4" or 6"

[Tap Tap]

If you were buying a .357 or .44 mag what are your reasons for choosing one or the other. I tend to prefer 6ers but I don't carry a revolver so they are mostly for target practice.

It seems like with my limited experience that 4" tend to be a little more popular. If that's true is it because of carry purposes, resale?

 

[old bear]

I happen to think that the .357 Magnum is the end all be all of handgun rounds, so for me the .357 Magnum wins out every time. I have both 4" & 6" models, the 6" is great for range work and I generally do my best shooting with it. My 4"ers some feel natural in my hand for all around revolver duty, which includes home protection.
I've had a 5" M-27 about 3 months now and I have every hope that it will fill the best of both worlds between the 6" & 4". It hasn't happened yet but I'm working on it.

 

[Az Rick]

If your main purpose for the gun is range work or hunting, then the six inch is the way to go. If you think you'll carry it much then the four is a little better. You can carry a longer gun in an open carry holster just fine. I do it all the time hunting or exploring.

You will probably shoot the longer barrel better.

Best, Rick

You just can't beat a .357mag as an all around gun. .44mags are great, I have some but they can be barn burners. I can't control myself from loading them hot. I bought a .44spl. a couple of years ago to slow myself down but I'm loading it on the edge now. There must be something wrong with me.

 

[m657]

I've come to prefer 4" for handling and comfort of carry. Plus with my geezer-vision I can see the 4" sight lump better.

Not to start any 'caliber war' here....I prefer 41 mag and 44 special....and much prefer anything that throws around 200 g of thump at around 900 fps, as I am accurate and comfortable and can repeat all day long, with that recipe, without fatiguing in hand, eye or ear.

I also favor a 3 7/8" m610 with either 180g 40S&W cal or the 10mm which is pure pleasure on the bowling pins...

I've shot cowboy action for over 15 years, with all barrel lengths, but prefer the 4" range.

My very first 'clean match' was with a non-pair, one a 3-1/2" sheriff bird head and the other a 7.5" Bisley Vaquero, all in 45LC.
So we can develop a like for nearly anything....even 6" 357s which have a magnificent wealth of advantages of their own.

 

[Glockpreacher]

I just bought my first revolver, a S&W 686 6" 357mag. If you don't plan on carrying it then I would go with the 6" since it makes for a good range gun and home defense, etc... Plus you can shoot cheaper 38spcl loads

 

[Az Rick]

I've come to prefer 4" for handling and comfort of carry. Plus with my geezer-vision I can see the 4" sight lump better.

m657, that's a great statement! I have geezer-vision myself. I'll come clean and say my wandering companion these days is usually my 4" mdl. 10, due to ease of carry, I will admit to carrying my 3" SP-101, downloaded, but always have full power loads too. I like it on Horseback but Quad or truck, the model 10 is good.

Tap, you WILL eventually end up with one of each. If this is your first handgun purchase go with .357 first. If you like it the .44 will come soon.


Best, Rick

So many calibers,...so little time

 

[weyerbacher]

A 4inch 586 or 686 (w/o the retarded lock) is the cat's ***! Smooth as buttermilk, and twice as tasty. If you aren't on the target range a 4 inch is all you need. I'm not in bear country, so the 357 magnum is all, and more than I really need.

 

[Titegroups]

Range guns with open sights need plenty of sight radius. I prefer the 6" guns. I was shooting a pair of 8 3/8 full lugs the other day and now want one. I'm glad short barrels have become popular, more than happy to pay less for a longer barrel.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I was once a 6" barrel fan, and have had several. For target use it's a great length; I even had a M27 with the 8 3/8" barrel for years. Never liked 2" barrels and less, still kind of iffy about 3" barrels (but I would snap up a 3" 547 without hesitation). I have found that the 4" barrel is a perfect compromise of barrel length, weight, balance, ballistics, and carryability. I am partial to .357/.38/9mm in K/L frames these days and that 4" HB is just perfect for me. I don't think I would have a barrel shorter than 5/6" for a .44 magnum. I have never had a .41 Magnum, but am pretty interested in a model 58 in, you guessed it, 4" HB config. From all I have ever read and heard, the .41 Mag is a great balance between the .357 and .44.

 

[Rivers2k]

Looks like you and I are in the same boat I just asked a similar question on this thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-6-hunting-but-not-4-can-someone-explain.html

I think I have decided on the 4" I will use it mostly for the range but I want something I can carry hiking as well. I really don't think the sight radius between 6 inch and 4" will make that much of a difference. However I do think the extra 2 inches on the 6" makes the gun feel weighted in the front. 4" feels more centered.

 

[JCS&W]

I do not own a 6" Smith. Just my preference, nothing wrong with the 6" models. I think the 4" Smiths, especially the N frame ones, look more balanced in the 4" version. While the 4" and 6" models have both gone up in value, the 4" version is more popular and will command a higher price, in my area. .357 and .44 mags are excellent choices, but if I had to decide between the two, I would go with .357.

