4" or 6" ?
- Thread starter Silvanus
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XavierBreath
New member
The longer sight radius of the 6 inch barrel will make it easier to aim. Other than that, the difference is nil. If you can aim a 4 incher as well as a 6 incher, you will see no difference.
Is a 6" barrel revolver actually going to be any more accurate than a 4" revolver?
Not really. Not as far as the gun itself is concerned, anyway. The 6" revolver will give higher velocities from the same load, and it has a longer sight radius which will makes it easier to aim. But the inherent accuracy of the gun itself is going to be about the same.
Not really. Not as far as the gun itself is concerned, anyway. The 6" revolver will give higher velocities from the same load, and it has a longer sight radius which will makes it easier to aim. But the inherent accuracy of the gun itself is going to be about the same.
At close ranges of 25yds or less, not really. They will be very similar in the accuracy dept. I've found that shooting at over 50yds is where you starting seeing a difference. I've found it much easier to hit at ranges of 100yds with the 6" or longer barreled guns. The margin of error is less with the longer sight-radius at those ranges.
dairycreek
New member
Practice, Practice, Practice!
As the other posters have so ably pointed out there is no inherent increase in accuracy between a 4" and a 6" barrel gun. They also go on to point out, also quite ably and correctly, of the greater potential for accuracy due to the longer sight radius of the 6" revolver. I have only one small point to add. That is, a lot of practice with the 4" revo can overcome the advantage of the 6" revo. Of course, if you practice a lot with the 6" piece greater accuracy can be achieved as well. For those who are willing to practice effectively with the 4" revo great things can be achieved.
As the other posters have so ably pointed out there is no inherent increase in accuracy between a 4" and a 6" barrel gun. They also go on to point out, also quite ably and correctly, of the greater potential for accuracy due to the longer sight radius of the 6" revolver. I have only one small point to add. That is, a lot of practice with the 4" revo can overcome the advantage of the 6" revo. Of course, if you practice a lot with the 6" piece greater accuracy can be achieved as well. For those who are willing to practice effectively with the 4" revo great things can be achieved.
XavierBreath
New member
I'm going to augment my original statement..............
The 6 inch gun's longer sight radius will allow more precise aiming of the pistol, ideal for target work.
The 4 inch gun's shorter sight radius will come to sights quicker, although not as precisely. This makes it ideal for drawing and shooting quickly.
The 2 inch gun conceals better, giving up both the ideal length for precision aiming, and for quickly coming to sights in favor of concealment.
The 6 inch gun's longer sight radius will allow more precise aiming of the pistol, ideal for target work.
The 4 inch gun's shorter sight radius will come to sights quicker, although not as precisely. This makes it ideal for drawing and shooting quickly.
The 2 inch gun conceals better, giving up both the ideal length for precision aiming, and for quickly coming to sights in favor of concealment.
Silvanus,
Several years ago I embarked on a shooting program with S&W M29 and M629 .44 Mag revolvers using 210 gr cast bullets loaded to 1100 fps: 50 shots standing, two hands, no rest, 25 yds, 25 yd pistol target, perfect score 500. For two years I fired this course weekly and recorded/analyzed scores. My results were:
- 4" barrel, open sights: avg score 490
- 6-6.5" barrel, open sights: avg score 492
- 6.5" barrel, 2X scope: avg score 494
- 8 3/8" barrel, 2X scope: avg score 490.
For me, the 6-6.5" barrel gun was slightly more accurate than the 4" barrel but the 4" gun is more handy. YMMV.
Result: I hunt with scoped 6.5" M629 and shoot targets with 5" M629 open sights. (My 4" M629 was stolen.)
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
Several years ago I embarked on a shooting program with S&W M29 and M629 .44 Mag revolvers using 210 gr cast bullets loaded to 1100 fps: 50 shots standing, two hands, no rest, 25 yds, 25 yd pistol target, perfect score 500. For two years I fired this course weekly and recorded/analyzed scores. My results were:
- 4" barrel, open sights: avg score 490
- 6-6.5" barrel, open sights: avg score 492
- 6.5" barrel, 2X scope: avg score 494
- 8 3/8" barrel, 2X scope: avg score 490.
For me, the 6-6.5" barrel gun was slightly more accurate than the 4" barrel but the 4" gun is more handy. YMMV.
Result: I hunt with scoped 6.5" M629 and shoot targets with 5" M629 open sights. (My 4" M629 was stolen.)
