difference between 4" and 6" barrels?

10 DA revolvers, one 2.5", one 4" the rest all 6 or 6.5"
9 SA revolvers (all Rugers), two 4 5/8", two 5.5", two 6.5" and the rest 7.5"

This should show where my personal preferences lie. :D

A point to consider, about the 586/686 series S&Ws, the weigh the SAME as the same barrel length N frame S&Ws. But they balance much differently.

For some, this is the deciding factor. IF possible, handle an N frame and an L frame, before buying either. The difference in weight and balance over the K frame is significant.
 
I have K, L and N frame S&W's in 2 1/2", 4", 6" and 8 3/8"....

For pure Target Practice - slow fire..the 6" in .357 Mag is probably optimal - a little longer sight plane, more weight ( but not nose heavy )..../ but in the .44 Mag I do like the 8 3/8" barrels even though they are a little nose heavy if you go with the model 629's - the older model 29's don't have the full length lug under the barrel - extra weight in .44 mag helps me a little.

For Tactical practice ...the 4" K, L or N frames are much better guns...( for me ) ....long enough sight plane to keep me on target, easy in and out of a holster...

K, L or N frames ...comes down to esthetically what you like / and what fits your hands the best.
 
I guess it depends on how particular you are about hitting the target (group size) at the distances you're comfortable with. In general, I really like 4" barrels on revolvers now. Years ago, I thought the 2-3" barrels silly unless it was for carry and I didn't carry. I have a number of them now, but my groups are lousy in general. Years ago, I pretty much wanted 6" barreled revolvers (think Colt Python, S&W Model 19 & 27, 29 and so forth). I always shot better with a longer barrel. My best shooting centerfire revolver is probably my 8 3/8" M57. I got it for hunting mostly and range use.

I handled a 5" S&W M686 at Bass Pro and really liked it. Thought it might be the perfect length for general use other than concealed carry. When I finally decided to get one, they were gone. I think BP had them made up as a special S&W run for their stores.

So, I think you ought to give a longer barrel length a try to see how you like it. It will certainly work for home defense but will not be as convenient to swing around rapidly in an emergency situation. My home defense revolver is a 3" GP-100 if that matters. Shots would be close.
 
QUOTE: A general rule is 4" for carrying, 6" for target shooting.

Pretty true-a fact which always makes me wonder why a 5" barrel has never been popular for the many times when a compromise length (between the 4" and 6" lengths) might make perfect sense.
 
I have a 5" 686 full underlug and a 6" 586 full underlug. I find both to be nose heavy but not too terrible for recreational target shooting.
If I am to do it over, I would get the 4" 686/586 and sacrifice sight radius for better overall balance.
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I have a 14-4 with 6" (no underlug and not pencil) barrel.
I also have a 15-4 with 4" pencil barrel.
I like the 6" barrel on the K-frame.
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With the 5" and 6" 586/686, I get very similar groupings.
With the 4" and 6" 14/15, I usually get tighter groups with the 6" barrel.
 
I don't think there is enough difference in velocity to really make a difference.

But there is a difference in carrying.

I was issued a 4 inch duty revolver (Model 28) while in LE. Later in my career they started allowing us to carry 6 in revolvers. I really liked my 6 in. Mode 27 so I ordered a holster for it and tried carrying my '27 on duty.

It was quite uncomfortable wearing it in the patrol car. I went back to my Model 28.

When I retired I was given my Model 28, and I still have my Model 27. I shoot both in some revolver matches. I found the 28 is faster, but if I have time I can shoot the longer sight radius of the 6 in revolver a bit better.
 
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