 

[gr7070]

It's going to depend on intended use. If there are no use requirements I'd get the most versatile; that's going to be the 4".

The 4" can, largely, do everything a 6" can.

The 4" is better for concealment. The 4" is typically better for home defense. The 6" is outlawed in some games. They're about equal at the range, with the 4" maybe having better handling and the 6" maybe having better perceived accuracy. The 4" is a lighter woods gun.

The only place the 6" is better is hunting. The 4" is illegal in some states and the 6" produces more muzzle velocity. However, where allowed, the 4" is still capable.

So the 4" has better versatiliy. Also, the 4" appears to be the preferred length by most. Therefore, should you decide to get rid of it you'll have an easier time selling the 4" and it will likely command a greater price, too.

It's a very simple choice for me and my intended uses.

 

[dla]

You can read my rationale - hope this helps.
4" 44mag info

 

[ibewbull]

3 1/2, 4 , 5, 6 , 6 1/2 and 8 3/8"

My 629 and 29 are six inch so far.
Used for hunting in a Bianchi Cyclone. If I get another belt holster it will be a Simply Rugged.
I think the holster is the main reason folks either use a gun r leave it in the case.
Some even sell the gun because of carry issues. I know I have sold guns because way back then I did not know where to get what I needed. Thanks to sites like this information is way easier to find.
I have carried a 4 inch 28 Highway Patrolman on my hip a bit, ti needs different lather if I do it again. main problem is the way it rides it bumps every door jam or car door in sight. I feel like a ping pong ball bouncing about with my Smith the paddle.
The SR hoolster for this one too.
My daily carry is a 2 1/2 M-66 with Rogers / Safariland grips I am waiting for Robs SR as I type this.
The hand cannon comes out during hunting season.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I have sold 2 6 inch and 1 4 inch 357's in the last few months, and retained an 8 3/8 m-27 and a 5 1/2 inch 627-0 RB. Those two guns cover most any need in a 357. Flapjack.

 

[Joe in SC]

I like and own some of both in the 3 magnum calibers of 357, 41 and 44. If you are going to be seated very much while carrying, a 3.5 or 4 inch gun is more convenient and comfortable for belt carry and has to be considered. Other than that, I do enjoy the added velocity and sight radius the 6 inch barrel affords. Does approx. 50 fps make a difference? I guess it depends on the threshold velocity that is required to expand a hp or softnose bullet. It certainly does not hurt to have the extra speed. At the longer distances, further than 30 yards or so, and certainly out to 100 and beyond, the extra 2 inches of sight radius does help me. Then there is the additional weight. With magnum loads this can be significant. Especially if a quick follow up shot is required.

 

[Czbilly]

In Ohio 4inch revolvers are dogs. Can't sell because too short to hunt and too long to carry. You have to make the decision what you want to do. Most 4 inch guns shoot as well as 6 inchers to a point. Beyond that the argument is acedemic.

 

[Tap Tap]

Thanks for all the great responses guys. I've shot handguns for over 20 years and never owned a revolver. I recently took my dad to the range where he brought along his two revolvers. After years of mostly polymer pistols I decided to shoot one of my dads revolvers for the heck of it and I just fell in love with the thing.

I am now in the information gathering stage using this forum as a great source and then I plan to add some revolvers to the collection.

 

[M3Stuart]

I had a 6" 686 but traded it for a 4" because the 6 incher felt 'barrel heavy' to me. It was more accurate at 75' than the 4" - no doubt. But in my case, I can't really see the (fuzzy) bullseye on the target very well over 50', so I don't think the extra 2" of barrel was really doing anything for me.

IMHO; the 4 inchers are somewhat more popular in general and sell for a little bit, maybe $50, more used.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

After years of mostly polymer pistols I decided to shoot one of my dads revolvers for the heck of it and I just fell in love with the thing.

Maybe I can add a helpful similar experience. I started out with revolvers and a little later an auto or two. When I joined the Army, it was pretty much all autos after that; the wondernines appeared about that time, and like many, I jumped on the wagon. After I retired, I regained an interest in revolvers. I had been pretty much a fan of revolvers with 6" tubes in the past. I needed a revolver (.357/.38) for finishing shots/boar defense and came across a 4" L-Frame. After I got it (and settled on the right grips), I found that the barrel length and frame size matched up reasonably well with my SIG 228 which I had used for years. I can transition easily, and accurately. I don't think I can go back to 6" tubes now, the 4" seems to give me the same sighting plane that I had spent so many years training with, it just seemed more natural. I'm not sure, but a 3" barreled revolver may do as well, but I think the 4" offers the best combination of ballistics and carryability. Anything bigger than .38/.357/9mm or L Frames may change the equation though. Anyway, that's been my experience with changing from autos to revolvers, if it's helpful any. I still am pretty partial to my P228, but I shoot well and comfortably with K/L frames and find the transition easy. A 4" barreled K/L frame may also correspond well with the M9, which I also had quite a bit of experience with. The truth be told, my favorite handgun these days is a 4" model 547, and since it uses 9mm like my good old M11 (P228), it's pretty adaptable.