Member Spartan 2 started a thread asking about the value of a 6-inch 28-2 he's spotted for sale. Some members have mentioned things like "but it's a 6-inch".

Not wanting to get his thread off topic so I'll ask here ...... Am I to assume by those comments that Smith folks place a lesser value on the 6-inch Model 28's? If so, is that because they're more plentiful? Less desirable? LEO's used more 4-inchers?

The 4" guns in 357 Magnum seem to be a little more desired than their 6" or 6.5" brethren and generally bring a little stronger money.

They are more carryable and still really shootable.

If the gun is for range duty or hunting the 6" or 6.5" barrel is great. They help minimize felt recoil over the 4" barreled guns.

hittman,

There seems to be a general preference among revolver enthusiasts these days for shorter barrels. Those who speak up about the issue usually say that the 4" is what they like best. I've not taken a scientific poll of course; this is just what I read from posters here. This seems to be borne out by the sale prices on used models also.

The reason given most often, it seems, is that the 4" barreled guns "balance better", or that the longer ones are "muzzle heavy". Also that the 4" is better for carry as mentioned above.

I'm sure others will come along soon and provide more clarity for you.

Regards,
Andy

It doesn't just pertain to model 28's
The 3 1/2 and 4 inch 27's
The 4" 29's and 57's also are in more demand.
More demand = high prices

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

My first Highway Patrolman, back before there was dirt, was a 4" gun. I owned several others over the years and always preferred the shorter barrel. 20 or more years ago, I only seemed to see the 4", almost never the 6", and every time I found one at a decent price I had to buy it. But eventually, I decided I wanted a 6" too, but then I really couldn't find one!

Finally my wife bought me a 6" Model 28-2 and I was thrilled. Eventually another one came my way. I like them. But I still prefer shooting the 4". The thing about the HP is that once you have a 4" and 6" that's it. You have the complete line - no other lengths available. If you want any further variation, you have to step to the plate and go for the shiny option - the Model 27. Lots more variety in barrel lengths there!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I used to like the 6? guns best, mostly because of better velocity and longer sighting radius, but as time went on and I got some 4" guns, I have changed my mind. Mostly because the shorter guns are easier to carry. Concealed carry aside, because few carry N frames or even 4" barreled guns, its way easier to get in and out of the truck, drive or even walk around with a holstered 4". Plus, I am less impressed with small increases in velocity and as I shot more the disadvantage of the shorter sighting radius makes less difference in practical handgun ranges. If I was going to hunt with strictly with a handgun then I would chose a longer gun. That or some type of slower fired target competition.

I also think that on longer barreled handguns some of it is hold over from the blackpowder era when it did make more difference.

Just the current trend.There were far fewer 28's with the six inch barrel.Back in the 80's - 90's four inch 28's sat on dealers shelves collecting dust , while the six inches tended to sell.Same thing with the 3.5 model 27 against the six.In the case of the 29-629 dealers tended not to stock the four inch because of low demand. ( at least in New England ) now they are bringing a premium.

Mostly it's presbyopia. As our eyes fail us, we need a shorter barrel to hold any kind of sight picture. I imagine the average age on this forum is somewhere north of 50. My eyesight went in my forties.

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and what his trumpet saith

My early guns were almost all 6"........ 686 and Dan Wesson .22 and .357.
over time they all got replaced.......

Two inch J-frames... and 21/2 and 3inch even 4inch K-frames have all bringing a premium over longer barrels......... for at least the past 17 years.

The N-frame is a 'big" gun ....... for me a 4" 28 or 27 is the best all around length for general purpose use..........I go to a 6 or 6 1/2 .357 if I still hunted with a handgun.

If I wanted a dedicated target/range gun...... I'd opt for a 6" Model 14 .38......

I firmly believe that the four inch guns are handier in just about every aspect except general target shooting and some handgun hunting. Even then the only real advantage that the six inch guns have is the longer sight radius, which only helps reduce shooter error.

That being said, I like six inch guns. Good thing for me too as I get to pay a little less for each model than my four inch aficionado friends do.

I have a 4 inch Model 28-2 now and I like it. In the past I had both barrel lengths and the 28-2 6 inch was my range 357 Magnum revolver. I liked the longer sight radius and the lesser felt recoil.

I own 2 4" dash 2 HPs. Am interested in finding a nice 6 incher. I also generally prefer the shorter barrels, and I also own a pre-27 with 3.5" barrel.
At the same time, I found an 8.375" barreled 27-2 S serial numbered gun recently and felt that it looks very sexy with the long, tapered barrel. Actually looks better than the heavier barrel profile of the long tube 29s & 57s.

