Author Topic: 6 INCHER (Read 2726 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** June 26, 2011, 02:21:26 PM »

What are your takes----pro & con----on 6 inch N frames in .357?
Blessings

steeladmin · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2011, 04:46:21 PM »

The first handgun I bought was a model 28 w/ 6" barrel. It had the best action and trigger of any revolver I have ever owned, and it was a tack driver. I would still have it if it weren't for the divorce and an extreme shortage of money. I loved that gun, and wish I still had it every day.

Jason

Tom C. · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2011, 08:35:33 AM »

My first handgun was a 6” Model 27-2 .357. It has a terrific double action and single action trigger. I still have it and still shoot it, but not as much as before. I prefer stainless and 5” barrels, so I shoot my 627PC a lot more, but that is merely personal preference.

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2011, 06:58:31 AM »

We will see!
Blessings

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2011, 08:35:39 AM »

Mr William,
I have three 6 inch smiths.
One is an N frame in 44 mag
two is an L frame in 357 Mag
the third is a K frame in 22 LR
I really like all three as target and hunting revolvers.
I have carried the 44 once mexican style and it worked but the 6" barrel is too long for concealed carry as they print. Unless you want to carry in a shoulder holster. 4" are a lot easier to carry everyday.
As target and hunting guns the longer sight radius is great. When in the woods, deer, pigs and squirrels do not care if you print, they are going to run away from you.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2011, 08:45:16 AM »

They look nice , they blance well and shoot good most of the time. They tote arkward if riding in a truck is in the plan. And weigh more than a 4 inch o0r even a 5 inch gun.

parkergunshop · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:22:11 AM »

I own at present time three Smith-Wessons.

K frame Combat Masterpiece in .22 Long Rifle for targets.
L frame .357 Mag with a 6 inch barrel, a deer killer.

Recently sold a: L frame .357 with a 4 inch barrel.

I reworked the trigger pull on the 6 inch .357 and it is a tack driver.

I would take the L-frame over the N-frame and if you hunt take the 6 inch barrel and of course get it in Stainless Steel.

For concealed carry I carry a Smith-Wesson J frame Air Weight .38 Special with 38 Special plus P loads.

For a truck gun a Starfire 9 M/M with a 15 shot magazine.

And I keep a MegStar .45 ACP with a 12 round capacity as a house gun.

williamlayton · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2011, 03:06:18 PM »

586--it is a L frame. Corse i have another 4 in L frame 586 that is up at pennicle being reworked---kinda wish it was the 6 inch---talk about a 9x23 out of a 6 inch barrel---whohaw.
Blessings

Mohawk · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2011, 01:29:56 PM »

I would love a 6 inch Smith but my personal needs have not exceeded the 4 inch capabilities. And personal needs is usually my limit of the "new gun budget". Though I have been tempted to bid on a M 28 6" now and again......

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2011, 04:06:25 PM »

Mr William..I have a couple 4 " Smiths and a couple 6 " Smiths...the most deadly of all is a 6 " model 28...yesterday I shot them all in at about 25 yards..all grouped very well..I decided to try them at 100 yards on 2 liter plastic jugs filled with water..Both 4" guns came very close...one is a model 28, the 29's also a 4 and 6 in came very close also..the 6 in 29 smacked one of the jugs on the 3rd shot...I had three jugs still up so tried the 6 " model 28...to my surprise, three shots netted three hits...This 6" model 28 has always seemed the most accurate or easiest to shoot of all my center fire pistols...I had a rest, and doubt I could do that tomorrow, but if I HAD to try, the 6" 28 is the one I would pick.....

williamlayton · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2011, 11:33:22 PM »

There is no doubt that the 6 inch barrel at distance and for accuracy is the best.
The 9x23 should be outstanding for the 6 incher. I may still have this done to it--only have to send the cylinder and the cost is reasonable.
I will make that judgement later though.
Blessings

lester · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2011, 04:08:12 PM »

I have a 6" 28-2 and love it. Picked it up for a song 6-7 years ago from a coworker looking for quick cash. Once sighted in properly I found it to be extremely accurate. With .38 special cast wadcutters it will put cylinder after cylinder into a 3" circle at 25 yards. It opens up a bit with full power .357 loads but that's likely me, not the weapon. It's my truck and woods carry gun of choice. Only drawback is it not being practical as a CC gun. The LCP fits that bill instead...

Lester

Dixiejack · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2011, 02:34:38 PM »

Williamlayton, I was hoping you were talking about a revolver when I saw your subject. LOL I bought a 28 off a state patrolman friend when he retired. He had had S&W install a 5" bbl. because he siad and I agree, it had a quicker draw, better balanced than a 6" bbl, and easier to carry in his patrol car. It got more leather wear than shooting wear. It was my first hunting handgun and I took several deer and a bunch of hogs with it. I paid him a $100. for it in 1972 and sold it to his son after my friend's death in 1983 for a $100. Best deal I ever made on a gun.

inthebeech · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2011, 09:52:27 AM »

Hello William,
I think it depends on which "direction" you want to head from there. I think the difference between it and the four is pretty small but you're in a different world when you go from six to 8.375, unless you are using it as your primary hunting weapon; then I'd say you should take all the barrel you can get since that's the only gun you're carrying.
If however, you're talking about overall utility (home defense, targets, critters, cans, rotten tomatos from the garden), they're pretty close and if you have the extra cash to get a shiny 27 then you can split the difference with a five inch.
I just picked up a four inch 28 because it was a great deal, showed little use and decent care (I have to replace yet another extractor rod because some impatient nimrod buggered up the knurling as usual), and finally because I got it thinking it will be a conversion candidate and get a new barrel anyway. If a four and a six were side by side, barrel length would only be a tie breaker. All of the other things that we check out on used guns would be driving my decision. I care that little between the four and six.

