Just wondering, what would you guys consider the maximum practical barrel length for hunting handguns? T/C's, revolvers, XP's, etc.

I WILL ADDRESS REVOLVERS, WHAT I KNOW BEST. PRACTICAL TO ME MEANS EASY ENUFF TO CARRY AND AIM OFF HAND WITH, PLUS NOT BE SO LONG THAT YOU START BANGING BLIND WALLS OR GET CAUGHT UP IN THE BRUSH WITH. MY LONGEST BARRELED REVOLVER IS A FA 454 WITH A 12 INCH BARREL, WHICH I USED ON SAFARI IN 2009 AND TOOK A LEOPARD AND CAPE BUFFALO WITH. IT WAS PRACTICAL AND SHOOTS GREAT. I AM WORKING UP SOME TOP END LOADS FOR IT, USING THE BARNES 265 A-FRAME, FOR THIS COMING DEER SEASON. I HAVE ALSO HUNTED EXTENSIVELY WITH A 10 INCHER AND A COUPLE OF 8 3/8ths INCHERS, AND THEY ARE ALL PRACTICAL. HAVE NOT USED ANYTHING LONGER IN REVOLVERS BUT AM THINKING THAT BEYOND 12 INCHES PRACTICALITY MAY SUFFER.

I have a 9.5 Inch Barrel on my 480 Ruger Super RedHawk. I like that length pretty well. I carry it in the field in a soft case. I could probably live with up to a 12" barrel on a revolver.

I have a 16.3" Encore Barrel. I do not see much difference between it, and my Super 14 Contender barrels. The barrel is more accurately a 15 inch with built on muzzle brake, for a total length of 16.3". I would say a 15" barrel with a Break added is about as long as I would care for.

When hunting I carry all of my hunting handguns in soft cases. No holster issues.

Bob R

My latest revolver has an 8 3/8" barrel. While I think from a practical standpoint you could still go longer but for me I don't see the need. But I also think gun weight plays into it. This x frame is rock solid partly due to how heavy it is.

THE WEIGHT AND SIZE OF THE S&W X-FRAMES MAY NOT ALLOW FOR AS LONG A BARREL AS ON A TRADITIONAL SIZED REVOLVER. I HAVE A 10 1/2 INCH S&W PC 460 BUT HAVE RARELY CARRIED IT AFIELD, MOSTLY USED IT IN BLINDS AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND WITH A SOLID REST, AND IT IS RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF PRACTICAL FOR FIELD USE.

CW, Have a 10" FA`s 475 with a brake that makes it an even 11" barrel. For me that is LOOONG....However, the accuracy with that SA is exceptional and worth the added length. Part of the Magnaport
Stalker conversion done on that handgun is a sling with swivel studs that make it easy to carry in the field....

I think it depends on how and where you hunt. I'm mostly a still hunter and just love hunting the edges of cedar swamps and beaver bogs. While not common moving on hands and knees is not unheard of. The 8" D.W. seamed a bit much, the 5.5" S.B.H. is about right. Although one wouldn't think that 2.5" would matter that much.?. For hard wood ridges he D.W. was as sweet a gun that ever left the factory. Well my 39 M94 32wcf excepted ofcourse

5.5

I have a old Redhawk with a 5.5 inch barrel that I like very much but all my contenders have 14 inch barrels.

Revolvers- 7.5 inches max. I prefer the 4 5/8 though.

That being said, I have a competitor with a 24" 264 Winchester Magnum barrel, and believe it or not, it balances like a dream.

Anything with a rear grip (encore/contender) 10" is my limit.

Most of my revolvers are 7.5 or less. I bought a BFR with a 10" barrel and am still getting use to it. I still hunt and stalk hunt and find the shorter barreled SAs easier to carry all day a foot. My contenders are all 14" or longer with a break.

My 45/70 BFR had a 10" barrel that I considered to be ungainly with the long cylinder. IMHO 7 1/2" is too short for a 45/70 pistol. When I sent it to Magnaport , I had Ken Kelly cut the barrel to 8 5/8". I like that length on my S & W heavy caliber N frames, and it works well on my Raging Bulls, so why not on the BFR? I was pleased to discover that is the perfect length for the big 45/70. Handles and shoots well, and has a more balanced appearance.

On revolvers I like a barrel 6 to 8 inches with open sights. This makes for a quick handling close quarters, under 50 yards, crossdraw belt holster rig.

For my T/C's I like barrels from 12 to 14 inches and these are scoped for taking care of business 75 yards and out. The longer barrels also help in the recoil department absorbing the punch of the Heavy Hitters! They also ride nice in a crossdraw chest style holster.

7.5? revolvers
12? specialtys