Colt SAA Barrel Length Preference?

[Ardent]

Leaving out Shopkeepers, Sheriff's models, and customs, out of the three standard lengths which do you prefer?

I used to be a 4 5/8" lover, svelte and trim, but now prefer the lines of the 5 1/2". I had a 7 1/2" .455 Colt as well that really warmed me to the original barrel length. However, if forced to choose I'd rank them 5 1/2" 1st, 4 5/8" 2nd, and 7 1/2" 3rd. All are great however.

I think I just like the 5 1/2" because it looks a little more stereotypically SAA, like a more convenient original. I also value the smidge of extra sight radius in what is still an easy to handle package. My first was a 5 1/2", then a pair of 4 5/8", a 7 1/2", and now I'm back to where I began at 5 1/2".

 

[david doyle]

The eternal question! So many pros to each that it is impossible to answer (notice no cons). A friend once asked me this same question when he was on the verge of a re barrel. Thought it around in circles for hours and days. The only solution is to have all three in a nice oak box with all the sights regulated to the same load. Shoot em and carry them real regular like on a roatating basis for about a decade and then on the eleventh year you could decide.

or just go 5.5 inches.......

 

[Skinny 1950]

I now have two 5 1/2 inch SAA clones the top one is a .44 cap and ball which I shoot black powder with and the bottom one I re-load either BP or smokeless .45 Colt. I didn't really choose the barrel length... the guns presented themselves for sale in this configuration and I had to have them. I have heard that cowboy action shooters like the shorter barrels as they clear the holster faster but the longer ones are probably more accurate.

 

[okcorral1881]

Leaving out Shopkeepers, Sheriff's models, and customs, out of the three standard lengths which do you prefer?

Well I have all 3 lenghts and I like all 3. The 5 1/2 is very popular and a good compromise! Personally I prefer the 4 3/4 (not 4 5/8) because I use them mostly from a holster..and they are faster to draw and well balanced!
OK

 

[jethunter]

4.75" is my favourite but I like 5.5" almost as much. 7.5" is a bit unwieldy but quite practical for hunting and general use. The extra 2+ inches of sight radius makes quite a difference for longer range shooting.