OldSchool64 Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 On 8/25/2017 at 5:16 PM, 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. That holds true for me. IIRC: There's a few .357 Mag GP100's with a 4" barrel and compact grip frame that are floating around out there. I'd like to run across one, would be a great carry revolver for me. On 8/25/2017 at 6:18 PM, fortyofforty said: 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. Good point, but we're not all built the same and carry the same way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Someday Posted September 9, 2017 Share Posted September 9, 2017 I can't imagine CCing my 4in 686, it's a big, heavy gun. OC, definitely! Now to get a CC holster and prove myself wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockzilla10mm Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 A 4 inch 357 magnum 125 grain JHP underwood. I'm sorry...that thing kicks ass on both ends, but I love it 4 inch 629 180 grain Hornady XTP is a hand fulla hell too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockzilla10mm Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I grew up carrying steel frame wheel guns, OWB in magnum calibers...all we had besides 1911s, so I love them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestor Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I would think that 3" and under is what constitutes the suitable all year CC round length, assuming that the grip isn't one of those full size monsters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OV1kenobi Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 (edited) On 8/22/2017 at 11:40 PM, 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. Me too, but there is something to be said about a 4" S&W 625-6 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. Might as well go big! Nothing wrong with a K-frame Smith with a 2-3" barrel, though. This is one of my absolute favorites: S&W 4" Heavy Barrel Model 10-8. Beautiful deep, rich blueing and smooth as silk. Edited September 10, 2017 by OV1kenobi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Posted September 10, 2017 Administrators Share Posted September 10, 2017 20 minutes ago, OV1kenobi said: Me too, but there is something to be said about a 4" S&W 625-6 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. Might as well go big! Nothing wrong with a K-frame Smith with a 2-3" barrel, though. .45 Colt's SAAMI pressure is around 14,000 PSI. The .357 Magnum is around 35,000 PSI. How about a S&W Model 657 6", in .41 Magnum instead? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OV1kenobi Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Eric said: .45 Colt's SAAMI pressure is around 14,000 PSI. The .357 Magnum is around 35,000 PSI. How about a S&W Model 657 6", in .41 Magnum instead? Those SAAMI specs you quote of 14,000 are for original Colt and Colt reproductions, including the Ruger New Vaquero. The SAAMI specs for the Ruger Blackhawk and TC Contender are in the 40,000+ psi range. I handload my cartridges for the S&W 625-6 .45 Colt in the SAAMI 24,000 psi rangeSWC, ad it is a solid N-frame revolver of recent manufacture. 8.5-9.0 grains of Hodgdon Universal behind a Missouri Bullet .453 LSWC. If you or anyone else rightfully insists on links for the appropriate reloading data, I will be more than happy to accommodate you on a day that I have not shaken Evan Williams' hand. Know what I mean? No intention to slam you, but you REALLY SHOULD start a reloading sub-forum for questions such as this. Maybe someone like "Fred338" or "FredJ338" (you know whom I mean because you, like me, have been around long enough) can offer sound advice. Maybe even chase him or someone like him down to lead the sub-forum. Even if you have to "steal" him from elsewhere and make him an Administrator. That would be a coup, if he is still around. It would be money well spent, for the man knows what he is talking about. Just offering friendly and helpful hints, that's all. Edited September 10, 2017 by OV1kenobi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Posted September 11, 2017 Administrators Share Posted September 11, 2017 3 hours ago, OV1kenobi said: Those SAAMI specs you quote of 14,000 are for original Colt and Colt reproductions, including the Ruger New Vaquero. The SAAMI specs for the Ruger Blackhawk and TC Contender are in the 40,000+ psi range. I handload my cartridges for the S&W 625-6 .45 Colt in the SAAMI 24,000 psi rangeSWC, ad it is a solid N-frame revolver of recent manufacture. 8.5-9.0 grains of Hodgdon Universal behind a Missouri Bullet .453 LSWC. If you or anyone else rightfully insists on links for the appropriate reloading data, I will be more than happy to accommodate you on a day that I have not shaken Evan Williams' hand. Know what I mean? No intention to slam you, but you REALLY SHOULD start a reloading sub-forum for questions such as this. Maybe someone like "Fred338" or "FredJ338" (you know whom I mean because you, like me, have been around long enough) can offer sound advice. Maybe even chase him or someone like him down to lead the sub-forum. Even if you have to "steal" him from elsewhere and make him an Administrator. That would be a coup, if he is still around. It would be money well spent, for the man knows what he is talking about. Just offering friendly and helpful hints, that's all. You know, if someone wasn't pretty careful with which .45 Colt he stuck what ammo in, he could have a really exciting range session. There is no money in the budget to pay anyone involved with the various forums, but I will get the reloading forum opened up. I always intended to do so. I just got sidetracked. Anyway, like I said I'd rather have the .41 Magnum. I've always loved that caliber. