need help deciding between 617 4" or 6" barrel

[drover]

I know there's allot of opinions out there but... I'm looking at getting a 617 but am really struggling with which barrel length to get. This will be a target gun for the most part so I lean toward the 6" but read allot of folks have issues with the weight distribution of the longer barrel and say the 4" balance is better..... ????? Many with both say they seem to leave the 6" home more than the 4" and just like it better so I find myself confused on the issue. Would love some help in deciding.

 

[J-FRAME]

For me a 4 inch please. A 6 inch is to long and muzzle heavy.

 

[civil1977]

I have both but prefer the 4" as I like the balance better. To me the 4" full lug barrel balances like the older 6" barrel without the lug, as you would find on an older K-22 or Model 17. The 4" is very accurate.

 

[JamesArthur60]

I must be the odd one who prefers the longer barrel, even in my other handguns. Mine is the 6" and for me it doesn't feel like a brick. With the large combat finger groove grips, the weight seems perfect (for me). I noticed you mentioned the T word, target pistol. For shooting from a rest, I believe the 6" would be a good choice. It would be nice to pick one up the 4" and 6" to compare for an immediate buy buster. I'm sure someone might suggest buying the 6" and if not happy, have the barrel cutdown to 4". Good thought, but bad idea for resale value. Just my opinions.

 

[robctwo]

I bought the 4", my neighbor bought the 6". He likes his, I like mine.

The 4" is easily as accurate, but some like the longer sight radius. I'm 60, so muzzle weight is more of an issue to me than the 38 yr old neighbor.

 

[ken158]

+1 on a 4" - you may want to hike around with it sometime and will enjoy the lighter gun.

 

[one eye joe]

I have both but prefer the 4" as I like the balance better. To me the 4" full lug barrel balances like the older 6" barrel without the lug, as you would find on an older K-22 or Model 17. The 4" is very accurate.

THAT SAYS IT ALL............

 

[mg357]

i suggest the model 617 with a 4 inch barrel

 

[kennyb]

i have the 4"but am looking for a 6"

 

[Old cop]

The 4" balances better for me, but that is what I was trained with as a rookie police officer in '68.

 

[wproct]

I have both, and I prefer the 6in bbl for me. My grandson however likes the 4in bbl model. When you say for "target" shooting, that makes me also lean to the 6 in. However, it's a personal thing.

 

[dickttx]

I have the 4" 10 shot and love it. Would like to have the 6" too.

 

[fyimo]

I have the 6 inch and it matches up well in balance with my 6 inch 686 so for me I prefer the 6 inch. Mine is also a range gun and I prefer the longer sight radius. I actually think you can't go wrong with either one so I would to a gun shop and if they have both pick them up and handle them side by side and figure out which you think balances better.

 

[MTKTM]

i have the 4"but am looking for a 6"

I have the 6" but am looking for a 4".

Seriously, if there were two of them in a dealer's counter, one of each, I'd be really torn. I got the 6" because it was all that was available to me, but think I would have preferred the 4" had it been available. Maybe it's a case of many of us wanting what we cannot/don't have.

 

[Cpo1944]

I know there's allot of opinions out there but... I'm looking at getting a 617 but am really struggling with which barrel length to get. This will be a target gun for the most part so I lean toward the 6" but read allot of folks have issues with the weight distribution of the longer barrel and say the 4" balance is better..... ????? Many with both say they seem to leave the 6" home more than the 4" and just like it better so I find myself confused on the issue. Would love some help in deciding.

I used to be a 6inch man, but now I only like 3 and 4 inch revolvers.
I still shoot the 6 inchers , but only buy the shorter barrels

 

[PMRet]

To each his (or her) own, for me the 4" balances better. My favorite shooters are these 4" K frames with full lug barrels, a 617 no dash and a 16-4 in .32 Magnum.

 

[k22fan]

This seems to be a thread for nothing more than vociferous opinionating but I can aggree with myself as well as the next guy so here's my view. I have had many delightful days of informal target shooting with my 4" 617 but 4" full lugged K22s are only optimal as specialized trainers for the similiarly heavy 4" full lugged L frame .357s. 6" FL 617s have ideal balance and weight for target shooting and their longer sight radius makes them easier to shoot accurately by anyone who can hold hand guns steadily and does not need a shorter sight radius to help with a vision problem. 6" 17s with their lighter barrels are better target guns than 4" FL K22s because they do not forfit the sight radius advantage to lower muzzel weight. 4" 18s at 36 ounces make better holster guns than 4" FL K22s and also are better trainers for most service size revolvers. The predominant preference for 4" FL 617s on this site is largely due to the current fad for shorter barrels on just about all revolvers and the large number of LEOs and ex-LEOs who were aclimated to 4" revolvers on the job. I wouldn't buy a revolver for target shooting with a barrel under 6" except for close range faster blaster matches or where rules limit barrel length.

Best Regards,
Gil

 

[5-Shot]

I have no idea how old you are but I can almost promise that the older you are, the more you will like the 4 inch. Its shorter sight radius is easier to deal with with our eyes and less weight forward is easier to hold. You can't really go wrong with either.

Ed

 

[perrazi]

guess i go against the grain here. i like the 8 3/8 in guns. even in the full lug models. if you can hold them, they will be the most accurate due to the longer sighting radius. they are heavy and not for carrying though if that figures into your decision. the real answer here is buy both lengths you are thinking about. the one you don't like will be an easy sale. btw, as far as age goes, i'm in my 60's

 

[rmack]

i have a 17-6 with 6 inch fl barrel. i find it a litttle to muzzle heavy and would get a 4 inch fl version instead.