Recommend model(s) for 3" carry revolver

[Kframerbluvr]

With some of the J frames weighing in at 28 ounces, you may consider a 4" standard barreled Model 10. It weighs 30.5 ounces with the issued wood stocks. I carry one when dressed in a tux when doing musician work. With an old Bianchi suede belt clip IWB holster it hides and carries well even with beltless tux pants. One could be bought for half your budget which would give you money for good carry gear and some practice ammo.

 

[old tanker]

Here's another vote for the 640-1. Mine has the smoothest DA trigger of any Smith I own. Federal 158 grain Hydra-Shok are my current choice in .357 ammo for it. That being said, I am a fan three inch barrel revolvers. I feel that the "inch" of barrel from 2 to 3 adds more performance than the one from 3 to 4.

L to R: S&W 640-1 (.357 mag); S&W 36-1 (.38 special); Colt Police Positive Special (.38 special); Charter Arms "Bulldog" (.44 Special)

 

[KalamazooKid]

This 640 Pro, while not 3" (2 1/8), is quickly becoming my favorite. It's got enough weight to be really comfortable to shoot yet is easy to conceal.

This one's just plain fun! (an M36 from 1973)

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[Grayfox]

There have been a lot of good suggestions here. I'm a big fan of 3" K-frames and the Full lug target sighted versions of the Model 60.
However, there's only one gun that fits both your requirements and price. Go find yourself a good used 2 3/4" Ruger Security Six . With a proper belt and holster, you'll hardly know its there.

 

[shawn mccarver]

In the K frame, there are 3-inch revolvers in Models 10, 13, 19, 64, 65, and 66.

Don't forget that there were 3-inch J frames in Models 36, 37, 60, 640, and 642, and perhaps more.

Most of the ones listed are not produced currently, and you would have to find them used.

The newest Model 66 is available with a full-length ejector rod in a 2.75 inch barrel, and that looks to be a good choice. Naturally, the adjustable sights allow you to "dial-in" your load of choice.

Good luck!

 

[silversnake]

Depends how badly you want to run .357 magnum and what kinds of loadings you plan on using. If you want to shoot full power magnums all day I'd take the SP101 out of the guns you listed. (Actually I'd rather have a GP100 in that case but it's probably heavier than what you want).

I prefer a 3" K-Frame loaded with .38+P myself but then I'm not in many situations that would require magnums. You can get some potent loads in .38 though, Buffalo Bore makes a 158 gr hardcast that gets 1,100 fps from a 3" barrel.

The K-Frames are effortless to conceal with the right belt and holster.

 

[CH4]

FWIW, I often carry my 3" 629 with 210 gr Silvertips

 

[Loyaljeeper]

Thanks guys for the reaponses.

Looking things over my first inclination is leaning towards the 3" round butt model 19 or 65.

Now I will have to find one to hold and even better shoot, to see if what looks good "on paper " and in pictures translates to my hand and feel in real life.

Has anyone done any data testing to determine the balistic difference between a 2.25 inch 38+p, a 2.25"- 357 mag, and a 3"- 357 mag?

Due to the short barrel, is there any real life performance gain for all the extra recoil and weight of a 357 with a 2.25" barrel? How much more gain in performance is there by moving up to 3" barrel in a 357?

This is based on my own test using a 2.125 model 640 and a 3" 65 and a 3" 60. My 3" 60 was about 5-10% faster than my 65 always. A 2.125" barrel has about 100fps less velocity over a similar 3" with the the same loads. You can plan on having about 200fps difference between similar weight 38spl and 357 mag loads in either barrel length.

 

[digiroc]

The Advantages of a Snubby ...

I'm a big guy and find a 3" more uncomfortable to carry than a 2". That extra inch seems to make a big difference when sitting, interfering with seat belts, etc. I settled on a 640 Pro because it is easy to conceal, handles .357 (though I rarely shoot them) and has outstanding sights. The sites are the best I have found on a fixed sight gun and makes the gun very accurate. Barrel is only 2.125" but gets the job done.

Although I like the concept of a 3" barrel for it's ballistic and sight radius benefits, the 2" is more comfortable in my preferred mode of carry which is AISW.

While my 360PD's super light weight make it a joy to carry, even when strapped to my ankle, that light weight makes it a literal pain to shoot, especially when running magnum loads in it.

For this reason I bought a 340 Pro Series to shoot, being an all steel gun, the extra weight (10 ounces) translates into a firearm that is pleasant to shoot in comparison to the 360.

I'll also chime in on the excellence of the night sights provided with the 340 Pro Series. At nearly 4' from the front sight to the Tritium rear's it offers nearly an inch more radius than the 360.

