The "if only one handgun" topic caused me to ask a wheelgun question.

I have a 44 mag. SRH with a 7.5" barrel.

Why did many of you (seemed to me anyway) choose shorter barrels for your overall "only one handgun" selection?

Was it weight/balance, comfort in the saddle, or accuracy that led you to that particular length. And, did you have your barrels shortened afterwards or did you order it that length from the beginning?

Thanks guys.

I have three--two 629s @ 7.5" and a T/C @ 10". Really like the 7.5" for that caliber.

I cut my Bisley 45 from 7-1/2" to 6" just to make it handier.

I chose my 7.5" barreled RSBH due to barrel length. I feel its a good all around hunting length. Its not difficult to pack and it gives just a little more velocity over the 6". I had it worked on by SSk industries years ago. I had the barrel set back flush with the cylinder. I gained almost 100fps in velocity in doing so. The cylinder gap prior to this was terrible. But back to the length, I think its a good balance between velcity gain and easy packing.

For a Ruger Bisley my favorite barrel length is 5 1/2". IMHO the balance is near perfection while maintaining enough sight radius.

I like 4" M-29s/629s and M57s/657s, but the 5" models are perfect in those revolvers IMHO. I can live with the 6 inchers, but do not care for the longer tubes

I like a 7.5 for hunting, if i"m on the trail,4" or 6".

in a factory ruger with irons I prefer 5.5 for a scoped gun I prefer 7.5. If I'm replacing a barrel I like 3.5 and 6"

Too many variables, Rod! (G)

I own a 4" 629 which with the compensator is 4.5 and love the gun, but it takes alot to get the vel. I want, so my loads are fairly stout,By fairly stout 1250 with 300 gr loads not very high on the food chain. Longer barrels will be more forgiving, but its personal, I wanted a all around gun, I prefer shorter barrels

I would go with JWP, 5.5 max and 5" min, although 4 carrys great. Its a tough call, I am at the point where if I need more velocity and heaveier bullets the 45 colt is calling my name, Damn I hate the influence..lol

Find a lengh that feels right in your hands, best advice I have

I don't care for a barrel longer than 6-inches. Just a personal preference.

UglyDawg,

I went with a barrel length longer on my previous selection, but that was based on caliber and the "limited to one gun" restriction.

For me, it would depend if the gun was to remain open sighted or scoped. For example, my 2 current 44 Mags (Redhawk and FA) are both 7.5" and scoped...the former with a 2X Leupold and the latter with a 2x6 Bushnell Elite. However, if I did not intend to have conventional scopes atop, I would want something in the 5.5-6" range for either open sights or reflex/tube red dot.

For a "sidearm" when scooting aroung the woods I like a 4" revolver. For a hunting revolver I like a longer barrel.For hunting the barrel length depends on the balance of the gun. My 8 3/8 629 is great with open sights. My scoped Bisley SBHH is nice but there will be some sort of rest used. If you are talking T/C that is a whole different ball of wax.

I am a lot like the others…
If it is scoped, I like a “Long Tom.” My scoped 44 SRH is 9.5in’s and balances wonderfully.

If it is not scoped it is a belt gun and I like around 4.5-5in.

They both have their place in my book. The most important thing is to find what YOU like!!

This is useful as I'm trying to decide between a 6.5 and an 8 3/8 629.

I cut my SRH 9.5 down to 6.5, handles much better now and more bulls eyes than before. Crown of barrel was damaged before.

7.5"

I have them from 4 5/8 in to 10 1/2 and the 4 5/8th .45 gets the most carry time but it is not scoped, maybe a red dot soon. My only scoped revolver is 10 1/2 in. and is just too heavy and awkward for a belt gun.The short guns just ride better on a belt and handle better to my 60 yd limit for open sights. And at the end of a long day they are still comfortable and comforting. Every ounce counts anymore for me.

If I carry it a lot I like 4 5/8" to 5.5". If the only purpose is hunting, I prefer 7 1/2" or longer in contenders. These I generally carry in my hand but, I am wearing a shoulder holster to free my hands if or when I have success.

6"
I wish I had mine trimmed when I had it at Mag-na-port

I have two scoped handguns, 14" Contender 7mmTCU and 9 1/2" SRH 480Ruger. I think the revolver would be fine in 5 1/2" with Red Dot in place. Looking at 150 yard ballistics, 200 fps in trajectory or impact velocity would be peanuts. A half pound less to pack around might be nice. In the final analysis, a solid rest is the only way to go with long range optic shooting so handling isn't an issue. The option of removing the Red Dot or scope on a revolver is an apparent benefit. This falls in the same category as iron sights on a scoped big game hunting rifle, peace of mind, but never required in my experience. Ruger has no interest in packing revolvers for hunting. The 4 inch Mountain Gun or 329PD in .44 Magnum may become my "back up" in the back pack with packing one of these short rifles.