bestseller92
Member
For general use I prefer the 4" barrel.
I own both, a Taurus 669 with a 6" barrel and a Ruger GP100 with a 4" tube.
I own both, a Taurus 669 with a 6" barrel and a Ruger GP100 with a 4" tube.
The problem is that my favorite gun shop has to special order whichever I want.
It's a toss up for me, I have 4" and 6" barreled guns. In OH you can hunt with a 6" barrel but not a 4" so there is something a 6" can do that a 4" can't.
savit260:
My personal opinoin is that there is no better all around handgun than a 4" .357 Magnum.
I prefer Colts myself, but a nice S&W or Ruger isn't a bad choice either. I'd personaly skip the new models and look for a nice older version of a Smith or Security Six, if I couldn't have a Colt.
Stainz
Firstly, the choice of a new 4" or 6" barrel is highly subjective - within the constraints of availability. For example, if you want the 65 or 66 replacements, the 7-shot L-framed 619 or 620, you will get a 4"-er. Simple. That's the only way they come. You really want a Colt? They haven't been made in a while... true 'LNIB' examples are fewer and further between ... and very dear in cost. An older blued S&W you say? They don't make them like they once did? True... they never made an N-frame 4" .357 Magnum with an eight shot capacity, moonclip ready, decent trigger, and spring-loaded front sight before 2008. Sure, CCH parts look better - but MIM parts are far more uniform and just as strong. The 'Infernal Lock' - not something I'd order - but I have a mess of so-equipped S&Ws and they have been no problem.
At 61, I've done my share of hollering at windmills. I recently found my 1970 Audi 100LS's window sticker, their largest and most expensive model then. It came with a 4 sp MT and radio antenna & noise suppresion. It was $3,761. Thirteen sets of brake pads, six sets of plugs, ten valve lash adjustments, clutch, etc. I paid nearly $21k five years ago for a stripped 'Sport' model 2005 Jeep Liberty. It still came with A/C, AT, PS, cruise, terrific radio, etc, not available on that Audi. Nearly the same mileage now - I've changed the oil - and been comfortable year round. A new Audi would be a lot more today. I really love that Jeep far more than I did that Audi - and it sure didn't last five years! No, they don't make a lot of things like they once did - or at that old price.
The new S&W naysayers generally just repeat what someone else said - their experiences generally aren't original. To deny 'new' S&Ws is unacceptable here - such examples as the 625JM, 627 Pro, and 686SSR are just too fine, not to mention the .500 Magnum (Everyone needs pachyderm protection...), to ignore. Seriously, 'Give new a chance!'.
Yeah, for utility - a 4" .357 Magnum. For dedicate range use - maybe hunting - a 6"-er.
Stainz