9 1/2" Barrel vs 7 1/2"

[munk]

I've never owned a traditional revolver, single or double action, that was longer than 7 1/2" I'm slowly saving my pennies for a Ruger Super Redhawk in .480 I'm toying with the idea of the longer barrel. The recoil on the 480 isn't bad with a 7 1/2", the longer tube will soften it further. A longer sight plane is good. There will be an modest increase in power. I think it will simply be more fun to shoot.

The problem of course, is carrying the thing, pulling it from holster, and just in general having to put up with a large stick in your way as you go about your business.

7 1/2" isn't exactly easy either. There is a lot to be said for the philosophy which states no revolver has any business having a barrel longer than 6 inches. My Super Redhawk in 44 has a barrel of roughly 6 1/2", after I chewed the top of it off. My woods carry guns have barrels of 4" to 5" inches.

If I hunt with the 480 it really doesn't matter much if the barrel is 7 1/2" or
9 1/2"
So I thought I'd ask for the experiences and advice from those who've traveled the lonesome mile with a 10" hogleg strapped somewhere about their person.

Thanks
munk

 

[LHB1]

Hi Munk,
The closest I can come to your question is 6 1/2 vs 8 3/8 inch barrels on S&W 29/629 revolvers. Several years ago I decided to hunt deer, hogs, etc. with pistols. Experimented with M29/629 guns with 2X scopes in .44 Mag. Discovered that accuracy from bench rest was a toss up between the two barrel lengths and accuracy off hand was actually better with the 6 1/2 guns. Suppose I was letting the longer barrel guns sag a little before bullets got out of barrel but the difference was clear and consistent. And the shorter barrel guns are obviously easier to carry in the field. I designed and made a shoulder holster to carry my scoped S&W M629 with 6 1/2 barrel. Works great and is not a bother at all. Much prefer it to carrying a rifle when the shooting is less than 100 yds.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[RCL]

I have found that a lot depends on the gun and how it balances is your hand. I had a 10" Freedom Arms .454 that, combined with the grip frame shape particular to Freedom Arms, always felt muzzle heavy in my hand. My brothers 7 1/2" Freedom Arms feels just about right.
Other guns such as certain Rugers and Smiths balance well even though they do have 8 and 9 inch barrels. To me, muzzle weight and grip shape seem to have large parts in the way a gun feels in my hand.
And you usually can't tell until you handle the gun, and sometimes shoot it. In general, I prefer the longer barrel if the gun "feels right".

 

[ccw007]

I have a SRH in 44 mag with the 9 1/2" barrel. If I had it to do over with I would get the 7 1/2" because it balances better. I really want a 480 or a 454 and I will get the 7 1/2" in either one. With the 9 1/2" it feels like I need a rest. I am going to try some new grips and see how that does.

 

[TMM]

maybe you can try some sort of a shoulder/back sling like the 500 S&W? since you're just hunting with it, you don't need that much speed to deploy it- i think a back-kinda holster would be good. just an idea...

~TMM

 

[Marshall]

IMO, 9 1/2" is too long.

 

[munk]

I've actually thought of putting a sling on it- and throwing it either across my back or chest.

All the common sense voices that talked me into the 7 1/2" are working on me again. What is sad is that no matter how neat shooting the longer tube might be, if it's left behind in the safe because it's too unwieldy to take on a hike then maybe I should stick with the 7 1/2"

I can still see in my mind's eye a barrel band behind the front sight and a stud on the grip for a sling. I may have to get an aftermarket wooden grip to make attaching the stud practicle. Then a sling. The gun might rest under my right arm, or left. Quick detach sling swivles would allow me to pull the gun forward and into my hands for a shot.

Seems to me someone should make an outfit just for this type of revolver. Maybe even a quick release from the sling which allowed the gun to be brought to battery but still connected from a line which only extends when the release is activated. A kind of leash.

You could put this system on either single or double action long barreled revolvers. Heck- forget the leash; just have the sling with a quick break apart release directly in front of you. Push the button and the gun comes free into your hands.


munk

 

[LHB1]

Hi Munk,
One more thing to add regarding my choice of M629 with 6 1/2 inch barrel vs 8 3/8. Have had two shots at deer and two shots at wild hogs with the scoped pistol. All four shots hit. All four animals dead. I don't think they ever knew that they had been shot with a 6 1/2 inch barrel instead of longer barrel.
In the end it comes down to personal preference. My choice was based on actual shooting trials. If you can try both barrel lengths it may be easier to make your decision.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[munk]

I'm from the Desert, though have lived in the Rocky Moutain West for over 10 years now. In the desert it is a lot of fun to pick a distant rock and walk your shots to it, ala Keith. You really can make some amazing long distance shots with a handgun.

The 480 Super Redhawk is lighter than the others. ON the virtue side of the smaller barrel length, a 7 1/2" SRH should be quite carrriable.

For sheer shooting pleasure, I think the 9 1/2" would be great.
But all the reasons for picking the shorter barrel are coming back and like always make too much sense to be ignored.


munk

 

[stans]

I have a SRH with the 7 1/2 inch barrel in 44 magnum. I am thinking of scoping this bad boy. I find the 7 1/2 barrel to be plenty heavy and really don't think the 9 1/2 inch barrel would do anything but add more weight. Barrel length has no effect on intrinsic accuracy, but the longer sight radius improves practical accuracy. I guess if you plan to shoot from sitting, braced, or prone positions, without a scope, then the 9 1/2 inch barrel has merit. But if it is to be fired from standing or knealing positions, carried much, or scoped, I would recommend the 7 1/2 inch barrel.

 

[turbonatr]

7 1/2" for sure. FWIW, here is a pic of my scoped 7 1/2" 454 SRH.