What barrel lenght do you prefer?

You omitted 3".

From your choices, I voted 4". My preference is for 3" K-frames, and L-frames.

I have one gun with a 2" barrel, a Colt Detective Special. It's ideal for it's intended purpose, concealed carry. I also have a Ruger .22 automatic with the 4 3/8" barrel and several M1911s with the 5" barrel.

I have two guns with 7 1/2" barrels, a Ruger Blackhawk and a Colt New Service (both in .45 Colt). I would not weep if I went down to the safe and found that both had shortened themselves to 5 1/2".

Everything else I have ranges from 5 1/2" (another Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt) to 6 7/8" (a Colt Woodsman.) I like the longer sight radius, particularly for a woods gun.

I can't vote. You left out the 3", and THAT to me, is the ultimate bbl length for a .357 mag that can CCW, HD, SD, woods, service, etc...

It is really hard to justify an "All Purpose" barrel length. Caliber makes a difference as well. For a magnum hunting handgun, I like 8". For a competition gun, a 5" 625 or 627 is hard to beat. For a conceled carry gun, a 3" J frame would be an excellent choice, but can be brutal during long range sessions. For a range gun, 6" is just about perfect.

My opinion is you need the right barrel length/caliber for the right situation.

Put me down for a four inch.

3

I put 4 but 3 inch K frame says it all.

I think 4" gets most of the velocity out of most cartridges without being awkward to handle in a holster. It's the best compromise (in both revolvers and autos).

3" is a little more handy, but you take a big hit, losing velocity and increasing muzzle flash.

2" sacrifices velocity and muzzle flash for best concealability.

I can't see any reason to get a 2" or 3" muzzle unless it's a CCW.

6" is only good for a hunting, nightstand or range gun. IMO, of course.

5" and 3" (naturally the 2 not found in your poll) covers the long and short of it.

Tho I've got iddy-biddy 2" up to humongus 10" barrels, a 3" K frame, a 5" K frame and a 3" or 5" N frame can do just about anything I want or need to get done. But that's just me. WhaddaIknow?

Won't turn down 2", 4" or 6". Have a few of those weird lengths as well. Much easier to find holsters that fit em, I will say.

Make mine 3.

I'm not voting, if you don't include frame size and caliber
and what is the primary use of the revolver the poll
means nothing.

If I could only have one,4"

I like a 4" Magnum revolver but you should have included choices for 3" and 5" barrels too.

I seem to have more 3" 'ers than 4".

I think they balance and point more naturally to me.

You should read more posts before posting such a poll. Here on THR, I think more prefer 3" than anything else, overall, and there is also a small but loyal following for the single actions, which typically are made in 3", 4-5/8", 5.5", and 7.5". A few like 5" in DA sixguns, usually customs, but both S&W and Ruger have made a few 5" sixguns, and S&W lists one now. I bought a 6" Security Six with the intent to have it bobbed to 5" someday, and a 4" Security Six and a take-off 6" barrel, too, so it can perhaps someday be a pair of 5" Security Sixes. Perfect!

3" works best for me in revolvers! Since you left it out I did not vote.

21/2".
My 19 S&W is one of my "never sell" weapons.
But, I voted 4".

Old 112

I grew up country. Six-inch barrell gives me better hunting odds, and I can conceal it with a shoulder holster.

If I was all city, I'd shave a couple of inches off and go with the four-inch barrel.

But I actually have S&W's in all barrel lengths (except for the 10 5/8's). My two favorite S&W's in the safe are my 686 and Model 29, both in 8 3/8's.

Jeff

3" bbl

My preference is for 5" for most things. 5" 627, 5" 25-2, 5 1/2" .45 NMBH.

Another non-vote, because of the omission of 3"

edited to add 3 and 5 inchers.

You can do just about anything with a 4" 357.

Brian W. Thank you for adding the 3" and 5".

I then voted for the 3", reasons being obvious to me (for those who've carried and shot them no explanation may be necessary). For those who have not, I can only suggest you do try one out, comparing it with a 2" and 4" on the same outing.

The same could be said for a 5" compared to either a 4" or 6" IMO. A little more than the shorter barrel for sight picture, a little less than the longer for handiness (is that a real word?). Anyway, they feel better in my hand. More lively perhaps with less weight forward. I also like the 5" in a non-fully lugged design (tho I own a 6" 586 and a 6.5" 29 Classic thusly barreled... which isn't the same thing and they do help tame some upward lift)

Go figure. It's nice to be able to own and shoot any of them really.