Do you have both 3 inch and 4 inch revolvers?

All my double actions are 4". I don't have any practical reason to own any of them really, and I just like the way a 4" barrel looks.

I've got a couple of Ruger S/A's that have 4 5/8" and 5" just because that looks right also.

I like the 3" for carry between the two.


That being said, I have found that the balance and sight radius of the 4" seems to help me a lot when it comes down to actual shooting.

Not of the same model.

I have older stainless Taurus revolvers (941 and 85) in three-inch setups. I have an older (Interarms) Rossi with a 2 1/2 barrel, likely cut to that by a previous owner, as the front sight ramp is shortened, too.

My four-inchers are a Ruger Police Service Six, a Taurus Model 66, and a S&W Model 63-3.

Come to think of it, I do have different-length versions of one model, the Heritage Rough Rider in .22 caliber. One is a 4.75-inch, and the other is a 3.5-inch.

Are 3” revolvers more desirable from a scarcity perspective? Just asking this question out loud. I have no 3” revolvers, but several 1 7/8” examples, 2 3/4” models, and 4” models, and longer. I just never really considered the 3” because I’ve never seen them in any LGS and only occasionally at gun shows. Seems there wold be little noticeable difference in any barrel lengths of 4” or less, ballisticslly or otherwise. I feel like I’m late to this party.

3" D/A .22 LR



GR

The advantage of 3" versus 2.75" on a double-action is the full-length extractor rod when there's a detent lock on the end of the rod. The traditional K and L frame and earlier DA Rugers use the rod-end as a lock point but there must be enough length for the rod and the detent. With the detent on the yoke as with the GP100 and the newest K frames, a full-length rod can be fit under a 2.75" barrel because there is no detent on the end of the rod.

I thought I would like snubnoses and acquired several. Then I tried a longer barrel, 5.5" and decided I have no use for snubnoses. The longer barrel is better in every way. I suppose there is a practical length limit for carry and shooting without a forestock. For me, the ideal length is somewhere between 5 and 6" inclusive but others might be able to carry 6.5 to 7.5". I'm convinced there is no advantage to a 3 or 4" barrel so I have neither.

We are asked about 4" barrels. There are two here on the hill. One is a 1953 Smith&Wesson Combat Masterpiece.. The other is a S&W Model 28-2 from the late 1960's. Have other handguns with longer barrels. These handguns are two of my favorites. These guns are all good.

Most of mine are 3 or less. One of these days I will score another 686.

IIRC
1 7/8, 2, 2 1/2, 2 3/4, 3, 3 1/8, 3 1/2, 4, 4 4/5, 4 3/4, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2, 7 1/2 and 9 1/2

1-7/8" & 6"

Let’s see.. 1 7/8”, 2”, 3”,4”, 4 5/8”, 6”, 6.5”, 7.5” and 8”... with some lengths being represented by several guns (4” for example, I have 5). Only two are SA (4 5/8” and one of the 6.5”) and the rest are DA/SA.

Stay safe.

SwampWolf said:

Every different inch, be it longer or shorter, on the barrel of most handguns has a niche all of its own. I have just about every length of revolver barrel ever made, from 7 1/2" on down but, if I had to pick a candidate for everything from self-defense to targets to hunting and everything in-between, it would be one of the least popular lengths: the five incher. Thinking about it, I confess: I've never owned a revolver with a five inch barrel...

Click to expand...

Why'd you have to go and say that? I've got Colts with four and three quarters, Rugers with four and five-eighths, Colts and a Smith & Wesson with five and a half, but no strict dead even five-inchers that I can think of. Five inches would be about perfect riding a tractor, a truck, or sitting in a chair with a strong side holster. You've got me all in a sweat to get one.

GP 100’ds
357

I like both of them. Maybe the 3” a little more.

1.875, 4, 4.2, 4.5, 6, but not 3 - not yet, anyway. Casting my eyes upon a couple .357s in that size - GP100 and LCRx.

I have a Cobra 2 in 2", all of my other revolvers are 4" to 6-1/2". I am considering the purchase of the King Cobra 2, currently offered in 3", but with a rumored 4" version with adjustable sights. Which length I buy will depend on availability.

40-82 said:

Why'd you have to go and say that? I've got Colts with four and three quarters, Rugers with four and five-eighths, Colts and a Smith & Wesson with five and a half, but no strict dead even five-inchers that I can think of. Five inches would be about perfect riding a tractor, a truck, or sitting in a chair with a strong side holster. You've got me all in a sweat to get one.

Click to expand...

5" GP100 44 special just sayin

I have an odd one: a 3” square butt shown here with a 4” round butt. 3” is a really good compromise between fast handling and good sight radius and velocity.

I used to mostly shoot at 15 yards at our local range, but since my main shooting buddy (my FiL) has turned 70, it's been more often at seven yards.

At 15 yards (or more), my longer-barreled revolvers really shine. The ones with a 6" or longer barrel obviously outshine the shorter ones.

At seven yards it doesn't seem to matter as much. I have a 2" S&W Model 10 (it's a police trade-in from the early 60's) that shoots just about as well from that range as the longer ones. Sure, my 6" Model 28 will shoot slightly better, but if a 50 round box will make a hole the size of a small orange or a medium-sized orange, the accuracy is plenty good either way.

View media item 1782

I have revolvers with 1-7/8" to 8-3/8" barrels. Nominal 4" to Nominal 6" barrels are my favorites but the 8-3/8" barreled guns are growing on me.

3" is probably my least favorite barrel length with larger frame revolvers but it works will with J-frame sized guns.

mavracer said:

5" GP100 44 special just sayin

Click to expand...

Jesus, that's a beautiful revolver. I love Ruger single actions but know nothing about their double actions. 'Cept this story: an old boy I used to shoot with down in 'Carolina had one, worked over a bit, won a National Championship with it. He took the silhouette target he won with--I think they call them the B-27 target, but I'm not sure of that. I don't know too much about PPC shooting--and mounted it on the wall in the little gun shop he ran.

Every day when he arrived, a little early before customers showed up, he'd pull his snub nosed carry gun out, unload it, and dry fire one on the target, just to remember.

You already know how this is going to end, but I'm going to tell it anyway. Day came when he forgot to unload the snub nose, and put one in the target. Ruined it, because he only got a nine.

I have both... but it's the same gun! Before:



and then after:



But switching back and forth is a royal pain!

40-82 said:

Why'd you have to go and say that? I've got Colts with four and three quarters, Rugers with four and five-eighths, Colts and a Smith & Wesson with five and a half, but no strict dead even five-inchers that I can think of. Five inches would be about perfect riding a tractor, a truck, or sitting in a chair with a strong side holster. You've got me all in a sweat to get one.

Click to expand...

I've got no complaints about my 5" 629.

Currently it's got its iron sights back on.

Good evening
In revolvers in our storage we have from SW model 36's out to a 8 3/4" Model 57. In Dan Wessons everything from 2" out to 10 inch. I Rugers 3" out to 7 1/2". Colt 2" out to 6" barrels. But I am 5000 miles from storage so photos are not happening.

No, I have 3 (or 4) 4" revolvers and a Smith 1-7/8"(?) snubby plus a couple of DW 6" variations. No 3" revolvers here.

My favorite 3" revolver was a Model 13, but I let that get away some years ago. I filled that niche with a 3" Kimber K6S.

I just ordered one of the Centerfire 3" Model 64s that have been reimported from Germany. Hopefully it won't be too banged up, but for $400 it was a good deal. It will keep my 64 (no dash) pencil barrel and 64-8 4" pistols company.