.44 special barrel length preference?

[mike56]

Started shopping for a flat top blackhawk in .44special.
Leaning toward one of the Lipsey's bisley framed guns.
Have not handled one locally yet.

Any thoughts on the 5 1/2 or 4 5/8 barrels? I'll be reloading for it as well.

 

[Dale53]

The difference? Just slightly less than an inch :lol:

Over the years using single actions in both play and competition, I have learned that I shoot better with a longer sight radius (unless using optical sights, of course). However, the shorter barrel carries a bit easier.

I have both the blued Lipsey Special with 5½ barrel and a SS Talo with 4 5/8" barrel. Whichever you choose it will NOT be a mistake.

I actually prefer stainless steel for field use for obvious reasons.

Both guns will break 1" at 25 yards with good loads. Mine will never see anything but my own cast bullets, but they'll see a fair amount of those, that's for sure.

It boils down to, "It's a personal decision" - some like long, some like short.
Good luck whichever way you go (some here will suggest you get 'em both ).

Dale53

 

[tulsamal]

Indecision.

This explains how my custom OM .44 Special conversion ended up with a 5.1" barrel!

In general, I prefer the 4 5/8ths model.

Gregg

 

[gak]

Perhaps a little different perspective because of the sights, but I've got the 3.75" NV Sheriff and 4.62" blued NV .44. Love the former for what it is, but otherwise am a 5.5" guy for its all 'round "do all" goodness...and wished for that (not made in the .44). That said, the 4-5/8 is great and I really have no complaints about it. It is what folks say, handier and when tromping about every bit of length and ounce on the hip counts. But, as the gent says, it is less than 1" -- and not only that but a big bore too, so I wouldn't sweat the difference too much. Reality is I'd like both! Oh well, guess I'll just have to get the Flattop to satisfy my 5.5" itch--but have been wanting to do that anyway. Don't throw me in that briarpatch

 

[rkrcpa]

I like my 4 5/8" Flattop, it balances well for me.

 

[Rclark]

All you are going to get here is 'preferences' . My preference happens to be 5.5" and blued. A bit longer sight radius helps me shoot better, a bit more velocity, ... and of course looks 'right'. To me the extra ~1" doesn't affect pack-ability. I only have one 4 5/8" which is the .357 50th (only way it came). Also have one Sheriff .44Spec which I got for possible CC.... Boils down to 'your choice'.

 

[ndcowboy]

I love the 4 5/8. Got two of them in 44 special.

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

A lot of things can enter into barrel length preference. I have 3 BHs: 2 x 6.5 inch and an 5.5 inch. Since I want to have the ability to legally hunt whitetail in my home state of Ohio, that puts me at 5.5 inch and longer (5 inch minimum barrel required in Ohio).

Right now, I shoot better groups with my 6.5 inch .41 mag than my 5 inch .45 Colt. The 5 inch is lighter and handles better.

I have not shot a 4 5/8 inch model.

 

[Hondo44]

My two are just like gak's; NV Sheriff w/3 3/4" and blue 4 5/8" FT. I will always choose the 4 5/8" but I'll only own the plow handle. Bisleys look better w/5 1/2" proportion wise. I can shoot either barrel length the same. You'll have to feel each in the hand and then you'll know which is best for you.

 

[steve b]

You'll have to define the niche that the firearm will fill, for you. For CCW, shorter, for hunting, longer,etc.. Then there is the buy one of each option ! steve b

 

[5of7]

5-1/2" for me.

 

[mindustrial]

I wanted to utilize the smaller frame with the shorter bbl.; because I can always shoot shoot specials from my longer bbl magnum guns. If I didn't have the other guns, I would have chosen the 5 1/2.

 

[ElrodCod]

While I like the look of the 4 5/8", I opted for the little extra sight radius of the 5 1/2" barrel.

 

[gramps]

I am looking for a 4 inch DA. Either one from Ruger or one of the other players in 2012. Who ever I find a deal on I'll be buying.
gramps

 

[Larry from Bend]

When I was (much) younger, all I could think about was getting all the velocity possible out of my handguns. They wore 6" or 6 1/2" (or 8 3/8")barrels and I liked them a lot.
Now I like "handy" and they wear 4" or 4 5/8" (or 2 1/2") barrels. I like them a lot.

Somehow a 5 1/2" barrel (which I have a few of) reminds me of a "moderate" --- someone who can't make up their mind and hides in the middle.

 

[Major T]

I picked the 4 5/8 (stainless) because I had the 6 1/2 Anniversary if I wanted more velocity. The shorter one is for holster carry for any of the ranches that I frequent. I happen to like 5 1/2 and picked that length for my single-six. Basically it is either what you need or what you prefer. The good news is that you can not go wrong. There is not that much difference. MERRY CHRISTMAS, jack

 

[CraigC]

Ejector length.....always.

 

[Jared]

4 5/8" is my favorite barrel length for the Ruger SAs. I have more than a few .44 specials ranging from 3" to 7.5" but none of them are in 5.5". But get what you think you will shoot and use more. Practical velocity and accuracy are the same between the two. I tight BC gap will give you more velocity than 7/8" of barrel will. I have a 5.5" 44 magnum that is 75-100 FPS faster than my 7.5 and 8 3/8" 44s shooting the same loads.

 

[xtratoy]

I wanted mine in stainless but all they had was the 4 5/8" so I ended up with a 5.5" blued Flat Top.

 

[Lee Martin]

5.5" if it has sight humps...

4 5/8" if it's a flattop...

Not sure why the topstrap influences my preference, it just does.

 

[tom black]

The obvious answer would be to buy one of each. I love them both and will never part with either but I suppose the 4 5/8" gets packed a bit more than the 5.5.

Tom Black