taurus
That length has to do with many factors.
It has none to do with my personal preference.I have always regarded the handgun as a working tool. I have a fun revolver and it is a .22 rimfire. I am in a 'formally' unique situation where the N frame 357 is concerned.
My State's DPS was the first Law Enforcement organization to utilize the then new N frame-in 357 magnum.
I realize the FBI used one in the fatal shootout with The Ma Barker Gang-in Florida and The FBI used the 5" md 27 for some duty service but it should be factually noted that they did not utilize that particular gun and no others.
I suggest, at this point, to observe some facts where the 357 is concerned ---- what a 357 magnum is and what it is not.
A 357 magnum is a hard cast, copper coated, SWC bullet which weighs around 158-160 grns.
It was designed to have a muzzle velocity from a non-vented Smith and Wesson revolver. I know for fact that no special gun was used to achieve the velocity of 1550fps. My state has a duplicate Copper Pressure Test device such as the one Winchester used to determine the pressure of that round.
My State has hot temperatures and a major concern-on our part-was that the high pressure round might prove to be unsafe since there was little actual Law enforcement use from which any substantial data could be gathered.
Winchester Western utilized a slow burning pistol power which maintained a close spread of velocity and no 'spike' readings CUP were encountered by them, S&W R&D, The FBI or us.
That powder is of course 2400.
Right out of the gate a major concession was made.
The FBI did not like the 8+" barrel or the sharp target sight.
The next logical platform was the 6".
The original velocity is 'some' over 1400fps from a 6".
The FBI did not favor the 6" so the 5" was developed by S&W to pacify them. The velocity from a 5" is not 1400fps.
The accuracy from a 5or6" did not suffer and in fact the penetration on hard wood test blocks was not signifigantly reduced. The Super-X AP rounds will crack the cast iron engine block of a then passenger car.
At this point I can only submit the facts which I became aware of 30+years ago and that is the velocity reduction from 1550 to even 1400fps was not enough to substantially reduce the energy level to the point that a 'whole different set of values concerning it's properties' were uncovered. For example---a 38 special is rated with a 158grn lead bullet with a standard velocity of 850fps. If that velocity is reduced 150fps then the literal properties become of 38 S&W nature. You should note that in case you do not know that a 38S&W is basically a 38 short and the 357 magnum is a 38 long. A 150 fps loss where the 357 is concerned did not substantially reduce its level of 'acceptance' with the first law enforcement organizations. My State's DPS and many,many more conducted scores of test with the 5and6" barreled 27's. Actual Law Enforcements use of deadly force with the same indicated a vastly improved round where men and hard barriers were concerned when compared to 38 special,9mm .
So I have said all that to say the choice of a 6" barrel from all the years of actual use not only by me-as only one former user-but many other depts still is the overall best utilitarian choice. Many LEO's preferred a 3.5" 27 or a 4"28 and then to the K frame 357's and the light weight bullets. The 6" barrel will produce slightly higher velocities than the 5" and it burns more of the powder than a 5".
A 4" barreled 357 magnum is too short to even approach the original velocities and not as accurate for 100 yd and beyond shots.
It has long been accepted amoung handgunners my age and those who came before me decades ago--that a 6" barreled 357 in a large frame congfiguration is a near perfect balanced gun for unaimed 7 yd shots as well as the very long single action shots.
The old style SWC is more accurate at longer ranges than the new -say-125 grn sjhp. Has to do with sectional density and so on.
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I have participated in conversations with National and World Championship handgunners concerning the General utilitarian conclusions where the 357 magnum is concerned.
For 30 years-where I was present--the hands down winner--configuration wise was either a md 27 or 28 with a 6" barrel utilizing the original load data.
I have kept mental and written notes on the facts why those detuctions were made.
#1. The most important 'thing' any gun can do--where your life is at stake is to be reliable--the N frame Smith is absolutely that and has proven that over and over again for over 60 years.
#2. Power
#3. Accuracy
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I carried the 6" N frame everyday for 30 years.
I carry it as CCW each time I put my pants on now. I do not shower with it because it might blow a hole in my shampoo bottle and I don't sleep with it because the grips will leave a ugly mark on the side of your face if you fall asleep on top of it. Outside of that I have killed mules and other animals with it.
I do not complain about the 3lbs of it---my life is worth that.
It is powerful from the 7 to 100 yds and more and is accurate concerning the same situations.
All that is required of a 357mag round to 'do' is to be able to hit a 4-5" circle at any distance. That represents the size of a human head. I do not know if any other depts trained and instructed the shots to be placed in the 'center of mass' but we did not and do/did not consider that a instant kill area and in fact it is not.
I subscribe to single shot --guns for long distance shots. They are chambered for what I consider rifle rounds. My first one was a T/C which was chambered in .222 I had it rechambered for 5.56 round.
I know there are many handgun rounds which have a greater range than the 357 but the guns and caliber combinations to not have the versitility of the guns which are designed to shoot 357 ammo.
Some handgunners who like the 357 round prefer the smaller framed guns or other brands than a S&W.
I understand that you ,or others, have never owned a large frame magnum revolver. I have S&W and Ruger 357's and love them all. I see the price of used 27's and 28's are getting higher and higher. I paid $180 for a new md 28 in 1969. The 27 was $225. If you don't own one then I suggest you add it to your shooters collection. I have attempted to wear mine out by shooting it with full power ammo. So far over thirty years has not hurt it so I suppose it will last a few more and then I will probably be gone and my son can continue with it.
Lastly, I will indicate that if you purchase a 6" heavy frame 357 then you will not have any regrets for short and long distance shots. The big framed guns are more pleasurable to shoot and I think they last longer.
If you are considering a CCW-only-handgun then that is a whole different set of needs -where some are concerned. I have spent the total sum of my handgunning with only five handguns. A person cannot live long enough to master a vast number of handguns and I see no need to own guns if you do not learn to master them.
Don Mallard