4" vs 5" vs 6.5" Barrel. What's better?

Tytan01 · Jul 13, 2020

I know there are other barrel lengths for S&W Revolvers but 4, 5 & 6.5" are by far the most common lengths.

So my question is...which one length do you prefer over the others?

I just picked up a Model 629-6 5" 44 Mag Classic. I thought it would be the "perfect" barrel length but after matching it up to my other guns in the collection...I'm going back to 4" as my preferred choice. Any length longer on a revolver makes me think of the Joker gun in the Michael Keaton Batman movie. Silly.

Pictured is my 5" Classic. A very nice gun but the barrel just ain't doing it for me at the moment. Like having a kid with buck teeth. You love them just as much as your other children but..." Damn..honey...we gotta find that boy a dentist!"

bigggbbruce · Jul 13, 2020

4" carry better.
5" has a nice balance on N frames.
6 1/2" has a better sight radius.

That's why they make choices.

OldChief · Jul 13, 2020

It all depends upon the individual, I have a 629-6 (5") and the balance is just perfect for me. The problem may not be the barrel length but possibly the grip style. To sum it all up, what I find fits me to a tee, doesn't fit you and may be perfect for the next guy and not for the next that comes along after that.

AveragEd · Jul 13, 2020

I have two five-inch S&W revolvers, a 686-3 National Match and a 629-3 Classic DX. I also have K-,L- and N-frames in four-inch and six-inch but like the five-inch guns best.

Ed

SLT223 · Jul 13, 2020

I typically prefer 4” but i do love my 629-6 5”. It is noticeably more comfortable than a 4” with all ammo. My 44 mouse fart loads shoot like 22’s through a K frame.

C4-D00-A2-A-BFE0-42-AC-BB74-2-CC7-E9466-BA7-zps3yectvwd.jpg

rubiranch · Jul 13, 2020

I have a 5" M27-2 and I've never shot it.
I love shooting my M58.
My favorite gun is my 1960 6.5" M27.
My best shooting and most accurate (for me) is my 6" M686.

I don't think there's a "best" barrel length.

CWH44300 · Jul 13, 2020

I’m going with 4”
I like them, I shoot them well and they are easily concealed with a good holster/belt.
A big plus to me is they’re more likely to shoot different loads close to the sights, where as the longer barreled 44’s don’t

This is an old photo (sorry)
Most of these guns but not all are still here

75Vette · Jul 13, 2020

Tytan01 said:
I know there are other barrel lengths for S&W Revolvers but 4, 5 & 6.5" are by far the most common lengths.

So my question is...which one length do you prefer over the others?

I just picked up a Model 629-6 5" 44 Mag Classic. I thought it would be the "perfect" barrel length but after matching it up to my other guns in the collection...I'm going back to 4" as my preferred choice. Any length longer on a revolver makes me think of the Joker gun in the Michael Keaton Batman movie. Silly.

Pictured is my 5" Classic. A very nice gun but the barrel just ain't doing it for me at the moment. Like having a kid with buck teeth. You love them just as much as your other children but..." Damn..honey...we gotta find that boy a dentist!"

Silly huh???

Tytan01 · Jul 13, 2020

75Vette,

I have a long standing "debate" with my brother who loves those long barrel revolvers like what you have and I always get back to... " if you want a rifle..buy a rifle!"

You gun is beautimous! Especially the unfluted cylinder. But I gotta ask...do the deer run off laughing or drop straight to the ground laughing when that little "POP" flag pops out of the barrel?

J/K....

It's is a bad-@ss looking weapon. I'm a tad jealous.

ContinentalOp · Jul 13, 2020

Personal preference, and dependent on application.

My experience is limited to J, K, and L frames, for the purpose of self defense. For that reason, I prefer shorter barrels. 2" for J-frames, 2-3" for K-frames. My only experience with L-frames was a 4" 686 I carried as an armed guard. For myself, I probably wouldn't be getting a L-frame and just stick with J and K frames. Well, I might make an exception for a 696 or 69 as I'd like to have a .44 Special revolver, but would prefer to avoid N-frames. In the meantime, .38 Special/.357 Magnum would suit my needs/wants. A 4" K-frame would make for a good home defense revolver, IMO.

Beyond that, I don't have an interest in any revolver with a barrel longer than 4". Nothing wrong with longer barrels, they're just not for me.

jack the toad · Jul 13, 2020

Tytan01 said:
4" vs 5" vs 6.5" Barrel. What's better?

Cant say which is better but my order of preference is 4, 5, 6".

CWH44300 · Jul 13, 2020

75Vette said:
Silly huh???

Yo tinknocker

That is one bad horse pistol

I’m liking it big time

Lou_the_welder · Jul 13, 2020

75Vette said:
Silly huh???

I'd love to shoot that one with the red dot.
Nice! [emoji106]

CWH44300 · Jul 13, 2020

Lou_the_welder said:
I'd love to shoot that one with the red dot.
Nice! [emoji106]

I’d like to torch off a full load of 2400 over the screens
I’m thinking it would be quite speedy

Benchrest1 · Jul 14, 2020

I have all of the different barrel lengths and like the 5" best. Not too long and not too short. Plus the balance is the best with that size barrel.

Also I have a 5" 629 Classic set up just like STL223's.

jcs266 · Jul 14, 2020

For me the 4" barrel is the best all-around length... It has good balance and is good for all practical distances out to 100 yds on steel targets. It carries comfortably in a vehicle and isn't too difficult to conceal with an untucked shirt.

I carry my guns regularly so too long a barrel is a non-starter for me.

Bullzaye · Jul 14, 2020

I have to agree with *Benchrest1* and others. I find the 5" bbl to be the perfect length. Well, perhaps a better way to state it is the perfect compromise. I don't know why there haven't been way more 5" barreled guns in the past.

When I was younger, I never cared for anything less than 6" bbls. The 4" always felt too abbreviated, to me.

But then...I happened into a 3" 629. I almost didn't buy it, because of its "short" bbl. So glad that I did! Love that little beast! Then I got a Dan Wesson .44 with a 4" bbl, and I came to appreciate it, too.

Still...overall, 5 inch is my fav!

StrawHat · Jul 14, 2020

For me, the ideal barrel length depends mostly on the frame size. My I and J frame are best with 3” barrels. I prefer the 5” barrel on K frames and N frames serve me best with the 4” barrel.

For target revolvers, I let the rulebook tell me what barrel length to use.

Kevin

bearman49709 · Jul 14, 2020

Ks 2 1/2"-3"
Ls 6"
Ns 8 3/8"

lppd4 · Jul 14, 2020

I have a 629 5" and to me it just looks right. With that said I like 4" barrels on K & L frames, 5" barrels on N frames if they are of the full lug variety and 6" or 6.5" barrels with the short ejector rod shroud

4" vs 5" vs 6.5" Barrel. What's better?

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

SWCA Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Similar threads