Why 1 7/8?

[East River Guide]

No luck with Google so I thought I would ask here- why did S&W make J frame barrels 1 7/8 instead of an even 2 inches. Was 2 inches ever a magic line of some kind they were trying to stay under?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

If you don't get an answer let me know and I'll see if the History of S&W book discusses it when I'm home.

***GRJ***

 

[ken158]

I would think the barrels started at 2" and by the time they were fitted and indexed properly they were filed down a bit... in doing so.

 

[JonF]

I carry a couple and I've wondered about this also.

Hope someone has an answer, at least one that makes sense.

 

[red9]

I can't answer the 1 7/8" question, but the 8 3/8" was to provide the maximum allowable 10" sight radius for some competitions.

Bob

 

[STCM(SW)]

I can't answer the 1 7/8" question, but the 8 3/8" was to provide the maximum allowable 10" sight radius for some competitions.

Bob

Now, that is a know fact for NRA Bullseye shooting.

 

[Alk8944]

The 1 7/8" was probably for aesthetics. Proportionally it looks just like the 2" K-Frame guns. 2" would appear somewhat out of proportion, although I am sure it would be easy to get used to.

The 8 3/8" S&W maximum barrel length was to provide a maximum 10" sight radius to comply with United States Revolver Association rules. NRA may have adopted the rule later, but the USRA requirement came first.

EDIT: After reading all the responses I think kaaskop49 has given the most likely explanation in post #18

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I know the model 60 and 640 were once offered in 2 inch and currently there is a model 60 in 3 inch available. My guess for the 1 7/8 is it's comfort and conceal factor. I notice when I IWB carry a revolver with more than 2 inches the barrel sometimes digs into my thigh (cross draw carry).

There must be a good reason because even Ruger carries their version of the J frame, the LCR, in the same barrel length.

 

[chief38]

I suppose for the same reason a M27 is available in 8 3/8" bbl. instead of 8" or 8 1/2". Excellent question but I don't have the answer.
Could be something like a 2 x 4 that really measures 1 3/4 X 3 3/4 when purchased or a MacDonalds Quarter Pounder that is only 1/4 pound BEFORE cooking it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Good question.

Also, why are the long-barreled S&Ws 8 3/8" long?

8 3/8 inch replaced 8 3/4 inch as 8 3/8 inch was the longest barrel in which the distance between the front and rear sights would comply with certain USRA competition rules.

 

[Cal44]

I think it's because 1 3/4 was just too short.

And 2" is just too long.

 

[Jim Watson]

As I recall, an 8 3/4" N frame barrel will give a 10" sight radius and was the original maximum .357 Magnum length.
They reduced it to 8 3/8" because there was also a rule that limited single shot barrel or revolver barrel plus cylinder length to 10".

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Well, I have no idea, and aesthetics is as good a reason as any.

Even stranger is Ruger's 2 1/4" and 3 1/16" on the SP101. I mean, a 16th of an inch?

 

[sodacan]

I have an early 66-1 with a true 6 1/8" barrel. My understanding was that the barrel had to be under 6" or under for certain sanctioned shooting events so S&W had to shorten the barrel to 6" (actual length-
5 7/8").

 

[saemetric]

I have an early 66-1 with a true 6 1/8" barrel. My understanding was that the barrel had to be under 6" or under for certain sanctioned shooting events so S&W had to shorten the barrel to 6" (actual length-
5 7/8").

My early 66-1 also has the 6 1/8" bbl length. And the extra length IS quite noticable.

 

[sodacan]

My early 66-1 also has the 6 1/8" bbl length. And the extra length IS quite noticable.

Yeah, I agree. When I bought the gun, the seller thought he had a 6". It didn't look quite right to me, and it had a fire sale price. I thought it might be the unusual barrel length, so I bought it. At the price I paid, I couldn't go wrong. To this day, I can't decide if I like it or not. If someone wanted to buy it at my price, I think I would let it go. I would sure like to how many were made. The SCSW gives no information, except that they exist.

 

[kaaskop49]

Just a wild guess: The .38 S&W Terrier/ I-frame snubs had a 2" bbl, according to SCSW. Any chance the fitting of the longer .38 Spl. cylinder in this size cylinder window (proper term?) had to result in the bbl being cut 1/8" at the rear/throat end? Possibly for esthetics or to allow the new gun to fit in existing holsters?

 

[mkk41]

Just plain easier to call it a 2 inch I reckon.

After all , a 2x4 isn't really 2 inches by 4 inches now , is it.


ps;

Just measured the barrel on my 37. Yep , 1.870".

 

[murphydog]

Just a wild guess: The .38 S&W Terrier/ I-frame snubs had a 2" bbl, according to SCSW. Any chance the fitting of the longer .38 Spl. cylinder in this size cylinder window (proper term?) had to result in the bbl being cut 1/8" at the rear/throat end? Possibly for esthetics or to allow the new gun to fit in existing holsters?

The shortening of the forcing cone/barrel shank seems to be the best explanation.

 

[shouldazagged]

After all , a 2x4 isn't really 2 inches by 4 inches now , is it?

Don't think it has been since Moses was a basket case.