Ultimate 3in Revolver Showdown:Dance With The Devil

[mr.revolverguy]

A close friend of mine in a conversation said to me, the 3inch revolver is the absolute best fighting revolver ever made no matter the brand. I told him let's get our hands on as many 3in revolvers as we possibly can to test his theory. 3in revolvers do seem to be some of the most sought after in the collectors world and in my hands no matter the manufacturer they are the most well balanced.



We were able to coral SA/DA revolver from most every manufacturer that exist today. I am very well aware there are others like Korth, Chiappa and a few others. I did reach out to them to see if they wanted a chance to dance with the Devil they politely declined or I did not get a response. I didn't really expect anything different for a random stranger like myself to them but thought I would try. As I was personally very interested in understanding why the 3in revolver is so sought after.


In this picture:

1. S&W Model 65 -- Heavily Modified Cut from 4in to 3in recrowned, trigger job, front night sight. Ultimate Trigger -- Throne Arms Gunsmith
2. Kimber K6s -- 3dot sights, Smallest/lightest 6 shot steel revolver made to date. Ultimate Carry
3. S&W Model 19 -- K Frame -- Carry Comp, Night Sight, Ported. Mr. Universal
4. Ruger GP100 -- Traditional grips great feel, stout Ultimate Durability
5. Colt Python 2022 -- Traditional sights, red ramp front, stout, butt of the grips rather large even for my big meat hooks. Mr. Hollywood
6. Guest Appearance Not In Picture -- S&W 686 L Frame -- Tradition sights, red ramp front, Boot Grips, Ultimate Duty

The Challenge 6-6-6

With every visit to the range yes I am having a lot of fun, often I end the range session deliberately with a little training.

1. 6 Shots
2. 6 Yards from target
3. 6 Seconds par time -- Timer set on random start time

All to be fired double action. Starting with the muzzle pointed at the ground waist high or resting on a table waist high.


If there is enough interest we can create classes for 5 shot pocket snubbie and longer barrel revolvers.

Submit Your Scores

All scores with pictures can be submitted to [email protected]

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In Summary

The range can be fun even when incorporating training. 3inch revolvers enhances that activity as they are much easier to shoot than their pocket snubbie brethren. Some may see this as breaking one of trainings cardinal rule "Train with what you carry" I too believe strongly in this rule. Pocket snubbies are really easy to carry but can be hard to shoot for some so I also subscribe to every bit of training matters and every round down range counts if you are applying yourself and you are learning something from it. I have tried and carried many revolvers and pistols and believe there is no such thing as the "perfect one" as there are to many situational scenarios. Though the 3in revolver is as close as they come to the holy grail of perfection.

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[Certaindeaf]

Once you go 3" you'll never go glock.
Lol

 

[mr.revolverguy]

LOL Certaindeaf I am going to have to steal that one. lol

 

[cosmos mariner]

My stock 65-2 agrees with your friend. I'll be trying the Challenge next time I'm out at the range. Looking forward to it!

 

[mr.revolverguy]

cosmos let us know how you do send some pictures and scores and I will create a page for you if you want. I can't wait to see how bad I am LOL. Good Luck

 

[kmk1012]

Very well written, is this your profession? If it is not, it should be.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Very well written, is this your profession? If it is not, it should be.

He's no Saiga308!

 

[mr.revolverguy]

Profession I have been told I suck at this. No sir this is my way of keeping up the fight since I hung up my uniforms, just something I really like do. Notice my site has no sponsors funded out of my pocket with hopes of attracting new 2A supporters. I have been accused of making BIG dollars because my website looks professional it is because I am a IT professional for my second career after my military career.

 

[Knobgoblin]

Any "perceived " advantage for the finer sights? I currently have a 3" Ruger gp100 in .357 with fixed, channel sights and a Smith 60-15 sporting factory adjustables.
Never really thought about running them head to head for time. Different capacity, obviously, but now my wheels are turning ( revolver pun , groan).
Thanks man, great thread.

 

[thorborg]

I guess there is an opposition for everything...CC'd 3" for over 20 years, left me wanting.
4" put the icing on the cake, lamenting my original choice. Having "modernized" to Glock, dumped for a 365, now water under the bridge. I'm good for this life.

 

[41mag]

To add additional fun to practice, there's a fine little printed target with a series of 2" Red circles in a 3x3 grid with an extra somewhere. There's a revolving series of instructions for each circle. I think 10 or 15' is the distance, draw from hip IIRC.

Not too hard, rather fun. Then you add in an actual timer....

I'll try to get a photo posted if the OP doesn't mind.

 

[titsonritz]

I've had a few 3" wheel guns...an S&W 686 Lew Horton special 1 of 300, an S&W 65 Lady Smith and an S&W 66. All were sweet guns, wish I still had them all. Would love to swoop on a 3" Speed/Police Six.

 

[mr.revolverguy]

To add additional fun to practice, there's a fine little printed target with a series of 2" Red circles in a 3x3 grid with an extra somewhere. There's a revolving series of instructions for each circle. I think 10 or 15' is the distance, draw from hip IIRC.

Not too hard, rather fun. Then you add in an actual timer....

I'll try to get a photo posted if the OP doesn't mind.

Picture is worth a thousand words

 

[Scout 38S]

Will do the challenge next time I'm at the range with my New Colt Cobra.

 

[nammac]

So for the 5 shot revolver option, would it be 5 shots, from 6 yards in 6 seconds?

Seriously, just wondering…

 

[mr.revolverguy]

For 5 shot revolver 5seconds distance and everything else remains the same.

 

[Stomper]

Once you go 3" you'll never go glock.
Lol

Are we talking girth or length here?

 

[mr.revolverguy]

Scout 38S Waiting for that 3in Cobra showing

 

[Scout 38S]

Attempting to get yard and garden in shape since the rain finally stopped late last week. 3 months of intense rain and everything is verdant, green and TALL!
Later this week probably Wednesday. I will post weapon targets and time. I shoot a 38/44 load in the KC.

 

[Scout 38S]

Went to the range yesterday and fired the challenge with my Colt KC 3" and a friend's well worn Model 19 2.5". Over on time with both by two seconds and shooting 38/44 load of a 158grain SWC at 1060fps. Shot the Colt cold, then the 19. Harder than it looks and a good training drill. Got excited on the first two shots from the Colt then pulled the front sight down and locked in for the last four.