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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 02-02-2010, 09:38 PM
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Default Why an 8+ inch barrel?

What is the purpose of an 8+ inch barrel? I understand that the increased sight radius might have some advantage, but that is a lot of barrel. I've been looking for a 586 and just ran across a 586-2 with an 8" barrel at a local pawn shop. It looks cool, but something like that is way too big to carry. I may buy it just for fun, on the range. I also see quite a few Pythons with this large barrel. The .357 does not strike me as the best hunting round...so, what are your thoughts. What do you do with our long barrel revolvers? Most that I've seen look have have been safe queens.
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Old 02-02-2010, 09:43 PM
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The 8"+ barrel lengths were made exactly for that...sight radius and weight for target shooting. The Registered Magnums came with up to an 8 1/2" bbl, but some official shooting association (USRA ?) had a limit and so Smith trimmed them back to 8 3/8" to be legal for competition. Smith stuck with that bbl length as their standard until they came out with a 10 5/8" bbl for silhouette shooting...different rules.
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Old 02-02-2010, 09:46 PM
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i have owned several, good for bench shooting or hunting, tough to carry.
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Old 02-02-2010, 09:50 PM
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I have had a total of one 8 3/8" barreled S&W a model 14. One was enough, it felt awkward and I never shot it well. 6 or 6 1/2" max for me and I like my 4 inchers best.
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Old 02-02-2010, 09:55 PM
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1 - sight radius (simply physics)
2 - balance/counter weight.

I shot a 629 with the 8 inch barrel and the balance of it when firing was outstanding.
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Old 02-02-2010, 09:58 PM
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Hmm....I am thinking that I need at least one. That 586 may come home with me tomorrow.
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Old 02-02-2010, 10:03 PM
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Can I suggest you ask your girlfriend/wife?
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Old 02-02-2010, 10:04 PM
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I am shamlessly bragging. I have a 27-2, a 57no dash and a 29-2, all 8 3/8" and all nickel. Each have killed a hog or two. I enjoy the 27 at the range and the longer barrels work good with my tri-focals.
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Old 02-02-2010, 10:06 PM
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Default The Long Barrels

I hunt with these long barrels having 10 of them in all the calibers Smith made. I've have no trouble carrying them in shoulder holsters and find the hunt more challenging. Using them in my work I've taken Elk with the .22 Jet with no trouble and Bear with the .357. The long sight radius is very effective, and I really enjoy shooting them.
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Old 02-02-2010, 10:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Revolver-time View Post
I am shamlessly bragging. I have a 27-2, a 57no dash and a 29-2, all 8 3/8" and all nickel. Each have killed a hog or two. I enjoy the 27 at the range and the longer barrels work good with my tri-focals.
Pics would be great, if you have any. Everybody loves pictures.
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Old 02-02-2010, 10:24 PM
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Here they are if it works.
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Old 02-02-2010, 10:39 PM
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Default Why and 8+ inch barrel?

Hmm.. No one mentioned the 3rd factor for the longer barrel: more muzzle velocity and more kinetic energy downrange... right? Yes, I have a 29-2, a model 17-4 and a 25-5, all with the 8 -3/8" bore.. (and a few others).. I love 'em all! With the right over the shoulder holster, they all can be carried afield easily....

PS. My thanks and regards to all on this forum. You have been a wealth of knowledge and wisdom...
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Old 02-02-2010, 10:56 PM
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Here they are if it works.
Excellent. Those look great. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 02-02-2010, 11:04 PM
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Yes the .357 is sufficient for deer hunting. Phil Shoemakers' daughter does or did carry a model 66 in Alaska for protection against the great bears. She is an excellent shot and Phil taught her to shoot 'em in the head.
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Old 02-02-2010, 11:46 PM
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I like this one, I need more practice with it though.
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  #16  
Old 02-03-2010, 12:44 AM
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Here they are in their work clothes with little brother hanging around.

60(no dash), 29-2, 14-4, 17-4
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  #17  
Old 02-03-2010, 01:45 AM
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Default Who said long tubes?

Here's the K frames. That's one in every caliber they made!


