I am looking at getting another S&W revolver. I always like to find multiple roles for a gun when possible. Right now I am stuck between a 4 inch or 6 inch barrel. The revolver is a model 610 10mm revolver. Just not sure if I what barrel length I would be better off with for home defense. I know the 4 inch is better for a carry gun but the 6 inch is better for target and hunting use. I just don't know what would be the better choice.
Revolver barrel length? Home Defense
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rednichols
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At those distances, inside a house, I reckon noise and muzzle flash are bigger worries than a couple inches of barrel length. Especially if someone is shooting back. When I had home defense pistols I relied on a Swenson .45ACP 5" ex-G.I. pistol with big fixed sights. Never had to use it, alarms everywhere inside because of having an FFL and 50 guns in a Cannon gun safe 
. If I forgot the alarm and went downstairs the screaming siren sounded like a police car was parked inside the living room! I doubt either an intruder or I could've thought clearly enough to shoot during that; he/she would've run.
P.S. Also kept a Bulldog in .44 for the purpose. Frangible bullets from the Sky Marshall program because overpenetration of any round is anathema to the other people in the house who you're protecting! Perhaps take this into account when choosing your caliber; and once chosen, take it into account again when choosing the load including bullet type?
. If I forgot the alarm and went downstairs the screaming siren sounded like a police car was parked inside the living room! I doubt either an intruder or I could've thought clearly enough to shoot during that; he/she would've run.P.S. Also kept a Bulldog in .44 for the purpose. Frangible bullets from the Sky Marshall program because overpenetration of any round is anathema to the other people in the house who you're protecting! Perhaps take this into account when choosing your caliber; and once chosen, take it into account again when choosing the load including bullet type?
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Perhaps handling both (or better yet, trying them at a rental range) might help.
I would guess there is very little difference in hunting or target accuracy between a 4 and 6" 610, and full lug N frames are not small/light guns. A 4" will be muzzle heavy and a 6" really muzzle heavy. Good luck in your decision.
I would guess there is very little difference in hunting or target accuracy between a 4 and 6" 610, and full lug N frames are not small/light guns. A 4" will be muzzle heavy and a 6" really muzzle heavy. Good luck in your decision.
scooter123
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Get the 4 inch. I have a 6 1/2 inch 610 and the barrel weight is a problem for Combat shooting. That higher swing weight impedes transitioning between multiple targets and that is NOT a good thing when you are trying to defend yourself. IMO the ideal barrel length for a 610 based Combat revolver would be 3 inches but that is not available so get the next best which is 4 inches.
My experience with revolvers:
1. Barrels of 3 inches or less are best for concealed carry, but not really better at anything else.
2. Barrels of 4 inches are best for carry outside of the waistband, are handy coming out of a nightstand drawer, and are quick pointing and easily maneuvered. They provide the best balance between compactness and ease of control during firing.
3. Barrels of 6 inches or more are best for range use and hunting.
Just my experiences with revolvers.
The 10mm Auto is a very good cartridge. It provides all the power of the 357 Magnum and maybe just a tiny bit more with full power loads. As such, it recoils and barks like a 357 Magnum.
1. Barrels of 3 inches or less are best for concealed carry, but not really better at anything else.
2. Barrels of 4 inches are best for carry outside of the waistband, are handy coming out of a nightstand drawer, and are quick pointing and easily maneuvered. They provide the best balance between compactness and ease of control during firing.
3. Barrels of 6 inches or more are best for range use and hunting.
Just my experiences with revolvers.
The 10mm Auto is a very good cartridge. It provides all the power of the 357 Magnum and maybe just a tiny bit more with full power loads. As such, it recoils and barks like a 357 Magnum.
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ContinentalOp
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Personally, I would go with 4". My experience with 6" barrel revolvers is limited, but I agree that a 4" would handle better in a defensive situation.
One thing to consider is the possibility of struggling with the attacker over the gun and weapon retention. A 6" barrel is going to give an attacker more leverage to disarm you. How much of a concern it should be is up to you and your situation. I do think it merits at least some consideration.
One thing to consider is the possibility of struggling with the attacker over the gun and weapon retention. A 6" barrel is going to give an attacker more leverage to disarm you. How much of a concern it should be is up to you and your situation. I do think it merits at least some consideration.
duane_wade
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A longer barreled pistol is easier to remove from your hand by an assailant if they are close enough to grab it. Longer = more leverage.
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Well, 10mm in a revolver is kind of novel, especially for home defense. I know there is a resurgence in interest in the 10mm and I do recall that S&W has the Model 610 revolver but it does strike me as a question that nobody asked. Except I know that folks did ask!!
But I admit to being a dyed-in-the-wool .38 Special fan for home defense in order to avoid over penetration, etc.
That said, get the 4 inch for home defense. Besides the over penetration issue the 4" is far more "wieldy" indoors, more balanced, and definitely easier to keep away from a perpetrator's reach.
But I admit to being a dyed-in-the-wool .38 Special fan for home defense in order to avoid over penetration, etc.
That said, get the 4 inch for home defense. Besides the over penetration issue the 4" is far more "wieldy" indoors, more balanced, and definitely easier to keep away from a perpetrator's reach.
To take full advantage of the 10mm cartridge, the 6.5” barrel is better IMO. The flash and recoil is very similar to a .357 mag, and that makes the gun relatively difficult to shoot, quickly and accurately, for home defense.
There is poor balance and slow handling to a 4+ lb. (unloaded) 6.5” barrel heavy recoiling 6-shooter, but even at 3.5 lbs (unloaded) the 4” is not an ideal fighting pistol.
Do what you want, of course, but it seems to me there are many better options available for HD both in cartridge and gun. Multiple fast hits on (potentially multiple) target are the priorities for me.
180 grn expanding HP @ 1300 FPS @33,000 PSI from a 4” barrel really seems to be a trade off of overkill for practicality.
There is poor balance and slow handling to a 4+ lb. (unloaded) 6.5” barrel heavy recoiling 6-shooter, but even at 3.5 lbs (unloaded) the 4” is not an ideal fighting pistol.
Do what you want, of course, but it seems to me there are many better options available for HD both in cartridge and gun. Multiple fast hits on (potentially multiple) target are the priorities for me.
180 grn expanding HP @ 1300 FPS @33,000 PSI from a 4” barrel really seems to be a trade off of overkill for practicality.
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Exactly my point but CB3 said it better.
Length doesn’t matter. Whatever length makes you happy and you shoot best.
fredj338
Member
Either will work just fine. If you intend it to also double as a field gun, then maybe a 6", but I actually prefer 4" revolvers in any caliber for general field or home use.
keith44spl
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Four inch.....Low flash loads.
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fiasconva
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Is there any way you can try each one out before you buy?
I can definitively say........
...that 3-4" is ideal for indoor defense. Carry would be on the smaller end.
...that 3-4" is ideal for indoor defense. Carry would be on the smaller end.
Echo40
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I was faced with the same decision when I purchased my Taurus Judge Magnum for Home Defense. The Judge was available in 3 different barrel lengths; 2.5", 3", or 6.5".
Ultimately, I went with 3" because 6.5" seemed like too much considering the added weight as well as OAL. However, if they had still made them with a 4" barrel, (as they did once as a limited edition) then I would have chosen that.
Ultimately, I went with 3" because 6.5" seemed like too much considering the added weight as well as OAL. However, if they had still made them with a 4" barrel, (as they did once as a limited edition) then I would have chosen that.
Maybe use .40 S&W?
Sgt 45
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I agree with 5”. I use mine for EDC in both .44 and .357. Whatever floats your boat is best and don’t worry about what others think.
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