.357 magnum - 4" or 5" barrel?

[pangris]

I will have a .357 magnum very soon - but I am trying to decide between the 4" and 5" barrel. I know the obvious - 4" easier to handle, versus 5" more velocity.

I own a Dillion 550 so I do have the ability to reload. For the time being, this will be a gun for the woods and the range. I don't THINK I'll be carrying it often - but I could change my mind if I really love it. Regardless, it would be in a brief case.

So - why the 4" Why the 5"? Why not either one? Let me know! Just how much more can I wring out of that 5"?

Thanks!

Paul

 

[J Miller]

Good question. I've always had 4" barreled .357's except for one Old Model Ruger BH, which had a 4 5/8" barrel.

I can't see any real disadvantage to having the 5" barrel, and I doubt that the additional 1" of barrel will increase the velocity much at all.

I would think that depending on the model of the gun, size of frame, and such that the 5" barreled guns would be better ballanced.

I have had several 4" Mdl 28's and I can visualize the extra inch and weight of a 5" barrel.
I think I might like to have one.


Why the 4"? = More holsters available, easier to cary maybe, handier.

Why the 5"? = Better ballance, a bit more velocity, a little bit more sight radius.

I guess it all depends on what you want. I do know that Skeeter Skelton really liked the 5" Mdl 27's. So there must be something to them.

 

[Ala Dan]

Kind'a Off Topic

but why not a 6" barrel; as it offers a longer
sight radius making it easier to shoot.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life member

 

[ChristopherG]

I agree that balance and handling are the prime issues; so I'd say it depends to some degree on what model you're after. Are we talking about a full underlugged gun (is 5" even a choice here?)? If so, 5" would feel barrel-heavy to me, 4" not so bad. If it's not full-lugged, then 6" could make sense, as Dan suggests. Have you narrowed it down to a model or make yet?

 

[pangris]

Yes, left that out. I'm getting a Ruger GP 100. It will go to Teddy Jacobson for sure, and possibly WWG to be milled for moonclips. After that, I think it will be smooth enough, and reload fast enough, to make me at least THINK about revolvers as an option

Paul

 

[stans]

I think I would opt for the 4 inch GP100. Holsters for a 5 inch barrel are going to be harder to find, unless you use a 6 inch holster, than for the 4 inch barrel.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd give my left just about anything for a five-inch Python. The four-inch is a fine gun, but always feels slightly barrel-light to me. My six-inch Python is a tack-driver, but there are days when my arthritis would appreciate a little less weight.

As for holsters, I have no doubt http://www.mitchrosen.com could make a holster for a gun of any barrel length, and it'd probably last the rest of your life into the bargain.

 

[Shane]

Given the choice between 4" and 5", I'd personally prefer the 5".

 

[ChristopherG]

If you've decided on the Ruger, then you're already dealing with a substantial chunk of a handgun, so an extra inch won't matter that much. Furthermore, you won't be able to use the moonclip adaptation to shoot IDPA (you could still use the gun, just using speedloaders, but moonclips will make them feel as obsolete as paper cartridges), so you don't need to worry about the 4" barrel restriction in that game, and the extra inch will help in any other game (you can shoot IPSC with it, for example, or it'd be a fine pin gun with a heavy bullet), adding both sight radius and a bit of help making whatever power factor you aim for.

Shoot, you're making me think I might want a 5 inch moonclipped GP100 myself

CG

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'd say go with what you handle best. Some models you might be able to handle the barrel length while others might require something in a 4." I'm interested in getting a Ruger 4" but if I find one in the shop at 6" and I can handle it, I might get it.

 

[Chris Pinkleton]

Another vote for 6".

I like my stepdaughter's GP w/6" full underlug -- it damps down muzzle flip to just about zero with all ammo I've tried though it.

5" would be sweet for a carry piece though, and I bet it would balance better than the 4" or 6" for most folks.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Nuther vote for what feels good to YOU.

Bein more'n a tad deaf, I like the shorter barrels.
Easier to tell if the gun went off.

Sam....actually I like my .357s in all lengths.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Well, I like to think they are all good, so dittos on whichever barrel you happen to prefer. Shorter barrels seem easier to carry to me, but longer barrels sure seem to kick less with heavy loads. If anything, I'd suggest a good blued Smith 3.5" N frame, but I guess a tough as nails Ruger would work. 'Scuse me, I hafta go wipe down an old Speed Six.