Getting a new 357, should it be 4 or 6 inch?

[357shooter]

I've always had in my head to get a 4 inch 357. However, this gun will serve primary duty at the range along with my 38 special. It'll be home defense in it's backup role. For whatever reason I assumed 4 inch was what I would get. But I stopped by the LGS today and handled a 6 inch. Wow, pretty nice. I really enjoy shooting tight groups at the range and look forward to running a ton of light loads and a bunch of full-house 158 grain loads. Just because it can, and it's loud... well you understand.

I don't hunt, it probably will not be holstered. It's to be shot 3 times a week totaling a couple of hundred rounds a week or more.

I've never even shot a 6 inch barrel.

For those that have shot 4 inch and 6 inch, what would you get in this situation. Does it matter??? I'm thinking this is a choice between awesome or awesome.

[Blammer]

I'd get the 6" version, because it's hunt legal here in NC. :)

[dubber123]

For range/nightstand use, pick whichever one feels best in your hand. I find some guns actually balance better for me with a 4" barrel, others with a 6". If it feels good/holds steady, thats the one for you. Enjoy the new toy. :)

[462]

I'd go with the 6-incher.

[357shooter]

Since you do not plan on hunting and carry is not an issue I would suggest this one ! :)

Jerry

4" 27-2
http://www.fototime.com/4A5244259BD0235/orig.jpg

Beautiful gun, looks very "collectible"! (expensive)

[pmeisel]

I have a 6" model 19 and a 4" Python. Love them both but the extra sight radius of the 19 is nice for ranges outside 25 yards. I am comfortable hunting out to about 80 yards with it.

[MT Gianni]

I have owned 357's from 2 1/2" to 6". For your expected use either will work. I like a 4" but go with what fits you best.

[spqrzilla]

Go with whichever feels best to you when holding the pistol. There is probably little practical difference in velocity.

[Bullshop]

My response will really have no place here but I simply must toot my 357 horn of joy or I may explode.
This year I got the 357 I have wanted for a long time, a 7.5" Ruger Bisley model.
It is my current revolver joy as it shoots extremely well and is dimensionally spot on for cylender throat diameter.
It handles very heavy loads without issue. My favorite boolits so far are the RCBS 200gn rifle boolit and the NOE mold I just recently got from Sweed nelson.
I have shot some outstanding ( for me) groups at 100 yards with the 160gn NOE HP.
With a cci mag primer and 13gn Alliant Steel and the NOE boolit at about BHN-10 employing the factory sights I was able to repeat a couple 6" 100 yard groups with a cylender full.
Me I would go for the 6" or if given the chance would do just what I did.
Sometimes, at least this time Ruger got it right out of the box.
BIC/BS

[docone31]

Go with 6".
You cannot conceal it anyhow. I like the longer sight radius.

[HeavyMetal]

I'd opt for the 6 inch as well.

Any velocity increase is gravy and it will sight better at longer ranges.

Buddy at work had a 2&1/2 inch model 66 hated the short barrel. Found a 6 inch at a gun show for him and did a swap. Bigger pain than it was worth to me but he is now in love with the gun and barrel length.

Kinda strange seeing a round butt 6 inch but what the heck!

[Frosty Boolit]

I have a 6" .357 686 and a 4" .38 model 15. The extra 2 inches of barrel plus the full under lug on the 686 cut back the recoil and muzzle rise.

[kelbro]

I prefer a minimum 6" for a target pistol.

[Tim357]

I'd opt for the 6 inch as well.

Any velocity increase is gravy and it will sight better at longer ranges.

Buddy at work had a 2&1/2 inch model 66 hated the short barrel. Found a 6 inch at a gun show for him and did a swap. Bigger pain than it was worth to me but he is now in love with the gun and barrel length.

Kinda strange seeing a round butt 6 inch but what the heck!

Round butts RULE!!!

[9.3X62AL]

General rule on velocity differential between 4" and 6" barrels--you gain a 10% velocity bump from a 33% longer barrel.

More of my revos have 6"-6.5" barrels than 4" barrels. I have three 5-inch S&Ws, also. To me, the S&W Model 27 in 5" is about the best 357 barrel length and platform ever assembled. My 686 x 4" is a close 2nd, though. Since target work seems to be the primary role this revolver will play, the 6" suggests itself more strongly. A 4" 686 conceals fairly easily on my Large Model person, if that will ever be a factor.

[AzShooter]

Unless you are going to shoot IDPA competition go witih the 6 incher. IDPA only allows 4 inch guns because they say you cannot conceal anything larger. I've had a number of 5 and 6 inch S&Wessons and the 6 inchers shoot better for me.

