Favorite 38/44 HD Barrel length

[Peter M. Eick]

Yesterday, I handled all of my 38/44 HD's. Commonly they came in only 3 barrel lengths but like everything with S&W there may be exceptions.

The barrel lengths are shown below.

Pre-war version of course.

Post-war version. I don't have all 3 lengths in transitional's "yet".

So what is your favorite 38/44 Heavy Duty barrel length?

I know that I prefer 5" for general use. It just seems to hang well in my hand it works well overall. I can see the logic of a 4" for carry but the longer 6/6.5" just makes more sense to me with an adjustable sight on an outdoorsman.

So 5" for me (but I collect them all!)

 

[ar33]

For me it's 5".... becuase it's the only one I have... so far!

 

[lowhog]

The five inch is my favorite lenght.The only 6.5 inch I had was a pre war Wolf & klar 44.The 5 and 6.5 felt the same in my hand.Mike

 

[ladder13]

Since I love 4 inch N frames, that's my final answer.

 

[Dave T]

The 4" HDs have a certain business like KOOL to them, even when dressed up a little:

That being said, I still think a 5" barrel is the perfect balance for any N-framed revolver:

I've got to get a picture of this pre-War HD with the pre-War Magnas it now wears. (smile)

Dave

 

[lazcool]

I have a 4" the 6.5" Outdoorsman, I like them both, I will have to try the 5 Inch to know my favourite.......
Cheers!!!!

 

[dacoontz]

I like the long tubed variety.

I have one of each and I like the looks of the long tubed version.

Just looks more proportionately balanced.

Pre-20 shipped in July of 53. Factory refnished to nickel in the 70's and wearing
some Kurac made Birds Eye Maple Stocks.

 

[xray 99]

The 4-inch guns look the .....toughest...I can hear the beat cop shouting, "Stop in the name of the law!"

 

[semperfi71]

I prefer the 4 inch. I have a 5 also (no 6.5) but I think the 4 inch handles better and the loss of one inch does not affect velocities.

Interestingly, to me only probably, the 4 inch HD seems to handle better than a 4 inch M28 or M27. I cannot imagine that the only difference being the adjustable sights but it just seems as if the lack of sights on the 4 inch HD makes it more compact.

 

[1Aspenhill]

I like the 4" Pre War the best!

Enjoy!
Bill

 

[alwslate]

Since I love most any of the 4" N frame S&Ws I would have to say 4".
I agree with sempifi71 that the lack of sights make it handle better
than the 4" 27 or 28. The 4" HD is a chunky brute that to me probably
has the best proportions of any S&W revolver. Here's mine showing oil
smudges and powder stains due to not being throughly cleaned in a
while.

 

[beagleye]

I like five

because it's all I have.

 

[DCWilson]

Well, I like this prewar five...

and this other prewar five...

and this transitional four...

and this shiny APD four...

Averaging my affections, I seem to support a barrel in the vicinity of 4.5 inches!

To dial back the whimsy, I think 6.5" is too long for a fixed sight large frame .38, though I would buy one without hesitation if I stumbled across one. (As an aside, I love the 6.5 inch barrel on the early K-frame M&Ps.) The four-inch HDs are plenty accurate for me, but the fives seem to balance better in the hand (as others have said).

 

[P&R Fan]

I guess I really like the 5" version because that's the only one I have. (Yet). I bought it about 12 years ago for $250 and it shoots great. I even carry it sometimes. It was born in 1952.
I also have a Transitional Outdoorsman with a checkered Registered Magnum barrel rib. I would like to find a 4" Heavy Duty next, but what I really think would be cool is getting a 3 1/2" one. The SCSW says there was "some production" of them in that length. I'm interested to know if anybody has one, or has ever even seen one for that matter. If so, lets see some pics!
Jim

 

[Robinett_11B]

An all-original blued 5" pre-war HD is at the top of my "grail gun" list. I figure I just gotta scrape up about $2,000


Beautiful guns, guys!

 

[Nedroe]

I'm partial to this one......

a 4 incher

Ned

 

[230grfmj]

I agree with Bill (1Aspenhill) on the question.

Pre war 4". This particular one (shipped in March, 1940) also has a humpback hammer.

 

[CQB27]

I only own one, a 4 inch shooter, but I have always been partial to 4 inch N frames. My "rode hard and put up wet" HD is my favorite S&W at the moment. I vote 4.