4" vs 2" barrel

[Corsair]

I am currently shopping for my first handgun and am faced with the decision of barrel length. My primary use is for home defense and I don't anticipate carrying it but you never know. The 2" is obviously easier to carry but what would I be sacrificing in performance by choosing a 2" vs. a 4" barrel. I haven't decided on brand or caliber yet but I'm leaning toward a Charter .327 or a Ruger .357.

 

[shooter429]

I would say stick with the Ruger in 3 sp101

If you want a 327, the Ruger is the way to go. Charter is not nearly as stout or high quality. If you want a .357, I'd go with a 3" S&W in either J or L-frame with adjustable sights. You want a full length rod to push out the empties, which you wont get on a 2" Another good choice is the SP101 in 3" or GP100 in 3" with fixed sights or 4" with AS. Personally, I would go with the 686+ 3" AS and call it good. They are easy to shoot well, give good ballistics and are still short enough to carry, if you later decide to.

Shooter429

 

[bja5006]

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/

 

[Dienekes]

Unless you envision dropping it into a pocket, eschew the 2". In small frames the 3" is no harder to holster than a 2", and is definitely easier to shoot well. If you are thinking of a medium frame (K frame) gun, 4" is better yet in those departments.

I would avoid the Charter Arms. You might save a buck, but they are not "just as good" and the resale is not really there either. You pretty well get what you pay for. I like the SP-101s in 3" barrel, and the S&W Model 60s in 3" full lug are really nice. We have two of those Rugers in the family and I have one of those S&Ws in .38 Spl that I am very fond of.

 

[S&Wfan]

For a novice, I'd recommend four things, since you've got to send thousands of rounds downrange before you master any handgun and be able to shoot really well:

1. A good 4" barrel .22LR revolver . . . and preferably a S&W. With a .22, you can send thousands of rounds downrange for mere pennies per round . . . and the gun won't kick and make you develop an accuracy-killing "flinch!" If you've priced centerfire handgun ammo lately you'll see how some rounds cost a buck a shot to send a round downrange. Not so with .22LR ammo!!! You'll quickly save enough to buy another gun . . . while mastering the .22 revolver through cheap practice!

2. A set of ear muffs so your won't develop a "flinch," along with protective eyewear.

3. Invest in a good instructor who can show you correct handgun technique (as well as gun safety). I cannot overemphasize how important it is to totally understand and master the super-fine motor skills and techniques of proper hand, grip and trigger control!

You can thus end up being an awesome handgun shooter, rather than suck at it like most shooters. Technique is everything!

4. Finally, when you are now ready . . . buy that awesome revolver you've learned to love via shooting lots of different types that your instructor (or friends) may allow you to shoot!

Frankly, after mastering the .22 . . . you'll bypass the little .32 guns for a much more proven defensive round . . . and your mastery of stance and grip will have allowed you to shoot without worrying about recoil!

Again, a .22 revolver will allow you to master shooting AND save a huge quantity of money doing so . . . enough to buy your SECOND revolver . . . your dream self defense caliber one!

Food for thought!


PS: My recommendations for a good, all-around revolver?

1. A 3" revolver will shoot as accurately in experienced hands as a 4." Thus . . . a 3" Model 65 (stainless) or Model 13 (blued) will be an awesome .357 magnum revolver that can also shoot .38 spl. too! The S&W triggers are superior to other brands . . . and a great trigger is the largest single thing that folks can do to improve accuracy.

2. For concealed carry purposes, either of the above revolvers would do well in belt-type holsters. However, my ALWAYS on me gun is my little 5-shot S&W lightweight J-frame . . . a Model 37 "Airweight" in .38 spl. No gun is suitable if you don't have it handy when the BG surprises you!!!

Even these little snubbies with 1 7/8" barrels will shoot quite well in the hands of handgunners with proper technique AND I can't think of many people who would want to be shot with one either!!!

Here's a target shot from 10 yards, standing and totally unsupported. The target was "just" a 1" black square. With training and practice, you should be able to do the same too:

Best wishes in finding the right guns for you!

 

[jc650]

Nice group S&Wfan. I am accurate to about 25 ft with my M&P 340 which is a light weight S&W snubbie. I Havent really shot a ton through it so I was happy with the results.

