Short-Barrel K-Frames

[AZretired]

I carried a Glock for years because my dept. said I had to. But I started out in LE carrying a M19 4" onduty and a M64 snubby off duty. I carried that 64 and sometimes various J frames throughout my LE career when off duty. Never had a real love for autos. So I dress to accommodate what I'm carrying, not the other way around.

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[Laurent]

I think the 3 inch tube is the perfect do everything well length. For the purposes of the discussion in this thread, I think it solves the problem(s) that those who would otherwise carry a 4 inch gun, encounter with the 2.5 and 2 inch guns.

The only problem I ever had with a 2.5 inch Combat Magnum was a tendency for the grip to angle out away from the body and the revolver to flop around on the belt when using certain holsters. Sadly when using a belt slide holster - which I prefer - it happened often. The 3 inch tubes don't do this.

With the 3 inch you also have the advantages of full length ejection of spent casings and the very slight - often overstated - velocity increase of the slightly longer tube.

Laurent - I am green with envy at your 3 inch MR 73 !!! Possibly the finest revolver ever made. By anyone. Is yours ex French police? I'd love to shoot one and dream of owning one. Very nice indeed sir! Regards 18DAI

Thanks for the nice words.

I concure in all with you about 3" wheelguns.

The MR 73 3" was some sort of holy grail for me. I searched for long for one in 3" or 4" but you - seldom - see them here in 5 1/4" or 6". I finally found this one on the net, virtually unshot, by a fellow on the other side of the country for less than half the catalog price (in fact the fixed sights 3" is not made anymore - maybe on special order). It is a real gem, with a very soft and short DA. The frame is beefier but the cylinder still accept K-size speedloaders. Two drawbacks: the cylinder is short and wouldn't accept heavy, long .357 bullets; the barrel is light so the gun recoils more than a M13 would.

I'll take more pics, inside too, to make a report here along the M19, to stay "S&W" correct.

L.

 

[Wiredog]

Agree, if I lived in FLorida or somewhere warmer with wearing shorts and T-shirts everyday I wouldn't be running around with a k-Frame either. Up here in WI you wear a lot of jackets/sweatshirts/vests all the time except for aprox. 2 months of HOT weather here.
peace out~

 

[18DAI]

I will watch for your thread Laurent. As a follower of Mr Sassia, I'm looking forward to it!! Regards 18DAI

 

[Snakeshift]

I will watch for your thread Laurent. As a follower of Mr Sassia, I'm looking forward to it!! Regards 18DAI

Did any of those Manurhin's ever get imported to the States? I got to fondle one at my buddies place in Switzerland, I've never stumbled across one in the States.

And believe me, I have looked!

 

[TAROMAN]

I have a flock of 3-inchers: 36-1, 10-5, 65-5, 686-5 and 624.
And more than a few snubs, too.
But, when which to carry, more times than not its the 64-2 that gets the call to duty.

 

[18DAI]

Snakeshift, some did. I'm told that J&G actually had some around 8 to 10 years ago. Those had 5 1/4 length barrels and were ex Gendarme pistols I'm told.

I search the auction boards and gunshows and have yet to come across one. I would love to shoot a 3 inch MR 73, let alone own one! Someday..... Regards 18DAI

 

[Engine49guy]

Its nice to have options,
I posted this pic a while back with the caption,
Guy walks into a gunshop in 1954 and says
"I need a short barrel S&W .38 special for Concealed Carry"
Dealer says "Take your pick".

 

[DRYHEAT]

Even the "old guys" are cool...

 

[Mister_Smith]

That is a beautiful sight!!

It feels good to know there are others who appreciate these beauties the way I do!!

relevel, it is a pitty that you do not like them. Tell you what, when you find them, just let me know. No thanks necessary, I think I could find a use for them. We live close enough that I could be there in an hour or so.

 

[Lenny_D]

I'm not a big fan of the 2" K snubby, but the M19, 2-1/2, or a 3" K round butt are pretty cool
19-5 2-1/2

CS1 3"

65-5 LS 3"

and last but not least, my 17/19 2-1/2, 22lr

cause I don't like J frame 22 snubbies much.

Ned

That 17/19 is intresting, looks as though the barrel was sleeved and recut for 22 caliber. Was anything done to the firing pin or was the sleeve enough to move the hits from center fire to rim fire? Its amazing what you see on this forum.

Len

 

[Lenny_D]

Even the "old guys" are cool...

That is a magnificent gun! Thanks for sharing the photo it's about to become my new screensaver.
Len

 

[TNDave]

If you can shoot well you can shoot the short barreled guns as well as the longer barreled guns.

 

[Hannibal Barca]

Maybe the short barreled models 19 and 15 were made because they are easier to carry for military and lawmen who did´t care the gun could be notice. Civilian needs a more concealable gun like the J frames.

I have a model 15 2" barrel and I have it for home defense. I like too much my model 15 but I have to admit it was a little bulky for concealed carry.

 

[blujax01]

...Civilian needs a more concealable gun like the J frames...

I carry my M64 every day. A proper holster and well-thought out clothing ensure that it doesn't get noticed.

 

[Darkenfast]

High on my long list of life's mistakes is the selling of a 2 1/2" Model 19 back in 1980. I will agree that it is one of the sexiest guns around, regardless of its practicality (and as to that, it would do: it's more about the person than the hardware).

 

[jojodogfaceboy]

I'm not a big fan of the 2" K snubby, but the M19, 2-1/2, or a 3" K round butt are pretty cool
19-5 2-1/2

CS1 3"

65-5 LS 3"

and last but not least, my 17/19 2-1/2, 22lr

cause I don't like J frame 22 snubbies much.

Ned

What model Hubertus is that? looks like buffalo horn, nice.

 

[smithman 10]

Short barrel K-frames

I carry a J-frame most of the time too because it's more convenient and concealable.

But there's no doubt that almost anyone can shoot a 2" Model 10 or 64 a lot more accurately than any J-frame! Except maybe a 3" J with adjustable sights.

So you take your pick and live with it. Since I tote the Model 60 99 days out of a 100, I'm practicing with it a lot more than I used to.

 

[lowercase]

This is one of my Fall/Winter/Spring carries.

Model 64-6 with factory bobbed hammer riding in an OWB pancake.

 

[Srigs]

I have no problem carrying my 66-1 2.5" or Model 10 2" any time. OWB is my primary carry with one of my The Slide. IWB carry is via a Quick Clip or Hammar.

Here is some pics of course...

66-1 2.5" That I carry as primary a ton.

M0del 10-5 2"