fortyofforty Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 So, I'd wager that since the avalanche of semiautomatics took over, the most commonly carried revolver barrel length is around 2 inches. However, if you were forced to carry a revolver as a "primary" defensive weapon, what barrel length do you believe is ideal? Years ago, the 6" barreled Colt Python seemed to be an ideal revolver. The longer barrel really squeezed the most out of the .357 magnum round. However, unless openly carried, that long barrel is not practical for many people. I would suggest the 3" and 4" barreled revolvers are the true "sweet spot" for performance and concealability. I've got an old S&W Model 13 with a 3" barrel. Six shots. .357 magnum. Ayoob Package. Black T finish. Crimson Trace grips. If it weren't for the six shots and difficulty (relative) of reloads, I would consider carrying it. I know an expert like Jerry Miculek can reload a revolver quicker than I will ever reload my GLOCKs, but with my limited prowess, the semiautomatic is just quicker to reload. Here's an unmodified version: So, what do you think? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janice6 Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Like other personal bodily accoutrements, as long as you can deal with, without embarrassing or harming yourself. I conceal carried a 4" .357 Magnum, an FN 5.7, and presently a G41. Some people find a way and some have to compromise. It's life. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJHNSN Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 (edited) There is no ideal length for carry. Whatever works for you, is the right answer. Edited August 23, 2017 by JJHNSN 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 For me, 2.5". Unfortunately that usually means a short ejector rod too, which slows reloads....so 3-4" is fine. I carried my 4" 15-2 in a cheap IWB years ago and it worked oK for fall/winter clothes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Posted August 23, 2017 Administrators Share Posted August 23, 2017 I personally like a 4" K-Frame .357 Magnum. I've had a couple of S&W 4" Model 66 revolvers. I love them. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gun Shark Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I'd carry the largest barreled gun I could consistently and comfortingly conceal. I'd probably have to go through a few till I found the right one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeorge Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 My carry gun is a 2in barrel model 65 smith which used to have a 3in barrel until I found a 2in model 64 barrel. I find that it is as accurate with the 2in as it was with the 3. When I was younger I had to have a 4in barrel , it's so much easier living with the 2in now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 16 hours ago, Eric said: I personally like a 4" K-Frame .357 Magnum. I've had a couple of S&W 4" Model 66 revolvers. I love them. I hear a lot of people knocking the newest S&W revolvers, but I'd probably choose that one over and older no dash P&R'd 66 if my goal was to actually use the thing and shoot full powered ammo. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBKEITH Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 16 hours ago, Eric said: I personally like a 4" K-Frame .357 Magnum. I've had a couple of S&W 4" Model 66 revolvers. I love them. That is a sweet, sweet revolver right there. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBKEITH Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I have a 3" 686 Plus that I would definitely consider carrying. I have to get a little more practice with it first though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyofforty Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Of course whatever barrel length works for you is best. We are here to discuss. What barrel length works for you? Would one extra inch make it unworkable? Would losing a half-inch remove it from your "carry stable"? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 I have thought for a while that a five inch barrel would be a better choice for carrying openly than a typical four inch or the sometimes used six inch choices. Sort of the sweet spot between the two. And if I needed to carry a revolver concealed I could see a three inch being the choice sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBKEITH Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 I'm sure a lot of you would agree that it's not so much the length of the barrel that determines comfort and concealability, but more the length of the grip. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyofforty Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 57 minutes ago, KBKEITH said: I'm sure a lot of you would agree that it's not so much the length of the barrel that determines comfort and concealability, but more the length of the grip. Yes, up to a point. The barrel length, in a duty holster or thigh rig wouldn't matter much at all. In an inside-the-waistband holster, every time you'd sit down you'd account for that longer barrel. The pistol or revolver would be pushed up and out of your holster, or the holster would ride up off your belt. Either that or the entire rig would cant in one direction or the other. If seated for longer periods, such as in a scout car or long distance drivers, or anyone traveling in a car, you want the longest barrel that doesn't impede your ability to carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 99% of the time I'm carrying a j frame in a cargo pocket, in a pocket holster. I'd love to find one if them 2.5" airweights they released a few years back, just because. For protection, I use .38sp loaded solidly into 9mmP territory, but most remfedchester stuff is loaded soft, so extra barrel length can be nice when using the watered down stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Posted August 26, 2017 Administrators Share Posted August 26, 2017 On 8/23/2017 at 4:28 PM, KBKEITH said: That is a sweet, sweet revolver right there. It really is. I need to get another one. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyofforty Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 They say the K frame S&Ws cannot withstand a steady diet of full-power .357 magnum loads. That's fine. I can't, either. So there you go. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 6 hours ago, fortyofforty said: They say the K frame S&Ws cannot withstand a steady diet of full-power .357 magnum loads. That's fine. I can't, either. So there you go. The new Ks are stronger and don't have the thin spot on the bbl shank at the 6 O clock position like the old ones did. That said, I'm not really keen on the 125gr magnum loads anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkdweller22 Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 (edited) If I had to carry a revolver concealed a 4" barrel is about as long as I'd want. Something like this but with combat grips: Edited August 31, 2017 by arkdweller22 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Q Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I like my 3" 686 For carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwalchmai Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 On 8/26/2017 at 1:15 PM, fortyofforty said: They say the K frame S&Ws cannot withstand a steady diet of full-power .357 magnum loads. That's fine. I can't, either. So there you go. I think the loads that gave trouble were 125gr running north of 1400fps. I use 158gr at 1200fps and I think my Ks will last. When I want to go crazy I have a M28, a Security Six, and a Trooper. I once shot a double charge out of the 28. Had to drive the case out with a rod, but the gun wasn't fazed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJHNSN Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 "Ideal barrel length" for concealed carry? Sorry, that's a stupid question. What's the best carry handgun for you? Only YOU can determine that. How will you conceal it? Where? When? Answer those three questions and you are on your way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevekozak Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 2 hours ago, JJHNSN said: "Ideal barrel length" for concealed carry? Sorry, that's a stupid question. What's the best carry handgun for you? Only YOU can determine that. How will you conceal it? Where? When? Answer those three questions and you are on your way. Is your whole deal just being a dick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyofforty Posted September 8, 2017 Author Share Posted September 8, 2017 3 hours ago, JJHNSN said: "Ideal barrel length" for concealed carry? Sorry, that's a stupid question. What's the best carry handgun for you? Only YOU can determine that. How will you conceal it? Where? When? Answer those three questions and you are on your way. That's the most useless response I've ever seen. It's just a written fart. Restate the obvious like it's some grand revelation, then pat yourself on the back for being so smart. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlockPride Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 I'd say 3–4" is probably the sweet spot for most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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