What barrel lengths do you favor?
- Thread starter kcub
- Start date
On a revolver, 4". Much longer and I'd just as soon have a carbine. Any shorter and you lose too much velocity.
Semi-autos overall length is shorter even with equal barrel lengths so 4"-5" seems about right. Depending on the gun and it's use shorter may be in order, but I'm not interested in anything longer.
Semi-autos overall length is shorter even with equal barrel lengths so 4"-5" seems about right. Depending on the gun and it's use shorter may be in order, but I'm not interested in anything longer.
To me, its more of a weight / and platform style or trigger style...than barrel length...
but in Revolvers...4" is probably my favorite ( for tactical or defense ) --- 6" if I were hunting or doing Bulls eye shooting...
In semi-autos ...4 1/2 " - 5" barrels are about the same / and I prefer full sized guns ...on the heavier side / steel vs poly frames.
In both cases I want the triggers to break cleanly ...not too much, if any, overtravel ...
but in Revolvers...4" is probably my favorite ( for tactical or defense ) --- 6" if I were hunting or doing Bulls eye shooting...
In semi-autos ...4 1/2 " - 5" barrels are about the same / and I prefer full sized guns ...on the heavier side / steel vs poly frames.
In both cases I want the triggers to break cleanly ...not too much, if any, overtravel ...
FairWarning
New member
Not less than 4" if shooting pleasure is any concern at all. I like 6" to 7.5" for revolvers.
carprivershooter
New member
I tend to like 3-5 inch barrels, But I carry a 1 7/8 '' S&W 642 and I can hit the mark out to 10 yd so I feel pretty good. Remember it's not the size that matters it's control, you know breath and a steady squeeze on the trigger
On Smith and Wesson N Frames, I really like 5 inch and 3 1/2 barrels. Not as common as the 4 and 6. The five inch can still be carried on the hip when you are seated in a car while giving you a little more sight radius. I also like the 3 1/2 because that was a popular barrel length for concealed carry for lawmen way back when. It is a nostalgia thing and it just looks cool.
Having the privilege of owning a DW pistol pack, I can choose between a 2.5,4,6 or 8 inch barrel.
I shoot the 4inch about 90% of the time. Each fall I mount the 8" and sight it in and hunt with it.
Haven't mounted the 2.5 or 6 inch barrels in about 10 years. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever shot the 6 inch barrel.
I shoot the 4inch about 90% of the time. Each fall I mount the 8" and sight it in and hunt with it.
Haven't mounted the 2.5 or 6 inch barrels in about 10 years. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever shot the 6 inch barrel.
Guess it depends on the use planned.
For serious carry, my wife has a S&W 637 with a 1-7/8" barrel, my choice is a 3" barreled S&W M36. Both are concealable, hers in a purse, belly pack, or rarely, in a OWB holster on her belt; mine is always in a OWB belt holster in the FBI 4 o'clock position. Recently, I've begun carrying a Sig P290 with a 3" tube, again in the FBI position.
For carry, daily, here on the farm, I tend to the 4-5/8" single actions, but do find time for the Commander and full size 1911's; several Rugers and one Colt, all in Tom Threepersons, open top holsters of my own construction. They're convenient, adequate protection for the gun in good wx, and quick into action against the threat of thistle tops, milkweed pods, and the occasional misguided dirt clod...ya gotta take the threats seriously, padnuh! That 4-5/8" barrel length, BTW, is as long as is comfortable while aboard the tractor, on horseback, or in the truck...anything longer ends up giving me sore ribs.
On our home range setup, I still prefer the shorter barrels, but do give the 6-1/2 inchers a regular workout in preparation for deer season. In truth, I find very little real difference in group size, between them and their shorter cousins.
For the deer stand, I choose the longer ones, 6 to 6-1/2" as a rule when using the hand gun alone. For rifle use, where the short gun is a back up, it's back to the 4-5/8" models for me. Back east, here in KY, I rarely carry while deer hunting, but in Colorado, I always have a magnum....packing out elk quarters in the twilight, unarmed, gives me the willies...fresh meat, reduced visibility, in high altitude bear country...
HTH's Rod
For serious carry, my wife has a S&W 637 with a 1-7/8" barrel, my choice is a 3" barreled S&W M36. Both are concealable, hers in a purse, belly pack, or rarely, in a OWB holster on her belt; mine is always in a OWB belt holster in the FBI 4 o'clock position. Recently, I've begun carrying a Sig P290 with a 3" tube, again in the FBI position.
For carry, daily, here on the farm, I tend to the 4-5/8" single actions, but do find time for the Commander and full size 1911's; several Rugers and one Colt, all in Tom Threepersons, open top holsters of my own construction. They're convenient, adequate protection for the gun in good wx, and quick into action against the threat of thistle tops, milkweed pods, and the occasional misguided dirt clod...ya gotta take the threats seriously, padnuh! That 4-5/8" barrel length, BTW, is as long as is comfortable while aboard the tractor, on horseback, or in the truck...anything longer ends up giving me sore ribs.
On our home range setup, I still prefer the shorter barrels, but do give the 6-1/2 inchers a regular workout in preparation for deer season. In truth, I find very little real difference in group size, between them and their shorter cousins.
For the deer stand, I choose the longer ones, 6 to 6-1/2" as a rule when using the hand gun alone. For rifle use, where the short gun is a back up, it's back to the 4-5/8" models for me. Back east, here in KY, I rarely carry while deer hunting, but in Colorado, I always have a magnum....packing out elk quarters in the twilight, unarmed, gives me the willies...fresh meat, reduced visibility, in high altitude bear country...
HTH's Rod