4" or 6"

[hsc]

Help me decide. My LGS has a new 586 with a 4" barrel and a 6" barrel. Both are beautiful. Having a lot of trouble making up my mind. You have 24hrs to make your case.

 

[murphydog]

To me a full-lug 4" L-frame .357 is pleasingly muzzle-heavy, but the 6" is too much of a good thing in that department.

 

[Chuck Jones]

Agree 100% 6 inch L frames are way muzzle heavy and can't be shot in most matches. (but I own 2 anyway)

/c

 

[Invictus357]

I believe you had/have 2 guns that are 6 inchers.

You probably have a better idea than I if you want a 6 or 4 inch 586.

Personally I'd go with the 6 inch. Only because I have a 686 3" for carry/portability already.

 

[Daimler1989]

Hi,

I personally think that a 4" is more versatile than a 6" in nearly every respect, except when you need all the muzzle energy you can get from your 357 Magnum. There is no difference in accuracy (although the shorter barrel shortens the sighting line with negative effect when there is a sighting error), but I don't like how the 6" twists in recoil because of the longer barrel which means more prying effect with heavy loads. And don't forget the 4" has the far better balance. I swapped all my 6" revolvers to 4" (except for my 17-2) and never looked back.

regards
Ulrich

 

[gasaman]

Almost all my revolvers are 4" or less. I only have two 6" barrels.

 

[Hillbilly77]

I have a 686 4" and a 586 6", both no-dash.
The 4" is better balanced and the 6" feels a bit too front-end heavy. I can shoot a fist-sized group offhand at 40 yards with the 4" barrel - good enough for me.

I vote for the 4". You won't regret it.

 

[snubbiefan]

I'll join-in. I believe the majority so far vote for the 4-inch. Having experience with both the 6 and the 4.......so do I. Take the 4. The 4 holsters better, carries better and simply just feels better IMHO.

 

[RobsTV]

Shooting distance?

Here, for easiest to achieve great accuracy, I have generally found that:
3" 10 yards or less.
4" 25 yards or less.
6" 50 yards or less.
8" 100 yards or less.

 

[PMRet]

I prefer the 4" full lug barrel and the 6" no lug barrel, those combinations just balance better for me.

 

[madmikeb]

6" is a good compromise for a "do all" gun, hunting, target shooting and etc., but 4" guns are pretty hard to beat.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I'd vote for any N frame mountain gun.... oops... Wrong model! Well.... at least it's a 4" bbl...

 

[DunRanull]

4" v 6" 357. I like shooting a 6" .357 with stoked loads to squeeze out every possible bit of energy. More powder burnt IN the barrel and not so much in the muzzle flash. YMMV

 

[JCS&W]

Personally, I believe the 4" is the better choice. The 6", while a great piece, is just not what I like. I find the 4" better looking, easier to handle at the range, and easier to carry, although not by much. Just my opinion. Go with what YOU like and fits you best.

 

[Rivers2k]

Shooting distance?

Here, for easiest to achieve great accuracy, I have generally found that:
3" 10 yards or less.
4" 25 yards or less.
6" 50 yards or less.
8" 100 yards or less.

I have to respectfully disagree. I shoot my 3" with accuracy all the time at 25 yards. I don't really see the point of shooting targets at less than that distance.

I'ts sight picture not barrel length that gives accuracy.

 

[Sparrowbird]

If this would be your one and only revolver (yeah right) then I'd go 4 inch. If you're wanting a sweet shooter and own others that are shorter and easier to pack, then I'd go 6 inch. I have a 2 1/2, 3, and a 6 inch so I cover a big range. I shoot my 3 inch the most, but I really like my 6.

 

[Florida Guy]

I would also choose the 4" based simply on weight on front end.

 

[Rapidray]

You do not say what you are going to be using it for.
Range gun? 4 inch or 6 inch
CCW? 4 inch
Hunting? 6 inch

Or get them both.

 

[feralmerril]

Years ago when cops carried revolvers, I would guess 85% carried 4"s and 15% 6"s. That told me a lot 50 years ago. Most of mine are 4"s.
You have to pack em. I noticed something yesterday. I was carrying my 4" 25-5 (45 colt) in the house in its holster unloading from a quad ride. I thought man, I wore these for 35 years and it didnt seem to weigh a third as much. I have been retired for over 12 years and I guess you get used to packing, but you get away from it and you sure notice the differance. Thats why I like short barrels and lighter guns when possible. Maybe if I was hunting deer I might go 6"s, but then it wouldnt be with a .357 to start with.

 

[Moonman]

Maybe you should just look for a 5" model 27.

 

[hsc]

Thank You for all your great input! It has been very helpful in making my decision. The 4" wins and I will be buying it in the morning. Thanks again and this forum is great!

P.S Too bad they don't come in 5" like my 29-6 Classic.

 

[chief38]

What it really comes down to is if you're going to fire a lot of 357 Mag's the ballistics for that cartridge are much better out of a 6" bbl. If you're going to just use it for informal plinking and mostly with .38 Specials, the 4' might be the way to go. Personally my M586 is a 6" version and I love it. When I want a 4" for .38 Specials, I'll go to my M19, M15, M10, etc.

Chief38

 

[MDGasman]

I'd get the 4" only because I already have the 6".

 

[jack the toad]

So many posts I agree with.
IMO, the 4" is hard to beat for all around ideal barrel length and would be my first choice.

 

[BigBill]

I say get both. When ever i hit a fork in the road i end up getting both anyway. For CCW carry i have carried up to 10 1/2'' barrels so a 4'' or 6'' won't matter i've carried both and bigger.
Lastyear i purchased the S&W M58 in 41mag w/4'' barrel and then went back for the S&W M57 w/ 6 1/2'' barrel in 41mag. both are in nickel finish. Everytime i'm torn between the two i get both anyway.

 

[BigBill]

I have to respectfully disagree. I shoot my 3" with accuracy all the time at 25 yards. I don't really see the point of shooting targets at less than that distance.

I'ts sight picture not barrel length that gives accuracy.

Ditto me too my 6'' 357mag python was accurate at 100yds. I can ping small rocks on the 100yd berm aiming dead on, so its not the barrel length its the distance the gun is accurate at. My CZ in 9mm using 3' of kentucky windage can make pin point shots at 100yds.

 

[brucev]

I've owned several 586's and 686 in both 4" and 6" barrel lengths. I have found that the 4" length better suits my needs at the range and out in the fields and woods. If I were buying a .357 Mag. for target shooting at ranges beyond 25 yds. or for hunting, I'd buy it with the 6" barrel due to the gain in velocity and the fact that the slightly longer sight plain would be help deal with potential errors of index, etc., on distant targets.

 

[i.hunt]

I bought a 6" 686 mid 80's, shot on a pistol team with it for a long long time, it's still my favorite Revolver to shoot...

 

[hsc]

Bought the 4" and will probably get the 6" as well. Thanks for your input and support.

 

[DesertFox]

Maybe you should just look for a 5" model 27.

Exactly. Something about the 5" feels right and shoots right to boot.