Long Barrels

[jimmyj]

I prefer long barrel revolvers five to 6 1/2 inch barrels. I seen to shoot better with longer barrels.
At present I CCW a Model 10-5 with a five inch barrel.

Opinions ?

Jimmy

 

[Sevens]

I can often be found claiming that I just love a Model 10 or 64 with the 4-inch heavy barrel, and I truly do, love the balance and love the way they shoot. But the truth is, my 4-inch heavy barrel K-38's are the shortest revolvers I own!

I love the 6-inch and longer ones. In fact, it's kind of odd that I don't have any 8-3/8" S&W's other than my 460XVR. 6-inch and longer revolvers just look absolutely "correct" to me.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I would crawl all the way to LA for a 5''Model 27(I live on eastern Canada!).While I can manage to shoot acceptable groups with my 4'' model 28 at 25,I feel I could do a lot better with a 5'' N frame.
I dunno if it is my eyes getting weaker from looking at nice cars,beautiful motorcycles and superb women,but I think that my eyes need all the help they can help and a 5''bbl sure is one such help!

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

6" are normal length to me
8 and 12". Thats long

 

[Benchrest1]

A 5 to 6" barrel always seems to work the best for me.

 

[one eye joe]

I HAVE A FONDESS FOR 8 3/8" S&W REVOLVERS. I OWN THEM IN A M617, M686, AND A M629....

MY FAVORITE LONG BARREL WAS MY FIRST. ITS AN 8" COLT PYTHON, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW---BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN I OWNED AND SHOT COLT HANDGUNS EXCLUSIVELY........

 

[nate-dogg]

I'm most accurate with my 6 inchers. 5 inch is close 2nd. And I like 8 3/8 too. 4 inches also shoot well. Less than 4 and over 8 3/8 are okay, but not ideal imo.

 

[roscoepc]

I've owned 2 pistols with 6" barrels, which I personally consider, the "nominal" length a pistol should be for all around shooting: a M-28 and a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 mag.. Both were great shooting guns with a nod to the M-28 for better accuracy and handling..

But since then I've owned 2 with the 8-3/8" barrel that beats both of those for all around handling, balance and just generally fun to shoot with not near the "kick" that you would expect in a magnum round!! One was the M-29, .44mag and the present one I have is the 500 S&W Mag! Using either UMC 240gr lead rounds for practice or Remington 240gr JHP's for hunting, that M-29 was a Hoot to Shoot!!! Same thing with the 500 using a 350gr Berry's Plated bullet for TP or the 350gr Hornady XTP JHP for hunting.

If you haven't tried an 8-3/8" barrel, well... You need too!!

 

[stansdds]

There is actually no difference in the intrinsic accuracy of a revolver with a 2 inch barrel or a 15 inch barrel. The perceived difference with longer barrels is due to the longer sight radius. A longer barrel can extract more velocity from the ammo, depending upon caliber, bullet, and burning rate of the powder and it moves the report a little further away. The longer barrel will also change the balance of the revolver, reduces muzzle rise and the extra weight will reduce felt recoil. For me, 4 and 6 inch barrels seem to work best for me, but an 8 inch barrel will certainly make my sight misalignment easier to detect.

 

[Green Frog]

I fall in the "6 inch barrels are normal" school of thought. My trio of K-frame Masterpieces all have the factory standard 6" barrel. Now my 8 3/8" Model 29-2... that's a long barrel!

Truth to tell, except for all on target usage, I'm leaning more toward 3 and 4 inch barrels these days. As stansdds says above, "... an 8" barrel will certainly make my sight misalignment easier to detect." This is offset however by the fact that I can see my barrel movements more easily and sometimes this hurts more than helps!

Froggie

 

[CWH44300]

I kinda like the long toms myself
These are 629s
Some are no longer here but I kept a few around

 

[fyimo]

My favorite barrel length are a 4 or 5 inch barrel. My most accurate S&W revolver is my Model 17-4 with a 8 3/8 inch barrel.

 

[Grayfox]

I've never cared for the 8 3/8" barrels. For me they're a bit too long and unwieldy.
I own a bunch of 2,3 and 4" guns and consider them great for carry and self defense. But I do shoot much better with a 6" gun and think that length is best for all around purposes.
However, my favorite length is the 5". Especially on a N-frame. It just looks, shoots and feels right.

 

[1sailor]

I find my 8 3/8" M27-5 to be a blast to shoot. Not so much fun to pack around the woods but a total blast to shoot. I normally shoot in the woods but have gone with friends to a public range a couple of times. Sooner or later everyone else there wants to come by and take a look. They do draw attention.

 

[Model52guy]

15" Dan Wesson 357 mag. Can ring the 100 yard target.

 

[Tom K]

 

[robvious]

I am a big fan of the 5 inch barrel (L & N)... 6 inch is great for range time (K, L & N)... 8 3/8 for hunting (N so far)... 3 inch for carry (K & L)... 4 inch for K-frame perfect... alas I no longer have any J frames...

 

[1sailor]

robvious, you can find a J frame in a 5" if you're patient. That's pretty long on a little J.

 

[kennethg]

When you said long barrels I thought you were referring to these.

 

[Ackley1952]

After you own/shoot enough handguns your preference will change maybe more than once . My preference gets shorter over time . It took 40 years to go from 6 to 4 . Now I really enjoy the 2-2.5 . Never could hit all that great but short carries better . Do you other old coots agree ?