Barrel Lengths and Underlugs?

[Confederate]

At what point does a revolver barrel become too long?

. 22LR/WMR ??? Single-Action
.357 Mag ??? Double Action
. 44 Mag ??? Double Action

And are underlugs good or bad for field guns?

Do long barrels/underlugs hinder quick target acquisition?

How important is that for hunting?

For self defense (camping, hiking)?

 

[rem1187a]

I want one of them for christmas

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Personally I think 5" is the perfect length for a non-CCW revolver. Most modern revo's come in 4" or 6" and I could compromise with either length, but I think anything over 6" ruins the look of the gun. IMHO


This, of course doesn't apply to 7 and 8 inch BP guns like the Walker.

 

[cheygriz]

It depends on the gun. IMHO, 4 inch is adequate for .32, .38 and .45 calibers. 6 inch is absolute minimum for .357 Magnum, and 7 1/2 inch for .41,.44, and larger.

I want my powder to push the bullet, not to create a deafening blast, and beachball sized flash.

A .38 special +P in a 6 inch barrel is actually equally, or more powerful than a .357 Magnum in a 2 inch barrel. (And a heck of a lot more comfortable to shoot.)

 

[LHB1]

Maximum accuracy: 6-6.5" barrel, full underlug.
Personal favorite: 5" barrel, full underlug.
Hunting favorite: 6.5" barrel, full underlug, and 2X Leupold EER scope.

Several years ago I did an extensive test over a two year period using S&W M629/629 Classic pistols in barrel lengths of 4", 5", 6-6.5", and 8 3/8". My test consisted of firing 50 shots with two hand hold, no rest, at 25 yds on one target and scoring the target. My scores indicated that I shot best with 6-6.5" barrels with full underlug. Purpose of underlug is simply to add more weight to front of gun which helps reduce recoil of .44 Mag, even using field loads of 210 gr bullets at 1100 fps. Scores of 4" and 8 3/8" guns were a few points lower than scores of 6-6.5" barreled guns. Scores of 5" gun was between scores of 4" and 6.5" guns.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[.41Dave]

At what point does a revolver barrel become too long?

Depends on your intended use.

. 22LR/WMR ??? Single-Action

At least 6.5", as .22 mag needs a bit of barrel for best performance.

.357 Mag ??? Double Action

3"-4" for CCW/Self Defense, 5" or more for hunting

. 44 Mag ??? Double Action

Same as .357 mag.

And are underlugs good or bad for field guns?

Depends on what you like, but I don't like underlugs in general, and like them even less of field guns. Why lug around unnecessary weight?

Do long barrels/underlugs hinder quick target acquisition?

Not for hunting. For self defense, it might be an issue, but not one to fret too much over, IMHO.

I agree with fink that 5" is a sweet spot for barrel lengths. Pity more guns aren't made with 5" tubes.

 

[Confederate]

I'm sure that tests at ranges would probably favor longer, underlug barrels. In hunting situations where you have to carry the gun out into the middle of nowhere, get yourself situated and make the shot, it might be an entirely different matter.

Ditto for defense. You grab your hiking gear and go out for a nice, long walk along a desolate trail somewhere. Do you really want a 6-inch 686 or GP-100, or would you rather have a 6-inch Ruger Security-Six or Smith 66?

For me, longer and heavier barrels are tougher to bring into position. One reason the Ruger 2.75-inch .357s are so popular is because the point so datgum well. A 6-inch tapered barrel, either on a .44 mag or .357, seem not only lighter but easier to manage than underlugs.