revolver barrel length, the long and the short of it...

The Lewis · Post by **The Lewis** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:32 pm

I have this ruger bisley with a 7-1/2" barrel and I just got a ruger alaskan with a 2-1/2" barrel. Now, I always thought that a longer barrel would be more accurate as well as offering batter ballistics, but, I find that I can shoot this not so little but short alaskan easier and more consistant accuracy than the bisley. The sights hold steadier and the recoil is rather pleasant as well.

I was shooting 250grain speer gold dot hp's over 24.4 grains of H110 (.45 long colt).

So, I guess my query is this; What is your favorite barrel length in a hand gun and why?

It might all be because the grips of the alaskan fit my largesque hands better but that might be a different post altogether!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:44 pm

The Lewis,

You're comparing apples to grapefruits. Your Rugers have two distinctly different grips and actions. That will affect they way they hold, handle, sight and shoot.

That said my favorite revolver barrel lengths are:

DA Revolver = 4"

SA Revolver = 4.75" and 7.5"

I can tolerate the other lengths, but those are my favorites.

Joe

Dakota Mike · Post by **Dakota Mike** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:22 pm

The length of the barrel does not make a gun more accurate. The length of the barrel makes it easier to sight. Nothing is set in stone that you will always shoot a longer barrel more accurately than one that is shorter.

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:22 pm

To me a handgun should be just that. I probley have owned a hundred handguns in close to 50 years and packed on the job for 35. I have had probley every barrel length.
I really like from 3" to 5 "s. Of course I like a small 2" J frame s&w for pocket carry, but for a holster gun 2 1/2 to 5 inch for me. Now if it was strickly for hunting deer etc maybe a 8 3/8 model 29, but I use and am happy with my 29-2 s&w with a rare 5" barrel. I also like 4 3/4" colt saa,s.
I am into light and handy guns, and it doesnt effect accuracy much for me. I own about 30 fine handguns and probley the top 2 packing favorites
is a rare 3" lew horton S&W model 66-3 in 357, and a S&W model 24-3 4" in .44 special.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:32 pm

My 7 1/2" Vaquero is no more accurate then my 4 5/8" Vaquero. Now that being said I find the 7 1/2 is quicker for me to get on target and remains on target well with multiple shots the extra forward weight works better for me.

Jeff Pitts · Post by **Jeff Pitts** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:43 pm

4 3/4" and 7 1/2". I pack the 4 3/4" all the time and so it gets shot the most. But when I'm out actively hunting with a pistol, the 7 1/2" gets the nod

Jeff

45-70 · Post by **45-70** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:53 am

Just bought a 5" S&W 629 Classic that is perfection, IMHO. Have had revolvers up to 7.5", such as an early model RSBH, another 629 that had a 6.5" tube and was very accurate. But my favorites are the 4" Mountain Guns, great shooters and very handy.

SA, I have to go with 4-5/8" or 4-3/4", whichever is standard.

After all, they are handguns...barrels get too long and they become "Rifles"...handguns are supposed to be "handy", right???

Ram Hammer · Post by **Ram Hammer** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:45 am

In my earlier years I read everything Bob Millek (sp?) wrote and wanted to hunt with handguns. Then I got my first hunting hand gun. A Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. That long barrel taught me just how critical my grip on the gun was to accuracy and how much practice was required to get "hunting reliable" with it. The longer barrel helps sight picture but hurts when you consider the time the bullet is in the barrel compared to a 4 1/2 or 5 inch barrel. Any inconsistency in grip on the gun will show up more with a longer barrel and affect accuracy. It didn't take long for me to decide to get a rifle and carry the handgun as a back up. I've since owned several handguns with 3 to 6 inch barrels and love how they shoot. I'm currently in the market for a Colt SAA clone with a 4 1/2" barrel in 44 mag.

Rod WMG · Post by **Rod WMG** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:33 pm

Depends on the use I have in mind. I'm not trying to be wishy-washy; I have 2" through 8 3/8" and they all have a place.

I guess my all time favorite is 5 1/2 to 6 1/2" If size and weight aren't special considerations, but it depends on mood and circumstances.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:40 pm

For me, it seems to be the grip and the trigger.....Finger grooved grips and light triggers do it for me

blackhawk44 · Post by **blackhawk44** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:07 pm

After surviving my callow youth, I found that a handgun is only useful if you have it with you. Having a handgun in the night stand, the safe or the truck does no good whatsoever if that is not where you are standing. In order to have a handgun with you, it needs to fit some form of holster. That holster needs to be comfortable enough to wear from sunup to sundown, days on end, on foot, on horseback or in and out of a truck, whatever comes. To keep that holster comfortable, experience dictates pistol barrel lengths of 4 to 6 inches (better 5.5"). Steady practice goes a long way to help the lack of barrel lenth.