The 3 inch 5 shot magnum: what role?

[American1776]

We’ve got 2 inch magnums that pocket carry well. We’ve got 4-6 inch magnums that offer great terminal ballistics.

What role does a 27 ounce 5 shot, 3 inch magnum fill? One can carry a G19 that offers 3 times the capacity in the same size. Out of the 3 inch tube, the 125 grain magnums still beat the 9mm, but not by a whole lot.

Still, I like this set up. Seems perfect! On paper it doesn’t get the props when compared with a commander 1911 or G19, which offer ‘more’. I still like this setup.

Anyone prefer things that don’t make as much sense as other options?

 

[ContinentalOp]

A 3" SP101 doesn't really appeal to me, though I do like the 2.25" model (a DAO Wiley Clapp model is on my very long wish list).

I'm not really an outdoorsy-type, I basically go hiking on well-marked trails and that's it, but it seems to me that a 3" SP101 could make for a good field gun for someone wanting to carry a stout .357 Magnum round but not wanting to lug around a bigger gun. Maybe as a BUG to a hunting rifle?

But as I said in another thread, maybe it's because someone just likes them and wants one. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[HughD1]

My wife has a Model 60-15 3 inch 357. She will never shoot a magnum out of it but it is quite comfortable to shoot with plus p 38. Easy for her to operate and not overly big or heavy. At close range she can hit what she needs to. Simple, reliable, and effective. There is something to be said for that.


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[bigwheelzip]

What role does a 27 ounce 5 shot, 3 inch magnum fill? One can carry a G19 that offers 3 times the capacity in the same size.

I carry a 3 inch L frame with 180gr magnum loads for woods walks, or when bears are spotted in the neighborhood.
I shot a friend's SP101. Seems like a good revolver but I didn't shoot it too well with the OEM stocks and unfamiliar trigger. Tried aftermarket grips on one and it felt better.



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[pasound]

My 60-15 is my handload test tool. Accurate with most factory ammo, and a good test for ammo that will probably only get used in 2" snubbies. Any +P's shoot with no problems in it. A couple of cylinders of CCI 158Gr FMJ and Winchester 110Gr convinced me to only shoot .38's in it.

 

[tlawler]

According to BBTI, the ME increase between 2 and 3 inch barrels is nearly double and the MV difference is 250 to 300 FPS. Pretty substantial I’d say. In an IWB holster the 3” carries as easily as a 2” for me. Of course if you’re a Glock guy, I guess the point is moot.

 

[Echo40]

What is this strange new trend of questioning what role a given firearm fulfills or otherwise excels in?

No matter, I'll tell you... Concealed Carry.

Revolvers with longer barrels are harder to Concealed Carry, and despite what persistent unilateral pro-9mm rhetoric asserts, cutting an inch or two off the barrel of a .357 Magnum Revolver does not magically turn .357 Magnum into .38 Long Colt. Yes, certain .357 Magnum loads perform poorly out of snubnose revolvers, just like how certain 9mm loads perform poorly out of subcompact pistols, but fortunately there are also loads which are designed specifically for shorter barrels which use faster-burning powders to achieve comparable performance to other loads out of longer barrels.

 

[white cloud]

I too have a Model 60-10. It makes a pretty nice trail gun. I think the 3" SP101 would work well in this role as well. For those of us who prefer revolvers, I think both would work well for CCW.

 

[uncleted327]

The problem isn't what role a 3 inch Magnum fills, the problem is the misconception that a snub 357 magically becomes almost equal to a 9mm. They aren't. Or that capacity is the end all be all of EDC. It isn't.

 

[runscott]

I too have a Model 60-15. It makes a pretty nice trail gun.

I have one purchased for that exact reason. It is light enough and feels perfect in my hand.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

An S&W Model 60-10 3" in 357 is my favorite all around carry revolver as it's a good compromise for CCW carry or as a trail gun. 38 Special shot loads and wadcutters to heavy 357 magnums make it very versatile. The adjustable sights allow for point of aim-point of impact for the various loads.

 

[Texas Star]

A 3" SP101 doesn't really appeal to me, though I do like the 2.25" model (a DAO Wiley Clapp model is on my very long wish list).

I'm not really an outdoorsy-type, I basically go hiking on well-marked trails and that's it, but it seems to me that a 3" SP101 could make for a good field gun for someone wanting to carry a stout .357 Magnum round but not wanting to lug around a bigger gun. Maybe as a BUG to a hunting rifle?

But as I said in another thread, maybe it's because someone just likes them and wants one. Nothing wrong with that.

Note my italics. You saved me making that point.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have a 3" 60-10 micro 686......... prefect trail, working around the cabin or farm gun........ that can do double duty as a concealed carry going into town gun.........

Just plain handy.......................IMO a better "Kit Gun" than a .22lr (I own a 4" 63)

Shot shells to .357s in Penn's woods and .38+Ps hollow points in town.

I carry mine in a IWB kydex holster behind my right hip....... goes unnoticed while doing chores.................

handy backup to my deer or varmint rifle( CZ mannlicher in .22mag ) while walking in Penn's Woods.

Ballistics by the inch gives a 3" barrel about 1100- 1270fps or 200-250 fps over a 2" in.357. 850-960 in .38 spl.

A true "don't leave home without it" gun.

 

[shocker]

I'd rather compare a 3" 357 to a compact 10 mm.
Now do what "everybody" does and load 38 +P in a carry 357 then I like the comparison to 9 mm.
Attached is a bad photo of a 66-8 laying on top of a Glock 29, muzzles matched up. Besides the form factor there's 35 oz vs 27 empty.

 

[fish hunter]

My 60-10 is my kit and trail gun due to hand size and old age loss of hand strength. A 60-15 is a nice sub untill you find the -10.

 

[fishcreekrim]

A 60-9 in a Galco stinger is easily concealed under a jacket. 50% increase in sight radius and adjustable sights give me confidence over a 2” fixed sight revolver. Trail gun or edc. JMHO/YMMV

 

[Texas Star]

I'd rather compare a 3" 357 to a compact 10 mm.
Now do what "everybody" does and load 38 +P in a carry 357 then I like the comparison to 9 mm.
Attached is a bad photo of a 66-8 laying on top of a Glock 29, muzzles matched up. Besides the form factor there's 35 oz vs 27 empty.

But your revolver is a much safer gun than any Glock!

We have a topic in The Lounge about yet another Glock AD in which a father accidentally killed his young son.

I don't think Glocks and similar guns should be in the hands of the average gun owner. YMMV.

My five-shot .357 is a Ruger SP-101, with a barrel of about three inches.

 

[Jessie]

I’m here to see the pictures....

 

[cjwils]

I have a 3 inch 7-shot 686, which I like a lot. But I don't see any reason to have a 5-shot that is almost as big.

 

[Chukar60]

Cannot think of anything other than hunting that my 60-10 is not suitable for.
Strictly my view, but hunting revolver cartridges start with a 4.