But these are the barrel length I like the most. That extra couple of inches help when your shooting 100-200yds!


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  #18  
Old 02-03-2010, 04:01 AM
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Default Weight/Sights/Performance

I purchased a new 686 8 inch when they first came out. It is a great shooter, accurate with any bullet design and weight (sight adjustment required) and handles like a dream. I use mine just for long range plinking with relatively warm loads. I also have a 27-2 with the 8 3/8ths but enjoy shooting the 686 more.

Yes, it does not carry well afield, but that is a small problem compared to the performance and sheer pleasure of shooting it. My old eyes are able to locate the front sight better than a 6 inch and considerably better than a 4 inch. It is one of the few handguns I can shoot well without a scope or dot.

The extra weight created by the additional two inches with under lug is very noticeable. The weight is hung out front rather than over the hand, allowing for considerably less recoil and muzzle flip (for lack of a better term).

Four inchers are for carrying, 6 inchers are for utility, 8 inchers are for shooting.
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Old 02-03-2010, 07:08 AM
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hey tlflag,
what kind of work situation would require shooting elk with a 22jet ?
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  #20  
Old 02-03-2010, 09:16 AM
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I have an M657 with an eight and three eighths inch barrel.
Bought a holster for it off the ad board here last year.
In July I put it in that holster and shot it in a steel plate match. The gun made me look good, even on small plates at about 40 yards.
It does not approve of missing.
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  #21  
Old 02-03-2010, 12:34 PM
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I carried a 8-3/8 27 all deer season and didn't have an issue. I like the balance of N Frame, no underlug and that length better than anything else.
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  #22  
Old 02-03-2010, 01:02 PM
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I have a Model 14 and a Model 29-2 with the long tubes and they are wonderful guns.

When I used to hunt in the East Texas piney woods, all I would carry was the Model 29 in a shoulder holster. The first time I showed up with it, my hunting buddy was a little skeptical. I knew the longest shot would probably be 50yds. and was confident in my shooting.

When we were leaving the lease the first day (no luck) he suddenly stopped me and put a small coke bottle on a stump about 30yds. from me and said "hit that and I will believe you have enough ability to carry that cannon". I quickly pulled the gun out , put the sights just above the bottle and let the gun settle down on the bottle. As the bottle became centered, I squeezed the trigger and the bottle disappeared. He just smiled and said "good enough".

The Model 29-2 8 3/8" bbl. balances wonderfully for me and is a tack driver. Shoulder holster is my preferred way to carry it.
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  #23  
Old 02-03-2010, 01:16 PM
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I find the HB models like the 29 and 57 a bit too heavy with the 8" tube. The tapered barrel models (like the 27) feel nice to me with the long barrel.

I have owned several different Smiths with 8" barrels over the years but only have one right now longer than 6.5"..





Oh, I almost forgot the 10" Registered Magnum.





(Fully open now)

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  #24  
Old 02-03-2010, 04:20 PM
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I've used 8 3/8" 29s and 57s for hunting for over 30 years. It's the best length for hunting in my opinion. A shoulder holster is the only way to go.....

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Old 02-03-2010, 07:43 PM
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I have a 27-2 and A 29-3 with 8.375" barrels. Both are Quite accurate and easy to shoot well. I like the long tube for some applications. All handguns aren't made for the same job. If you doubt what a 8+" barreled 357 Magnum revolver will do, research the early exploits of Col. Wesson.
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Old 02-04-2010, 12:28 AM
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The size of the shooter is another factor. Just like I enjoy Churchill size cigars most, so do I enjoy holding and shooting the big tubes (all of mine are 6" or more). BTW, I am 6'5" and about 350 lbs.
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Old 02-04-2010, 01:26 PM
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Quote:
I find the HB models like the 29 and 57 a bit too heavy with the 8" tube. The tapered barrel models (like the 27) feel nice to me with the long barrel.
Agreed. I was thinking the same thing as I posted in this thread yesterday.
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Old 02-04-2010, 02:02 PM
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My only non-S&W long-tube .357 was bought for $505 (new) for use in Silhouette competition. It had a 4x Leupold way back then. I shot a few prairie poodles with it in the mid 80s too.
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Old 02-04-2010, 03:54 PM
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You all are forgetting the most important asset of having the longer barrel... it gives you the extra leverage needed for pounding in the larger 10D nails with the butt end

The upper two are a M57 and M29-2... I used them mostly for long range plinking... There used to be an outdoor range nearby that had what they called "the tin can range" where you could bring out all sorts of stuff to blast, as long as you cleaned up after wards.

