Exactly, for the first time revolver buyer a 6 inch barreled gun would be a much better choice.
Graydog
Best first time revolver?
- Thread starter OldRussian
- Start date
Exactly, for the first time revolver buyer a 6 inch barreled gun would be a much better choice.
Graydog
It varies from right up close at less than arm's reach out to the occasional extreme at around 25 yards. Most of the time it's from 2 to 15'ish yards.
And I have to agree with the idea of a 6 inch barrel for basic target shooting. The longer sight baseline length will aid with accuracy. But if the OP, or anyone else reading in, is the sort that knows they will want to move into IPSC or IDPA shooting with the revolver then the 4.2's make a lot of sense. The 1.8" difference isn't THAT big an amount.
The chief advantage isn't the balance though. Although if you heft a 4.2 and a 6 one after the other most folks would say that the 4.2" has a nicer balance. But it's not universal. Some will heft the 6" and pronounce it as perfect. The little extra muzzle weight DOES make for a steadier hold.
I think the Obama years are less in front of us than behind us. The Americans have all of a sudden saw this. Seems clear from up here but they all figured he was going to out law all guns and seize them etc. There has been a 6 year run on all guns in the USA. This is slowly ending I think. So there are Rugers available for you or me to buy and S&W's new we can buy. This has not been the case for a few years now.
I have very nice S&W's and Rugers. I almost always shoot S/A, I just do. I cannot tell the difference, both are good/great. I have about twice as many Rugers as S&W, I guess for a reason. If you have both available in your hand, fondle them and you decide what you want. Both are good, popular legend , wives tale, has the S&W better. Legend has the Ruger as tougher guns.
I have very nice S&W's and Rugers. I almost always shoot S/A, I just do. I cannot tell the difference, both are good/great. I have about twice as many Rugers as S&W, I guess for a reason. If you have both available in your hand, fondle them and you decide what you want. Both are good, popular legend , wives tale, has the S&W better. Legend has the Ruger as tougher guns.
For anyone interested in the ruger vs s and w issue I suggest reading the book on bill ruger and his guns. I read it a few years ago. My summary on the book:
Generally ruger took existing gun styles and completely redesigned for better reliability, lower cost of manufacture by using casting rather than bar stock.
one of their philosophies was to have lower retail prices.
In the case of revolvers they simplified the colt and sw designs significantly and as a result won a lot of the law enforcement orders.
according too the book they are much more profitable than the Colts and sw's. Since demand is so high now their prices have risen into the sw level as can be seen here (that's my theory)
Generally ruger took existing gun styles and completely redesigned for better reliability, lower cost of manufacture by using casting rather than bar stock.
one of their philosophies was to have lower retail prices.
In the case of revolvers they simplified the colt and sw designs significantly and as a result won a lot of the law enforcement orders.
according too the book they are much more profitable than the Colts and sw's. Since demand is so high now their prices have risen into the sw level as can be seen here (that's my theory)
Ruger- used to be a cheaper alernative to smith, iffy trigger and cast frame. Easy to tune springs.
S&W- pretty much same price as it's been for a while (ruger nipping close), excellent trigger, forged frame.
What did Bill Ruger say?
I own both. S&W is the better revolver. IMO
S&W- pretty much same price as it's been for a while (ruger nipping close), excellent trigger, forged frame.
What did Bill Ruger say?
I own both. S&W is the better revolver. IMO
My first revolver was a Ruger GP100 6" blued. I've had a chance to shoot many smiths over the last couple years any they are very nice guns but..
I loved my Ruger so much that my second revolver is going to be a Ruger GP100 4.2" strainless "match champion". In fact, I'm going to buy it today.
I loved my Ruger so much that my second revolver is going to be a Ruger GP100 4.2" strainless "match champion". In fact, I'm going to buy it today.
Unless you're competing in a game where one barrel length or the other would put you at a competitive disadvantage, choose the one that tickles your fancy. Even a 4.2" barreled revolver will have a generous sight radius compared to something really difficult to shoot like a J Frame snubby (which would be a truly poor choice for a beginner, even if it were legal).
My tastes run towards belt guns and S&Ws, so the 4.2" 686 would be my choice.
My tastes run towards belt guns and S&Ws, so the 4.2" 686 would be my choice.
I went the other way- i'd already had extensive experience with the 45 auto 9mm, and 22- so I got RUGER REDHAWK- 7.5 inch barrel, and followed it by the 5 inch model- I figured if you look at the powder requirements( real 357) and light loads for the 44, there's not that much if any difference, and you're throwing 100 grains more downfield- the way I look at it, is the 38 is not much better than the 9mm, and a 357 is just a 38 that's been hot loaded-
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
This used 686 from Epps looks decent:
https://ellwoodepps.com/hunting/firearms/s-w-smith-wesson-686-164107.html
I have four S&W revolvers of my own and love them more and more as time goes on.
https://ellwoodepps.com/hunting/firearms/s-w-smith-wesson-686-164107.html
I have four S&W revolvers of my own and love them more and more as time goes on.
pisces-guy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
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A 6" barreled revolver almost invariable has better balance that a 4.2" version, and the longer sight radius lets you shoot more precisely. When I want to shoot tight, precise groups at 25 yards I'll pick up my 6" GP100, but both it and the 4.2" SP-101 are fun to shoot! For a first revolver, to learn to shoot precisely and to become a good shot faster, I'd definitely recommend a 6" barrel.
I owned a few revolvers over the years and by far they are my favourite handguns. If I could only own 1 revolver or 1 handgun (for that matter) it would be my S&W Performance Center 625.
The N-frame 5"bbl balances perfectly(in my hands), the trigger in both DA & SA is so smooth, the gold bead sight is quick to line up, and the 45ACP cartridge is a joy to shoot. IMO it's a Looker too You can't go wrong with a S&W for the complete package.
The N-frame 5"bbl balances perfectly(in my hands), the trigger in both DA & SA is so smooth, the gold bead sight is quick to line up, and the 45ACP cartridge is a joy to shoot. IMO it's a Looker too
You can't go wrong with a S&W for the complete package.
I owned a few revolvers over the years and by far they are my favourite handguns. If I could only own 1 revolver or 1 handgun (for that matter) it would be my S&W Performance Center 625.
The N-frame 5"bbl balances perfectly(in my hands), the trigger in both DA & SA is so smooth, the gold bead sight is quick to line up, and the 45ACP cartridge is a joy to shoot. IMO it's a Looker too
Thanks a lot... My wishlist has now grown by one. That is a beauty.
…there may be some truth to this as I also find the Ruger's to be very robust all around.
eg. compare the top stap of the Ruger Redhawk 4.2' 44mag to my 460V(top)
and the top strap of my Ruger Bisley Hunter…very beefy
