Author Topic: Perfect Barrel Length? (Read 1394 times)

papajohn428 · « **on:** May 12, 2004, 11:11:21 PM »

I thought I had my mind made up on this years ago, but as I get older I find reasons to change it. My favorite length for years was the ever-popular four inch. Every duty gun you ever saw up to 1980 was a four inch revolver, and no one ever wanted anything else. If you wanted something longer, you got a six inch if they offered it, or a 7.5 inch.
When the 357 was new, S&W offered it in any barrel length you wanted, from 2 inches to 8.75 or so, and everything in between. My first duty gun was a Model 27 with a 3.5", and I thought it was the most gorgeous thing I'd ever seen. :shock:

These days, I like a three inch for off-duty, and a five inch for everyday field use. Anything else seems to get in the way, but if I were to hunt with it, 7.5 would probably be my choice.
Whadda youse guys think? :?

PJ

leverfan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2004, 09:08:54 PM »

Over the years, I"ve tried revolvers with barrel lengths from less than 2" up to 10". I've settled on a 3" barrel for concealed carry, because of it's combination of slightly better ballistics, shooting comfort, and far better sights (S&W M60 .357).

For trail/hunting revolvers, I keep the barrels between 4-6". I gave up lugging scoped, long-barreled hand-howitzers. A handy, open-sighted revolver is far better for local conditions, especially if you practice with it enough to reach out there when you have to. Barrels over 6" on a revolver don't give any useful ballistic gain in most cartridges, or at least the gain is not worth the pain in the neck of carrying some over-the-shoulder holster contraption.

I remember having fun with the bigger guns, so I don't look down on anyone that chooses them, but they're not for me anymore.

dawei · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2004, 12:36:31 AM »

Quote from: papajohn428

SNIP.................. These days, I like a three inch for off-duty, and a five inch for everyday field use. Anything else seems to get in the way, but if I were to hunt with it, 7.5 would probably be my choice.
Whadda youse guys think? :?
PJ

For the trail or patrol duty make mine a 4". I've seen real big guys use 6" but FOR ME they were very uncomfortable. My backup/off duty guns have always been 2" snubbies.

Coltrane · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2004, 05:51:13 AM »

My personal favorite for an all around gun is a 3 in Model 10 Smith. It was a 4 in, but got bobbed, round butted, re-crowned, new sight, and action job.

It does the job from informal & formal target work, long range shooting, and concealed carry (whether in a strong side or a shoulder rig carry).

3 in barrel allows more precise shots, less muzzle blast, less bulk to hide and carry, and a little more recoil absorbtion with the extra weight.

For me, the gun should be a K-Frame and nothing bigger than a .357 Magnum. I would only use up to a +P+ load in the magnum, to maintain control of the gun. I am more concerned with control and a faster follow up shot than I am raw power.

Besides, it needs to be comfortable to shoot for me to practice more diligently and often. I do own a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special. It is definitely a wake up call when you touch off one of those! It has a good trigger, but groups best with 240 gr lead swc. It can try your patience and your stamina to get decent groups with fast follow ups.

Just my 2 pennies

Coltrane

papajohn428 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2004, 09:54:35 AM »

Coltrane - I concur, got any pictures of yours? Who did the work on it? I'm soon to take delivery of a 3" M-65 that needs a little action work and some cosmetic touches. I like the four-inch guns a lot, but the 3" is a lot easier to conceal for me. I've shot several 2" guns, and past 30 feet the Hulk would be safe, I just spray bullets all over with them. And it's not my double-action technique, that's shooting two-handed off my knees! :oops:
My M-65 has the heavy barrel, hence no underlug. I really like the look of the lug, wish I could find a heavy barrel with one on it! Then it would be The Perfect Gun (for me!)

PJ

redhawk44 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2004, 01:38:34 PM »

For years I would not buy a revolver without a 6" barrel.

Then I got hold of a Smith 696 44 Special 3" gun. I didn't like the idea of the short barrel, but I like the 44 Special A LOT.

Lo and behold, I found that I could shoot it every bit as well as I can a 6"er.

I now have about 1/2 of my battery of handguns in 3" guns. 4"ers are OK too, but the only longer guns I shoot are the 44 Magnums and the 357s.

Now, here is a kicker. I have a Smith 442 in 38 Special for concealed carry. Believe it or not, I can consistently shoot that little 1-7/8" gun DOUBLE ACTION ONLY into 3" at 25 yds.

I don't blame you, I wouldn't believe it either.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2004, 11:38:29 PM »

Redhawk, you're right, that little Smith 44 is a sweet one. I had the Taurus counterpart in blue, I think they called it the 441. I shot it well but finally sold it off because of the adjustable sights, they hung up on everything and just generally got in the way. Now I'm looking for a Smith or Taurus with the three inch barrel, fixed sights, and that big old hole in the barrel! And while I can't shoot a 2" gun worth a foop, three inchers work just fine for me. I think it's voodoo magic! :eek:

PJ

Old Griz · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2004, 08:00:52 PM »

:cb2: I'd have to agree with leverfan. In the Summer I ususally carry a 2.5" M19, or a 3" M66 w/night sights. But in the woods for a fun gun or a coyote finisher I carry a 6" Colt Grizzly .357 (or a 4" Anaconda, but we were talking .357s, so I'll stick to that).

I read some where years ago that a 6" barrel was the best for most of today's "magic" bullets. Some don't open up all the way with the shorter barrels, and longer barrels tend to cause them to start to fragment with their greater velocity. I have no earthly idea if this was true or not, or if some gun writer was just stuck for a story. However, if I was down to only one .357, it would be my 3" M66-5. It has a smoother trigger, straight out of the box, than the Colt.

But the Grizzly sure is the prettiest, esp. with the fancy Hogue wood grips!

Gregory · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2004, 03:33:41 PM »

Revolvers I've owned or own:
2" barrel Taurus Model 85 38 Spcl.
3" barrel High Standard 22 Mag
3" barrel S&W 696 44 Spec.
4" barrel S&W 66 357 Mag
4 5/8" barrel Ruger Blackhawk 357 Mag
5.5" barrel Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag
5.5" barrel Ruger Single Six Magnum 32 H&R
6.5" barrel S&W Model 624 44 Spcl.

For concealed carry I'd pick a 2" to no more than 3" barrel.
For trail carry in the woods I'd pick a 4" to no more than 5.5" barrel.
For hunting I'd pick a 5" to 7.5" barrel.

Best compromise length in my opinion is a 5" barrel.

Somerled · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2004, 03:32:50 PM »

A S&W "K" frame with a 3" barrel is a great carry revolver. My favorite was a S&W Model 66. S&W made a few with 3" barrels. I wish I still had mine. I've considered getting one of the Custom Shop compensated 66s.

The 5" S&Ws are fine for hunting. I carried one daily in a belt holster for a short time. The muzzle jabbed into car seats. I eventually got a shoulder holster for it. The 4" works far better for daily belt carry unless you're 6'4" tall.

Bagpiper · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:41:37 AM »

You can save a lot of trouble by getting a Dan Wesson with the interchangable barrels.

_____________________________________________________________
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unspellable · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2004, 07:26:01 AM »

For field use I like a 6 inch on a K frame S&W, a 6.5 inch on the N frame, and an 8 inch on the large frame DW. I have other makes, but I guess it boils down to from 6 to 8 inches depending on frame size.