I'd go there with my S&W's, and my cousin with his Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 mag with a 10 1/2" barrel. We would bring a 24 can case of "el cheapo" soda, walk out to the 100 yard berm and line them up across the top of it. It was quite the sight when one was hit, and great fun too.


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Old 02-04-2010, 04:38 PM
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Default Long Barrel Revolvers

There's just something about long barrel revolvers that are attractive to me - fortunately they're generally not too popular and thus less expensive than their shorter barrel counterparts. Here's some of mine: 29-2, 27-2, 48-4, 17-3, and a Python Target.



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Old 02-05-2010, 11:18 AM
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Those are some very large revolvers.I cant wait to get mine out of lay a way.
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  #32  
Old 02-05-2010, 01:48 PM
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Been a Wildlife Manager here in Arizona for many years, I shoot with what I carry or have with me at the time. In my work and hunting it's where you hit them that counts.
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Old 02-05-2010, 02:12 PM
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kind of figured you were in the F&W field or similar business.
thanks
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Old 02-05-2010, 02:56 PM
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My Long Tubes

629 No Dash

Model 14-4

17-4

Model 27-2
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  #35  
Old 02-05-2010, 07:11 PM
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Here's the brother of Fyimo's 629 no-dash....

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Old 02-05-2010, 07:37 PM
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I agree with you the 8" er is a whole lotta barrel. I bought an 8 3/8" nickel model 29-2 last year. It is a beautiful revolver. I bought it with presentation case, tools etc.It looked to good to pass up for the price.I think I have shot it once.
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Old 02-05-2010, 07:39 PM
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I prefer the 6" barrels over all others for hunting, and the 5" for general use, but I couldn't pass this one up when I saw it. It is in very good condition, shots just fine, and isn't nearly as front heavy as they look like here on the forum. It is an old S prefix 29-2 that came with some really nice Rosewood presentation stocks-

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Old 02-05-2010, 07:41 PM
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I have a Model 14, Model 17, and Model 29 with 8 3/8-inch snouts. Back in the late 70s/early 80s they were the bees' knees.

One can build a good head of steam behind handloads in them.

That's not completely true as I had a Model 27 with 8 3/8-inch barrel at the same time as the three mentioned above. It had a "slow" barrel for some reason and my 6-inch Model 27 would equal or frequently beat it with most loads tried. It was a good looking revolver but went away.
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Old 02-05-2010, 07:43 PM
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A good cross draw holster is an alternative to the shoulder rig. Actually very handy for 8 3/8"
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Old 02-05-2010, 08:24 PM
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Hi Lawdog;

That's the way I most often carry mine in the field.
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Old 02-05-2010, 09:36 PM
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I mostly shoot with 5" and 6" barrels, but I have a couple of longnose guns -- a 57 and a Pre-27. I probably won't shoot the latter because it seems to be NIB, but the 57 gave me tighter groups on my first range trip than I have ever had with a shorter-barrel gun -- and that was firing some fairly hot commercial loads that moved the gun around some.

I also picked up a loose long barrel for a .22 Jet just to have the long barrel option. My 53 came with a 6" barrel, and it just seems to me that a gun designed for distance deserved the option of improved performance in a longer barrel, even if that improvement would be unobservable in the hands of a skilled shooter who knew how to wring the most out of a shorter barrel.
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Old 02-06-2010, 10:25 AM
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I have 2 Model 14s (4" & 8 3/8") and I can tell you "why an 8+ inch barrel." It's because of the results. It's so much easier to hit with that looong sight radius. Folks raise their eyebrows when they give it a try. It's an amazing gun. Aside from when I'm CCing, I love longer barrels.

Note: A grip that fills the hand well helps a bunch with the nose-heaviness.