With all that said if I was picking up a gun NOT for carry I would get the 4" just for ease of shooting and probably better accuracy.

 

[Shadan7]

bja - thanks for the promo!

The advice to get a longer barrel is sound. But so is the advice to get something that you will actually carry. I love my 642, and never feel "undergunned" with it, even though a longer barrel would give much better ballistic performance.

7

 

[bja5006]

the first time is free.

 

[mljdeckard]

I would love a 4" .357, preferably a Python. I think it's the best overall defensive revolver setup.

 

[seeker_two]

bja5006: Thanks for posting that great website. I'm really impressed at the significant difference in performance of all calibers b/t 2" and 4" and the insignificant difference in performance of all calibers b/t 4" and 6" (esp. owning a couple of 6+" revolvers). It really solidifies the 4" barrel as the best all-around length.

Corsair: Depending on your needs and mode of carry, a good 4" revolver would be the optimal choice. If you're planning to CCW, make sure you get a well-made BELT and holster. Emphasis on the well-made BELT....

 

[Wolfeye]

I'm assuming you have a bit of shooting experience. For a house gun, a 4" barrel on a medium-framed gun is much more practical than a 2" on a compact gun; there's really no reason to settle for a shorter barrel if your primary purpose isn't concealment. Other benefits of a medium gun are higher ammo capacity (6 or 7 vs. 5), ease of use with speedloaders or speedstrips, a longer extractor rod, and more gun weight to absorb recoil.

You'll find a much wider range of ammo availble in .357 than .327, and I highly recommend either Ruger or Smith & Wesson over Charter Arms. If you stick with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights in that caliber, you won't regret it. Models that fit the bill are the Ruger GP100, S&W 686+, and S&W 620. Smiths generally have a better finish and smoother triggers, while the Rugers are less expensive yet still very reliable.

BTW, you can still conceal a 4" .357 revolver, but they're large & heavy to do so on a daily basis. It can help to install a compact grip.

 

[Corsair]

Thanks for the suggestions. I liked the idea of mastering a handgun for only pennies a shot and avoiding the "kick" of a large caliber gun so I picked up a Smith & Wesson 22a on Saturday. I'll be heading to the local range tonight to start getting familiar with it. The .22 will also be much easier for my wife to handle.

A lot of people tried to convince me that a .357 is the way to go but that's not necessarily true for a beginner. S&Wfan had a great argument for starting small. Thanks again!

 

[2ndamd]

Lots of good advice here.
I'd suggest the 3 1/16" brl SP101 in .357 mag. But only shoot 38s out of it for a while.

2" brls can take even an expert time to learn sight alignment. 4" brls can be hard to ccw. A 3" brl makes alot of sense.

Good luck on your new handgun!

 

[C-grunt]

Be sure to give us a range report afterwards. Good thinking on starting with a good .22 for learning. It can also be used as a home defense weapon as well. Its not the most potent round out there but there still is a bullet coming out the end. Plus, like you said, it will be easier for the wife to shoot as well.

 

[Kleanbore]

Good advice above, but you really should find a range that will rent you a gun so you can try before you buy.

There is a world of difference between range shooting and the kind of shooting involved in most self defense situations. Make sure to try double action shooting at fairly large targets at short distances.

Before taking my CCW course I bought a steel revolver with adjustable sights, an exposed hammer, and a three inch barrel.

Great gun for home defense. But--as the season changed I found it less than optimal for concealment due to size and weight; in the class, I learned that the hammer would likely never come into play in an outdoor justifiable SD situation; and I learned that for a quick couple of shots at center body mass of a charging assailant at close range, I was better off with a laser grip than with good sights.

So I bought a 642 Airweight with CT grips. Great for the intended purpose, but it wouldn't be my first choice for use other than concealed carry.

I think the .38 Special is probably your best bet. I'm not one of those who dumps on the .327 Magnum, but I don't think it's the best choice for indoor use. I personally would never choose to fire a .357 Magnum indoors.

 

[22lr]

Im a middle of the road kind of a guy, id go with a 3" but they are harder to find, and a little harder to sell (everyone wants a 2 or 4). But for carry if I had to chose between 2 and 4 id go with 2.