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Joined: Sep 2009
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I've decided to pick up a smaller framed 357 with a 3" or 4" barrel. I've had 686's and a few other larger framed S&W's, Ruger's and a Colt or two.

I don't want something as big and heavy as those and have been thinking of a 3" barreled S&W 60, a Ruger SP101 or another option, a Kimber K6S DASA. I can't see me carrying it, but at the same time, all of these are lighter than a 686, GP100 or one of the newer Colt's.

Any ideas from those that have had one or more of these?

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I have the S&W 3" 60, and multiple Ruger SP101's. Love them. Great compromise but plenty of power. I tend to prefer the SP101's.


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I have a 2" Colt Magnum Carry, they don't make it any more but the do make a new King Cobra which is a small frame 6 shot 357, available with 2", 3" & 4" barrels. I love my Magnum Carry. My brother has a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel and it's also a great gun.

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Originally Posted by ar15a292f
I have a 2" Colt Magnum Carry, they don't make it any more but the do make a new King Cobra which is a small frame 6 shot 357, available with 2", 3" & 4" barrels. I love my Magnum Carry. My brother has a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel and it's also a great gun.

It got to the point that I didn't even think of Colt when looking for a new revolver so I never heard of this but had to check out the 4" adjustable sight version. It is made on the D frame so it should be about like the old Diamondback. At a weight of 36 ounces it's 7 ounces more than a similarly configured SP101.

The Ruger SP101 is a nice smaller revolver. I got to put 50 rounds through my 4" adjustable sight version before sending it back to Ruger but recoil at least from .38 Spl and especially 1000 fps level .357 loads was a lot more comfortable than I was anticipating.

I'm guessing that the King Cobra is a bit bigger overall and the grip in particular looks more full "man's hand" sized than the Ruger. This is good news, even it's more of a Model 19 size than an SP101 size it would still make a great intermediate sized revolver.

Naturally in this market folks are wanting upwards of $850 for one and mostly way upwards into the $1000+ range.


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I have a S&W Model 60 with 3 inch barrel and adjustable sights. For me, it is the perfect size/weight for a kit gun. I use it at the farm/ranch all the time. I do use it for CCW as well.

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Ruger LCRx 3 inch

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The 4.2" SP101 is a nice little revolver. Smaller footprint and not extremely heavy but solid/heavy enough to shoot 357's and enough barrel to have a little less fire-ball..... Good solid little revolver. Hogue grips are a cheap improvement.

If I wanted lighter the 3" LCRx would be the first place I'd look...... I'd really like to pick up a pair of those in .357 and 22 lr.

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I have a like new model 19 that I think is perfect.


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I had a 4.2” SP101, but always wanted a 3” S&W 60- so I bought the Smith and had both at the same time for a short while.

I wanted one or the other primarily as a lightweight trail gun to mostly shoot .38 level loads but with the capability of packing a punch if I so desired. The Ruger was a beefy thing and seemed considerably heavier than the Smith, plus the trigger on the Ruger wasn’t nearly as nice- and that’s after I’d worked them both over, dry fired them thousands of times, and even changed springs.

So I sold the Ruger. I figured if I wanted a heavier gun for mostly .357 loads I would have gone to a S&W 66/686 in the first place and had 6 shot capability too.

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I might add, the S&W didn’t “feel“ that great out of the box, but after I changed the grips and a spring or two, opened up the rear sight window a little with a file, added a white outline with some paint, and put some hot pink on the front sight, it was/is perfect.

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I am still smitten with my three inch Model 60, .357.


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Originally Posted by duckster
I have a S&W Model 60 with 3 inch barrel and adjustable sights. For me, it is the perfect size/weight for a kit gun. I use it at the farm/ranch all the time. I do use it for CCW as well.


Hard to beat right there! I’ve had a couple of them over the years and will definitely own another some day!


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My wife has a 2 3/4" S&W 640, it is a .357 but mostly gets fed .38's. I've carried it a few times, I wouldn't be too disappointed if I was carrying something similar all of the time.


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Originally Posted by Rolltide
I've decided to pick up a smaller framed 357 with a 3" or 4" barrel. I've had 686's and a few other larger framed S&W's, Ruger's and a Colt or two.

I don't want something as big and heavy as those and have been thinking of a 3" barreled S&W 60, a Ruger SP101 or another option, a Kimber K6S DASA. I can't see me carrying it, but at the same time, all of these are lighter than a 686, GP100 or one of the newer Colt's.

Any ideas from those that have had one or more of these?

Smallest/lightest that one should go in a .357 Magnum is the Ruger SP101. Even that is brutal with Magnum loads. Anything smaller and lighter is about useless since no one will wish to touch a Magnum round off in one. Forget about a J-Frame made of aluminum or scandium, or the LCR with its plastic parts. You won't touch off a Magnum in one of those more than once.

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Magnum loads in an SP101? No problem, all day long. In the 3" model 60? No problem, but not all day long.

Love that 3" 60 AS. But mine was stolen by that woman who claims to be my wife. When I need a small 357, I get by with the little Ruger.


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Smith model 60 with a 3” barrel. 38 + P loads in 357 cases or low to mid range 357 Mag loads work really well. Great trigger, sight picture, etc. A few years ago I found a 5” model 60 on G/broker which is even easier to shoot


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I have a 4" SP101, and a 3" M60, both with adjustable sights. I also have a couple Black Hawks, 4 5/8" and 6" and a GP100 6". The M60 and SP are more portable, and both shoot well enough to be a threat to foxes or groundhogs out to 20-30yds, and better shots than I, much farther.. The 6" guns are more effective at 50yds, but are in the way at times. None of them are for sale.

For the shooter wanting "more portable", the 5 shooters are so close, it's a flip of the coin.


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3" S&W. Can't remember if it is Model 60. I get CRS a lot at my age. Sights not adjustable, but I put a Crimson Trace on it.My wife carries the Lady Smith in 38. When I am in the saddle I carry a 4" Ruger Security Six.


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I put maybe 1000 rounds through a 3" M65 Ladysmith I bought "for my wife". .38+P 158s were fine, 180gr .357s pretty stiff. I often carry a 3" M63 around, and the extra inch makes a big difference in usability compared to the snubbie 1 7/8" models. I think an M60, using good +P .38s or handloaded .357 equivalents would be about ideal for a carry revolver. Still, there's a lot to be said for the various compact 9s available now too, one being price. Good revolvers are pricey.

I highly recommend the Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake holster for 3" J-frames. Gives you several options: IWB, OWB, strong-side or crossdraw, even Tanker-style with the optional straps. The 3" guns are a bit much for pocket carry.


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3" model 66 or an LCRx both great guns

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