.44 magnum barrel length

[neomentat]

Im thinking about buying a .44 magnum revolver but I cant decided between the 4 and the 6 inch barrel, what is the difference between the two? Is it significant?

[Ratters]

6", more velocity and longer sight plane, and yes, it is.

What do you want the gun for? That will be the deciding factor. Do you want a pack gun for bears or a target/hunting rig. Figure your purpose then pick your barrel.

[naimad]

how about the 5" model 629 classic i got one and really like it

[SVTNate]

Huge difference.

Example...

My buddy had a pre-lock 629. I actually just sold it for him to a fellow CalGunner. 4-inch barrel, Hogue grips. I shot 6 rounds and was freakin' DONE.

I have a model 29 with a 6.5 inch barrel. Wood grips. I can shoot 100 rounds or so (same WWB ammo) before I gotta call it quits.

Same with other large calibers. I love to shoot 4-inch barrel .357 Magnums. A buddy has a .357 Magnum Derringer. It's brutal, much more so than his 8-inch barrel S&W 500 with Hornady bear-killers. Shoot 2 rounds out of the Derringer and you'll feel like you separated the tendon in the palm of your hand for about 2 days.

If you're looking for a range toy, definitely look into 5-6 inch barrels. I haven't shot one, but S&W makes a 4 or 5 inch Scandium frame .44 Magnum, if you're masochistic like that

[Ratters]

Yeah, I can shoot +P+ rounds out of my 7 1/8" Super Redhawk all day long. Six shots of regular .44 out of my friends comped 629 and my palm is freaking killing me.

[AfricanHunter]

If you're looking for a range toy, definitely look into 5-6 inch barrels. I haven't shot one, but S&W makes a 4 or 5 inch Scandium frame .44 Magnum, if you're masochistic like that

I have the S&W 329PD (N Frame, 44 Mag, Scandium frame, etc.) with a set of Crimson Trace grips on it. It is a *****cat to shoot with 44 spl and actually relatively managable with Mag loads, although I wouldn't want to shoot too many of them. I use it for a back country/hunting side arm and love it. It is amazingly light and very well made.

Like has been said before, it really depends on what your purpose for the gun will be. For hunting I would want a 6-8+" barrel. For fun at the range/home defense I would get a 6" and for a back country carry gun I like the 4" (and really like the 329PD).

[anothergunnut]

I fired a pair of 629s side by side a few years ago. The difference was one had a ported barrel. It made a huge difference; it was fun to shoot 240 gr 44 mags, not so fun with the standard gun. Of course, some people like pain.

[SnWnMe]

Get a 6.5"

[maxicon]

For a range gun, you can't beat longer barrels, for all the reasons mentioned above. Handling and balance are not as good, but recoil management and effective accuracy are better.

If you're going to ever consider carrying it (as a bear/camping gun, for instance), or use it as a home defense weapon, I'd seriously consider 4", for better handling.

Most of my revolvers are 6" and beyond.

[neomentat]

this will be a backup gun when i go hunting, and i would definitly like to keep it around my nightstand as a home defense gun. sounds like the 6inch is optimal, but 4 inch is so much more convenient to handle. damn, choices choices, they're bad when you have too many ;]

[Rob454]

A 44 magnum isnt the best home defense handgun IMO. I have a 44 mag taurus with a 6 inch barrel and its not really a handful to shoot but its not a .22 either.. I got it as a back up gun for when i go hunting. last time I went all I had was a 9mm and the damn boar charged me and I shot it with the 9mm and it took way too many shots to stop it. I only shot abotu 30-40 rounds through it. for a home defense I keep the 9mm out.
Rob

[Californio]

+1 6.5"

1911 for home

[trashman]

Agree on the 6.5", especially if it's a Smith 29

I have a 629 classic with the full underlug barrel -- it's a blast to shoot, and accurate as hell -- but it's really too heavy to carry in the backcountry (although I did on a backpacking trip last fall, up to 14k feet @ Mount Langley...felt like I was hauling a howitzer on my belt).

To me, the 6" or 6.5" 29/629 Smiths, without the full underlug, are the best balance between handling, pointability, ruggedness, and weight.

4" N-frames are sweet -- but I prefer that variety in .357, not .44. At some point the added weight/power of the 44 ammo just dissipates into muzzle flash.

--Neill

[AfricanHunter]

4" N-frames are sweet -- but I prefer that variety in .357, not .44. At some point the added weight/power of the 44 ammo just dissipates into muzzle flash.

--Neill

Makes for interesting night shooting though

[Outlaw Josey Wales]

Get one of these!