Question for the Revolver guys and gals.

Marauder · Oct 2, 2014

smdub said:
I have a few revolvers and they are all 6+" Thinking about it the average is actually >8". The 6" GP100 is the baby of the family. 100% of what I do is target shoot w/ them as I've never shot anyone (and hope to keep that streak alive!) Even carrying a 4" GP100 is crazy. Its a tank! Longer barrels will have longer sight radius, more steady sight picture (less wobble), and less felt recoil. The mass out on the end really helps the latter two. A 2" snubby points faster but my paper targets and watermelons don't move fast enough for me to worry about that. Though I must admit I've thought about getting a 2" - the fireballs are epic

Buy what feels good to you and the one you 'want'. It'll be the one you want to shoot and keep, length be damned.

I don't plan on shooting anyone, just a snub and combat size revolver fan.

I have a model 15 in 6",4" and 2". I shoot the 2" just as good as the 6" go figure.

Ranger Tom · Oct 3, 2014

Robert1955 said:
I am looking to add a .357 revolver to my collection. I am pretty set on a Ruger GP100 or a S&W 686 in stainless with a 6" barrel. There has been a couple Rugers in the classified with 4" barrels, one blue and 1 stainless. Does the difference between 4" and 6" make much difference in shooting these?

I've got GP 100's with a 4" and 6" barrel.The 4" is my favorite, points faster and is easier to hold steady. The 6" seems to be more accurate at longer ranges (20+ yards).

Vile Shadow · Oct 3, 2014

Seagrave1963 said:
Behold! .................................. a GP100 in the classifieds!

http://www.mdshooters.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=22492

I don't care much for 4" barrels, but that's a beaut.

alucard0822 · Oct 3, 2014

686 over GP100 any day IMO, smoother, slimmer, better trigger, better grip. As far as barrel length, the 6 will add 2" sight radius, up to 200FPS, a steadier hold, less flip, and less recoil, 4" draws, points, and swings faster.

ducrider45 · Oct 3, 2014

iH8DemLibz said:
3 inch Ruger SP101s in .357 are fun, concealable, and very controllable.

the SP101 in .327 Federal gives you 6 rounds over 5 in 357. But to the OP: the 6" SS S&W 686+ (7 shot) is a great shooting revolver! It is a bit nicer than the GP.

54rndball · Oct 3, 2014

I bought a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 recently, with a 4" barrel. It goes well with my S&W Model 66, also a 4". S&W is bringing the 66 back into production for the first time in many years. I have had mine for over 30 years. The Blackhawk is great, but the 66 is a classic.

trickg · Oct 4, 2014

Between the 4 or the 6 inch barrel, I'd take the 4. A 6 inch barrel makes for a nice looking gun, but it's fairly long. My pre 29 .44 magnum has a 6.5" barrel, and that's a pretty danged big gun.

Having said all of that, a nice old used S&W Model 27/28 or Model 19 would be ideal IMO.

Vile Shadow · Oct 4, 2014

alucard0822 said:
686 over GP100 any day IMO, smoother, slimmer, better trigger, better grip. As far as barrel length, the 6 will add 2" sight radius, up to 200FPS, a steadier hold, less flip, and less recoil, 4" draws, points, and swings faster.

I'm still not done being sore at S&W for that "Hillary hole" thing.

ericoak · Oct 10, 2014

Sling Blade said:
I'm still not done being sore at S&W for that "Hillary hole" thing.

That was a completely different ownership group mostly due to backlash, what's to be still mad about?

Walton Feep · Oct 10, 2014

I have both a 4" and 2.5" 686-4 and a 6" 617. The 6" is fine for iron sights and targets but it doesn't balance as well as the 4". You have to work a lot more to keep the muzzle up if you shoot one-handed which I do often. The 4" is one of my favorite pistols to shoot. I did put a Burris FastFire III on it. The 686-4 2.5" with CT grips is really fun to shoot at 21'. No experience with Ruger revolvers.

Vile Shadow · Oct 10, 2014

ericoak said:
That was a completely different ownership group mostly due to backlash, what's to be still mad about?

Because it shouldn't have been done to begin with.

PapiBarcelona · Oct 10, 2014

Not the OPs cup of tea, but the SP101 2.5" barrel after about 50 rounds of factory .357 target ammo doing non static, shoot and move, drawing and one hand training the trigger and trigger guard starts to rub my index finger pretty good.

jaredm1 · Oct 10, 2014

ericoak said:
That was a completely different ownership group mostly due to backlash, what's to be still mad about?

Sling Blade said:
Because it shouldn't have been done to begin with.

...and they're still putting it in most models.

Bald Fat Guy · Oct 10, 2014

Ok, I AM a revolver guy.

As a rough rule of thumb, 4in full underlug bbls will have a balance similar to a 6in with shrounded ejrctor rod ( sometimes aka half underlug). A 6in full underlug will have a more foreward weight balance. Which is "better" is a matter of personal preference, fondle and preferably shoot the various options to see if you have a preference. In theory a 6in will offer more velocity, but what with gun to gun differences I have had a "fast" 4in that slightly exceeded a "slow" (but very accurate) 6in.

Yes, in Md there is an aribtrary 6in minimum bbl length, but in our neighboring states it is a 4in minimum, and I do most of my handgun hunting there. Of course if deer or larger hunting is primary purpose, other cals are better. All a trade off of an all purpose revolver that also deer hunts in a pinch, or a big bore that require either more expensive or handloaded ammo for casual shooting.

ericoak · Oct 10, 2014

Sling Blade said:
Because it shouldn't have been done to begin with.

So you aren't made at the ownership or management since none of them work there anymore, but at the company name, building, and products?

Bald Fat Guy · Oct 10, 2014

The management that did that sold the company for 10% of its previous valuization, that sounds like punishment.

Vile Shadow · Oct 10, 2014

ericoak said:
So you aren't made at the ownership or management since none of them work there anymore,

That, I didn't know. If you're right, then they all deserved to get shown the door.

But that's beside the point.

but at the company name, building, and products?

The feller a couple posts back said it's still going on. I kinda figured that. :tdown:

Now on the other hand, if they put out something in stainless with a VR barrel, I may be tempted to change my opinion. :innocent0

DocAitch · Oct 11, 2014

I own a number of revolvers and I shoot my 686+ 4" barrel as well as anything that I have. I also like the aesthetics of the 4" barrel. I have a pair of police turn in Mod 15s ,one 4", one 6"and they are the only ones that I can compare.
I don't see much difference.
I can hit a 3/4" paster at 7 yards with the 686 4" on a regular (50%) basis and I am happy with that.
I don't own a GP 100, but it is on my list, I hear nothing but good about them. I would probably take a 3" or 4" barrel if I can find one when I am flush.
Questions of carry, deer hunting, and target shooting I leave to those who do, but the 686 is one of my two go to handguns.
DocAitch

ma_deuce · Oct 11, 2014

Back to OP's accuracy issue. I have S&W M-19s in three barrel lengths, 2 1/2", 4" and 6", and K-22s in 4" and 6". I shoot best with the 4". It's not supposed to be that way, but there it is.

Robert1955 · Oct 11, 2014

Well the decision has been made, a 4" GP100 in Stainless will be finding a new home.

Question for the Revolver guys and gals.

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