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
Another thing to consider, especially in the Magnum cartridges. If you are into hunting, the extra 2" of barrel get you about an extra 100ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle and at about 50 yds. Another 80 or so at 100yds. This basically turns the 357Mag revolver into a 50+yd hunting weapon vs the 50 or less that is common to the 4" revolver. It all depends on what your needs are. If you are mainly plinking at the range and carrying, go with the 4". If you are into intense target shooting at longer ranges, as well as hunting go with the 6". From my experience the 6" is going to be more accurate at 50+ yds and also delivers more power to the 357Mag cartridge. Quite simply, the longer barrel reduces the margin of error at extended ranges. A slight error in sighting results in maybe being an inch off at 25 yds. This same error can be double or even triple that at longer ranges. The longer sight-radius reduces the magnitude of the error slightly.
Detective_Special
New member
4" or 6"
Even if the 6" is slightly more accurate (?) , I'll sacrifice that slight accuracy for the handiness and balance of the 4", not to mention that I just love the look of the 4 inchers. As strictly a hunting handgun I would then go to the 6".
Even if the 6" is slightly more accurate (?) , I'll sacrifice that slight accuracy for the handiness and balance of the 4", not to mention that I just love the look of the 4 inchers. As strictly a hunting handgun I would then go to the 6".
I doubt that most folks could tell the difference in a 4" vs 6" barrels accuracy in actual usage. (Of course, it would be near impossable to test as each barrel will be inherantly more/less acurate just based on manufactirung variances. ) Anyway, I'd suggest you get the 4" if it's going to be a multi purpose gun. It will carry better, point faster and will likely even ballance better. The sight radious argument, while valid, can be overcome by learning good aiming and trigger control. All that said, if your revolver doesn't come with a good trigger, give it one! It will aid in accuracy much more than any additional barrel length.
FWIW, Many $1000+ rimfire target pistols have barrels of less than 5".
FWIW, Many $1000+ rimfire target pistols have barrels of less than 5".
22-rimfire
New member
I have both and tend to grab the 4" for more casual shooting or a walk in the woods, and a 6" or longer barrel for more serious applications (competitive target with friends or hunting). I use the same frame size and caliber, so the practice does transfer somewhat between guns. In particular, I'm referring to 41 mag N-frames. More is better!!!
grendelbane
New member
A few years ago I would have been more accurate with a 6" barrel. Not that the gun itself was more accurate, but the longer sight radius would have helped me.
Now that I am approaching my fifth decade I find the 4" barrel sight radius easier on my eyes. The guns have not changed, but I have.
I haven't traded any of the 6" guns off, but I usually shoot them at the start of a range session, then break out the 3" and 4" guns for the rest of the session. It is easier on m eyes that way.
Now that I am approaching my fifth decade I find the 4" barrel sight radius easier on my eyes. The guns have not changed, but I have.
I haven't traded any of the 6" guns off, but I usually shoot them at the start of a range session, then break out the 3" and 4" guns for the rest of the session. It is easier on m eyes that way.
The accuracy of the 6 inch is definitely a little better, but I notice the weight difference much more- the 6 inch seems much heavier to me. I would use my 6 inch python if I were specifically handgun hunting, but 99% of the time I would carry my 4 inch Python for ease of carry. My 6 inch guns mostly gather dust, but I carry my 4 inch ones with me all the time.
If I had guard duty, where I would not be walking around and I could stand at a gate all day, then I might wear the 6 inch, but If I am going to walk in the woods all day, or be in the saddle all day, Id rather carry the 4 inch.
If I had guard duty, where I would not be walking around and I could stand at a gate all day, then I might wear the 6 inch, but If I am going to walk in the woods all day, or be in the saddle all day, Id rather carry the 4 inch.
If you look at the ICORE shooters most are using 6" barrels because of the accuracy and controlability of the gun. Yes the 4" is faster but the 6" makes up for it after about the 3 shot. If you will carry for self defense there's no denying it that the 4" is better, but when I'm hunting with a bolt action and there's a possibility of a mountain lion I rather have the 6" GP-100 by my hip. josh
arizcowboy
Inactive
There's not a lot to choose from between the two barrels. Elmer Keith and Bill Jordan did a lot of their shooting with 4 inch barrels but we are mere mortals.
4 vs 6
I have shot both. When it comes to a 357 magnum, the 6 has less kick it seems. some say the diff in accuracy is nil. But there is greater distance between the front sight and the rear sight on a six inch barrel. I assume that is suppose to help with accuracy. I would go with the 4 if I were U but that is me. And yeah, I think it looks better too. And U could almost carry a 4 for concealed carry. A six, I don't know.
I have shot both. When it comes to a 357 magnum, the 6 has less kick it seems. some say the diff in accuracy is nil. But there is greater distance between the front sight and the rear sight on a six inch barrel. I assume that is suppose to help with accuracy. I would go with the 4 if I were U but that is me. And yeah, I think it looks better too. And U could almost carry a 4 for concealed carry. A six, I don't know.
