best 44 mag barrel length

[farm23]

jjhack the Freedom Arms 454's do not weight as much as one would think. I wrote to FA because I want to get a 4.75 in 454 when I can afford [I have a 27 year old 7.5]. Here is what they told me:
7.5" = 3.28#
6 o" = 3.16#
4.75 = 3.06

 

[JJHACK]

Thanks for the information.

I'm not as concerned about the weight as I am with getting in and out of a vehicle dozens of times a day. The 7.5" redhawk was a real pain most of the time.

Maybe if I were 6'4" it would not be as big a deal, I'm 5'10" and that much barrel length was annoying. I'm not sure that the projected 15-45 fps velocity difference between 4 3/4" and 6" is worth that extra barrel length. I'm liking the idea of packing a 4 3/4" revolver.

I have to admit a bit of concern over the capacity. Reducing to 5 in the FA, from 6 in the Ruger was Okay, but now learning that I need to have the chamber empty reduces it to 4 in the cylinder. That's about as low as I would responsibly go for a self defense work gun.

 

[Pointshoot]

The last post in this thread was a few weeks ago, but thought I'd toss another idea to JJHACK. Check out a Ruger Redhawk in either 4.2" or 5.5" barrel length. I've got the 4.2" Redhawks in 44 Mag and in 45 Colt and they are great handling. Not all that much heavier than my S&W 629 in 44 Mag. Double action and 6 shots on board - perhaps a real advantage in a revolver used in potential defensive situations against critters that bite. Maybe checking these out would give you an idea of what length would work best to have your 7.5" gun chopped to. I'd personally try 5.5" first, but maybe that's because I already have the 4.2" guns. (Of course, you can have your gun barrel cut to whatever you want, so maybe a 4 3/4" to 5" barrel would give the balance you like. Can even have fiber optic front sight installed.) It is abit amazing how a couple or three inches of barrel length can make a huge difference in how easy a revolver is to carry. I have some long barrel revolvers that get very little, occasional use on targets. Theyre just too inconvenient and get in the way when it comes to carrying them in the field. Might as well sling up a rifle instead. Regards, - - - -

 

[57sw]

Interesting. Another option would be to keep your eyes open on the various auction sites for a Dan Wesson in 44 magnum. Stainless-model 744, or blue-model 44. Very strong and highly accurate. They show up every now and then on these sites and you have the option to change barrels to whatever length, 4, 6 or 8 inch in various configurations. Barrels can be purchased through CZ/Dan Wesson or EWK Arms. That would be my choice in this case, but that's just me...a DW fan.

 

[Eb1]

I like the 5.5" SBH I own, but I'd also like to have a 4 5/8" Modelor a 3.75" that back40 posted is sweet.

 

[Pointshoot]

The original poster mentioned he had a Bowen customized Redhawk that he didnt like for the application he had in mind, only because of that long 7 1/2" barrel. Bowen shows Redhawks with shorter barrels on his website and they look to be sweet guns. I wondered if he might have considered having Bowen (or another smith) just shorten the barrel for him.

 

[Jackal]

I loved my S&W 629 Classic, 5 inch barrel. 4" is too short and 6" is too long.

 

[Deaf Smith]

For everyday packing I prefer 4 inch.

For hunting I'd go with a longer tube. Maybe 5 or 6 inch.

If I need a bigger handgun than that I'll just take a rifle.

Deaf

 

[mavracer]

the correct answer is 4.182"

That's where my Redhawk ended up.

 

[B!ngo]

So I own a pair of S&W PC V Comps. The 4" (plus brake) 6 round .44 and the 5" (plus brake) 8 round .357. I like the V Comp designs because of the barrel weight (and the variable barrel weights) and frankly the look of the design. When firing the barrel designs make them feel 'longer' than they actually are.
Trouble is, S&W clearly got them backwards. Surely the .44 should be 5" and the .357 4". What were they thinking?
B

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have the same gun in 4" and 6". Sandbagged each gun shoots about the same as far as accuracy goes. The extra 2" makes a big difference in felt recoil with hotter loads. Loads that beat up my hand a bit in the 4" are much easier in the 6".

 

[Leadbutt]

JJ, like a couple of others I say go with the 5", we used to be issued the S&W 27 with the 5" barrel, it carried about as well as the 4" in the cars , work great with the "Highway" loads and sight lenght was better for longer shots at least for me with the 5", seemed to handle better then the 4" also

 

[RealGun]

My logic lead me to a 5", but it brought with it a challenge in finding a holster that was made expressly for that length barrel. The custom guys certainly can do it, but off the shelf might be tough.

 

[JJHACK]

Just as an update to this thread.

I just got my Freedom Arms back with a 4- 3/4" barrel. I agree that the 5 is the best all around. Since FA makes their standard 4-3/4" that was close and keeps it a factory dimension in the unlikely event of resale down the road.

I'll also say I had the grip frame rounded and the trigger job done. All I can say about this work and turnaround is ........ WOW

This gun is so accurate and fun to shoot. It's also so nice looking and easy to pack. I think this may be one of the greatest firearms I have ever owned or shot. The precision and function if this is just astonishing. It's like stainless steel artwork that goes bang!

 

[Meeteetse]

I have packed a Ruger SBH with the 4 5/8" bbl. for years and never felt it was too short, however I think I would buy the 5 1/2" version and shoot the heaviest loads all day. My other favorite is a S&W Mdl. 29 with a 4" bbl. May not be the best with the heaviest loads but it is a great gun with loads up to about 240 gr.

 

[JJHACK]

Funny coincidence. My work carry revolver is a 629-4 mountain gun with a 4" barrel. 44 mag.

 

[Black Butte]

With the 9.5" Super Redhawk, recoil would no longer be much of an issue.

 

[JJHACK]

Yeah but the pain of carry every day would be worse then the recoil would ever be

 

[aHFo3]

I would love to see a pic of your reworked Freedom Arms.