357 mag 5,6,or7 inch
- Thread starter robbor
- Start date
Texas Solo
B.S. High Master
No. But my 6" has never let me down.
Robbor -
Howdy !
I have not shot a 7" .357Mag, myself.
Am am wondering what your intended application is for a revolver w/ this barrel length ?
I have used 4", 5", and 6" " N "- frames for both self defense carry, and for target and ltd competition use. The " N "- frames size fits my hand well, yet I still use custom Herrett's
wood stocks.
IMHO -
The 5" M-27 is the " cadillac " of .357Mag revolvers, not the Colt Python.
But hey...that's just me.
For carry use and associated practice, I found that I could match the accuracy and balance of a 5" M-27 w/ easier carry and better recoil control; by using custom 4" heavy-barrelled fixed sight .357Mag " N "- frames. The first one, an M-58 w/ barrel lined to .357" cal and
M-28 cylinder installed.
What proved even better; my current carry gun... a former NYSP M-520 fitted w/ a custom Douglas 4" straight heavy barrel; and other mods.
Carrying a 7" barrelled revolver can be problematic. After many months of carrying a 6"
M-28, I was much happier carrying the 5" M-27. But ultimately, the heavy 4" revolvers I described proved best for my needs. They are still plenty accurate for both ( my ) self defense needs, and for participation in the occasional local shooting matches.
Again, I am not sure of your intended application.
With regards,
357Mag
Howdy !
I have not shot a 7" .357Mag, myself.
Am am wondering what your intended application is for a revolver w/ this barrel length ?
I have used 4", 5", and 6" " N "- frames for both self defense carry, and for target and ltd competition use. The " N "- frames size fits my hand well, yet I still use custom Herrett's
wood stocks.
IMHO -
The 5" M-27 is the " cadillac " of .357Mag revolvers, not the Colt Python.
But hey...that's just me.
For carry use and associated practice, I found that I could match the accuracy and balance of a 5" M-27 w/ easier carry and better recoil control; by using custom 4" heavy-barrelled fixed sight .357Mag " N "- frames. The first one, an M-58 w/ barrel lined to .357" cal and
M-28 cylinder installed.
What proved even better; my current carry gun... a former NYSP M-520 fitted w/ a custom Douglas 4" straight heavy barrel; and other mods.
Carrying a 7" barrelled revolver can be problematic. After many months of carrying a 6"
M-28, I was much happier carrying the 5" M-27. But ultimately, the heavy 4" revolvers I described proved best for my needs. They are still plenty accurate for both ( my ) self defense needs, and for participation in the occasional local shooting matches.
Again, I am not sure of your intended application.
With regards,
357Mag
Rocketvapor
Gold $$ Contributor
8" DW heavy barrel model 15 I bought years ago for cheap.
Little pawn shop didn't want it and let it go.
100 yds offhand bowling pins.
Not a carry gun.
Little pawn shop didn't want it and let it go.
100 yds offhand bowling pins.
Not a carry gun.
divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
All my opinions:
The biggest advantage of a longer barrel is the increased sight radius, allowing for more precise aiming. Added weight towards the muzzle can go either way, taming muzzle rise (to an extent), or making the gun way front-heavy. Too long of a sight radius can be hard to hold on target though, so there's a point of diminishing return.
Shorter barrel is easier to conceal, pack, and maneuver (to an extent), at the expense of a bit more flip and felt recoil, and somewhat increased muzzle flash. You'll lose a little velocity as well. I don't think that inherent accuracy is affected by a shorter barrel per se - IMO that is due to the shorter sight radius.
If you're primarily doing target/range (other than action shooting) work, a longer barrel makes sense. For general shooting, concealed (or field or action, I suppose) carry, shorter may be a better fit for the quicker handling.
The biggest advantage of a longer barrel is the increased sight radius, allowing for more precise aiming. Added weight towards the muzzle can go either way, taming muzzle rise (to an extent), or making the gun way front-heavy. Too long of a sight radius can be hard to hold on target though, so there's a point of diminishing return.
Shorter barrel is easier to conceal, pack, and maneuver (to an extent), at the expense of a bit more flip and felt recoil, and somewhat increased muzzle flash. You'll lose a little velocity as well. I don't think that inherent accuracy is affected by a shorter barrel per se - IMO that is due to the shorter sight radius.
If you're primarily doing target/range (other than action shooting) work, a longer barrel makes sense. For general shooting, concealed (or field or action, I suppose) carry, shorter may be a better fit for the quicker handling.
10XSHOOTER
Gold $$ Contributor
Ihave a 5" M-27. and a 5" 686 that I cut down. Carry that one when checking the horses. Snake shot for buzztails
Kittitas George
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a nice older model 5", I think is a great compromise. I've had 4" and 6", but the 5" shoots well and carries well in a belt or shoulder holster. Like many others I need to shoot it more, in case a real need should arise, but that is just an excuse to have an older very nice S&W 357 mag.
My love affair with the 357 Magnum and S&W revolvers dates back to the late sixties.
I had a Model 27 with an 8 3/8" barrel. The long citing radius was bonus for hunting which is what I used this revolver for back in the day. There may had been a slight gain in velocity over a 6" but I do not believe that it would be significant. The only issue I had with it was it was not optimum for field carry.
I also had a 5" and 6" in the same Model. These are "N" frame revolvers, and they will withstand full magnum load much better than the "K" and even the "L" frames. So, if it's a hunting application 357 Magnum, I would opt for the "N" frame 6" barrel with full magnum loads. The 5" was a favorite of Skeeter Skeleton a noted pistol craft expert.
The bottom line is the barrel length and model you choose should be dependent upon the application. My favorite is the Model 19 in 4" barrel for open field carry loaded with 38+P ammo. This is a non-hunting proposition. It's a hiking in back woods self-protection proposition.
For concealed carry, I like the "J" frame in a 2 or 3" barrel rated for 38+P with 125 JHP bullets.
For recreational target shooting I like the "L" frame in a 6" barrel with 38+P, 125 JHP.
I had a Model 27 with an 8 3/8" barrel. The long citing radius was bonus for hunting which is what I used this revolver for back in the day. There may had been a slight gain in velocity over a 6" but I do not believe that it would be significant. The only issue I had with it was it was not optimum for field carry.
I also had a 5" and 6" in the same Model. These are "N" frame revolvers, and they will withstand full magnum load much better than the "K" and even the "L" frames. So, if it's a hunting application 357 Magnum, I would opt for the "N" frame 6" barrel with full magnum loads. The 5" was a favorite of Skeeter Skeleton a noted pistol craft expert.
The bottom line is the barrel length and model you choose should be dependent upon the application. My favorite is the Model 19 in 4" barrel for open field carry loaded with 38+P ammo. This is a non-hunting proposition. It's a hiking in back woods self-protection proposition.
For concealed carry, I like the "J" frame in a 2 or 3" barrel rated for 38+P with 125 JHP bullets.
For recreational target shooting I like the "L" frame in a 6" barrel with 38+P, 125 JHP.
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
GP100 6" 357 7shot
ISS
Gold $$ Contributor
I used to drive up to Salmon, ID, to visit Elmer Keith. One conversation centered around barrel lengths in a 357. He believed that a 357 generated its' power thru velocity, not bullet weight. Longer barrels were the answer to him. THE load was the one the FBI got in the late 1930's. 125gr JHP at about 1600fps. They wanted to shoot thru cars.
I sometimes carry a Glock 34 that I rebarreled to 357 SIG. It's the 21st century version, and it holds 15 rounds. But, I digress. I have a 6" barreled 27-2 that has the action tuned.
ISS
I sometimes carry a Glock 34 that I rebarreled to 357 SIG. It's the 21st century version, and it holds 15 rounds. But, I digress. I have a 6" barreled 27-2 that has the action tuned.
ISS
I just wish that there was a consensus on barrel length for reloading information out there.
Example would be between Sierra with a 5.64" barrel and Hodgdon with a 10" barrel for their perspective loading manuals.
Obviously the swing in velocities is quite great!!
Is there a published difference in velocity for given inch in barrel length?
Berger did a fairly straight forward example of this in their manual with +/- velocity per inch of barrel length.
Alas, they don't make pistol bullets, and hence don't have that data.
Example would be between Sierra with a 5.64" barrel and Hodgdon with a 10" barrel for their perspective loading manuals.
Obviously the swing in velocities is quite great!!
Is there a published difference in velocity for given inch in barrel length?
Berger did a fairly straight forward example of this in their manual with +/- velocity per inch of barrel length.
Alas, they don't make pistol bullets, and hence don't have that data.
The problem with load data is how they test. Some are using universal rec and test barrel. They will ALWAYS show higher velocity. While other actually use a revolver. The test barrel will usually give at least 25% more velocity than an actual revolver. Speer data is usually the most accurate for vel as they use a revolver to test
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