best rated 357 in mag. 2" - 3" - Page 3

Eddietruett · March 25, 2018, 12:28 AM

The 2 1/2" Model 19, 66, and 686 are all great shooters but I'm really starting to become partial to the 3" Models. I love my Model 66 with 3" but all time favorites are 3" Model 13 and 65. For carry and defense the adjustable sights hinder more than help IMHO

USSR · March 25, 2018, 04:52 PM

Quote:

I recommend staying away from the 2-1/2" one's due to the Short Ejector Rod, unless you find something you really like. They are slower to reload.

The way to go with the 2.5 inch 19's or 66's is the FBI Load, which is a .38 Special +P load. Makes for much easier follow up shots, and the extraction is much better. I cast my own 158 grain hollowpoints, and they expand superbly coming out of a snubbie.

Don

Danoobie · March 25, 2018, 09:30 PM

For my money?

The Kimber K6. It's specifically designed with snag-free edges, for concealed carry.
6 shots in a 5-round weight and size. Solid, dependable trigger, great sights.

BluRidgDav · March 27, 2018, 01:48 PM

Minorcan, Not sure why you wrote this:

"Kimber K6s - The main issue I have with it is it weighs a ton for no reason. It would make an awful carry weapon for this reason."

Interesting comment, when you consider that the Ruger SP101 is 2-3 oz HEAVIER than the K6s and the Kimber carries 6 rounds instead of only 5.

Brian Williams · March 28, 2018, 03:34 AM

2 come to mind, the S&W CS-1 or a S&W 65 Lady Smith. I have a 3" S&W 13 that is quite nice. Custom I would like a S&W 581 cut down to 3" and round butted.

thibaultfelix40 · March 30, 2018, 06:07 AM

I have a 686 3" plus and a 3" model 60. I like both;however, I can't see the 686 as every day concealed carry. The model 60 is a dream after outfitting it with recoil absorbing grips. I recommend the Winchester white box 110 grain JHP load especially in a 3" barreled gun.

WheelGunMan · March 30, 2018, 02:51 PM

I have a SP101 2-1/4" with a spurless hammer that weighs in at 25 oz and a LCR .357 that weighs in at 17.4 oz...which has become my EDC.

I installed a different hammer and trigger spring on the SP101 and equipped it with a Trijicon sight and Pachmayr Pro grips which makes it a real pleasure to shoot. I use it for a weekly defensive shooting competition that I participate in. I take my LCR to the range monthly to keep tuned up on it.

FITASC · March 30, 2018, 03:20 PM

What's wrong with the 3" one you have? I have a 19-3 2-1/2" and the comment about the ejector rod is spot on - and that issue gets worse as the barrel gets shorter. If you want small with easy extraction and reloading, you might want to consider a J frame in 9mm using moonclips.

cw308 · March 31, 2018, 08:41 AM

Model 65 3" HB full length ejection rod , spent cases don't hang up like on the shorter barrels.

Deja vu · March 31, 2018, 12:43 PM

My CCW is a S&W 627 PC. It's great! The heavier weight makes it much more shoot able than my LCR. The 627 has a 2.5 inch barrel and it also hold 8 rounds!

Doc Holliday 1950 · April 5, 2018, 08:53 PM

Thanks everyone. I checked out most of your suggestions & then decided to stick with my 686 plus 3" 357 in magnum. This is one heck of a revolver.I went out & bought a new ITW holster & started to carry it again. Since I live in a concealed carry state, I pretty much have it concealed but still able to get it out in a reasonable time frame. This was the hardest to do. The grips kind of sticks out but for my needs it works.
The LCR;'s were not for me. The GP 100's are terrific but the S&W is better.
The other Smiths like the model 60 was impressive but only allowed 5 shots.
The Kimbers also were impressive but not in the price range under $1K

March 27, 2018, 01:48 PM	#54
BluRidgDav Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 314	Minorcan, Not sure why you wrote this: "Kimber K6s - The main issue I have with it is it weighs a ton for no reason. It would make an awful carry weapon for this reason." Interesting comment, when you consider that the Ruger SP101 is 2-3 oz HEAVIER than the K6s and the Kimber carries 6 rounds instead of only 5. __________________ Watch your top-knot. Last edited by BluRidgDav; March 27, 2018 at 03:36 PM.

March 28, 2018, 03:34 AM	#55
Brian Williams Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,288	2 come to mind, the S&W CS-1 or a S&W 65 Lady Smith. I have a 3" S&W 13 that is quite nice. Custom I would like a S&W 581 cut down to 3" and round butted. __________________ Brian <><

March 30, 2018, 06:07 AM	#56
thibaultfelix40 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2011 Posts: 154	I have a 686 3" plus and a 3" model 60. I like both;however, I can't see the 686 as every day concealed carry. The model 60 is a dream after outfitting it with recoil absorbing grips. I recommend the Winchester white box 110 grain JHP load especially in a 3" barreled gun. __________________ olafhardt

March 30, 2018, 03:20 PM	#58
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	What's wrong with the 3" one you have? I have a 19-3 2-1/2" and the comment about the ejector rod is spot on - and that issue gets worse as the barrel gets shorter. If you want small with easy extraction and reloading, you might want to consider a J frame in 9mm using moonclips. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

March 31, 2018, 12:43 PM	#60
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	My CCW is a S&W 627 PC. It's great! The heavier weight makes it much more shoot able than my LCR. The 627 has a 2.5 inch barrel and it also hold 8 rounds! __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

March 25, 2018, 12:28 AM	#51
Eddietruett Member Join Date: June 15, 2017 Posts: 54	The 2 1/2" Model 19, 66, and 686 are all great shooters but I'm really starting to become partial to the 3" Models. I love my Model 66 with 3" but all time favorites are 3" Model 13 and 65. For carry and defense the adjustable sights hinder more than help IMHO

March 25, 2018, 09:30 PM	#53
Danoobie Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2017 Posts: 351	For my money? The Kimber K6. It's specifically designed with snag-free edges, for concealed carry. 6 shots in a 5-round weight and size. Solid, dependable trigger, great sights.

March 30, 2018, 02:51 PM	#57
WheelGunMan Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2017 Posts: 112	I have a SP101 2-1/4" with a spurless hammer that weighs in at 25 oz and a LCR .357 that weighs in at 17.4 oz...which has become my EDC. I installed a different hammer and trigger spring on the SP101 and equipped it with a Trijicon sight and Pachmayr Pro grips which makes it a real pleasure to shoot. I use it for a weekly defensive shooting competition that I participate in. I take my LCR to the range monthly to keep tuned up on it.

March 31, 2018, 08:41 AM	#59
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	Model 65 3" HB full length ejection rod , spent cases don't hang up like on the shorter barrels.

April 5, 2018, 08:53 PM	#61
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	Thanks everyone. I checked out most of your suggestions & then decided to stick with my 686 plus 3" 357 in magnum. This is one heck of a revolver.I went out & bought a new ITW holster & started to carry it again. Since I live in a concealed carry state, I pretty much have it concealed but still able to get it out in a reasonable time frame. This was the hardest to do. The grips kind of sticks out but for my needs it works. The LCR;'s were not for me. The GP 100's are terrific but the S&W is better. The other Smiths like the model 60 was impressive but only allowed 5 shots. The Kimbers also were impressive but not in the price range under $1K __________________ Shoot well and be Accurate, Doc