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OV1kenobi Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Thanks, my friend! I am looking forward with great anticipation to the reloading forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Posted September 11, 2017 Administrators Share Posted September 11, 2017 OK, we have a reloading forum. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt 127 Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 I've had a couple 3" S&W 65's through the years. Traded them off on something I thought I needed more. Currently own two. One for carry, one in the safe. The 3" and round butt is the perfect package for me. A close runner up is a 2 3/4" Ruger Speed Six .357 a buddy gave me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWARREN123 Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Individual preference, I like 3 or 4 inches for most handguns. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dot_mdb Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 I carry a S&W 2" Model 640 nearly everyday. Once in a while I carry a 2.75" Speedsix. I've experimented with a 4" Model 10-5 with the tapered barrel. That style is the only 4" I would consider for concealed carry. When push comes to shove it won't matter whether you carry 2", 3" or 4". Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G26S239 Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Except for woods carry I doubt that I would choose a revolver again. If I did it would be the 3" SP101 in this picture because a 3" 357 beats the heck out of a 2" 38 though I did carry a 1951 production 2" Colt DS for a while before getting my first G26 and was quite happy with it. I chose the 3.06" on the SP101 over the 2.25" because I believe the extra 13/16" will give a noticeable velocity increase all other things being equal and the extra sight radius is good as well. I have considered getting a K6S w/3" barrel but I have really developed a liking for my SP101 over the last 12 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collim1 Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 (edited) My 3” K frame fixed sight round butt model 64 is about as sweet as it gets for carry. It’s no lightweight, but it’s a great balance of shootability and conceability while having a velocity advantage over the 2” guns and a +1 on capacity of lthe j frames. The full length ejector rod is an often overlooked advantage as well. Edited March 23, 2019 by Collim1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibewshooter Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Why are you worried about a Reload, just hit what you're shooting at the first time. Do you ever think that you're going to be up against more than six people? That's the problem that pistols have created, you have 17 rounds, so you can spray and pray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syntaxerrorsix Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 3-4" seems ideal for my woods carry. I've not spent any real time trying to conceal carry a revolver. This is what I like to carry on my hikes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messer Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 I think the S&W K-frame with a 3" barrel to be "perfection" in a personal defense carry revolver. Model 13-3 357 Mag. Bob S. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATCHMAN Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 I prefer 3-inch. Personal preference, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2g Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 My favorite size revolvers to shoot are the ones with 4" barrels. I couldn't CC them, though. I have one 6" but it quickly gets heavy. I'm an "older" female and not real strong. I don't have a 3" but would like to own one. When I carry, which isn't often, it's a 2" revolver, although I'm working on possibly changing to my Shield 2.0. Not there yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borg warner Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 (edited) I had a 2 3/4 inch barreled Ruger speed six with a bobbed hammer and a trigger job that was just about perfect for concealed carry though my Model 38 Airweight Humpback with the skinny service grips and a Tyler T-grip adaptor is much easier to comfortably conceal. I also had a 3 inch j-frame Chief's Special years ago that was a very easy to carry and a perfectly balanced little gun. If I wanted to carry a wheelgun instead of a compact semi-auto, I'd probably get another speed six or else a Kimber K-6. If I was able to open carry I'd pick a 686-4 or-5 Plus w/ the 7 shot cylinder and a 4 in. barrel or even a 2.5 inch barrel if I could find one. This one is a 686-4 Plus, PC model: Edited July 2, 2018 by Borg warner 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdTracker Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 I think that as a tall guy carrying a 4" bbl isn't difficult but all things being equal I would say that a 3" is a good all around daily carry size. When I need to look spiffy a snubby it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointblank Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 My first duty gun in 1975 was a S&W Model 28 4" Highway Patrolman. As I recall I somehow managed to carry it IWB off duty. I was very relieved when we went to the 66 though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armorydoc Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Barrel length is no issue for me. It's the grip length that is the challenge.Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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