4", 6" or 8" Barrel for .22LR Plinker

[deleteall]

I'm looking to get a .22LR revolver for general target shooting and plinking. In short, something just for fun.

The plan was to get a used S&W or Colt, but I'm not sure about the barrel length. All of my prior revolvers have been centerfire with a 3" or 4" barrel, so I lean toward a 4" barrel, but since It's not like I'm using it to "train" for my other revolvers, I can also see the benefit in a 6" or 8" barrel.

I noticed 6" guns do tend to be a bit pricier, but not that much more. Assuming gun costs are the same, any thoughts on the best barrel length or will it even matter? Thanks.

 

[wrs840]

5".

Couldn't help myself.

Les

 

[Vern Humphrey]

There isn't that much difference between a 4" barrel and a 6" barrel. Ask yourself this, are your current 6" barreled guns inconvienient? Is there a time when you wish you had a shorter barrel? If the answer is yes, then go with the 4".

But if the answer is no, then there is no penalty for 2" more sight radius.

 

[TrakHack]

If I wanted to spend the extra money to get something just for target shooting I would probably do 6". 4" would be too close to what I already have (my .22 has a 3" barrel), and 8" is a bit too unwieldy for me.

 

[gotboostvr]

I bought a Heritage Arms Rough Rider, It's a SAA "Clone" with a transfer bar safety. I got it with the standard sights, and a 6 inch barrel. I paid 140 for it with a .22LR and a .22MAG cylinder.

Personally, I'd go with the 6in barrel again, get both cylinders, but I'd splurge for the adjustable sights. This gun is ridiculously fun I spent a few hours and 1K rounds through it at the range not too long ago and had one helluva time.

 

[22-rimfire]

A 4 or 6-inch barrel works for me. For a "range" gun, I would probably lean toward a 6" barrel, but I absolutely love my Smith M57 with an 8 3/8" barrel. The only Colt DA revolver that comes to mind with a longer than 6" barrel is the Trooper Mark III. Got nickel one in 22WMR with the 8" barrel. But it is not a shooter for me.

 

[dewalt-2]

For just plain fun, a long barrel is great. My 9.5" Single Six...

When squirrel season is over in Feb., the scope will come off and irons back on for plinking.

 

[Rembrandt]

Find a Dan Wesson .22 revolver "Pistol Pack"....then you can change to whatever barrel length needed.

Here's one that has the 8" barrel, 6" barrel, 4" barrel, 2" barrel.....NIB. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=207422226

 

[jad0110]

To help narrow down your search, do you have a preference as far as DA or SA?

 

[Waywatcher]

I've always been partial to the 4 inch.

5 or 5 1/2 is a close second. 6 is ok.

8 is just too long for me.

 

[deleteall]

I'm looking for a DA revolver. I expect it'll be shot about 75% in SA, but I do like shooting in DA as well.

"I would probably lean toward a 6" barrel, but I absolutely love my Smith M57 with an 8 3/8" barrel."

I actually ran across an M57 with 8 3/8 barrel locally for $525. I was just hesitant about the barrel length since it seemed a bit too much. You like it though?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm not going to be a lot of help, but I'll offer some guidance in how to choose....it is all about the balance in your hand.

I have two go to .22lr DA revolvers: a 4" Colt Diamondback and a 6" S&W M-17. They both balance very much the same as the 4" tube is heavier with it's underlug.

I tried a 6" Diamondback when they came out and it was just too nose heavy, I also tried a 4" M-18 and it didn't have enough front weight.

If I had it to do over again, I would be very tempted to seek out a Dan Wesson .22lr Pistol Pack...besides the different barrel lengths, it was also available with heavy and light barrel shrouds to tailor it's balance to your preference

 

[CajunBass]

I don't think it makes much practical difference. If you're shooting seriously, a longer barrel gives you a longer sight radius and in theory more precise sight alignment, but for plinking I doubt it makes a lot of difference.

For what it's worth, most of my 22 handguns are in the 5-6" barrel range.

 

[GUNKWAZY]

They are all fun.
I have a custom S&W 8 3/8 inch model 17 that is almost boring it's such a good shooter.
Then, like you, I wanted to know if a shorter barrel would be more fun. So, I went out and found a 4 inch S&W model 18. Turns out they are both equally as much fun.
I think I enjoy the shorter barrel just a little bit more for just being able to whip that short barrel around easier and hit multiple targets.
Here's a couple pics.
Both are very accurate guns.
Good luck on your choice.





Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[Stainz]

I finally bought my first decent .22 revolver - a 4" 617 - new 9/08. It was followed a year later by the then only SS J-frame choice, a LNIB 5" 63 from a friend's estate. Both got larger grips, lighter springs, and HiViz front sights. Great plinkers - but I kept thinking how nice the 3" 317K would be - if it was in SS! Then - last January - S&W announced a new 3" 63 for 2010. Unfortunately, they were a tad slow in their building them, not shipping until last month. My back-ordered one arrived just before Thanksgiving - and was an instant hit.



It looks different now, as I have since added a set of the 60 Pro wood grips from S&W. I put 200 more rounds downrange with it yesterday - making 500+ since it's first cleaning - maybe 700+ since new - all Fed 36gr HP's from WallyWorld 550 packs (Yeah, I spend the money on the revolver - then it's el-cheapo for ammo!). The 60 Pro grips really help, too, as I found out yesterday. Oddly, my lockwork is factory stock - and still as good as my tricked-out 5" 63. I don't know how much lighter it would be with other springs - the stock 5" 63 was like the stock 317K's I've pulled the trigger on - horrid DA. Far better now - but that 3" 63 was better right 'out of the box'. Of course, the 4" 617 is better still.

Now - barrel lengths... the 4" 617 will likely be here when the others are gone - supurb range gun. The 5" 63 probably points better, but it's larger 'square conversion' Hogues are still rubber - and I am not fond of rubber grips. The 3" 63 is so handy - and a super-natural pointer. It's hard to put down. Of course, the X8 DS-10 speedloader and 4 x 8 base plate help there, as does the 60 Pro wood grip. A 6" 617 is too 'front heavy' for me. Sorry, not much help, other than to say that I'd probably opt for a 3" 63 or 4" 617 - but a good price on a 5" 63, no longer available new, would be an attention getter, too.

I did have a beauty of a Ruger SS - but I was tired of SA's. I love DA shooting - probably 99% of my shooting is such.

Stainz

 

[JohnBT]

"I have a custom S&W 8 3/8 inch model 17 that is almost boring "

True, I have my father's Model 17-4 with an 8-3/8" barrel and a 2x Burris scope.

You want really boring, try a S&W 647 K-frame. It's a .17 HMR with an 8-3/8" barrel and a scope. It was my father's too. I replaced the rebound spring for him when it was new and got the SA pull down to 2.5#. He was 80-something and shot from the bench. He'll be 89 in two weeks, but doesn't shoot anymore.

I also have a 4" Model 17-6 and a 38-year-old 5.5" Single Six Convertible.

I think I need a 6" K-22 to fill the gap.