2,4,6,8 .....

[LL617]

My spouse is a little concerned that I am turning into a gun nut/collector/hoarder. Not so, but that started me thinking about the purposes for and history of different revolvers:

What do you consider the best revolvers with barrels at the various lengths of 2" [I'm rounding off to the nearest whole number the odd lengths like 1 7/8 inches], 4", 6", 8", etc., and why do you think so?

If you have a picture of a revolver that has an unusually long barrel could you post it and explain why it was made with such a long barrel? Unless it was for target shooting, I don't understand why revolvers with long barrels [over 6 1/2 inches ] were made.

Thanks.

[VPNAVY]

What - are you crazy LL617? Ain't no way I'm gonna get your wife pissed at me for helping promote your problem!

[deadin]

I don't understand why revolvers with long barrels [over 6 1/2 inches ] were made.

Sight radius. Actually there's not much need for a barrel longer than 4 inch except for the sights.

[A10]

My favorite 2(ish) incher is a baby Chief, 3 1/2 obviously a pre 27, 4" is a pre 28, 6" a pre 28, 6 1/2" a pre 29, 8 3/4" a Registered Magnum. The only one I currently have in my inventory is the 6" pre 28. My desires far outweigh my income level......

[loutent]

Having a long barrel makes me feel more manly

[A10]

No offense there loutent, but I notice there is no tape measure in the pic for scale....

[Thuer]

With that kind of barrel you can better take a rifle.
Longer barrels are used for silhouette shooting. In England they use longer barrels on a revolver to own and use a handgun.

With a longer barrel you have a longer sight over your sights. Some say this gives you more accuracy.
I prefer a 4 inch barrel. I do use a model 681 with a 4 inch barrel and love the balance of it.

Personaly I do think longer barrels are a bit unhandy. You need a bigger holster for it.
In Holland the barrels for .38 or .357 revolvers aren't aloud to extend the 6 inch. for target shooting.

[LouisianaJoe]

As I get older, My eyes like the longer sight picture. My 27-2 8 3/8" is one of my favorites.

Also in 8 3/8" are 14-4, 25-5, and .460 XVR.

I also have a 10.5" .44 Mag Super Blackhawk.

[Texas Star]

Longest bbl. I've owned or WILL own is a Ruger Super Blackhawk with the usual (for that model) 7.5-inch bbl.
I have a very nice El Paso Threepersons holster for it, but it is not a handy length for sitting in a car.

Otherwise, 6.0 or 6.5-inches is plenty for enough velocity and sight radius, and longer barrels provide little useful velocity. I saw an NRA trial in which a Model 27 had the barrel progressively shortened, and decided that the longest length is useless and is just added bulk,

Anti-gunners often cite a male fixation on bigger guns as an ego issue for men who are insecure in their masculinity. Movie directors sometimes prey on this issue to have characters use bigger guns than otherwise warranted, to give a macho thrust to their heroes. These same people also love explosions in their movies. And white hats for Western heroes and black ones for villains, etc.

Now, lie down on the couch and tell us how you FEEL about longer barrels...

BTW, I see no need for any handgun load more potent than .44 Magnum. If you need more, I think a rifle or carbine is a better choice, and I think that the .460, .480, and ,500 handguns can induce damage to wrists and elbows if used much. These ailments may take years to appear, but I think they're a real possibility.

[Engineer1911]

Depending on brand and caliber: 1-7/8, 2-1/2, 3, 5, 5-1/2'6, 6-1/2, 7-1/2, 8-3/8, 10, 10-5/8, 14, and 16 inch barrels. Calibers include: 22 LR, 223 Rem, 30 Herrett, 9 mm, 38 spl, 357 mag, 40 S&W, 44 mag, 45 acp. There are iron sights, dot sights, and scopes from 2X, 5X, 7X to 3X - 9X variable.

Is that enough choices to confuse your wife or opportunities to fill in the gap? Shooting distance can vary from 6 inches to 275 yards. Let there be variety and diversity!

[Thuer]

I consider this as a nice revolver out of proporties. The 6 inch barrel looks outplaced on this tiny .32 Smith and Wesson revolver model of 1903.

It shoots really great.

[LL617]

Originally Posted by LouisianaJoe

As I get older, My eyes like the longer sight picture. My 27-2 8 3/8" is one of my favorites.

Also in 8 3/8" are 14-4, 25-5, and .460 XVR.

I also have a 10.5" .44 Mag Super Blackhawk.

I just got some new glasses because I noticed a significant difference between sighting on the 4" model 64 and the 6" 617. I'm glad for glasses!

[LL617]

Thanks for all the replies that I've received so far. At this point, I have three K's, two that are for carrying and one--the 617--for target shooting. I really don't plan to buy any more revolvers. If I had need to, I guess I would buy what was appropriate for the situation.

However, I will enjoy reading up on some of the models that you have discussed and the various situations that have been mentioned. It beats reruns on TV!

[LL617]

Originally Posted by loutent

Having a long barrel makes me feel more manly

Impressive picture.