Recommend model(s) for 3" carry revolver

[geeollie]

There won't be a place I could take you and know there is one. But gun shows the last little while have allowed me to find several in the price range mentioned. I also have seen ones being sold in $800 range on the on line sites. Just checked arms list and found nothing listed there.
There are still guns coming from law enforcement sales and pickers can find them at flea markets. Last one I saw was a Texas(?) Dept of Corrections cull. Time and place determine much.

 

[deadear dan]

Blasphemy here but take a look at a Charter Arms Bulldog in 44 spl.

 

[Redhawk500]

5 Shot 44 Special

Thinking outside the box. I didn't even know these existed until a few weeks ago.





Model 396-1 in 44 Special. Five shot, alloy "L" frame, titanium cylinder, 3" barrel, round butt, fiber optic front sight with a wide V adjustable rear. Weight is 18 ounces. Recoil is no worse than a Charter Arms Bulldog. I'm sure you could up the load and make it kick like a mule, but if you stay with normal 44 Special loads, you'll be OK.

They were only made for a few years, so they probably aren't real common. I paid $550.00 for this one. No idea if that was good, bad, or indifferent.

I liked the Charter Arms Bulldog. It was my first carry gun. The S&W 396-1 has more bells and whistles but fills the same nitch. The superiority to a 3 inch k frame would be less weight, lower pressure round. I'd look at 200 grain loads in SWC as the velocity won't insure expansion and penetration.

 

[Flyingfool]

Does anyone have the emlty weight of a 3 inch model 13 obviously in 357?

 

[flagman1776]

I happily carried my 3" 66-2 OD & as trail gun on foot & on horseback... It was a replacement for a blue steel 3" M13 which I gave to my then financee which she declined to sell back to me when we went our separate ways.
When I drew dispatch duty, I carried a 3" 36-1 IWB as it was easier in chairs with arms... occasionally for plain clothes duty.
Barrel length is a convenience thing but in a proper holster the vertical barrel length isn't important... Cylinder & grips are what bump & cause print.
You will be well armed with any of the mentioned choices...

 

[MetalMan]

For me, the Mod. 60-15 is my go-to warm weather carry in a Milt Sparks VMII....

 

[Flyingfool]

Why cant I get an answer to th empty weight of a model 13 or model 65. With a 3 inch barrel?

 

[Jingles]

Why cant I get an answer to th empty weight of a model 13 or model 65. With a 3 inch barrel?

According to the 4th Edition and Wikipedia the 3" weighs 31 oz.

 

[31FordA]

I carried a 3" GP-100 as my primary for work for almost 10 years. With a good belt and holster it was no trouble to carry concealed under a sport coat or windbreaker. I currently carry a SP-101, very happy with it.

My menagerie currently includes a number of 3" revolvers. Along with the 3" GP-100 and SP-101 I have a 36-1, 13-3, 65-5LS, and 625-3 3". I like all of them, but I'd pick the SP-101 for daily carry because it's a good gun, not too expensive, and easily replaced. Replacing my 3" 13-3 would be tough, I haven't seen another for sale in years. Out of all my S&W revolvers I'd go with the 65-5LS. The 65-5LS is effectively the fixed sight equivalent of a 3" 66, without the big price tag. My 65-5LS cost me $425, the last 3" 66 I saw in person was close to $1,400.

 

[GCF]

...The 65-5LS is effectively the fixed sight equivalent of a 3" 66, without the big price tag...

I'd appreciate it, if you could keep that under your hat - until I find MINE...
;=}

 

[3S16]

Well, I have a thing for 3 inch guns - mostly N frames.
Here is a 65-5 "Ladysmith" and a 66-2 in K frame.
Here is a 36-1 in J frame. I like them all.

 

[rwt1405]

There won't be a place I could take you and know there is one. But gun shows the last little while have allowed me to find several in the price range mentioned. I also have seen ones being sold in $800 range on the on line sites. Just checked arms list and found nothing listed there.
There are still guns coming from law enforcement sales and pickers can find them at flea markets. Last one I saw was a Texas(?) Dept of Corrections cull. Time and place determine much.

I need to move to where you are then, because in my neck of the woods it is difficult (if not almost impossible) to find one under $600.