Ideal .44 Magnum Barrel Length

Hello.

I may take the plunge and get a S&W model 629 .44 magnum. I am looking at 629's with a full lug barrel. What would be the ideal barrel length? These are the factors I am considering:

1. Portability.
2. Felt recoil.
3. Accuracy.
4. Sight radius.

Bearing those factors in mind, I am considering a 5" barrel or possible getting a 629 with a 6" or 6.5" barrel and having it cut down to 4". What would you guys recommend?

I already have a 4" 625 and love the look and balance of it. I also have a 610 that has a 3 7/8" barrel and this barrel length seems to have an even better balance. Both of these have full-lug barrels and their recoil is easily controllable. How close to the recoil of my 625, or 610 would a .44 mag be in similar barrel lengths? Any and all opinions welcome. Thanks.

 

what primary purpose will the weapon serve?
.44mag is great in a 10.5" Super Blackhawk for hunting medium-sized game.
great in a 3-4" barrel for SD Vs. black bears.
completely useless for SD vs. two-legged uglies, IMHO. YMMV.

 

Well, it used to be that .44 mags were hard to sell because of the horrendous recoil, with 6-inchers being the best. If I were an Alaskan guide, I'd sure get one in both, but as a shooter, I'd stay with a 6-inch.

If you handload, my choice would be a 4-incher -- that is, if you wanted a gun for self defense. For short-barreled guns, I like the .357 and for .44 mags, a 6-inch. Anything longer than that should have a bayonet mount! I like the craftsmanship of the 4-inchers; I just wouldn't enjoy shooting them.

 

my 5 /12 works well ... only fall and winter conceal

 

I bought the S&W 629 5" classic. Love it. IMHO, the 5" fully lugged barrel is the perfectly balanced .44 mag.

 

I loved my 7.5" Redhawk.....but want a 4"....pretty sure I'll stick with special loads.

 

I really like the feel of the 6" full lug. I like my big thumpers a little nose heavy.

 

I think a 5" barrel is the perfect length for a large frame revolver.

 

I think my 629-6 with a 6" half length lug barrel is the cat's meow.

 

I have a 3", 4" and 6". The 3" round butt is what I carry all the time when out hunting, hiking or just out knocking around in the boon docks. It's more portable than the other two. If I was handgun hunting than I would have the 6" due to longer sight radius and higher velocity.

 

IMO the best length barrel for a .44 Magnum revolver is 5".

 

I have N frames in 3", 3.5", 4", 5", and 6.5". Some of them are .44 magnums but not all of them. On your criteria I would say:

The accuracy/sight radius issue is just not that big a deal - it is between 4" and, say 8 3/8", but on any length between 4" and 6.5" is going to decide accuracy on the gun itself and it's inherent quality more so than the length. There was an extensive test of this on a combat handgun test famously reprinted in Gun Digest. Skilled shooters in the comparisons scored equally well with 4" or 6.5" guns at a wide variety of distances. You will always get a few more fps out of the longer barrel, but not necessarily more accuracy.

5" balances nicely. But the 4" carries more easily. But I don't think they made a factory 4" full lug did they? If that is a strict criteria, get the 5" full lug and live with that - the high cost of altering it for 1" of length is not worth it. Like medmo, my 3" .44 magnum gets carried as much as all others combined (except the 3.5") because of the ease of carry.

 

I like 5" for most stuff. My Redhawks are 5 1/2". Of course, it is a matter of personal preference.

If you intend to hunt with it, check your local regs. Where I live, 6" is the minimum length.

 

I like mine 7 1/2 super blackhawk shoots great with light loads and fullbore
and when i get serious my super 14 contender barrel is alot of fun too.

 

i would say 5" or 6" is best, 4" might be a little slow for needed velocity.

 

7" or more

That cartridge was born as hunting round not to be used in a CCW piece...

The 44 Mag perform the best in longer barrels.

 

I'll chime in on the 5" being the best all around that I have had. I would like a 3" 5 shot.

 

Ditto

 

What do you mean??

I do not see Keith handling a short barrel revolver or a snubnose here...





A 4" or less 44 Mag revolver is nonsense, IMHO.