This extra inch contributes greatly to get the sight picture on target and hold it there. As far as adjustability they are drift adjustable. With a quality sight pusher this is a one time adjustment and once the weapon shoots point of aim no more adjustments are needed. Mine needed no adjustment as it shot point of aim out of the box.

Round selection determines elevation so finding a bullet that shoots to point of aim is a matter of trial by fire. Lighter bullets seem to shoot lower than heavier rounds. You need to find the right combination of bullet weight and ammo manufacturer that brings the point of impact to point of aim.

With the 360 I've added CT laser grips that effectively make sight radius unimportant and also has an air pocket over the backstrap that greatly reduces felt recoil.

As to the muzzle bast with snubby revolvers I consider that part of the "shock and awe" that can end a fight even without any hits. Touching off a snubby, especially shooting magnum loads, is the equivalent of tossing a flash bang into a room.

digiroc

 

[Waveski]

Easy choice for me - 3" J frame , in this case a 60-3. Points easily , balances nicely , carries comfortably.

I love my K fames , but they are too much for IWB.

 

[BAM-BAM]

As one who has owned several 3" J and K frame revolvers since the 1980s.......I would recommend one if you can find one...... and the one you are most likely to find, for the money you want to spend is a 3" Model 65.

I owned a 3" 586 and found it just too heavy to carry when I have a K-frame option.

I had a 3" 37..... but I never carried it.

I have 3" 66-3 and -4s. I've had the -3s since 1989.... when no one want them. With Spegel Boot grips it's my most carried revolver.... inside waistband in a Sparks Summer Special.

I also have a 3"60-10 ..... think; 5 shot .357, micro 686..... which is my "Kit Gun" at the cabin. (generally carried with +P.38s)

 

[Grayfox]

Several people have mentioned the Model 60 target versions. They are excellent guns. I have a Model 60-4 which is my hiking/camping/trail gun and the only J-frame that I carry with any regularity. Mine is a .38 Special, but for most of the places I tend to wander, that's plenty.

There is the Model 60-10, which is a .357. (And maybe an even later version?) Frankly, I have no desire what-so-ever to fire a .357 out of a J-frame.

While these would serve your purpose extremely well, they aren't made any more, are difficult to find and I doubt they will fall within your budget.

So I go back to my original recommendation of the Ruger Security Six.

 

[Toyman]

I found a 3 inch 64 put Pachmayrs on it for better grip carry in an El Paso Street Combat holster.

 

[Cal44]

With some of the J frames weighing in at 28 ounces, you may consider a 4" standard barreled Model 10. It weighs 30.5 ounces with the issued wood stocks. I carry one when dressed in a tux when doing musician work. With an old Bianchi suede belt clip IWB holster it hides and carries well even with beltless tux pants. One could be bought for half your budget which would give you money for good carry gear and some practice ammo.

The 3" Model 37 I posted a picture of in Post #3 weighs only 15 oz empty.

I have a Mika pocket holster for 3" J frames that works with cargo pants and the "Fire Hose" pants from Duluth Trading. You forget it's even there.

 

[Flyingfool]

So what mind of realistic price range would I expect to see for a 3 inch barrel model 13 or model 19?

I'm in no particular hurry to purchase, but I want to act if a good deal comes my way.

 

[19leben]

I'd think you could find a 3" Mod 13 for under a grand.

A 3" Mod 19 however, is going to be pricey. Probably easily $12 to $1800 depending on condition and box, etc. Maybe even more.

Good luck with your search.

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[GCF]

...A 3" Mod 19 however, is going to be pricey. Probably easily $12 to $1800 depending on condition and box, etc. Maybe even more.

"IF" you could find one. Very rare.

Best bet for an affordable (& reasonably available) 3" / .357 / K frame, is going to be a M65-3, or -5.

 

[geeollie]

I have a 3 inch police trade in Model 65. It was dirty but cleaned up very nicely and is a tight carried much shot little revolver.

The 65 has fixed rear sight and when I installed a bobbed hammer (factory hammer) it became a wonderful cary gun. These are $300 to around $425 guns but your selection varies from time and place. I was happy to find a dirty one for a cheap price, that had great lock up.

 

[Flyingfool]

Shows my ignorance, I would have expected a stainless model 65 to cost more than a blue model 13.

Why does a model 13 cost so much more than a stainless model 65? Is it due to the 3 inch barrel rarity in the 13 versus the 65?

 

[rwt1405]

I have a 3 inch police trade in Model 65. It was dirty but cleaned up very nicely and is a tight carried much shot little revolver.

The 65 has fixed rear sight and when I installed a bobbed hammer (factory hammer) it became a wonderful cary gun. These are $300 to around $425 guns but your selection varies from time and place. I was happy to find a dirty one for a cheap price, that had great lock up.

Please tell me where to find ANY Model 65's, let alone a 3", for $300 to $425?

Because IF that place exists, I'm there, with a LOT of cash!