4" vs 6" Medium Frame Revolver

You might take a look at the 8 3/8" S&W revolvers. My M57 is my most accurate. I suspect that the sight radius has a lot to do with it as well as a most excellent trigger. I do prefer a 4" for woods bumming, but I have carried the 8 3/8" in a chest rig which I find quite comfortable in the warmer months.

Folks love their 8 3/8" M27....

I do shoot 6" or longer barrels a little better than 4" revolvers. I believe it is a consistancy issue with me.

With the GP-100, I really like the 3" version versus the 4", but either are just fine.

Handled a 5" S&W 686 and just loved it. It was a special run for Bass Pro and I passed. I regret not buying one today.

As far as dry firing a revolver or any gun for that matter in the store..... ask first. If the gun is a collector grade gun, the store may well have an absolute fit if you dry fired it. Generally not a good idea to dry fire 22 revolvers. If I am buying a gun to shoot and I am pretty well sold on getting it (price and so forth), I will almost always dry fire the gun in the store. But I will be past the "just looking" stage at that point.

Dry firing a revolver will mark up the cylinder (drag line) and some folks simply don't want to see a drag line on a new purchase. For a shooter, regardless of being new or used, I have no problem with honest wear.
 
What brand are those cartridge cases, Photoman? I don't think I've ever seen one that orients the cartridges for a speedloader like that.
 
Constructive criticism, though: your HUGE script copyright notice takes away from the picture... big time. It's so large that it draws attention away from the subject. It's what I remember most about each picture. Worse when it goes over, through or otherwise pollutes part of the subject matter.
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I've never been 100% happy with that signature. While I was in Alaska last week a friend asked me to add some text to a photo of his and I worked out something different for mine based on his request. Better?

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What brand are those cartridge cases, Photoman? I don't think I've ever seen one that orients the cartridges for a speedloader like that.
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Those speed loaders and blocks are from these guys. They are costly but really nice. I have blocks/loaders for my S&W 617, both 63s and my Ruger SP101. The fact that they make blocks to fit in those Pelican boxes is awesome. The 1050 case holds two blocks, one block fits in the 1040.

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I've never been 100% happy with that signature. While I was in Alaska last week a friend asked me to add some text to a photo of his and I worked out something different for mine based on his request. Better?
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Definitely better! :)
I, for one, really enjoy all the accoutrements added to a photo, especially when they are well-picked. I find it more enjoyable and interesting to look at the little bits & pieces so for me... a copyright overstamped on the accessories and other items in the pictures may as well just be over the firearms themselves.

I am a realist, I would imagine the idea is not to put the copyright so small and so far tucked in a corner that some schmuck couldn't simply crop the borders a bit and eliminate it.
 
I have 686s with 4'', 5'' and 6'' barrels. all are full underlug. The one that is easiest to throw in the glove box, in a back-pack or under the seat is the 4''. The one that feels the best balanced and the one I prefer is the 5''. The one I shoot the best and is the most pleasant to shoot for extended periods of time is the 6''. The 6'', while many claim feels initially front heavy or awkward, is the one most folks prefer to shoot again at the range.
 
I have 686s with 4'', 5'' and 6'' barrels. all are full underlug. The one that is easiest to throw in the glove box, in a back-pack or under the seat is the 4''. The one that feels the best balanced and the one I prefer is the 5''. The one I shoot the best and is the most pleasant to shoot for extended periods of time is the 6''. The 6'', while many claim feels initially front heavy or awkward, is the one most folks prefer to shoot again at the range.
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I agree with above.
I own a 686 4inch, have shot the 5 inch with unfluted cylinder...Nice piece!, and my bro in law has the 6 inch.
BTW, the balance of the gun will change with 6 or 7 rounds of ammo in the cylinder.
 
I have 686's in 3", 4", 6", & 8 3/8" - Okay, the 6" is a Python - close enough.