That added inch of sight radius helps when making consistent shots out to 25 yards and further.

[357shooter]

Thanks everyone. Going w/the 6 inch barrel!

[mike in co]

Unless you are going to shoot IDPA competition go witih the 6 incher. IDPA only allows 4 inch guns because they say you cannot conceal anything larger. I've had a number of 5 and 6 inch S&Wessons and the 6 inchers shoot better for me.

That added inch of sight radius helps when making consistent shots out to 25 yards and further.

ONE MORE REASON TO NOT SHOOT IDPA.

stupid people with stupid rules

[9.3X62AL]

ONE MORE REASON TO NOT SHOOT IDPA.

stupid people with stupid rules

Mike, you shouldn't hold back and equivocate like this. It's bad for one's health. :)

[sundog]

yeah, Mikey just seems to have a knack for cutting the the core of matters :)

[SP101GUY]

My GP100 is a deer gun, hog gun and a target gun. So i went with the 6 inch barrel. My girlfriend loves the balance of it, and she is 5'1" and 105#. I looked at the 4 inch, but loved the 6 inch.

AJ

[smkummer]

I probably have 15 or more Colt 38/357 revolvers. For the 10 and 25 yard range use the 6 in. guns get slung into the range bag first. For 10 yard or less AND drawing from a holster, the 4 in. and even the 2 in. guns get into the range bag first.

[357shooter]

I probably have 15 or more Colt 38/357 revolvers. For the 10 and 25 yard range use the 6 in. guns get slung into the range bag first. For 10 yard or less AND drawing from a holster, the 4 in. and even the 2 in. guns get into the range bag first.
Wow, that fits as the 38 snub is a blast at 7 to 10 yards, adding 15 to 25 would be nice. I'm convinced that the 6 inch is the perfect companion to the snubnose.

Thanks guys for the great feedback. (no IDPA plans here, LOL)

[shooting on a shoestring]

Well, sounds like you're gonna start with the 6". Thats good. Then you can look forward to the next one being 4". You will really need both. The 6 inch will rule at the range, but the 4 inch will look much better on the nightstand. Trust me I've been there. Also I think you should start thinking about 2" .357s. You'll need one of those also.

[goste]

Some years back, I bought a .357 Dan Wesson, at a yard sale. It had 2.5, 4,6 and tools. I shot it once with the 6, and a couple times with the 2.5. I installed the 4, and it stayed on until I traded the gun off, years later. My eyes are sorta strange, and I found I shot much better with the 4'. Kinda wish I had it back....

[MtGun44]

If you ever have to shoot it without hearing protection (VERY much NOT recommended!!)
in a self defense situation, esp indoors, the extra two inches of bbl will be noticably
more survivable as far as your ears are concerned.

[NickSS]

Personally I have a few revolvers (couple dozen) but I do have two 357s DA Ruger security sixes. I bought the 4 inch one in the early 80s and used it for target shooting and carrying when out hunting to shoot grouse and finish off game with (I hunt with rifles). After several years I decided I needed a longer sight plain so I found a 6 in SS Ruger Security Six and now use it for this purpose. The longer sight radius makes hitting small game easier at longer ranges. If I were buying a pistol for your reasons I would buy a six inch barrel. If you want to carry it concealed get a 4 inch. I have owned a couple of 2.5 inch 357s and got rid of them for the same reason. Excessive muzzle flip and lots of muzzle blast added to poorer accuracy. They were also no more easy to conceal than the 4 inch model.

[Lloyd Smale]

odd man out here. I prefer 4 inch smiths. They just seem to balance better in the hand and i shoot them better off hand. There also easier to conseal if your going to carry it that way. Velocity differnces between the two are very minor.

[357shooter]

Not looking to carry it, I think it augments my snubbie and will be fun to shoot at 15-25 yards at the range. That's the only place I shoot.

Having a 357 at the house ready for HD is what it wil do the rest of the time.

[Groo]

Groo here
I think a 5in is the best of both worlds deer legal in ohio.
If you can stand price a S&W TR-R8 is a real keeper.............

[357shooter]

Groo here
I think a 5in is the best of both worlds deer legal in ohio.
If you can stand price a S&W TR-R8 is a real keeper.............Thanks, but I don't hunt. It's for use the range and then HD. The 357 just covers such a wide range of loads so effectively that it's very attractive as a target type gun and also to cast and load for.

I decided with the great feedback for my needs the 6 inch is the way to go. I handled some at the local gun store and was a bit surprised how nice they feel.

Thanks everyone.