6 INCHER

[williamlayton]

Got the 6 incher back today from S&W:
Replace hammer nose---hammer nose is visably shorter now
Replace bushing
That old hammer nose looked long and hooked--compared to my other FP in hammer models.
I am a happy camper.
Now, the question in my mind---since I have another 586 w/4in. barrel at Mark's being transformed to shoot .38super/9x23--would a 6 inch barrel improve veloscity and accuracy over the 4 incher?
Blessings

[Dixiejack]

I don't think who or what you hit will be able to tell the difference.     Seriously, I think barrel length has to do more with what feels more comfortable to shoot.  My preference is 5" barrel.  Will S&W custom make or cut a barrel?  I just bought a Model 17 with a 6" full lug barrel and would like to have a 5" barrel. 
That 586 will be hot in .38 Super. 

[williamlayton]

I think "yes", that S&W will do a barrel cut or a barrel replacement in the custom shop.
It sounds "hot" anyway and I love the 9x23 and super.
Blessings

[mcwoodduck]

I think "yes", that S&W will do a barrel cut or a barrel replacement in the custom shop.
It sounds "hot" anyway and I love the 9x23 and super.
Blessings

I understnd the idea of the 9X23 or the 38 Super and shooting the slighly smaller .355 Vs 357 round.
But what can either of them do that the 357 mag can not?  I have seen a few revolvers cut for full moon clips and use the 357 case.
I like the 6 inch for targets.  If you are going to start shooting steel, or bowling pins the longer barrel and slightly heavier gun will aid in quick transition from one target to the next.  The added velocity.  In a G&A book from 1981 calles Gunlore the complete shooters almanac they did a comparison of a Dan Wesson pistol pack On Page 15 they shot 158 grain Federal ammo through a 4" and hit 1,180 FPS and the 6" barrel hit 1,236.  It was a 5 shot average for each.  The 8 " hit 1,302 FPS. 10" - 1312, 12" 1,324, and 15" 1,302.  The y also tested 2.5" at 1,094FPS and no barrel at 794 FPS.
They say the 6" "The Handguners choice. Longer sighting radius for more accurate shooting, especally for hunting purposes.  Probably extracts 90 percent of the cartridge's potential."

[Dixiejack]

So in theory, my 5" .357 mag., using the stats you quoted, will shoot 28 fps faster than a 4" bbl. and 28 fps slower than a 6" bbl. This does not take into consideration the temperature, humidity, and altitude.  I am not trying to nitpick and I am serious when I ask:  does 28 fps have that much of an impact on shooting a 5 shot group, or shooting pins, or killing a deer if shot placement is in the kill zone? Bottom line is that I like the balance of a 5" barrel and feel that 28fps (+/-) is not a major factor. I could be wrong, and proven so will be the first to admit it.   

[SHOOTALL]

or powder used and bullet weight 
 
Pick the bbl you like

[mcwoodduck]

or powder used and bullet weight 
 
Pick the bbl you like

The article said fed 158 grain.  I am sure the 125 grains would fall along a similar curve.
And My guess is all five shots from each barrel was done in a morning or after noon.  I had a DW pistol pack and changing barrels from one to the other was fast and easy.  Shoot the tube you have on it.  Remove tube and shoot and then work your way up the barrels take about an hour to two total so I don't think humidity and heat was a major factor.

[SHOOTALL]

thanks for getting that stright , I read it and it didn't sink in    can I play the old folks card ?

[williamlayton]

Nobody in this group has to play the OT card---that should be an accepted occurance---I know that it is on my part.
I have never been able to question anybody that was killed with these weapons to determine what they thought about it.
Blessings

[mcwoodduck]

thanks for getting that stright , I read it and it didn't sink in    can I play the old folks card ?

No problem.  The artirticle is from a Guns and Ammo book from 1981.  Don't ask why I still have the book or when the question was asked I knew where to go to find some data showing velocity vs barrel length. 
When I read what you wrote I thought you were talking about building a load to deliver what speed you want for the barrel length you have.

[SHOOTALL]

I just flat didn't read the 158 part . But that was my point even though it didn't apply 
 

[mcwoodduck]

Shootall,
No problem.  I have missed some stuff like that here too. 
Hey is Green Top still in Business?  I used to like going there when I lived in Richmond and playing in the racks of used rifles and shotguns.

[SHOOTALL]

Yep still going strong , The Hopkins family sold it to Talhamiers and they have sold it to Carmax . They expanded and the rumor is they are going mail order like Cabela's. My first experince there was buying a gun when it was a small place. I was looking at a gun but didn't have enough cash. The owner ask how much I had and sold me the gun for what I had ( about 2/3 the cost of the gun) and gave me a couple boxes of ammo. He ask that I get my ammo from him in the future . His prices were low anyway so that wasn't a problem. I wish it was still that kind of shop .