Colt SAA barrel lengths?

[CraigC]

Traditionally, I have had a strong preference for short barrels, both rifles and revolvers. In recent years, my preferences have opened up a bit. I've got 14 ejector length single actions but my longer barreled guns are catching up at an even dozen. I've got five 5½" guns, which is not exactly my favorite length. Then four 6½" guns, some of which are destined to become something else. I need to do a family portrait of all of them.

 

[Dframe]

I own 3, 3 1/2, 4, 4 3/4, and 5 1/2 inch SAAs. I don't like long barrels. They always felt cumbersome to me.

 

[mavracer]

D: all of the above

seriously my favorite's are the short ones 4 3/4" or even Sheriff's but longer barrels have their place too.

 

[Jim Watson]

When I got into CAS, I was able to trade an European 9mm in on a 7.5" .44 Special. That did pretty well, but when I sent it to a gunsmith to have a .44-40 cylinder fitted, I had him put on a kewl "civilian" 4.75" barrel. That lasted about one season of lower scores, so I had the 7.5" put back on.
If I were interested in a new SA, I would try to borrow a 5.5" to see if it had enough sight radius for my style of aim and a better "balance."

 

[mavracer]

So that's how you get 18,000 posts, reposting the same information to resurrected threads lol

 

[Jim Watson]

Cute.
Correct, though.
I will make it part of my Internet New Year's Resolution to not repeat myself no matter that the current incarnation involves posters not yet having reached their majority the last time it came up.

My main Internet New Year's Resolution is that I will make an effort not to correct technical jargon and usage, but in compensation I will regularly refer to loading detachable magazine firearms with a "clip".

 

[BCRider]

For looks I far and away prefer the 7 1/2". Also for slow casual bullseye shooting it works great and feels good.

For my CAS events I've got one 4 3/4 and one 5 1/2 just because they were bought at different times. Looks wise I like the 5 1/2 but both clear leather pretty easily compared to the long barrels.

In addition to the cartridge events I also shoot in Frontiersman category now and then with long barreled Remingtons. They feel like I have to draw them up to my armpit before the muzzle clears the leather....

 

[tpelle]

To me, as far as looks, I prefer the 7-1/2" barrel. Likewise the ejector-housing length just doesn't look right to my eyes. But the 7-1/2" is a bit too long for, say, holstered and sitting in a car.

As others have stated, the 5-1/2" length is a pretty good compromise.

I currently have a Cimarron .45 in 5-1/2". I used to have a Uberti ejector-housing length revolver, but I wore the bolt cam out on the hammer, so it's gone to the big gunsmith in the sky.

I believe my next purchase will be another 5-1/2" Cimarron, but this time in .357 Magnum - I know it's not historically correct, but these days it's a lot more practical looking towards ammo availability. (And I look at how thin the cylinder wall is on the .45, and it scares me!).

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Make mine 7 1/2" or 4 3/4". Just don't care for the appearance of the 5 1/2" barrel. They always looked kind of boring to me. I like the elegance of the 7 1/2" barrel, or the 'brutal' appearance of the 4 3/4".










For what it's worth, historically there were more 5 1/2" Colts made than any other barrel length.