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  #43  
Old 02-06-2010, 05:19 PM
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I'm beginning to reach that point in life where I wish Smith & Wesson had made 18 3/8-inch barrels.
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Old 02-07-2010, 02:39 PM
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You ask: "What is the purpose of the 8 plus inch barrels" ? Well. I only own one now....a 27-2 with the 8 3/8" barrel. I love it !!!! Best balanced long barrel revolver made !!! It's also very easy to be accurate with it as compared to models just like it with shorter barrels due to the longer sight radius. So much so that you feel like you are cheating. Not all long barrels are the same however as far as balance goes. I like the S & W model 27-2 in a long barrel because the barrel is tapered and has a short under lug along with the big heavy N frame equals- Great balance. I had a Colt Python at one time with the 8 inch barrel. Extremely poor balance, with the Python's solid full length barrel under lug, it felt so front end barrel heavy that I thought it needed wheels. The 4 inch Python has the best in your hand non-front end barrel heavy balance.
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Old 02-07-2010, 02:56 PM
garandman garandman is offline
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Also, they have the: " look cool/bad *** factor ". Think of them as the Dirty Harry model 29 on steroids. Harry's 29 only had a 6 1/2" barrel.
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Old 02-07-2010, 03:03 PM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
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Why an 8+ inch barrel? Why an 8+ inch barrel?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 29aholic View Post
The 8"+ barrel lengths were made exactly for that...sight radius and weight for target shooting. The Registered Magnums came with up to an 8 1/2" bbl, but some official shooting association (USRA ?) had a limit and so Smith trimmed them back to 8 3/8" to be legal for competition. Smith stuck with that bbl length as their standard until they came out with a 10 5/8" bbl for silhouette shooting...different rules.


Actually the Registered Magnums started with 8 3/4, not 8 1/2. I believe it was not the barrel length, but perhaps the distance between the front and rear sights. In order to comply with NRA rules (I think it was NRA), S&W shortened the barrel length on the Registered Magnum to 8 3/8, and I believe that caused them to standardize the 8 3/8 length on all of their revolvers.
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Old 02-07-2010, 06:16 PM
phils phils is offline
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Why an 8+ inch barrel? Why an 8+ inch barrel? Why an 8+ inch barrel? Why an 8+ inch barrel? Why an 8+ inch barrel?  
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Sight radius and a little more velocity are two reasons. I owned a 83/8" M27 which was accurate enough but would not take the rams down. A 83/8" M29 was the solution.
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Old 02-07-2010, 06:44 PM
Gun 4 Fun Gun 4 Fun is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shawn mccarver View Post
Actually the Registered Magnums started with 8 3/4, not 8 1/2. I believe it was not the barrel length, but perhaps the distance between the front and rear sights. In order to comply with NRA rules (I think it was NRA), S&W shortened the barrel length on the Registered Magnum to 8 3/8, and I believe that caused them to standardize the 8 3/8 length on all of their revolvers.

This is exactly right. The NRA bullseye rules back then stated that the distance between front and rear sights could be no more than 10 1/2" I believe, so S&W cut the barel from 8 3/4" to 8 3/8" to conform the the rules, and be able to allow their guns to stil be used.
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Old 02-07-2010, 06:50 PM
mkk41 mkk41 is offline
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I once had a Dan Wesson Pistol Pac with barrels up to 15 inches. Yes , longer sight radius , steadier aim , and added velocity. I recall several gun magazine articles and , depending on powder/load used , every inch of barrel was good for an additional 50-100 FPS.
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Old 02-08-2010, 07:49 PM
Chubbo Chubbo is offline
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Why an 8+ inch barrel? Why an 8+ inch barrel? Why an 8+ inch barrel?  
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Smile S&W long bbls.

Here are my 8" bbl. S&W revolvers. A mod 27, Mod. 57. mod. 14, Mod.629 Magna Classic.
It seems that the 8" bbls. come and go in popularity. I can remember when they were the ultimate length to have, sort of a status symbol. right now they are out of vogue. Next year Who knows? They are a lot of fun to shoot, and if they flop your mop, a great choice to collect, and now might be a good time to do it.

Chubbo
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