Steveyb1960
Single-Sixer
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.
6 inch or 4 inch
- Thread starter Steveyb1960
- Start date
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.
contender
Ruger Guru
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.
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.
bogus bill
Hunter
I like the short barrels and camied and owned them in all lengths all over 60 years, 30 in uniform.
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- Apr 3, 2012
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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.
The above is true across all my handguns, not specific to the GP series.
To further confuse the issue, I have found that I like a 4" from one manufacturer but a 6'' from another manufacturer. :roll:
375supermag
Blackhawk
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- Jan 1, 2013
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- 557
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.
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.
OP
Steveyb1960
Single-Sixer
Thanks for all the input . I guess I'm more of a 4 inch guy
JBL14
Bearcat
I have both. If I had to settle on one, it would be the 4". I do carry the 4" fairly regularly.
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.
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
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
GypsmJim
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....
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
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.
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.
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
gramps
I have owned GP100 revolvers in 3 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, and finally settled on a 5 incher.
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.
Skoopski
Blackhawk
Amen. 5” to me is the perfect double action revolver length.gunzo said:
GhosT
Blackhawk
My .357 history.
1981 bought a Blackhawk with a 6.5'' barrel, wish I still owned it !
Replaced it with a stainless 6'' Security Six, wish I still owned it !
Replaced with a 4'' plated S&W model 586....not a fan.
Good quality gun,just not a good fit for me.
Late 80's found THE GUN everybody wants.
Gun store going out of business, bought a new stainless,6'' Colt Python for 525 dollars!
SWEET,RIGHT?
Dang thing rusted easily and pitted,and had to send it back to Colt twice cause (my fault) it couldn't handle my hand loads.
Traded it in and got lucky...for a stainless 6'' GP100 , full under-lug barrel , that's as accurate
as the Python! And it refuses to rust.
Never gonna sell/trade this gun. ;)
As the GP100 is a tad hard to conceal, bought a SP101, 2.25'' barrel.
Had it Magnaported,replaced the front site with one with a bright orange insert,and replaced
the grips with Crimson Trace laser grips.
Between the GP & the SP, think I got the barrel length question covered.
Own other handguns,but if was limited to one...it would be a .357 magnum.
1981 bought a Blackhawk with a 6.5'' barrel, wish I still owned it !
Replaced it with a stainless 6'' Security Six, wish I still owned it !
Replaced with a 4'' plated S&W model 586....not a fan.
Good quality gun,just not a good fit for me.
Late 80's found THE GUN everybody wants.
Gun store going out of business, bought a new stainless,6'' Colt Python for 525 dollars!
SWEET,RIGHT?
Dang thing rusted easily and pitted,and had to send it back to Colt twice cause (my fault) it couldn't handle my hand loads.
Traded it in and got lucky...for a stainless 6'' GP100 , full under-lug barrel , that's as accurate
as the Python! And it refuses to rust.
Never gonna sell/trade this gun. ;)
As the GP100 is a tad hard to conceal, bought a SP101, 2.25'' barrel.
Had it Magnaported,replaced the front site with one with a bright orange insert,and replaced
the grips with Crimson Trace laser grips.
Between the GP & the SP, think I got the barrel length question covered.
Own other handguns,but if was limited to one...it would be a .357 magnum.
OP
Steveyb1960
Single-Sixer
Thank you SirGhosT said:
Bbl. length would depend on your intended use. I prefer 4" bbl's for their convenience when riding in any modern conveyance. (4x4, Jeep, tractor et. al.) In that length, the OWB holstered gun does not push up into my ribs. For me, that length of a bit more, also balances better than any of the longer tubes. I live and do chore work on our farm and I'm on and off a variety of vehicles every day...the shorter barrels are less of an inconvenience for me.
The 6" and greater length bbl's, stick down too far when worn on the belt. They work out ok in a shoulder rig or "tanker" cross chest outfit, but are too long on the belt unless you're on horseback.
A good compromise if you prefer a longer bbl. is a 5". I have a Smith M27 in that length, as well as a cpl. Rugers at 5-1/2" and it's just possible to carry them in an OWB holster without the gun poking up into my short ribs.
If it's a range gun only, then any bbl. length is possible, the longer ones offering a greater inter-sight distance with some increased accuracy. In my use, however, I find no real accuracy difference between Ruger's 4-5/8" and 5-1/2" bbls out to 50 yds. I do see some improvement when shooting a 6-1/2" bbl. however, but not much.
Best Regards, YMMv, Rod
The 6" and greater length bbl's, stick down too far when worn on the belt. They work out ok in a shoulder rig or "tanker" cross chest outfit, but are too long on the belt unless you're on horseback.
A good compromise if you prefer a longer bbl. is a 5". I have a Smith M27 in that length, as well as a cpl. Rugers at 5-1/2" and it's just possible to carry them in an OWB holster without the gun poking up into my short ribs.
If it's a range gun only, then any bbl. length is possible, the longer ones offering a greater inter-sight distance with some increased accuracy. In my use, however, I find no real accuracy difference between Ruger's 4-5/8" and 5-1/2" bbls out to 50 yds. I do see some improvement when shooting a 6-1/2" bbl. however, but not much.
Best Regards, YMMv, Rod
The Happy Kaboomer
Single-Sixer
Buy whatever you like. Our opinions should have no bearing.
4" 686 S&W 357 is perfect for ME...... Go with your preference.
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