Pros and cons of an 8" barrel

I love my 7½ - 8" single actions and don't find them unwieldy at all.

IMG_0323b.jpg


IMG_0312b.jpg


But don't care at all for a double action longer than 6". I'd prefer these were cut.

IMG_0071b.jpg


Don't know why I bother with the 8" barrel on the Dan Wesson.

004b_2.jpg


The New Service 7½" isn't too bad though.

IMG_0357b.jpg
 
Generally’ I’m happy with 6”-6-1/2” revolvers. Hence, I like my new apoduction 6” Python.

But I also got an 8”’new production Anaconda My experience in IHMSA handgun competition has prepared me for the long range competition shooting
Riomouse911 said:
I like them all; long (6” or longer) and short (1 7/8” to 3”) and right in the middle (4” to 5.5”).

I have several S&W revolvers with 6” barrels in .38 Spl and .357 Mag, .22 WMR and .22 LR, plus a Dan Wesson .22 V 6”.

For revolvers over 6”, there are a few.
Two Ruger Single six .22 LR and one .32 H&R Mag with 6.5” barrels. There is a .357 Dan Wesson 15-2 8” VH. There are two .41’s, a 6.5” Blackhawk and 7.5” Redhawk. S&W is represented by sn 8 3:8” Model 14-4 .38 Spl, a 629 .44 Mag with a 6.5” PowerPort and a 624 .44 Spl. And finally a Super Redhawk .454.

All are fun to shoot, and the magnums do benefit from a bit less muzzle flip and felt recoil when shooting the same rounds through my 4” and shorter magnums.

I also like my 10” Ruger Mk IV .22 auto. I was plinking away with it yesterday, its a hoot.

Its all preference. If the 5-6 inch barrels give a good sight picture and sufficient velocity for your needs, they are more portable and easier to tote around.

Stay safe.
Click to expand...
As the bore diameter gets bigger, I'm not as excited about sub-4" barrel guns as longer barreled guns perform better for me.

But, I do have a 3" Lew Horton Model 624 (44 Special) in the safe.

Except for my 8-3/8" Model 17, I do it have a long barrel 22RF. It might be an interesting gun.
 
Last edited:
About the only con I see is that you you could poke someone's eye out accidentally , other wise anything else can be overcome.

IMG_0368.JPG
 
The whole Sight radius thing I personally believe begins to Plateau after 5 to 6" barrels. There begins to be a gap in between the front sight post and the sides of your rear sight with longer barrels, adding an extra dimension to the sight picture. Where the square edges of the sight on a 5" or 6" gun line up perfectly. I'm specifically talking S&Ws here. Anyone else notice this?

6" is the sweet spot for me personally. I can shoot the same accuracy and velocities are similar anyways. This is specific to my 6" 586 and my 8-3/8" M-27 though. All revolvers are different, cylinder gap has a lot to do with that velocity variable.
YMMV Tho.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Pros and cons of the S&W 60 and Ruger SP101
Replies
21
Views
2K
10-Ring
1
M
  • Locked
Barrel length pros and cons.
Replies
4
Views
566
bflobill_69
B
4
  • Locked
Pros & Cons with the S&W 460XVR
Replies
8
Views
4K
340PD
3
C
  • Locked
Curious about folks pros/cons on the 41 vs 44 Sp or even 45 LC.
2 3
Replies
69
Views
4K
CraigC
CraigC
L
  • Locked
Bull barrel - Pros and Cons?
2
Replies
29
Views
4K
cstuard
C
Back
Top