6 inch or 4 inch

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Steveyb1960

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 8, 2016
Messages
141
Location
Nevada
I know its whatever I feel comfortable with, curious as to whats your guys preference? 4 inch or 6 inch? Just traded for a 6 inch stainless Gp100 but I come to realize I like the 4 inch better.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9,933
Location
missouri
I have a 4" Sec 6 and 6" GP100 so apples/oranges. That said, the 4" is easier to carry while the 6" is (for me anyway) easier to shoot accurately. For everyday carrying, that 6" GP gets heavy so just guessing a 4" (only a little lighter) will begin to drag on the belt also.
 

hittman

Moderator
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Jan 16, 2008
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I agree with Mobuck.

However, my favorite GP100 has the 3 inch barrel.
 

contender

Ruger Guru
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Sep 18, 2002
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Lake Lure NC USA
Well, I have found,, for my purposes,, which the .357 is normally looked upon as a SD type of handgun,, the 4" seems to be my personal preference. I own a 4" & 6" GP-100 in 357. I also own a smiff m19 in 4" and a GP MC 10mm in 4".
As noted,, the 6" is a bit more accurate at longer ranges,, but I tend to carry the 4" guns a lot more.
And for hunting,, I step up in calibers.
 

Snake45

Hawkeye
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Mar 14, 2009
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+4020
I can't decide either. There are at least four revolvers that I have in both 4" and 6" and I love them all.
 

bogus bill

Hunter
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Dec 25, 2009
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Location
utah
I like the short barrels and camied and owned them in all lengths all over 60 years, 30 in uniform.
 

eveled

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2012
Messages
5,606
I like them all, but I tend to gravitate to really short, or really long. The middle lengths are "jack of all", but also a compromise.

The above is true across all my handguns, not specific to the GP series.
 

375supermag

Blackhawk
Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Messages
553
Hi...
I prefer revolvers with at least a 4" barrel. Don't own any snub nose revolvers. The vast majority of my revolvers have barrels in the 5-1/2" to 6-1/2" range and several with barrels up to 8-3/8" length.
Don't have much need for a revolver with a barrel any longer than that. The buntline style revolvers hold very limited interest for me. The same goes for 2 to 3-1/2" barreled revolvers. Just not much of a fan.
 
Joined
Dec 16, 2005
Messages
7,183
Location
On the beach and in the hills
Four pure preference, I like about 4.5" on single actions, regardless of brand. For older double action Smiths 5", newer Smiths because that isn't usually available 4". Interestingly, I like 6" on Colts regardless of age. With regard to Ruger DA's I don't have a strong preference.

With all that said, my top three favorite revolvers are a 5" 1917, 6" model 27 & an 8 3/8" model 29. The last to early, no dash models. So why are these my favorites. Not a clue, they just are. Don't need any other reason.
 

wvjoetc

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Messages
166
Location
Raleigh Co. WV
My bedside choice is a Security Six 4" .357, it is loaded with .38 +P's. I have a blue 6" GP100 for shooting paper, and it will shoot at fifty yards it shoots better than I do. I agree with Jeep, I like a 5" barrel Smith.
 

GypsmJim

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
373
I once bought a 2" S&W snubby to carry and found its accuracy was lousy. Moved up to a 3" and it was perfect.

Later had a 4" Security Six and it was perfect. Moved to a 6" and it was even better.

For single actions, the best is a 7 1/2" barrel.

Next, I bought a S&W 8 3/8" and that was the best of all.

Finally, added a 9 1/2 incher to my Single Six collection and that's my new goto.

I guess you need to try them all....
 

RSIno1

Hunter
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
2,858
Location
Southern California
My first handgun was a Colt Trooper 357 4". I was working at the cop shop when I was 19 and the guy I got it from stepped up to a 6" Python. He was about 6'4" and said the 4" looked like a toy in his hand - it was about a year old when I got it and I still have it. I also have a 7.5 Super Blackhawk but prefer the 4" for general all round use. Bedside is a 2" S&W 642 and an easy to access AR15 in 458 Socom.
I have been hounding a guy at work to sell me his 8 3/8" S&W 29-1 in a presentation box. He bought it new and has only put about 100 rounds through it.
 
Joined
Oct 26, 2006
Messages
9,810
Location
Woodbury, Tn
I prefer the 4 inch, since the whole reason to have a handgun, is because a rifle or shotgun is too big. Most of my handguns are for SD, whether in urban or rural environment. Draw time is a biggy! 1 7/8 inch barreled snubs are the fastest, the times go up from there. Think about it try it out.
gramps
 

wproct

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
428
Location
Ia
I have owned GP100 revolvers in 3 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, and finally settled on a 5 incher.
 

LAH

Buckeye
Joined
Jun 6, 2002
Messages
1,469
Location
WV
Haven't carried a 357 much. Quick shots of opportunity are too hard on my ears but I do hunt wit one using plugs. I use a 7 1/2" for that.
 
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