S&W's Odd Barrel Lengths

Mr. Mosin · Oct 23, 2020

I got the chance to swing by my local Academy, and they had very few handguns, extremely little ammo, and plenty of shotguns and non-AR rifles.

Among the handguns, I noticed the only two full sized S&W's available- some wierd version of the 686 (I discovered that I hate the full underlug), and a 69 with 4.25" barrel. At the time, I didn't notice the barrel length, just-

"Cool !!! An L frame .44 Mag !!! Awesome."

Anyways, I got home and curiosity got the best of me, and I started researching it. I noticed that S&W has three model revolvers with a funky 4.25" barrel. I have several questions.

1. Why 4.25" ? Why not 4" ? Or 5" ? I've discovered that a K frame 4.25" holster is impossible to find. Is it some law to be sold in a certain state or something ?

2. Do any big makers produce a leather belt holster for the "new" Mdls 19, 66, 69 w/ 4.25" barrel length, or would someone be stuck going custom or a silhouette style ?

George P · Oct 23, 2020

Canada has that length as a minimum requirement so that could be one reason; IIRC Ruger makes some of theirs that way as well.

Mr. Mosin · Oct 23, 2020

George P said:
Canada has that length as a minimum requirement so that could be one reason; IIRC Ruger makes some of theirs that way as well.

Ah. That explains it. My patriotic side is having a caniption fit over "Who CARES about selling in Canada !!! Sell to the good ole US of A first !!!", but that's just my being irked over having found only one maker for a 4.25" K frame holster.

NIGHTLORD40K · Oct 23, 2020

Ya, the Canada thing.

Prior to WW2, you could order a Registered Magnum (M27) with any specified barrel length you wanted up to 10" IIRC.

Mr. Mosin · Oct 23, 2020

NIGHTLORD40K said:
Ya, the Canada thing.

Prior to WW2, you could order a Registered Magnum (M27) with any specified barrel length you wanted up to 10" IIRC.

Don't know how *practical* a 10" barrel would be for carry, but who cares ? S&W's flagship wheelgun, I'd take a time machine, go back, order ten of em, and sell em for a huge profit.

cfullgraf · Oct 23, 2020

In the 1980's. I did not think much of the 8-3/8" S&W revolvers. In the past few years, I've bought a few in various different chamberings and frame sizes and they are a joy to shoot.

They are not convenient for carry but they shoot well.

Anyway, I also have an S&W Model 69 with a 4.2" barrel and a GP100 327 Fed Mag with a 4.2" barrel.

9mmepiphany · Oct 24, 2020

I remember when I first got old enough to buy a handgun the S&W M-27 was only offered in 3.5", 5", 6.5" and 8.375"...interestingly you could get the M-28 in 4" and 6".

I always thought the best balance (visually) for the N-frame was 5"...Skeeter Skelton's favorite length. I was only able to fine one with a 8.375" barrel and planned to have it rebarreled with a 5" tube. Life interfered and I never had it done...but I've won a lot of bets hitting very small items at 100 yards with that M-27

jrmiddleton425 · Oct 24, 2020

NIGHTLORD40K said:
Ya, the Canada thing.

Prior to WW2, you could order a Registered Magnum (M27) with any specified barrel length you wanted up to 10" IIRC.

You could custom order the barrel length in quarter-inch increments from 3.5 to 8.75 inches (WHICH IS A BIG HONKING THING).

bannockburn · Oct 24, 2020

9mmepiphany
[QUOTE I always thought the best balance (visually) for the N-frame was 5"...Skeeter Skelton's favorite length.][/QUOTE]

I have always thought the same thing, that the 5" barrel on the Model 27 was the perfect length in terms of handling and balance. The fact that Skeeter liked it too was icing on the cake!

jmr40 · Oct 24, 2020

The 4.25" barrels are because Canada uses the metric system. They have a minimum 105 mm barrel length on handguns. A 4" barrel is only 101.6mm. They would only have to be 4.14" to be legal there. I guess they went 4.25" just because they can.

The 8 3/8" length was to meet requirements for certain shooting competitions. The rules said the maximum overall length to be legal to compete was a certain measurement. The 8 3/8" barrel was the longest that would be legal.

Mr. Mosin · Oct 24, 2020

cfullgraf said:
In the 1980's. I did not think much of the 8-3/8" S&W revolvers. In the past few years, I've bought a few in various different chamberings and frame sizes and they are a joy to shoot.

They are not convenient for carry but they shoot well.

Anyway, I also have an S&W Model 69 with a 4.2" barrel and a GP100 327 Fed Mag with a 4.2" barrel.

What leather holster, if any; have you found for the M69, and would it fit a new Mdl 19 ?

cfullgraf · Oct 24, 2020

Mr. Mosin said:
What leather holster, if any; have you found for the M69, and would it fit a new Mdl 19 ?

I do not have a holster for the Model 69. I suspect a Model 19 would be a bit loose in one as the L-frame guns are a bit larger than the K-frame models, even the current improved K-frames.

Only the grip frames are the same between a K-frame and L-frame revolver.

Mr. Mosin · Oct 24, 2020

cfullgraf said:
I do not have a holster for the Model 69. I suspect a Model 19 would be a bit loose in one as the L-frame guns are a bit larger than the K-frame models, even the current improved K-frames.

Only the grip frames are the same between a K-frame and L-frame revolver.

Simply Rugged makes a Sourdough Pancake but their wait time is... long; from my understanding.

Jim Watson · Oct 24, 2020

jmr40 said:
The 8 3/8" length was to meet requirements for certain shooting competitions. The rules said the maximum overall length to be legal to compete was a certain measurement. The 8 3/8" barrel was the longest that would be legal.

