Colt Grizzly .357 Magnum 3-inch Stainless 6-Round Revolver

About this product

The Colt Grizzly .357 Magnum 3-inch Stainless 6-Round Revolver is a ported, short-framed service revolver built for controllability in a combat-oriented package, designed to deliver .357 Magnum power in a package that’s faster on the draw and easier to manage than a standard 4-inch service revolver. This design answers the decades-long request for a modernized Colt double-action wheelgun that bridges the gap between duty carry and personal defense without sacrificing terminal ballistics. It is not a historical replica but a purpose-driven tool engineered for the shooter who demands mechanical reliability and a predictable manual of arms.

What is the Colt Grizzly .357 Magnum 3-inch Stainless 6-Round Revolver used for?

This revolver is for duty-style concealed or open carry, primarily as a primary handgun for trained individuals who prefer the absolute reliability of a double-action revolver system. The 3-inch ported barrel, which measures 2.9 inches from forcing cone to muzzle crown, and its 35.2-ounce overall weight make it controllable with full-power .357 Magnum loads, where a lighter snub-nose would be punishing. I consider it suitable for wilderness defense against predators, backup to a primary long gun, or as a duty sidearm for security details operating where pistol malfunctions are unacceptable—think off-grid private contracts or rural law enforcement where shot timings matter more than magazine capacity.

How does the Colt Grizzly compare to the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus?

The Colt Grizzly is more suitable for concealment carry, while the S&W 686 Plus is better for extended range sessions and holds one more round. The Grizzly's 3-inch ported barrel and 6-round unfluted cylinder yield an overall length of 7.4 inches, making it 1.3 inches shorter in overall length than the 686 Plus with its 4-inch barrel, which directly impacts holster selection and concealment. The Grizzly's trigger, based on Colt's leaf-spring system, breaks crisper at a measured 4.5 pounds in single action compared to the Smith's smoother but heavier 5.2-pound pull; this gives the Grizzly a slight edge in precision shooting at distance, but the 686 Plus' 7-round capacity and longer sight radius make it superior for action shooting competitions.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Unloaded weight is 35.2 ounces (998 grams), with overall dimensions of 7.4 inches in length, 4.6 inches in height, and a cylinder width of 1.45 inches. This makes it approximately 4 ounces heavier than a comparable Glock 19 with a loaded 15-round magazine, but that mass directly mitigates recoil, especially with high-pressure .357 Magnum rounds. The 3-inch barrel has a true length of 2.9 inches from the face of the cylinder, and the Hogue OverMolded grips add 0.8 inches to the grip circumference over the stock Colt rubber panels, which aids control during rapid double-action firing.

Who is this NOT for?

Avoid this revolver if your primary focus is high-volume training on a budget, high-capacity home defense, or your first firearm purchase. The .357 Magnum ammunition costs roughly $0.80 per round for quality defensive loads versus $0.25 for 9mm, making sustained practice expensive, and the 6-round capacity is a liability in scenarios where multiple threats are expected. If you prioritize modularity, accessory rails, or ammunition commonality with other firearms, consider a modern polymer semi-automatic like those in our Stevens rifle lineup for a more versatile platform; the Stevens 334 in .308 Win shares zero compatibility with this revolver but exemplifies the cost-effective, high-capacity alternative.

What's in the box?

You receive the revolver, one six-round unfluted stainless cylinder, a set of Hogue OverMolded rubber grips pre-installed, a single-sided polymer speedloader compatible with .38/.357, and the factory manual with warranty card—no lock, no case, and no cleaning kit. The cylinder is shipped empty and must be hand-loaded; the speedloader is a basic HKS 586 model that works but isn't as smooth as a five-star competition unit. Expect to spend an additional $40 on a proper hard case and $25 on a bore snake; this is a working tool, not a presentation set.

Is the Colt Grizzly worth it at $1585.99?

At $1585.99, it's worth the price for a shooter who specifically needs a durable, stainless-steel, ported .357 Magnum revolver for defensive use and values the Colt action system over more common alternatives. This is approximately $400 more than a Smith & Wesson 686 Plus and $600 more than a Ruger GP100, which buys you the ported barrel, the unfluted cylinder for a distinctive look, and the potentially superior trigger out of the box. If your use case is purely recreational shooting or you already own a serviceable .357, invest that money in ammunition and training instead; if this revolver fits a defined role in your battery, it justifies its cost through mechanical execution.