this one everyday for many years as it was my issued revolver. Its a Model 13-3, three inch barrel. We carried them in issued S&W Leather pancake holsters. When we carried revolvers we had 2.5 inch, three inch and four inch guns. The three inch was the most comfortable of all of them to carry.

 

[MetalMan]

Current EDC is my 3" 60-15 carried at 4:00 in a Milt Sparks VMII.

As comfortable as it gets.....

 

[10mmauto]

I carried this gun daily for 15 years until my department forbid carry of personal guns. Silly asses went to Glock 26's!

 

[ColbyBruce]

I use these PWL or DeSantis holsters for my 3" K frames and the Cobra, Lobo, and Safarilands for my 3" J frames. I don't care much for IWB holsters, but the Lobo is pleasant to wear.

Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast rounds are carried in the 65's and I have 158 grain JSP or HP in the .38, sometimes CCI shot shells too.

 

[BloodyThumb]

Love 'em. Always have, always will.

I carried a 3" 65 for many years as my primary off duty. I amassed a few of them over the years. Mostly 65's, a few 13's and a 10 or two. Some are PD marked. I have a marked one from a Mass. State detective ( a "Statey") along with his retired badge.

I stopped carrying them a few years ago as it was decided my off duty should be my duty backup, and be the same caliber as my duty weapon. That is no longer a hard requirement, but I did not go back.... yet.

Holsters - I had a couple made for me, but not in a while. I have a couple of older factory holsters I picked up when I ran across them. Old Galco, Old EPS, a DelFatti, an Alessi, and a 5-shot. All OWB RH. I have always worn a loose shirt over a T or something similar during the summer months. Most friends and family would not recognize me if they saw hair on my head or could see any of my belt other than the buckle.

Back in those days in situations where that carry method would not work for me (rare) like beach, poolside, etc. it would be a 2" J in my pocket, or something called Thunderwear.

The 3" K was and still is my absolute favorite revolver. Some of the first I ever bought, and will be some of the last I sell. As I near retirement I will be selling off a lot, and there will be some 3" K's in there, but there are a couple that will stay and go to my sons.

My last 3" K purchase was a PC K-Comp 65. I like it, but still prefer my old 65 no dash's or 65-1's. The K-Comp is one of only two Smith revolvers I own with that nasty little hole in the side.

 

[1911haulic]

Ruger SP101, 3 inch, appendix IWB 1791 deer skin holster, loaded w/38 SPL +P, 1 speed strip reload. It also has rounded boot stocks.

It's a Gemini Custom, throated, ported, and crowned barrel. The cylinder has been reamed, the trigger is worked, and the frame has been de-horned with polished hammer and trigger.

 

[sabashimon]

My 3" GP100, carried not daily but often in a RGrizzleleather OWB, an absolute favorite holster. I have the same holster for my 3" 625-6 as well.

 

[ladder13]

I have some 3 inch K's but have no interest in carrying one now that I've discovered lightweight plastic , Sig P365 all the time, with the occasional Seecamp 380.

 

[fish hunter]

At times I carry a mod. 60-10 in a Uncle Mikes IWB at 4 o'clock. Love J frames in 3 inch as I have small arthritic hands. But am in the hunt for a 3 in K frame.

 

[gerhard1]

I don't carry a 3" model 65, but a 4" RB is just right.

 

[Transamconvert]

3" model 66 works very well for me in a TT mike's special holster. I use safariland comp II speedloaders which are pretty fast and carry fine in a pocket I think. Grips are badgers boot grips with the speedloader cut and palm swell remove option. I have average/small hands and these let me get half a pinky on which is a good compromise for me and works well. Ammo is 135 gold dot short barrel .357, very easy to shoot from this platform as it's not really a full throttle load.

I think it conceals just fine under a loose T-shirt. Winter/summer the same. I figure when you go in places you take your coat off so you're back to a shirt anyhow. I've taken to wearing it just forward of 3:00. In this position I can sit in a car comfortably without it jamming into my back and when I bend over it's not exposed. I would not be able to do a 4" barrel in this manner, so 3" is where it's at for me. It's heavier and bulkier certainly than the small autos but it works fine and I just like the revolver. I'll alternate with a 3" speed six in same holster, it's a tiny bit heavier and a tiny bit bulkier but it's good to go as well.

 

[Rodan]

IMHO, the 3" fixed site K is one of the best all around carry guns out there. Small enough to carry easily, big enough to handle serious loads without beating up the shooter. The fixed sights make for an easy draw from concealement. I've found that 2" guns are 'top heavy' on the belt and tend to flop around more... the 3" is enough to stabilize while still being easily concealable.

I like a 3 o'clock carry with a Kramer, or other vertical scabbard style holster, or a 4 o'clock with FBI cant. I usually carry one speedloader and one speed strip, depending on clothing. Current carry load is Buffalo Bore 140gr short barrel solid copper HP.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Carried a 3" 65 from about 1986 to 2000 in a Summer Special after work and weekends..... and at the cabin. Upgraded to a 3" 66-4. Mostly carry a S&W 3913 or PC Shorty-9 around town but still carry the 3" .357 when out in Penn's Woods.

Both wear Spegel Boot grips.

 

[dmthomp32]

I have a model 64 3" that is a great revolver. I threw in a Wilson Combat spring set, honestly just to try it out. It lightened up the DA a little, not that it really needed much help as much as I just wanted to try them out. I don't carry it only because I don't have a holster for it. So thank you for starting this thread and giving me ideas as well. I carry a 649 a lot and it is super convenient. However I'd prefer to carry my 64 as it is just a more shootable platform without much extra bulk. Great thread OP!

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