The original maximum length for The Magnum was 8 3/4" to give the NRA maximum 10" sight radius. Then somebody noticed an obscure provision limiting barrel + cylinder length to 10" so they had to reduce it a bit to 8 3/8". I figure that was inherited from the once popular single shots from S&W and H&R with 10" barrels.

Barbaroja · Oct 24, 2020

They said 2-3 weeks on the simply rugged website when I ordered on 10/2.yesterday was the 3 week mark. Going to wait a few more business days before I drop an email to rob as anything gun related seems to be moving a few days behind right now.
Rob’s holsters are really affordable when your talking custom made to order rigs. Really not much more than the off the shelf holster options, that is if you avoid the temptation to have it carved in some intricate way.

bluetopper · Oct 24, 2020

Here’s my 3” model 65-5, 357. Great for fun and carry.

SeanSw · Oct 24, 2020

I never liked the aesthetic of a full underlug myself. I have a S&W 617 6" myself. It is a wonderful range gun but the balance and look are a bit off, especially for a .22.

When seeking out a Ruger GP100 6" I waited until the right tapered lug version came along and it was a great decision. I believe it's a late 80s model and the trigger is a bit better than the average Ruger as well.

Jim Watson · Oct 24, 2020

There is a little custom work being done to convert full lugs to half lugs, I saw a 5" half lug .32 H&R Mod. 16 reissue on the S&W board and it was a jewel.

Not as much as cutting police trade in M&P M10, 13, 64, 65 down to 3" roundbutt, which is pretty much a cult object these days.

SharpDog · Oct 24, 2020

Here's the etsy search for the leather ones below. The Kydex was from a Google search. I picked through the first couple dozen results for a 4.25" holster. You can prolly find more.

https://www.etsy.com/market/k_frame_holsters

Leather:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/678859821/smith-wesson-revolver-holster-fits-all-k

https://www.etsy.com/listing/728493...rame+holsters&ref=sr_gallery-1-20&frs=1&col=1

misread the kydex ... edited out

.308 Norma · Oct 24, 2020

Mr. Mosin said:
Simply Rugged makes a Sourdough Pancake but their wait time is... long; from my understanding.

Here's my "Sourdough Pancake" for my Smith 69. Neither my wife nor I can remember the wait time being all that long, but that was way back before things went all crazy with buying guns and gun related equipment. Besides, I'm 72, my wife is not that far behind, and our memories are not all that great anymore.

And any rate, I really like my "Sourdough Pancake" holster. It does seem "simply rugged," and IMO, it looks good too! As you can see, mine has some fancy tooling, it's "oxblood red" colored, and it has an easily removable strap - I like a strap for woods carry.

sgt127 · Oct 24, 2020

I have a 6 1/8” model 66.

The usual 6” barrel is actually closer to 5 7/8”.

No idea why a few were made with the slightly longer barrel.

I only have an old Safety Speed clamshell holster. It fits it fine. But, it’s kind of a loose fit by design.

Mr. Mosin · Oct 24, 2020

.308 Norma said:
Here's my "Sourdough Pancake" for my Smith 69. Neither my wife nor I can remember the wait time being all that long, but that was way back before things went all crazy with buying guns and gun related equipment. Besides, I'm 72, my wife is not that far behind, and our memories are not all that great anymore.
And any rate, I really like my "Sourdough Pancake" holster. It does seem "simply rugged," and IMO, it looks good too! As you can see, mine has some fancy tooling, it's "oxblood red" colored, and it has an easily removable strap - I like a strap for woods carry.
View attachment 951026 View attachment 951027 View attachment 951028

Thank you for the pictures.

Riomouse911 · Oct 24, 2020

Ahhh the good old clamshell holsters. Nothing was better for activating unexpectedly and skittering your sidearm across the pavement during a foot pursuit. :fire:

I saw that happen once to my former co-worker...another time one popped open while an officer from a very large L.A. municipal Police Department was standing in line at a fast food place.That one raised some eyebrows for sure :what:

.

There are all sorts of odd barrel lengths out there. Ruger has the 4 5/8” barrels on their SA revolvers, Dan Wesson 15-2 .357 revolvers could be had with barrels from 2.5”to 15”... and all of those will fit the same frame, Heritage is out with 16” Buntlines...

The variety makes collecting the various lengths fun!

Stay safe.

Armybrat · Oct 25, 2020

SeanSw said:
I never liked the aesthetic of a full underlug myself. I have a S&W 617 6" myself. It is a wonderful range gun but the balance and look are a bit off, especially for a .22.

When seeking out a Ruger GP100 6" I waited until the right tapered lug version came along and it was a great decision. I believe it's a late 80s model and the trigger is a bit better than the average Ruger as well.

That’s one reason why I liked my Service Six so much. It now belongs to my son.

sgt127 · Oct 25, 2020

Riomouse911 said:
Ahhh the good old clamshell holsters. Nothing was better for activating unexpectedly and skittering your sidearm across the pavement during a foot pursuit. I saw that happen once to my former co-worker...another time one popped open while an officer from a very large L.A. municipal Police Department was standing in line at a fast food place.That one raised some eyebrows for sure .

Stay safe.

Funny story...

I love old and unique holsters. So, I found a classic Safety Speed Clamshell in nice shape and picked it up.

I didn’t actually own a six inch K frame at the time.

May actually be the first time I bought a holster for a gun I didn’t have.

Never carried one. When I carried a revolver, I used a Don Hume Jordon with a thumbsnap.

That was a classy holster.

S&W's Odd Barrel Lengths

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