Why are longer barreled P&R less valuable?

[wesson1911]

I was curious as to why the longer barrel 6 and 8 3/8 inch SW P&R are less valuable than the shorter barrels? I searched and couldn't find the answer! Please let me know which of the following reasons makes them less valuable and sought after than the shorter barrels!
1 production numbers
2 personal preference
3 other

The only SW revolvers I have are a 29-2 and a 27-2 nickel. They are both 8 3/8 inch barrels. I would prefer a longer barrel for the range and don't plan to carry a classic P&R SW! I am a rookie SW guy and was just curious.

 

[Alk8944]

Certain barrel lengths are more desireable, particularly the 3 1/2" and 5". There is no practical reason for this, just that these are in more demand. Used/collectible/antique guns are driven by the same market variables as any other consumer product, supply and demand.

 

[Tom_R]

Aesthetics for one reason.

The proportions of a gun have to look right.

An n frame with a 3.5", 4", and 5" barrel, just looks right aesthetically. A 6" or 6.5" barrel starts to look a little long, and an 8 3/8 barrel just doesn't look right to most.

I held an 8 3/8 model 27-2 the other day, and it pointed real nice, it felt nice, but it did not look right. At least to me.

Second, you need to factor in carry ability. Any thing larger than a 4" barrel starts to get tricky to carry concealed.

I have my eye on a 5" 27-2, but I don't think I'll be able to carry it concealed.

 

[chud333]

Just personal preference.
Most on here, if a poll was taken, would say that they like
the barrel lengths up to 5".
Sure there are a lot of people who like the longer tubes.
Whatever floats your boat as they say.
But it's all just supply and demand. More want the shorter
barrels and therefore the prices on these are higher.

Chuck

 

[g8rb8]

I was curious as to why the longer barrel 6 and 8 3/8 inch SW P&R are less valuable than the shorter barrels? I searched and couldn't find the answer! Please let me know which of the following reasons makes them less valuable and sought after than the shorter barrels!
1 production numbers
2 personal preference
3 other

The only SW revolvers I have are a 29-2 and a 27-2 nickel. They are both 8 3/8 inch barrels. I would prefer a longer barrel for the range and don't plan to carry a classic P&R SW! I am a rookie SW guy and was just curious.

Wesson1911,

Alk8944 is correct. The answer is "3 other" and the "other" is supply versus demand.

I agree with Tom_R's suggestion that aesthetics is a significant underlying reason for a relatively higher demand for the shorter barrel lengths especially for model 27's and 29's. Who knows why many find the shorter barrel more aesthetically pleasing - perhaps societal or cultural? Perhaps another society or culture would find the longer barrels more aesthetically pleasing?

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[Art Doc]

People just like short barrels. "Snubs" are all cool, and everything. The longer barrel shoots better in all ways but it's not sexy. Human nature.

Dick Tracy was cool and carried a snub. Barney Fife was a bit of a doofus and packed a 6" revolver.

This rule goes out the window in rare cases of scarcity taking over. If they only made one 10" Registered Magnum it would be far more valuable than the more common lengths. But on regular production guns, shorter is more desirable, more popular, and brings more money. Nothing mysterious about it.

 

[fyimo]

I suppose the shorter barrel lengths are more popular for a number of reasons and one is some people carry a S&W revolver and longer barrels are a pain to hide. Number two is people think the shorter barrels are better looking, weigh less, and are easier to shoot.

That said I don't carry a revolver so I then to like 5 inch (favorite), 6inch, and 8 3/8 barrels for the range because the longer sight radius helps my shooting.

 

[wesson1911]

Thanks for the feedback. I assume it is more about personal preference and nothing to do with production numbers. I have no preference and would never carry a classic. I will take them to the range and baby them of course. I love all barrel lengths and was just curious.

 

[arjay]

I prefer the shorter barrel guns (4") after many years of collecting and shooting.I just think they carry and balance better and,after all,they are just tools and that's what I judge them on.

 

[flundertaker]

I guess I like mid length and longer barrels. 4" all the way out to my 10.5" silhouette model 29. I dont know about asthetics. The right stocks has as much to do with looks as anything to me as does fluted or non and full lug or not.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

 

[AZretired]

Just for the record - Barney's revolver had a 4" barrel.

