357 revolver length

The new Colts have MIM parts. Less so in the Python as the hammer and trigger are not MIM but there's still some inside where you can't see it. In my experience MIM is fine. Some are subject to infant mortality but if it shoots and lasts the first couple range sessions you are most likely not going to have a problem...

Unless Bubba got into it and polished the MIM parts past their case hardening. But from new or a trusted used, MIM is perfectly robust enough for a lifetime of shooting.
 
MIM parts!!! What!!! Don't revolvers spontaneously blow up when they have MIM parts in them!!! Yikes!!!
 
No rhyme or reason... But I like 357s with 4'' barrels, and 44mags with 5'' barrels... they just seem to look right.


This been said, shooting full loads from a snub... is just fun :)

0wmeFW2.jpeg
 
No rhyme or reason... But I like 357s with 4'' barrels, and 44mags with 5'' barrels... they just seem to look right.


This been said, shooting full loads from a snub... is just fun :)

0wmeFW2.jpeg

Wow! Lawman III. Last time I even seen just a picture of one was a Chris Reeves(?)article 1977 Popular Guns magazine. Talk about a blast from the past.

I wonder if it's fair to say the newer Colt Concealed Carry Magnum was based on the Lawman?
You know that one from about 1993 was quickly out of production as the Colt CEO vowed to stop all civilian sales of handguns because the pigs were fat from government sales due to the busy sandbox.
 
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The 4" is usually everyone's favorite but you didn't mentioned if you have 12-6. . You won't go wrong with a 6" S&W Model 28.

I have a fondness for 5-screw S&W revolvers and have three pre-M 27's in 5", 6 1/2" and 8 3/8". . Also two Highway Patrolman in 4" M28-2 and 6" M28 no dash. .

Here's a photo of the three pre M-27's. The 5" is wearing walnut cokes.

BPHoHVV.jpg


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4 inch gp100, is the only one I need. 6 inch heavier than I like. been shooting the gp since it came out. smiths quality control went downhill, for a while anyways.
 
I love snubbies but don't have the right "permission" to own them legally. So I guess my favorite is the 4.25" guns. Plenty of power with nice balance. 6" and longer guns don't feel right at all to me. They are nice off a rest shooting at 100+m though!
 
As any of you know I’m considering buying a 357 revolver . I will probably only buy one in this caliber as it shoots .38 as well . So my question for you revolver Gurus is this .
What barrel length should I focus on as I’m wanting it for SHTF ,Combat in case of a SHTF senario , Home Defense and possibly Target Competition ? Is there a happy medium ?
Thank You
Leavenworth

I've always found that shorter barrelled revolvers balance better for aiming purposes. Target shooting, my 4.2 GP100 is fine inside 50m, as is my 5" full underlug 629. A revolver that has a longer barrel than 5.5" just doesn't look right to my eyes.

The whole shtf/combat stuff I'll leave for the video gamers to reply to. My only experience is at the range.
 
For a SHTF revolver, I would argue that it would be hard to beat a S and W TRR8. I recently bought one in the EE. 8-round .357, scandium N frame with 5”. Perfect balance IMO and weighs less than a smaller-frame 4” revolver. And since it’s Performance Centre tuned, it’s butter smooth and crazy accurate. Upper and lower accessory rails for optics/light/laser. And a great MadMax look about it that screams end-of-the-world lol. Cheers!

Sounds about right. Myself I own a Heavy Duty 38 Spl circa 1940 with it's factory fixed sight in five inch barrel. And a Model 629 DX Classic with five inch full lug barrel.
There's something just about right in balance the S&W N frame and a 5 inch pipe.
 
I have owned 2", 2.5", 2.75", 3". 4" and 6" barreled revolvers. I liked them all, but I have never owned a 3.5" S&W Model 27 and I think that is a great barrel length on a great gun. I have missed out on a couple of them over the years, but I would take that over a 4" Python any day.
 
I know they aren't made anymore but the Colt Model 3-5-7 is a real sleeper. No barrel lug of any kind hence feels like a shorter barrel in artificial kind of way.
It's got the hand fitted internal lockwork of the Python but without the added cost. Accepts any grip will fit on a Python too.
Superb SA trigger breaks like a glass rod.
If you have seen one it's got two types of blueing finish. Cylinder flutes, front of frame strap underneath of barrel to behind trigger guard is subdued blueing. Same as over the top strap. Everywhere else typical shiny blue finish.
That's very forward thinking for Colt in 1956.
 
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