revolver 4" vs 6" which would you choose?

[sunray]

A 4" is too evil for you to own. They do feel much less muzzle heavy than a 6" though. Have had a 4" GP since they first came to Canada, 30 some years ago. Shot bullseye with it for years.
Saying barrel length affects accuracy is an old wives tale. Barrel length has nothing whatever to do with accuracy. Doesn't affect felt recoil either. It does give you a longer sight radius, but it has nothing to do with accuracy or felt recoil. It's a personal preference thing only.

 

[NVShooter]

Silly logic. By that logic rifles would be warping left right and center because they are longer right?

Yes, the poster further went on to state, that is why they sold all of their long guns and were focusing on short-barrelled hand guns.

It takes all kinds...

 

[NVShooter]

Saying barrel length affects accuracy is an old wives tale. Barrel length has nothing whatever to do with accuracy.

Thank you for the correction. The gun is not inherently more accuarate because of a longer barrel. I should have said "a longer barrel helps you to be more accurate", which has to do with sight radius.

Barrel length has nothing whatever to do with .... Doesn't affect felt recoil either.

Well, if the two guns in question have the same barrel composition and the longer barrel causes the longer barrelled gun to weigh more, I would have to disagree on that point, but I respect your opinion.

 

[BCRider]

If you heft them back to back you'd pick the 4/4.2 inch for the balance. The shorter gun just sits in the hand wonderfully. For target shooting there's no doubt that the longer 6" gives the longer sights baseline that CAN provide better accuracy and smaller groups provided the shooter has the eyesight and steadiness of hand to maximise on the gain.

But in reality the balance difference is only really that noticeable if you handle both one after the other. And folks have shown that great groups CAN be had from the shorter 4/4.2 length guns. So differences are slight.

Having said this if I could have only one it would be a 4.2 inch for the style of shooting I do. But frankly I find your insistence on only ONE revolver to be offensive and a personal affront..... and I'm sure that my bevy of wheelguns would agree....

 

[geologist]

For carry, a 4" is much more comfortable than a 6".

It is the reason I bought a 4" back in the 90s and why I have 12(6) (unfortunately) today.

If it is just for range use then whatever floats your boat and is legal for you.

 

[Adam134]

4.2" does the trick for me; It can do everything I ask of it and more.

 

[gdawg]

It really is a personal preference question. I prefer the balance of my 4.2 629 and it is kind of a classic length in that gun. If I was ever permitted to carry for work in the bush, that is what I would take (quite a hypothetical though). If it was going to be my only gun for target, I may have bought the 6" but I have a few, so I'll happily keep the 4.2

 

[Pancake81]

4.2 or 5 for me. admittedly I shoot best with the 6", but by a small margin. It's not like I hit all bullseyes with the 6" and can't hit the broad side of a barn with a 4, so I go with what's more comfortable, and easier to carry. Practice with a 4-5" and you can be a great shooter, no different than anything else.

 

[Pancake81]

Your not going to get much sympathy from the group that you have 12 (6). Just saying

For carry, a 4" is much more comfortable than a 6".

It is the reason I bought a 4" back in the 90s and why I have 12(6) (unfortunately) today.

If it is just for range use then whatever floats your boat and is legal for you.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

4" for me. Much more balanced.

Auggie. D

 

[geologist]

Your not going to get much sympathy from the group that you have 12 (6). Just saying

By "unfortunately" I meant that there should be no 12(x) classifications of firearms and that C-68 should be repealed.

 

[Tengoo]

By "unfortunately" I meant that there should be no 12(x) classifications of firearms and that C-68 should be repealed.

Perfectly correct!

As for barrel length, I like both 4" and 6", although for range shooting the weight and sight radius I think the 6" takes the edge. Personally, I've always wondered why S&W didn't offer their revolvers in 3" and 5" as standard. The short barrel is just as easy to conceal, and the 5" has a wonderful balance. A 586 shortened to 5"....hmmmm.

 

[geologist]

3" in .357 magnum also allows for full extraction of your empties.

My 2" Model 12 does not clear the empties when you push in the ejector rod, even with .38 Sprecials.

 

[kb007]

6" for sure - it's kewl cuz Rick uses a 6" Python in the Walking Dead

I have a 6" 686 and a 9" Super Redhawk .44mag and love them both.

 

[black sunshine]

I have both.
If I could only have one . It would be the 4.2".
For balance in the Hand.
Im just as accurate with either.
If I was Handgun Hunting, id choose 6 ". For the very slight edge in velocity
For wilderness Protection Id choose 4".
Its a shame I cant do either.

 

[curseyou]

I love 6". Higher velocity, more to absorb recoil, longer sight radius for better aiming.

I have hit a 200 yard gong with my GP100 many times. 1/12 shots hit. I have yet to do so once with my sig.

Not a fair comparison, but this is a CGN opinion thread!

 

[Nestor]

Your not going to get much sympathy from the group that you have 12 (6). Just saying

All You need is patience. You can find a nice, restricted 4" S&W, but you need a lot of luck and time.
Just like this one...



If you don't have patience to search for one, you can always go with 4.2".
New model 66 from S&W or Ruger GP100 Match Champion would be my choice.

 

[johnl]

Ask the ladies

 

[Nestor]

Ask the ladies

Now we know where You getting your inspiration from.
Avatar seems to confirm that...just don't forget to put the gun socks on.

 

[legi0n]

I sometimes hit the 10" gong at 200m with my 6"