BTW, doesn't Ferg on Longmire carry a 6" model 28? Very impressive.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

On an N-frame, I prefer six-inch barrels. If I want a four-inch, I carry a K-frame, M-66-3. Or a Ruger GP-100. In the Ruger, I do prefer the four-inch as the six-inch is too barrel heavy.


I've carried six-inch M-27 and M-28 guns at work in suitable duty leather and saw no problem. But the holster toe didn't rub against the car seat , for me. And I wanted the added velocity, and the longer gun is easier to shoot well.


I've seen quite a few Dallas cops in past decades wearing six-inch guns, and they were once the norm in Los Angeles.

Not to mention that Rick on Walking Dead carries a long barrel Python. More velocity to blow up zombie heads.

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Dr. B

While the 4" barrel seems to be the nitch for many here I prefer the 6" it's always been my favorite. I've ccw carried the 5 1/2", the 6", the 7 1/2" barrels for four decades. Mostly the Redhawk 5 1/2" in the summertime and the 7 1/2" in the wintertime. I wear a big n tall mans shirt out of my pants under my leathers on the motorcycle. Even go out to malls and eat with the 44 mag. I just picked up a ruger SBH 44mag/10 1/2" barrel. I picked up a hip holster(hunting) and a shoulder holster for ccw. But I do like shoulder holstering the 6" barreled 357 mags. I make sure my shoulder holster is suede lined. For my S&W m27/28 and my Python when I had it.

A few years back I picked up a new s&w m58 in 41mag. 4" barrel. I never knew the big n frame was so comfortable to shoot in the magnums. It's growing on me but the 6" barrel will always be my favorite.

Elmer Keith made a 265yd shot with a m29/4" barrel. Hickok45 on you tube made the same shot. So does barrel length matter?

At one time or another every gun in the safe gets its turn to get out for some fresh air. I prefer shoulder holstered.

A long barrel came in handy for me when I could not reach my baton or sap or slap.
I keep a 6" in the bedroom because if the perp makes it out of the house, I have a real long range option I can apply.

I've always preferred a 6" .357 or .44 as they reduce the recoil and the longer sighting radius and barrel length added accuracy and velocity.

A few years ago, my range owning buddy started shooting IPSC style and I wanted something more accurate than a bottom loader. So I looked until I found a 4" M28-2. Range Buddy got on the bandwagon too and got an 8 shot SW ProShop M27. We've had a lot of fun shooting non IPSC matches and beating most of the bottom feeders.

The look on the 20 sumtin' Glockers face when getting beat by a 60 yo geezer with a wheelgun is priceless.

No one mentioned that a 4" M28 just looks BAAAAAAAAAD!!!!!

Dan

As a young man, I bought a 6" Ruger Security Six .357 magnum to carry deer hunting. It was intended as a back up to finish game, with the idea that if a pistol shot presented itself the 6" would also be up to that task. My Ruger M77 .270 never failed to dispatch the deer I shot and the mulies never let me get to within my pistol range.

I packed the 6" .357 for several years and it's weight and length convinced me that a 4" barrel was a better option. When I got into law enforcement the 4" barrel was the norm. The Model 19 I went through the academy with was a 4".

And the Highway Patrolman revolvers I've been able to buy have been 4" models as well. Seems like somebody knew what they were doing when they started putting 4" barrels on working guns.

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Join the NRA today

I’m amazed that two inches in barrel length makes any difference at all when a handgun is held with the arms extended, no matter how aged our eyes may be. I just did a 4” vs 6” test and found that if anything, the 6” barrel's front sight was easier to see. (But they were both about the same.)

Being extremely nearsighted all my life, I am a new “convert” to presbyopia, via cataract surgery, so some of you may know something I don’t.

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You're shy a few manners.

I agree with Laketime. I also remember 30 years back when a 4" large frame revolver was "a cops gun" and 6" were all the rage. Besides, Dirty Harry's N Frame was no 4"... Also with the entire country now with some sort of CCW law, it was bound to become a desire to want shorter barreled weapons.

357 recoil from an N-frame?? What's that?? LOL! Just kidding guys...

Shorter barrel lengths often add an extra premium on the value of most S&W wheelguns when you look it up in the Bluebook of Gun Values. How much depends on the model. It's my understanding that Bluebook looks at the market and what people actually pay each year to determine pricing.

you will end up with one of each as a minimum... lol
I got the 1959 28-0 4" first... right place right time right price...
my first N frame
I got the 28-2 6" with box etc next at Cabelas... gift cards and credit card points made it too easy...

I still prefer the 6" barrels. My only 4" barrel is my m58. I don't like snubnose barrels.