4" or 6"?
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mtnbkr
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I prefer 4" barrels for general use. That includes range, field, and home, but not CCW. I'd rather have a 3" or shorter barrel for CCW.
Chris
Chris
pauli
Member
for 357, 4" looks right.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
After owning many of both barrel length's, I've settled on a 6" six-
shot S&W 686-5 for range and field use. OTOH, a 2.5" S&W 66-4
serves quite well as a CCW piece, or for home D'.
shot S&W 686-5 for range and field use. OTOH, a 2.5" S&W 66-4
serves quite well as a CCW piece, or for home D'.
Practicality
If we're talking for a range/field/house gun which would be more biased towards accuracy than fast handling, the extra 2" of barrel is nice for increased velocity (more tube) and accuracy (larger sight radius). For me they don't handle as fast or point as naturally, but that's subjective.
Aesthetics
This is all subjective, but to me it depends on the frame size. K-frames look right with 4" (if they are 'combat masterpiece' style) or 3" (if they are M&P style heavy) barrels. N frames look OK with 6" barrels, but to me the 5" barrel is about perfect for an N. Plus, the 4" K and 5-6" Ns just handle oh so nicely. To me a 6" K looks wrong, and anything other than a 5" or a 6" N looks bad as well.
This is why S&W makes so many variations- because probably everyone reading this just said "Dude, you are so wrong"
Mike
If we're talking for a range/field/house gun which would be more biased towards accuracy than fast handling, the extra 2" of barrel is nice for increased velocity (more tube) and accuracy (larger sight radius). For me they don't handle as fast or point as naturally, but that's subjective.
Aesthetics
This is all subjective, but to me it depends on the frame size. K-frames look right with 4" (if they are 'combat masterpiece' style) or 3" (if they are M&P style heavy) barrels. N frames look OK with 6" barrels, but to me the 5" barrel is about perfect for an N. Plus, the 4" K and 5-6" Ns just handle oh so nicely. To me a 6" K looks wrong, and anything other than a 5" or a 6" N looks bad as well.
This is why S&W makes so many variations- because probably everyone reading this just said "Dude, you are so wrong"
Mike
The GP 100 6" Short Shroud IMO was PERFECTION....longer sight radius, but felt and pointed like a 4". I was really disapointed this model was cancelled.
Now, given 4" full shroud or 6" full shroud, I vote for the 4". The 6" FULL shroud is a little too muzzle heavy for general use, IMO.
Now, given 4" full shroud or 6" full shroud, I vote for the 4". The 6" FULL shroud is a little too muzzle heavy for general use, IMO.
Sharps Shooter
Member
"I'm more accurate with a 6" the extra sight radius really helps to keep the gun on target, but I like the 4" better - mostly for aesthetic reasons, the way I prefer brunettes over blonds...."
Me too Clang! I wonder if there's something to that. Maybe we should do a poll to see if there's some correlation there.
Me too Clang!
I wonder if there's something to that. Maybe we should do a poll to see if there's some correlation there.Kramer Krazy
Member
I prefer the looks of a 6" barrel with a full shroud/underlug. My very first revolver was my 6" Colt Anaconda. My second was a 4" Python. Eventhough I prefered a 6" barrel, I figured I already had the 6" with the Anaconda, so I wanted something a little different. My most recent revolver is a 6" S&W 617 that I got on Friday. If I could afford it, I'd love to have a 6" stainless Python.
Jim Watson
Member
Well they won't let me shoot a 6" or even a 5" in IDPA but if you are not competing there, the 6" is superior in every respect not requiring concealment.
ewb45acp
Member
Sharps Shooter said:Me too Clang!
I like 4" and redheads so there goes your theory...
Although, I married a blonde so maybe there is something to this.
I own a 4" M28 and a 4" 686, but I prefer the 6" configuration. It just seems that when I'm looking to buy a revolver I end up with a 6" model.
I used to spend all my time chasing brunettes, but I always found myself with a blonde. I eventually married a blonde and our son is blonde. I'm a brunette, go figure.Well I finally accepted things being what they are and that goes for revolvers. And ,like blondes, the six inch models have grown on me. Whoa. The universe is an intense place dude.
I used to spend all my time chasing brunettes, but I always found myself with a blonde. I eventually married a blonde and our son is blonde. I'm a brunette, go figure.Well I finally accepted things being what they are and that goes for revolvers. And ,like blondes, the six inch models have grown on me. Whoa. The universe is an intense place dude.
Naaaa. An N Frame in anything under 5" is weak.Air said:
I think it should be sent here so I can keep it sequestered away here where nobody else will have to see it. Really. I'd just keep it in the safe. Honest. No problems. I have room (barely) and everything.
And I'd never take it to the range or anything. C'mon - would I really want my buddies to see me with something like that? *ptooey*
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I admit that the 3" profile has a sort of snub-nosed appeal, but I cannot see the point of a snub-nosed N-frame. I just can't.
So, yeah. I think if you lengthened that barrel by 2", you'd have a pretty nice gun.
To each their own.
Mike
ChristopherG
Member
Or riding in a car, which was the reason stated by revolver great Bill Jordan for the standard 4" barrel on police duty weapons.
But yes, apart from concealment and uncomfortable seating arrangements, six inches is 50% better than four (okay, not literally, but some better); for aiming, shot-to-shot recovery, velocity, the works. A shorter gun may feel faster, but it's usually not.
6inch
Member
Air said:
In general, both.
Range and field, 6"
Home, 4"
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