What length barrel should I get?

[SA1911]

For me, 4" barreled .357 Mag revolvers are best balanced.

My opinion is a 4" .357 Mag revolver is the best trail gun going.

The .357 Mag needs long barrels to get anywhere close to advertised velocities, which I believe are inflated. The .357 Mag cartridge is loaded with slow-burning powder necessitating longer barrels to achieve maximum velocities. A large So Cal law enforcement agency armorer once told me that chrono'd ballistic testing revealed short barreled .357 Mag revolvers are not much more than the .38 Special FBI Load outta a Chiefs Special. But 2.5" K Frames are good looking revolvers. So I went with the much lighter and carry friendly Chief's Special.

I've chrono'd factory and hand loaded .357 Mag rounds using data that's no longer published (now considered above currently acceptable pressure). The best I could get out of a 4" 586 was ~1250 FPS with 158 grain bullets.

My advice is to go with four out the door.

 

[Arquebus357]

I can only afford cheap used S&W and they are all 4". If I were buying new there would be no question....3". The 3" models also fetch more money in case you decide to sell. Put a 4" S&W in a gun store on consignment, and it may languish for months. Do that with a 3" model and it will be gone in a week or so.To top things off the large frame 3" revolvers are perfectly proportioned. They also look much more badass.

 

[mg357]

I recommend the S&W Model 686 with a 4 inch barrel & a 6 shot cylinder.

 

[TravisPNW]

I can only afford cheap used S&W and they are all 4". If I were buying new there would be no question....3". The 3" models also fetch more money in case you decide to sell. Put a 4" S&W in a gun store on consignment, and it may languish for months. Do that with a 3" model and it will be gone in a week or so.To top things off the large frame 3" revolvers are perfectly proportioned. They also look much more badass.

Good to know. I bought my 3" 686 last month. What can I say... I liked the look of it. Badass it most definitely is.

Shoots Magnums like a dream too. 7 shots is nice.

 

[RGVshooter]

I recommend the S&W Model 686 with a 4 inch barrel & a 6 shot cylinder.

Yup, that's what i got.... Just picked it up this past monday and shot it yesterday. I'm reloading more range ammo for it now as I type...

For my needs & the pistol's intended purpose I agree with most & went for the 4" model. I live in Texas where a licensed carrier has the option to carry open or concealed. I chose both. I carry OWB in a DeSantis thumb break speed scabbard, which I highly recommend and just throw a short sleeve button shirt over but leave the shirt open. With a good thick leather gun belt, such as mine from DM Bullard & holster, the weight of the pistol is insignificant and over my right rear pocket, the pistol lays close & flat against my body. I've been carrying like this for years long before open carry passed and it's very comfortable and on my 5'11" 165lb frame, it's not even close to being noticable. Besides, in this part of Texas, it's not uncommon to see someone open carrying anyway.


Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX.