Pros and cons of an 8" barrel

[dickydalton]

My 29-5 is OK.

 

[Tallball]

My longer-barreled handguns aren't inherently more accurate, but the longer sight radius helps me shoot them more accurately.

I like some of my long-barreled handguns a lot, and some not as much. It depends on their size and balance.

The 7.5" Ruger single-actions balance well for me and I like them a lot. I don't like the 8 3/8" K-frame - it balances poorly for me. The 9" or 9.5" SRH isn't so bad. The recoil is sure minimal for a 44 magnum.

I wouldn't go longer than 6" if I had to tote it around much, but for sitting still and shooting the longer barrels do help my accuracy. YMMV.

This is the centerfire handgun I shoot the best:

Super Blackhawk

• Tallball
• Nov 23, 2017

 

[crestoncowboy]

If I need more than 4" or 5" I'd just as soon carry a small compact rifle. But that's just me, I'm not a serious handgun hunter. But if I just had to hunt with a handgun, I'd want 6" minimum and can see advantages to longer barrels.

I got to that point myself. Handgun season is rifle season. My Remington 700 in 257 weighs 7.5 lbs. I'm not going to carry a 5.5 lb 460 anymore. I'll save them for target and maybe bigger game someday. Its pointless for whitetail.

I shoot almost exclusively two-handed. I will be hunting deer,

I do deer hunt with mine, and have for 20+ years.

Like I said, I used to think I needed 7-10 inch barrels. But then questioned it. With the gun out the deer drops its head and you wait....that barrel and weight gets old holding it waiting for a shot. (and I bench over 300 and lift every other day, I'm not particularly weak). And when hunting you most likely won't be shooting past 75-100 yards. If your missing with a 4 inch barrel you are likely missing with an 8.

Deer don't care about velocity at 100 yards either. I used to think my 10mm had to be a 200 grain bullet running 12-1250 fps. My 44 mag had to be a 240 xtp at a max load of win 296. Since then I've taken whitetail with cast 240s over 44 special level loads of unique and same for 10mm.

If your shooting 800 yards at a deer then sure, heavy bone breaking bullets at high speed. But it takes very very little to kill a big whitetail inside of handgun range for most any handgun hunter.

 

[jar]

The Pro is it is 8" long.
The Con is it is 8" long.

 

[halfmoonclip]

That is, the long sight radius magnifies every little misalignment so that I feel like I don't know what I'm doing - but when I remember to just hold and squeeze, it's enormously rewarding. (Of course, when I chase the sights and grab at the trigger, it's enormously educational...)

I have this problem with red dot optics; all my jiggles are on full display, and then I poke the trigger and cause a miss. I'd like to use optics, but thus far, I have to avoid them.
Moon

 

[crestoncowboy]

I have this problem with red dot optics; all my jiggles are on full display, and then I poke the trigger and cause a miss. I'd like to use optics, but thus far, I have to avoid them.
Moon

I have a leupold handgun scope on a 22/45. I believe it goes to 7x. Lol. When people think they are holding their handgun still I get that gun out and let them try to hold it on anything 50 yards or more away.....

 

[doubleh]

I'm probably the forum wierd-o. I really like 7 1/2 and 8" barreled revolvers and single shot rifles. The long barreled handguns are a little bit of a PIA to carry around but I no longer do that.

 

[Barmcd]

I have this problem with red dot optics; all my jiggles are on full display, and then I poke the trigger and cause a miss. I'd like to use optics, but thus far, I have to avoid them.
Moon

I'm not a red dot fan for that very reason. I do like the holographic sights, but not the price.

 

[LV Gun]

I wondered the same. So, I bought a no dash 586 8-3/8” with a 4 position front sight which I dialed in for 25, 100, 150, 200 yards. It’s both a challenge and super fun at the range. Shooting standing, unsupported while ringing steel or breaking clays way out there gets a lot of people ooohing and aweing.

View attachment 1180708

Love that 8 inch 586 I have a 586 - 6 inch which I really like. May just have to find one now after seeing yours or get a new Taurus 357 Raging Hunter 8inch take good care of that gem.

 

[Rodfac]

Back in my robust 30's, I owned an 8-3/8" bbl'd Smith M-57 that was delightfully accurate, producing tight little 6-shot clusters at 50 yds....but............was God awful to carry in ANY rig...even the cross chest tanker type then available. Even for range use, it was about as specialized as a golfer's putter, and about as handy to pack around. Loved the gun, but it was as handy as a 105mm howitzer.

Finding a nick in the muzzle crown, I soon returned it to S&W's service dept. up there in Springfield and they replaced the bbl., at my request with a 6" tube. Much to my liking, I still have the gun....new in '77, it's still in its prime, but as I'm now in my late 70's, the weight is a big factor. I love it to death, wouldn't sell it, but it's a safe queen waiting to be passed on to my sons.

And BTW, I found no degradation in accuracy after that 2-1/2" bbl. length reduction. While a 6", 48 oz. revolver will find no takers for CC use, it makes for a dandy hunting gun, and will turn some heads busting dirt clods off the berm at 120 yds. But keep in mind, for any field use, you'll need a GOOD chest carry holster or the weight'll pull your trousers down around your sock garters !!
YMMv, Rod

 

[cfullgraf]

To add to my previous post, in the 1980's, I shot IHMSA Handgun Silhouette. For revolvers, I used a 6" Model 19, I was not convinced I wanted an 8-3/8" S&W revolver. But, in Production class, I used a 10" 357 Mag Contender and later in Unlimited Class a Super 14 Contender (7mm Int Rimmed).

So, I was familiar with shooting long barreled handguns. When in the late 2000's I stumbled into the 8-3/8" S&W Model 2505 chambered in 45 Colt, I'd mellowed some on the uselessness of the long barreled revolvers. I like the way the 25-5 shoots.

I have the following long barreled revolvers. S&W 29, S&W 57, S&W 14, S&W 17, S&W 686, S&W 460XVR, S&W 25-5, S&W 27, S&W 48 and Colt Anaconda. Not shown is a Ruger 7-3/8" 45 Colt Blackhawk.

 

[Thomasss]

I have a S&W Model 14-4, 38 cal. with a 8 3/8 barrel and a Nickle 586, .357 6 inch. I shoot the 586 real good I think because of the heavier grips.
I can't say the same for the 14-4. Though I am still trying. I am playing with Fitz custom grips on her now and hopefully that will help me in the future. There is some muzzle flip, but I also think it is the way I hold and balance the revolver when I shoot.
The nice thing about it is, I can play Dirty Harry all day long not worry about a two-handed wrist held mount like Clint. "Hey Punt did I shoot five or six? Well did I?"...

 

[Jim Watson]

To add to my previous post, in the 1980's, I shot IHMSA Handgun Silhouette. For revolvers, I used a 6" Model 19, I was not convinced I wanted an 8-3/8" S&W revolver. But, in Production class, I used a 10" 357 Mag Contender and later in Unlimited Class a Super 14 Contender

I shot IHMSA for a while. I got Smith to put an 8.375" barrel on my .357 but it was not 100% on hard set rams, so I went to a 6.5" .44 Magnum. A Super 14 .357 Herrett was unpleasant to shoot and aggravating to form brass for, so I traded the barrel for a .30-30.

 

[gnappi]

My longest is ~6" no use for longer.

 

[blackd24]

If you’re thinking about getting into 41 mag, 6 inches is plenty. On a new production 57, I’m able to get 1250 fps about .5 grain below max of H110.

I’m actually in the market for a 4 inch mountain gun in 41 mag if I would cross paths with one. I think it would be the ultimate do it all gun to carry in the woods without being too bulky. Either that, or an older target 38 special revolver. But I do have the itch for another wheel gun.

 

[tactikel]

l Had a Ruger Mark with the 7.5” barrel target pistol. It was a dream to shoot! Good balance, steady, and negligible muzzle jump. All around 6” is hard to beat, for a dedicated target/hunting revolver 8” is great.

 

[AzShooter1]

Smith Model 29 with 8 3/4 inch barrel is a dream to shoot. For lighter recoil I shot .44 russians out of it.

