Best barrel length

[chuck83]

Hey guys

I'm still a little new at shooting. I just ordered a .357 cattleman with a 4 3/4 barrel. My question is: is a longer barrel better? I see lots of the shorter but I've also seen quite a few 6" and 7". Is it all based on velocity or mostly just pref?

Tks
chuck

 

[bollox]

sight radius and what you are using it for come into play also.

 

[mmattockx]

Typically longer is better, it gives higher velocities and a longer sight radius, which makes accurate shooting much easier. Length is also determined by the use, as noted by bollox. For some uses the advantages of the shorter barrel override the above points for the longer barrel.

Mark

 

[chuck83]

so for plinking at the range a 4 3/4 barrel should do just fine then?

 

[MTF]

Some years ago one of the US gun magazines did a study of .357 velocity/energy variation with barrel length. As I recall, the 6" barrel was best. But if you're plinking and not hunting, it hardly makes a difference.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

If the gun isn't accurate with a 4 3/4" barrel, its not because of the barrel length.

 

[t-star]

do you know what the MOST POPULAR handgun was BEFORE c-68?- the one everyone carried ?- the 38/357 in 4 inch- that's the reason 4 inches and under are prohibited- and most automatics are 5 or so- 6and longer were "considered " to be for the "target "people -or scopes- therefore, the most versitile bbl length has to be as close to 4 inch as you can get- now b/c it's a 44, i like a little more steel up front so i've got a 5,5