What's up with 8-3/8 inch

Help Support Ruger Forum:

lfpiii

Blackhawk
Joined
Sep 16, 2006
Messages
633
Location
Illinois
I have been thinking of having a bucket gun made for hog hunting. Many smiths talk about cutting the barrel or replacing it to 8-3/8 inch. Is there something special about that length? I have both SBH Hunter and std in 7-1/2 and one in 10-1/2 so I have many options.
 

ElToro

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
166
Location
Bay Area California
With smith and wesson N frames the 83/8 barrel plus length of the frame = 10 inches of total sight length. In some pistol competitions of years gone by 10 inches of sight radius was the max allowed. It's just a traditional length for that reason. Makes for a really front heavy gun IMO.
 

phonejack

Single-Sixer
Joined
Apr 20, 2011
Messages
319
Location
arkansas
I have a M29 with the 8 3/8 barrel.for me it's too long for off-hand shooting but, when I can rest my forearms on something it's fun to shoot something waaay out there.
 

Armybrat

Buckeye
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
1,526
Location
Round Rock, Texas
^^^
What he said.

And yeah, they are beautiful guns......

guns025.jpg
 
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
2,271
Location
Orange County, CA
I've got a Smith Model 48 "no dash" with an 8 3/8" barrel. A pain to carry but it really does "shoot like a rifle". The only .22 WRM handgun I have that burns most of the powder INSIDE the barrel!
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,041
Location
People's Republik of California
My Smith Model 14 .38 Spl is a tack driver with 8 3/8" barrel. Just picked up a 44 Smith 8 3/8" barrel for my old model Super BH. By the time I rethread and install in my Super it'll be 7 1/2" and look factory but with the sleek Smith barrel rib. I like it better than the Ruger Hunter rib.
 

s4s4u

Hunter
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
2,086
Location
MN, USA
Is there something special about that length?

Not as far as accuracy or handling. I prefer a 6" barrel for handling, but you will get a little more speed from a longer barrel.
 

Dale53

Blackhawk
Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
925
Location
Hamilton, Ohio USA
The longer (8 3/8") barrel on a Model 29 Smith makes some sense with a scope. I have no problems shooting it standing two handed. I have taken several deer with mine. I can keep most shots on a playing card at 100 yards off a rest. I consider my range limit on deer to be 100% at 125 yards from field positions. Using a cross the chest holster (Bianchi) it is NO problem carrying in rough country.

Confession time:
The REAL reason I originally purchased an 8 3/8" barrel is that it was bought during a time that Model 29's were extremely hard to get. I told my supplier that I would take a 6" or 8" whichever became available. I got the 8 3/8". After getting it I flat became enamored of the revolver. It had a terrific trigger, shot extremely well, and, with the bright blue, was downright beautiful. After taking several deer with it, it won't be leaving here within my lifetime.


Dale53
 
Top