Anyway, I really like the balance of the 4" overall. Although, the muzzle-heavy 6" and 8" guns suddenly feel more "balanced" when full-house 357 Mag rounds are flying out of them :D

But yeah, I'll take the 4" all day (the 3" has a nice feel to it too); and the chronograph shows little velocity gain after the 4".
 
I recently purchased a 4" S&W 686+ for a woods/HD/target/plinking gun and I love this gun. I dithered over whether to get the 4" or 6". My son has a 6" S&W 686 and to me it was just too muzzle heavy. In my hand the 4" is much better balanced. The 4" is also easier to carry and deploy in a woods role when hiking and fishing here in the Wyoming mountains. For me the 4" was the right choice. A curiosity is that with my 686+ I shoot tighter groups one-handed than two-handed.

I always ask if it is okay to dry fire. I haven't been told "no" yet but I don't abuse the permission by dry firing an excessive number of times. I think that if I was told "no" I would respond that I want to try the trigger before I buy and if you won't let me dry fire then I'll have to go somewhere else where they will and spend my money with them.
 
You shouldn't HAVE to fire.....

You shouldn't HAVE to dry fire a 686. Their calling card is a very sweet trigger both in SA and DA. HOWEVER, some of the ones they are throwing out now due to the shortage may have gritty triggers, but either it will smooth out or S&W will fix if it is a warranty thing. I do find the 6" to be a little nose heavy, but being a range gun and having Pachmahr grips that I like on it, it feels great to shoot. I'm just a little prejudiced maybe, but if I lost my 686 I wouldn't rest until I found another.
 
AND I have to call BS on a previously posted statement:

Quote:
Taurus specifically recommends against dry firing their revolvers.

Wrong!:
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Not BS-the manual for my Taurus da, center-fire revolver specifically states:"...Dry firing is bad for this gun, whether the hammer block is engaged or not..."

Concerning securing permission before dry-firing someone else's firearm, absolutely yes. As most others have agreed, not only does asking first constitute good form, but dry-firing some guns could possibly damage them. On the other hand, I would not buy any firearm, new or used, without dry-firing it first, so, as many have suggested, bring snap caps with you.

Having to decide between a 4" or 6" barrel always makes me wonder why the 5" length has never been more popular.
 
Having to decide between a 4" or 6" barrel always makes me wonder why the 5" length has never been more popular.
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I will strongly second the motion. Obviously, I wouldn't "give up" any of the revolvers I love so dearly, but if I could wave a magic wand and transform all my six inch revolvers in to fives...I'd do it.
 
For a gun the size of a 686 or GP100 I think the 6" is the best size. As for dry fire it is perfectly fine to dry fire both of those guns, but I would always ask first. It's not yours...
 
I suggest that you find a nice Smith and Wesson Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, which are chambered in .38 Special, and are a 4-inch barrel design, mostly.

It came about from a target design revolver, that was desired by the military, to replace the Model 10.

Now, you can find a few heavy barrel Model 10's about, in a 4-inch configuration.

They both shoot quite well, and handle very well in the hand.

The Model 14 is the Sand W Combat Target revolver, of a 6-inch design, world reknown for it's accuracy, and handling.

As a veteran, who stood long nights on base perimeter security details on the 'back 40', in Thailand, I had a Model 15, then, and I do, now.

Go. Find your solution, with a blessing of many 'blew out ten rings'!
 
6" GP100 is one of my favorote plinkers. I only wish I had gotten it in stainless. They are very stout and can take a lot of abuse. You can dry fire the GP100 til the cows come home. You should always ask to dry fire another's gun, and honor their wishes, even if they are ignorant as to its safety. If someone is in the business of selling guns, and wont allow a dry fire, and does not have snap caps for you to dry fire, they should not be in the business of selling guns. There is no way I would purchase snap caps to look at a gun I was interested in buying. If they say you can't dry fire, and do not offer snap caps for you to try it, I would politely thank them, leave, and go to another dealer.
 
I'd go for 4"

I bought a 6" 686 and never liked the balance. Kicking myself for not getting the shorter barrel.
 
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