 

[MP1518]

I can't speak for others, but I just like my revolvers to be 4" or shorter. The only one exception is my all time favorites pre lock 629-3 classic and my 5 inch P&R model 27.

 

[Watchdog]

I was curious as to why the longer barrel 6 and 8 3/8 inch SW P&R are less valuable than the shorter barrels?

I don't view them as less valuable. I know a lot of people see them as less desirable, although I don't know why.

I think in this day and age of compact revolvers and little tiny plastic pistols, we may have lost sight of the aesthetics of a finely made and assembled target revolver with a long barrel.

The only reason there isn't an 8-3/8 barreled (or longer) S&W in my small collection is there are other things I want first...but I'll eventually get one, and it'll probably a Model 29-2.

I like long barrels.

 

[Art Doc]

In the early part of the series Barney is shown with a 6" M&P. At some point it changed to a 4" revolver although he continued to wear the 6" holster. I think maybe the director wanted a humorous appearance of a smaller gun coming out of the big holster. Anyway, in some episodes he has a 4" M&P but usually it's a 4" Colt Official Police.

 

[Brian41]

I've always had a preference myself for the shorter barrels and went through a period when it was all snubs but that's just me. Many of my range guns are 6 inch but guns I carry are usually shorter.
I have one 657 in 8 3/8 inch I use for deer hunting. I carry it in a Bianchi shoulder holster I think they call an X-15. Since I'm not having to draw it fast or carry it any further than my stand most times it works out fine. I find the longer barrel has a generous sight plane which helps in a hunting handgun unless you're putting optics on them.
I did pass on an 8 3/8 inch Model 57 which was in like new condition partly because of price but mostly because I just felt it too long. Like others I just prefer the shorter barrels and demand regulates pricing.

 

[TEXVET]

Another factor that hasn't been discussed is what a person wants the gun for.
An 8 3/8" gun is a no brainer if you plan to hunt with a handgun. Add a scope and they become very lethal. Most of the guy I know that have long barreled M29s use them to hunt hogs. A longer barrel is also better for shooting tight groups at paper targets at the range.
That being said, most of my N frame guns have barrels 5" or shorter in length.
The 4" M29-2 is my favorite. It seems to balance very well in my hand and I am accurate out to 15 yards with it.

 

[hanken]

Back in the Dirty Harry days everyone wanted the long barrels because Harry Callahan had one and S&W made a lot more long barrel guns. You don't see as many short barrel guns around. Also the model 29 with a 4" barrel is brutal to shoot with full load rounds. From 1950s thru the late 80s there were a lot more hunters than today. In the world we live in today everything is about self defense.

 

[pownal55]

Back in the 70's long barrels were in demand for two reasons already mentioned, Dirty Harry and hand gun hunting. Today both of those factors have faded considerably. Add to that the inconvenience of lugging around a long, heavy sidearm in a holster without a specific need in mind and a short barrel gun becomes more appealing.

 

[BigBill]

I like and prefer the 5", 6", 6 1/2" @ 8 3/8" barrels
I really don't care for the shorter barrels I have some for ccw.

The 6" & 6 1/2" is my sweet spot for barrel length. Shoulder holstered and I'm good to go.

I think the longer barrel in ccw carry is very intimidating. The what ever is looking back at a very long barrel with a big hole in it.

I expected the worse recoil out of my 4" barreled m58 but it was kind of mild next to my 5 1/2" redhawk in 44mag with my full house stout loads. The 41mag is a dream to shoot even with the 4" barrel. As I get older I need to lower my powder charges on my 44 reloads. (Maybe)

The big N frame just looks right with the longer barrel anything under 4" the frame looks like over kill. If our creator ever designed a revolver for man it would be the 6" & 6 1/2" s&w N frame. It feels so right. The designers got it so right at s&w when they designed the N Frame they got it spot on.

 

[ibewbull]

Today the 3 inch and less is in demand because of CCW finally being legal in many states.
Ease of carry is the main reason here.
As stated before Dirty Harry great effect in the 70s.
A 6 inch 29 was almost impossible to find. Many 28s were converted to 44.
Another factor in all things is shortly after a model change , the demand goes up.
Articles in magazines a huge effect. I just had to have a stainless LUGER way back when they came out. Now just another safe queen.

Just my opinions.