.357 Magnum, 2", 4", 6" Muzzle energy.

[GunnerMichael]

I have recently been setting my sights on a .357 Magnum wheel gun. The rumor is that with a longer barrel you get more muzzle energy/velocity out of a gun.

I have also been told that the barrel length doesn't matter, the muzzle energy is the same and the only benefit of a longer barrel is better aim and balance.

I want a shorter barrel for concelabilitey but not if a .357 mag snubby has the same power as a .38 special because of the short barrel.

My question is, which one of the above hypotheses is correct.

[Dannicus]

It's no rumor.

Until you approach Jack Nicholson's Joker barrel lengths.

[manywelps]

The rumor is that with a longer barrel you get more muzzle energy/velocity out of a gun.

That's not a rumor, that's correct.

I have also been told that the barrel length doesn't matter, the muzzle energy is the same

No

benefit of a longer barrel is better aim and balance.

Yes.

I want a shorter barrel for concelabilitey but not if a .357 mag snubby has the same power as a .38 special because of the short barrel.

Don't CCW a revolver. Autos are better in every case.

[Dannicus]

Don't CCW a revolver. Autos are better in every case.

Some people prefer revolvers despite generally being lower capacity and slower to reload.

[Captiontom]

check out shootingthebull410 on youtube. He does nice standardized ballistic gel test shooting defensive ammo from short barreled carry pistols. You would be surprised to find that your favorite gold dot doesn't work that well out of a 3 inch barrel

[Gottmituns]

Forget the revolver:

[SloChicken]

look here for muzzle energy facts for your 357.

And no, semi-autos are not better for every occasion.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

[SloChicken]

look here for muzzle energy facts for your 357.

And no, semi-autos are not better for every occasion.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

PS nice Coonan !!!

still, you do know that isn't playin' fair though.

[Tank 57]

I have a 2 inch S&W 640 in .357Mag.Loud and unpleasant to shoot.

Longer barrel with it's weight helps with recoil and recovery.Also reduces muzzle blast and sound.

My 4 inch 586 is much nicer to shoot.

[Dannicus]

I want a shorter barrel for concelabilitey but not if a .357 mag snubby has the same power as a .38 special because of the short barrel.

.357 is still substantially more powerful out of a snub... as long as you can effectively put it on target.

[RedFord150]

Not sure just how small you want to go. An S&W airweight can be downright punishing to shoot in .357 mag. Most guys end up loading .38 or .38 + P on those.
If you really want to load .357 mag, I would go a little bigger with at least a 3" barrel.
Just my .02...

[MoltoMario]

I went with A 3" sp101. It seemed to be to be the best Compromise between size, weight and shootability. Dont get me wrong. 125gr .357mags are still not fun though my SP101. But it is manageable.

[Raider888]

Smith&Wessom 19-4 02.jpg

[floogy]

Forget the revolver:

So pretty, want to touch. I grew up looking at pictures of this gun. I was too young when it was fairly affordable. Now that I can buy affordable guns this one is yet again out of reach. Oh well, I still have a modest collection.

[Khromo]

Shooting 125 grain .357 ammo out of a 2" barrel revolver, on a square range in bright sunlight with good ear protection, is a slightly rough ride for most shooters. I've seen it bring tears to a shooter's eyes and instantly infect them with a full-body flinch!

Shooting 125 grain .357 ammo out of a 2"barrel revolver, indoors, with no ear protection, in the dark, can be a life-changing event. Muzzle blast and muzzle flash can be stupefying, even to a shooter experiencing a massive adrenaline dump.

Most .357 ammo needs a longer barrel to allow most of the powder to burn before the bullet exits the barrel. Very fast burning powders can probably mitigate this to some degree, and I'd like to try some of Speer's "Short Barrel" loads, if they ever become available again.

As far as whomever told you that barrel length doesn't matter, and muzzle energy is the same in revolver barrels of different lengths, I'd make a point of questioning anything else you hear from that particular source!