ONLY one barrel length? Which is it?

Something special about 5".

I'd choose 6" because I shoot revolvers for magnums.

Depends on intended use. Hunting i want a 7.5 inch or longer. In 44 mag. For carry a 4 inch would be fine. .357

Only one? 6”

There’s something really special about 3” j frames, kinda like 4” K/Lframes, and 6” N frames. The trend continues to 8” X frames but those are kinda ridiculous, so it’s back to 3”.

If I had to pick 1 length I’m going 4 because they are useful for everything but optimal for very little.

WestKentucky said:

There’s something really special about 3” j frames, kinda like 4” K/Lframes, and 6” N frames. The trend continues to 8” X frames but those are kinda ridiculous, so it’s back to 3”.

If I had to pick 1 length I’m going 4 because they are useful for everything but optimal for very little.

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Same here.

I have a 6.5" Blackhawk 357, 5.5" Single Six Convertible 22/22WMR, and 4 5/8" Blackhawk 45LC. I am working on getting a 3" King Cobra.

The 4 5/8" Blackhawk was a gift and I originally thought the barrel was too short -- wished it was at least 5.5" -- but after shooting it, I came to really like it. I wouldn't trade my 6.5" 357, but if I could only have one length, it would be in the 4-inch range.

Pat Riot said:

Only one? 6”

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Me too.
In my opinion.......A compromise between accuracy versus concealed.

4 inch for me too. Everything I need and nothing I don't.

4" for double action. 4 5/8" for single action.

That would be a 5" barrel if it's offered, but 4" if it's not.

I think I understand the hypothesis. I own and shoot 2, 4, 4.25, 5.5, 6 & 6.5 but if I have to pick 1 it’s 4”.

Well, one barrel length that is common to both SA and DA revolvers, that I own, is 5.5”. The 5.5” SA revolvers are actually quite pack-able, and, within reason, can be concealed, if I “dress around ‘em.” I actually own more 4” revolvers, total, than any other barrel length, but, 3” is well-represented, too.

One REAL problem, with choosing just one barrel length, is that what works well on a small or medium frame is going to be a bit short on a large frame. For example, 3” is somewhat of a normal barrel length, for a medium-frame revolver, and just a but long, on a small-frame revolver, but balances much less well, on a large-frame revolver, leaving it too light toward the muzzle, and that is before we start talking talking about a barrel long enough for hunting purposes. A 4” or longer barrel makes a smaller-frame revolver just a bit too large for the “hide-out gun” role.

I could factor-out hunting, and get by with ~2” of barrel length, +/-. I would hate such a short barrel, on any frame larger than a K-Frame.

Well, OK. 2.25”, give or take 1/4”, for this thought exercise. The only firearms I “need,” are a few snub-guns.

4

Bazoo said:

4" for double action. 4 5/8" for single action.

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Seconded. This is the correct answer.

I'd go with 4". Anything shorter is too hard to hit with and anything longer starts getting tough to conceal. I'm sure glad I don't actually have to choose, though!

4

UncleEd said:

Now I know some if any might answer X-length but also Y-length. Make that a NO-NO. Even if you were to own a hundred revolvers, which one and only length?

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Dang, you're a tough one. I've actually been having this internal battle as I try to budget for holsters.

Two months ago, I would have picked 5-1/2". Nice feel. But I recently picked up a 4.6" Single Six and a Wrangler with the same barrel length, and those feel really sweet. And the shorter holster digs into my chair less when I sit down. Hmmmm....just one barrel length, huh?

5-1/2". Gonna go with the slightly better ballistics and sight picture of the longer barrel. If I'm carrying it's because I want to be prepared for a four-legged critter. (Just don't stare if you think I'm printing only 4.6".)

4".

For most uses I’d prefer a 4”.

For me it's 4-5 inches. Actually, it's 4", but I allow for those that measure 4.25, 4 5/8", etc. Anything over, or under, just doesn't interest me anymore.

I am would chose 4” if I could only have one length barrel .

.357 5" it just balances and handles well with mag loads. .44mag 7.5" for the same reasons...