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2011, 05:35:11 PM »

I guess I'm the odd man out. I don't care for an N frame in 357. My buddy has one and likes it. I think it not only looks goofy, but the balance is all wrong. Give me a K frame for 357 (Mod 19!), or an N frame for 44 mag. I prefer the 6" barrels to the 4"ers, but that is personal preference. Just like N frame 357's. It's all personal preference.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:06:40 AM »

sorry but im just not a fan of a an n frame 357. Just to heavy for a 357 If im going to tote around an N frame and i do about daily, its going to be in 44 or 45. If i was wanting to tote around a 357 and i dont, it would be a K or L frame. Im not a big 357 fan to begin with. There fine in a rifle but in a handgun it isnt much more then a noisy 38.

bluedog6 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:59:26 AM »

The model 28 is the top dog of 357's in my opinion. Workmanship is unequaled. The model 19 is nice but the 28 is "A" one.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2011, 03:03:09 AM »

Top dog is a Python sights , finish and lock up are better . Then the bbl is also superior IMHO and many others .

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2011, 12:45:53 PM »

If we all fell in love with the same woman----
Blessings

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2011, 10:32:38 AM »

I guess you jut took the revolver preferance to the Redhead Vs Blonde Vs Brunette Vs Raven
I will not get into the comparisons of caliber, frame size, stocks, materials, and a square or round butt.
All have their benefits and preferences.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** August 05, 2011, 10:46:38 AM »

Best thing is we all feel our choice is the right one ! Ain't it great

Mohawk · « **Reply #21 on:** August 05, 2011, 01:35:37 PM »

To me the 28 is the way to go, as I have stated before. The Pythons looked good but I heard too many reports of that their timing had issues as well as shaving lead off the forcing cone. I never owned one, but several past co-workers did and they did not give very positive reports on the Python action.

williamlayton · « **Reply #22 on:** August 06, 2011, 04:06:40 AM »

One is a tank and the other a race car.
I like the 28 a lot. I also like the 586's---now this 6 incher is at S&W for the recall. I will see about how much I am in favor of the length when it gets back.
I really think it will become a single purpose weapon--for target (hunting, if I did that anymore).
I should be able to enjoy the experience of shooting it----if I don't then i will go from there.
Blessings

bluedog6 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:32:51 AM »

I own 2 pythons both 6" one stainless,one blue. While the 28 is not as shiny, there is no comparison as far as function and performance.

canon6 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 08, 2011, 10:33:35 AM »

Sir, my first duty revolver was a S&W model 28, 6 incher.I stoked her with one of Skeeter's 357 loads , 158grain semiwadcutter (358156) on top of a ridiculous amount of 2400. I still love that old girl. She is heavy, but gets the job done. Doug

Mohawk · « **Reply #25 on:** August 08, 2011, 05:11:32 PM »

And the 28 thinks it is a .243 when taking deer............. Very effective.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** August 09, 2011, 07:30:17 AM »

People actualy hunt deer with the pipsqueke 243 ?

Mohawk · « **Reply #27 on:** August 09, 2011, 03:32:34 PM »

SHOOTALL, Yes I was amazed. I was raised with a .243(carbine) and learned it was less than effective after killing 20 plus deer. Wish them gun folks would have told me that.......

Through the years it was pretty simple scenario..... Shoot deer behind the shoulder. Deer runs about 30-75 yds and falls over dead. Rule of thumb and rhime was, take your shot, count to 7, collect your game, you are now in heaven......

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2011, 02:19:55 AM »

You mean with a short bbl gun ?
I was kidding I think most any gun will do if the shooter can do his part reasonably well.

Mohawk · « **Reply #29 on:** August 10, 2011, 03:21:20 PM »

Yes, my Remington Mohawk 600 was short bbl. The stock was cut to youth size sometime in the late '70's along with the shorter carbine barrel. That gun was nothing but a deer killer. Must have killed about 3 deer a year from '86 thru 92 and it never did me wrong. My largest deer, a west Texas buck, was 10-12 pts(depending what you count) and took a W-W 100gr PSP through the center of both lungs. Ran about 75 yards and piled up. That was a long run for most deer hit with this combo. Back on topic, though I have never taken a deer with a 6" bbl I have taken them with many 4" bbl's. They work fine. A 6" would be that much more of a "blanket" regarding penetration and expansion. And you made a good point. And you make a crucial point that if the shooter does his job, the firearm and load becomes less responsible. I am a big believer that penetration and placement are everything. Expansion, ft lbs, and velocity are great, but not my personal deciding factor.