I've Got a "Thing" for Small, 3" Revolvers

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Jeff H

NW Ohio
The latest is a Rossi RP63, SIX-shot, 3", stainless 357, made by Taurus, but very apparently with a bit more care. The latest Taurus revolvers are pretty nice, but this Rossi is even nicer and it maintains the previous Smith-like lockwork.

Only shot it at ten yards so far and not very much at all yet. The sights are hard to see - the rear notch is only .038" deep and barely wide enough to get any light on the sides. I do NOT like the grip, but overall it's very nice. Throats are sized appropriately to the groove diameter and they all lone up perfectly.

I'll share more about it once I've had a chance to use it more. It definitely needs a set of springs, but the "Smith-like" action should respond to lighter springs better than the current Taurus design with the firing pin in the frame/transfer bar.

RP63-003 (Copy).jpgRP63-002.jpgRP63-001 (Copy).jpg
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I do gravitate to them as well. Even before I knew I did...

My first "snub" was a Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4" 357 mag. Then a S&W 65 Round butt 3". Then a S&W 696 in 44 Special. 3".

CW
 
Outpost75

Outpost75

Active Member
Here is one you don't see everyday.
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If you don't want to shoot the poor guy a New Service makes a great impact weapon when empty, or as the late Frank Marshall, Jr. liked to say, "with the .455 you can just crawl down the barrel and hide!"
 
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J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Easy decision there. The 6.5" has special meaning.

I picked up a new 4" 624 in 86 or 87 for $275. Sold it when I quit my job and moved back north and wasn't sure how broke I'd be for how long and the 357 was a little cheaper to feed. In reality, the only real savings was in lead. I use about the same amount of powder in either one and I've never paid a difference between small and large primers. The 357 can be harder on brass (the way I shot back then), but is cheaper and easier to find.

Pretty much a wash the way I load now.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I have a special place in my heart for 2.75” - 3” barreled DA revolvers. They fill that gap between a snubnose and a 4” barreled revolver.

They are full sized guns with excellent grips and decent sight radius, – BUT, they are noticeably easier to carry concealed when compared to a 4” barrel.

The 3” barreled DA is the revolver equivalent of a Colt Commander or Glock 19 in a DA revolver platform. The ultimate “packable” combat/utility gun.

Back in the revolver days, the 3” guns were plain clothes/concealed carry kings. Same speedloaders as the 4” duty gun, same capacity, same loadings; just a little bit easier to tote around concealed.

I’ll give credit where credit is due, one of the few good ideas to come out of the FBI was the round butt S&W 3” model 13. (the 3” model 65 is the stainless-steel equivalent). That gun combined power, accuracy, a full 6 round capacity in a compact, easy to shoot package.

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From left to right: S&W Model 65 (3" barrel), Ruger Speed-Six (2.75" barrel), Ruger GPNY (3" barrel) and Ruger SP101 (5 shot cylinder 3" barrel)
 
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J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Bret4207 said:
...I'm just scared to take it out in the brush!!!
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I can't do that. Some people quip that "a gun is just a tool" to rationalize poor treatment and neglect, but I treat ALL my tools with respect and take good care of them. They get some bumps and bruises along the way but that just makes them prettier to me.

I've gotta have it out playin' with it. I've sold a few I didn't feel right about using, but don't ever trust ME to keep a pristine collectible pristine. I ust don't have the discipline to keep things looking new.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Petrol & Powder said:
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From left to right: S&W Model 65 (3" barrel), Ruger Speed-Six (2.75" barrel), Ruger GPNY (3" barrel) and Ruger SP101 (5 shot cylinder 3" barrel)
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Those are ALL beautiful!

I love the Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six and SP101, but have always felt the Smith 65 in 3" is the epitome of "Do (Almost) All" revolvers for general use. I've never owned one, but that this new Rossi is so close in form and concept is what made me want it. My experience with Rossi Revolvers has been good, so even if it doesn't come up to the standard of the 65, it's as close as I'll ever get.

I do still hold a grudge against the GP100, irrational or not. It was the "cheaper to make" (bulkier, heavier) version which superseded the Security/Service/Speed Six series I think so highly of. The SP101,... I had a 90s era model that I put some effort into smoothing and doing some action-work, had the throats honed to the same diameter and a S&W M60 rear sight installed. Long story, but I let it go and few guns I have let go bother me at all, but I really wish I had that one back.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Petrol & Powder said:
It IS a tool. That doesn't mean it should be abused but a pristine collector's grade hammer has no value to me.
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Even my SHOVEL was chosen with care as a "vintage" True-Temper with all the right features. Actually, all my garden tools are like that. My hand-pruners are a "vintage" German set I sought out and refurbished from a flea-market bin. Many of my woodworking tools are much older than I am, and all chosen carefully and tuned to do their best work. They get USED hard, but cared for. I'm not a collector - I'm a USER.

Don't get me started on my axes...

I feel a certain reverence for GOOD tools, but a tool is useless to me unless I am using it.

NOTE!: I do NOT look down upon anyone who feels differently about using certain rare/hard-to-find things. I get it. If you mess it up - how do you replace it? I'm just saying that I don't have that kind of self-control. If I had a Model-T, I'd be looking for the accessories to put steel wheels on the rear and plow the garden with it.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Jeff H said:
I love the Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six.....
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I think every Ruger fan felt a little pain when the last Ruger DA Six series came off the line in 1988. That was the end of an era.

Jeff H said:
They get USED hard, but cared for. I'm not a collector - I'm a USER.
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I have the same respect for tools. My tools come from a lifetime of gathering and some are far older than me. I don't need fancy or pristine but I do need quality.
Sure, I have a few ultra cheap screwdrivers that are used for everything but turning screws. And I have other cheap tools that have a place. But for the majority of my tools, I'll go that extra mile to acquire the right tool. I have old S-K wrenches, Thorsen sockets, Old Stanley carpentery tools, U.S. made Craftsman, etc. I only want to buy it once and it needs to work when I need it.
Tools get used hard but cleaned, and put away with care when the job is done.
 
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