Barrell Length

[DAD]

I have a chance to pick up A Ruger Single Six bluded with 4 5/8 barell lenght. I'm just wondering what would be the differance pro-cons of the differant length. They come in 4 5/8 or 5.5 or 6.5 or 9.5. I would be woods and general shooting and plinking. and short range woods hunting. The 4 5/8 and 5.5 and 6.5 feel good in my hands. The 4 5/8 is this years production and I can get for 250.00 LNIB with the mag cylinder. Here in my area are bluded 340.00 stainless is 399.00. I want to buy the proper one with the barrell lenght. Just want to know the pros-cons of barrell length.

[44 Man]

Well Dad, I'm sure you will hear lots of theorys about sight radius and barrel length and accuracy.  Some people put a lot of stock in those things but don't get too carried away will all of that.  Yes, there are techincal advantages to longer distances between the sights, but I really have not found enough difference to put to work in the field.  If you are talking the difference between a 2" barrel and a 7 1/2" barrel and an 18" barrel, I'm sure it is noticeable.  However I have found that the differences between a 4 5/8" barral and a 6 1/2" is so minor I can't tell the difference if it is the sights or if I am just having a better day at the range.  Get the one that feels best to you; balance, handling, and comfort to carry.  That's the one you will shoot the best.  Oh and the difference between velocity is minor also.  What you shoot with it will never know the difference.  I carry a 4 5/8" Single Six and do not feel I have ever missed a shot because the barrel was an inch too short or had a squirrel get away that was solidly hit.  At my friends range, I can regularly ring a gong at 100 yds with my 2" snub Chief's Special.  If the gun is accurate, it will be accurate.  If you can hold it steady when you press the trigger, you will hit with it.  44 Man

[Questor]

I prefer revolvers with 6.5" or less barrels because they are handy to carry. All of mine are 6" or 6.5" barrels because I find it optimum for carry and for shooting.  The 4 5/8" barrel will be very handy in a holster, especially if you're carrying it holstered while riding a horse or ATV. I don't think you're giving up much for general shooting by having the relatively short barrel.

[Graybeard]

If I'm using iron sights I'm a firm believer in the longer the barrel the better. Why? Cuz I can't see squat up close and I NEED that front sight as far away from me as possible to be able to clear it up. For me a short barrel gun meaning really anything much under an 8-3/8" the front sight cannot ever be clear in my vision. I just can't push that front sight far enough away for it to clear up. Now for someone who sees very well up close but not so good far off the situation should at least theoritically be just the opposite, a shorter barrel should help some. For a scoped gun whatever balances for you seems best.

Your use of the gun and your eyesight really should be taken into consideration in deciding what barrel length is best for you. While those short ones like you're talking can be handy to carry for me they are next to useless for hitting what I want to and for hunting there is no way I'd take one afield. Yet many actually prefer them and do well with them.

[Jerry Lester]

Myself, I prefer a 5.5" barrel, at least on Ruger single actions. Honestly, I shoot about the same with 4 5/8, 5.5, or 6.5 inch barrels, but the 5.5" length just seems to balance better for me. I feel like it's also a good compromise between sight radius, velocity, and "packability".

Also, I'd suggest that before you commit to one style or the other, you try handling both the blued, and stainless versions. The blued has a lighter alluminum alloy grip frame, and the stainless has a stainless steel grip frame. It's not a huge difference in weight, but in such a light revolver, it does make a very noticable difference in the way the gun feels in your hands.

[44 Man]

Good point there Graybeard.  My eyes have gone the other way.  I have great difficulty if the gun has much over a 5" barrel.  44 Man

[DAD]

Graybeard and 44man have good points about sight. I very lucky I still have good vision, but they are trying to talk me into bi-folkles. You know old people glasses so you can read!

[corbanzo]

I have the 9.5" version, and for general plinking and short range hunting it can kind of be a pain in the rear with that much barrel swinging around.  BUT - When I put in the .22mag cylinder, anything up to a medium sized dog (coyote) better watch out a ways out there.  I have really good eyes, and actually like to bring my 4.5inch barrel browning buck mark with me because it isnt such a pain like the big six is when I'm hiking.  If the purpose is hunting though, always bring the six.

[slabsides]

My Single Six has the 6-1/2" barrel. Not too long for comfortable carry, but offering a useful increment of velocity and accuracy. One other thing: Single Six front sights come in just one width, as do the rear sight notches: the longer barrel gives you a bit more daylight between the front and rear and for me, at least, makes for easier sighting with my WWII surplus eyes.

[jrdudas]

For me the real difference in barrel length comes into play when you talk about 2" or shorter versus 4" or longer.  My Ruger SA's are 6.5" and I like them alot.  I have a snub nose .357 (1.75") that I can't hit the broad side of a barn with.  If used for a carry gun I'd have to hope that the noise would scare off the bad guy, because he is in no danger of being hit with me shooting that gun.

JR

[DAD]

I picked up my gun and went to the range and after sighting in had a very enjoyable time plinking. I went threw 200 rounds. All of my aphreations are gone. I have just found the type of hand gun that I like. No more of the semi-autos. Now to keep a eye out in my area for a used Blackhawk in 357mag with a 5.5 or6.5 barrel!

[Jerry Lester]

I picked up my gun and went to the range and after sighting in had a very enjoyable time plinking. I went threw 200 rounds. All of my aphreations are gone. I have just found the type of hand gun that I like. No more of the semi-autos. Now to keep a eye out in my area for a used Blackhawk in 357mag with a 5.5 or6.5 barrel!

As far as I know, the 357 Blackhawks aren't made in 5.5". Mine(stainless) was a 6.5" model, and I hunted with it for a good while in that length. After deciding that, for my tastes anyways, 5.5" was the "ideal" barrel length for hunting, I had it cut down to 5.5", and now, it's perfect. It didn't cost much to have it cut down, and it was the mest money I've ever spent.

[DAD]

You are right! I did check Rugers web sight. They come in 4 5/8 and 6 1/2 inch. I should be able to find a like new if I'm carefull. My goal for next dear season is to take a dear with a handgun. I will have all summer to become familer with the revolver. I like the idea of the Convertable in 357,38special and 9mm. Anyone own one?

[Chris]

.357, .38, 9mm?

Yup...'ol Ruger Blackhawk.  Just a cylinder swap...Nice!

...Chris   

[BigIron]

If you were planning to use the 22mag a lot then the longer barrel would give you a higher velocity. I love the 5.5" though.

[Keith L]

I guess I figure a longer barrel in a revolver is unlikely to give you much more velocity.  With the gap between the cylinder and the barrel much of the propelling has to be done in the cylinder.  The extra friction of a longer barrel may even slow the bullet down.

[armory414]

I picked up my gun and went to the range and after sighting in had a very enjoyable time plinking. I went threw 200 rounds. All of my aphreations are gone. I have just found the type of hand gun that I like. No more of the semi-autos. Now to keep a eye out in my area for a used Blackhawk in 357mag with a 5.5 or6.5 barrel!

As far as I know, the 357 Blackhawks aren't made in 5.5". Mine(stainless) was a 6.5" model, and I hunted with it for a good while in that length. After deciding that, for my tastes anyways, 5.5" was the "ideal" barrel length for hunting, I had it cut down to 5.5", and now, it's perfect. It didn't cost much to have it cut down, and it was the mest money I've ever spent.

I have a NM Blackhawk in .357 from the first year of their production.  It has a 5.75" barrel, and it has not been altered.  They may not offer them now, but some of the old ones are out there.