 

[someguy2800]

Pro: you can use it as a walking stick
con: barrel drags on the ground in a belt holster
pro: you can use the muzzle to push buttons on dangerous machines that you don't want to get close too
con: if you carry appendix inside waistband, everyone will think you are a pervert
pro: women might be impressed if you carry appendix inside waistband
pro: can be used as an umbrella if you put a large sombrero on top
con: lightning
pro: longer barrel means more leverage when using the butt to hammer nails
con: passersby will mistake you for Marty Robbins
pro: witnesses will mistake you for Marty Robbins
pro: use the muzzle to flip off the light switch from bed
con: may need to find a longer room to practice dry firing
pro: can fit 2 cylinders worth of squibs in the barrel

 

[Jim Watson]

I had a 4 3/4" barrel put on my SAA for CAS because it looked Kewl. I had the 7 1/2" returned when I found that not only did the longer sight radius help (CAS ranges were longer in those days) but it also shot 200 gr .44 WCF and 240 gr .44 Special to almost the same POI which the short barrel did not. (Gun is a .44 Special with .44-40 cylinder fitted.)

 

[Riomouse911]

I like them all; long (6” or longer) and short (1 7/8” to 3”) and right in the middle (4” to 5.5”).

I have several S&W revolvers with 6” barrels in .38 Spl and .357 Mag, .22 WMR and .22 LR, plus a Dan Wesson .22 V 6”.

For revolvers over 6”, there are a few.
Two Ruger Single six .22 LR and one .32 H&R Mag with 6.5” barrels. There is a .357 Dan Wesson 15-2 8” VH. There are two .41’s, a 6.5” Blackhawk and 7.5” Redhawk. S&W is represented by sn 8 3:8” Model 14-4 .38 Spl, a 629 .44 Mag with a 6.5” PowerPort and a 624 .44 Spl. And finally a Super Redhawk .454.

All are fun to shoot, and the magnums do benefit from a bit less muzzle flip and felt recoil when shooting the same rounds through my 4” and shorter magnums.

I also like my 10” Ruger Mk IV .22 auto. I was plinking away with it yesterday, its a hoot.

Its all preference. If the 5-6 inch barrels give a good sight picture and sufficient velocity for your needs, they are more portable and easier to tote around.

Stay safe.

 

[cfullgraf]

I shot IHMSA for a while. I got Smith to put an 8.375" barrel on my .357 but it was not 100% on hard set rams, so I went to a 6.5" .44 Magnum. A Super 14 .357 Herrett was unpleasant to shoot and aggravating to form brass for, so I traded the barrel for a .30-30.

Yes, 357 Magnum can be iffy on the 200m rams even with the 10" Contenter. But, it is what I had at the time.

One match, I had to press my S&W model 25-5 into service when I cracked the forcing cone on my Model 19 a couple days before a match. The slow moving, heavy 45 Colt bullet reliably knocked the rams down, even on a ricochet bounce in front of a ram. But the rainbow trajectory was difficult to manage. I had to aim about 20 feet above the ram berm to hit the rams because the sights did not have enough adjustment range. You could almost eat lunch between pulling the trigger and when the bullet hit the ram.

I liked my Contender Super 14 barrel in 7mm Int. Rimmed. It worked well for me. Unfortunately, I got transferred shortly after getting the barrel and there were no matches conveniently located to my new location.

 

[Hookeye]

Shot 8 3/8" iron sighed M48 and 629.
They were tack drivers.
Too long to holster IMHO. Carried as a primary in hand.

Maybe the longer bbl can magnify errors, due to time of flight.
But I found em to make me more accurate (due to sight radius).
Just too long for being a sidearm.
6" was a nice compromise.

With newer stuff and optic.......the long bbl proly not needed.

 

[Hookeye]

Personally I think a .357 Python in 6" is a nice package.
Have a 7.5" Ruger .44 mag and have hunted w a few over the years.
But now I want the one remaining to be chopped to 5.5 or 6".
My eyes and hands make me a 50 yard max handgunner now.

 

[doubleh]

I like the longer sight radius and those with under lugged barrels don't have as much muzzle flip. I no longer carry any of them on my hip so no barrel cutting will be done. I either haul them to the range in a hard case or put one in a padded case to accompany me on my boondocking trips. If I were going to carry one around now it would be in a chest rig.

 

[bluetopper]

If you benchrest shoot, you bet. An 8" barrel is the way to go.