Barrel Length For Frame Size?

[P5 Guy]

J frame 2 to 3 inch, K frame 6 inch, and L frame 3 to 4 inch

 

[Old_Grouch]

.......... and 8-10 inches is appropriate for most cat tails.

 

[Dave T]

I have long believed the once offered 3.5" and 5" N-frame S&Ws were the perfect barrel lengths for that size. I owned both at one time but sold or traded them off when I got back into single actions for the second time.

All is not lost for you S&W fans. I have a 1938 Heavy Duty 38-44 with a 5" barrel, a 1927 2nd Model hand-ejector in 44 Special with a custom 4.5" barrel, a M-25 Mountain Gun in 45 ACP with a 4" barrel and a 1952 Heavy Duty with a 4" barrel. (smiley face goes here)

Dave

 

[Buckeye63]

Charters XL frame ..23oz 6 shot 357mag with a
3 inch barrel

 

[bannockburn]

S&W:
J frame: 2", 3", 4"
K frame: 3", 4", 6"
L frame: 3", 4", 5", 6"
N frame: 4", 5", 6"

Ruger:
Blackhawk: 3.75", 4.62", 5.5"
Vaquero: 4.62", 5.5"
GP100: 4", 5", 6"

Colt:
Python: 3", 4", 6"
King Cobra: 3"
King Cobra Target: 4"

 

[Smaug]

Small frame for carry: 3" barrel
Small frame for targets: 5-10"+
Medium frame: 4-6"
Large frame for hunting or targets: 5-8"

**************888

I have a 3" 357 Ruger SP-101, and I feel like this is about perfect for a carry revolver. Much easier to hit with outside of a few yards than a snubby, and with a significant ballistics advantage.

I bought my first snubby, a 38 LCR. I think it's too short. I don't feel like an extra 1.125" in barrel (for a 3" barrel) would make it any harder to carry. I don't understand why 3" isn't more popular. Also, even with a fast-burning powder, there's still quite a flash of the powder burning outside the barrel.

I have a 4" S&W 19 in 357. I can see why a 4" barrel is popular as a duty weapon. That extra inch in sight radius makes a big difference in accuracy past 5 yards, but doesn't carry too much of a penalty in draw speed. I agree though; it's too long for CC.

5.5" and up are a great way to shoot accurately. I had a 6.5" barreled S&W 29 that was just sweet. (but magnums shot it loose pretty quickly) Traded that for a Ruger Redhawk with the 7.5" barrel. It is a tack-driver, but noticeably barrel-heavy. I think the 6.5" barreled S&W 29 with the partial underlug was a better choice. Good balance and a long enough sight radius to be really accurate. I would like to have another Redhawk with something between 4" and 7.5". Maybe another 44 Mag, but with the 5.5" barrel? ← I say that, but I just can't justify it, since speed of the draw is never an issue for a 44 Magnum for me. Maybe the 45 ACP in 4.2"? Nah, I already have a S&W 625 that size. (though the Redhawk has a better DA pull than the 625, believe it or not!)

I think caliber makes a difference, too. For example, a 22LR or 22WMR with an 8" barrel and fine sights and a light barrel makes more sense than a bigger caliber in that barrel length. Similarly, a 357 or bigger Magnum makes no sense in less than a 4" barrel. (IMHO)

 

[.38 Special]

Honestly, I think the 4" is the best compromise for most of them. The X frame, though, looks a little silly with the 3" plus compensator. I wish S&W would put out a 5" uncompensated gun, shamelessly copied from John Ross.

 

[csirre]

Always love the look of short barrel revolvers, regardless the frame sizes. Even something like Colt Python looks better in 3 inch, I think.

 

[no.5enfield]

4" is an ideal all-around length on K, L & N frames for me. I like 3" for concealed carry though. 2-2 1/4" is what I like on J frames.