Looking to purchase a revolver

Buddy of mine has a ruger .357.. I have shot it, and want one. He has the ruger gp100, 4" barrel. Anyone have one?

I handled one today, only in 6" barrel. Any pros/cons from 4" to 6"?

 

6" might have just a little less muzzle flip. You will have a little more velocity out of the 6". 4" would be easier as a carry weapon if you have a CCW. I would shoot both of them first before you buy though. You may like the weight of one more than the other.

 

I have shot his. No where can i rent a 6" barrel. Weight is about the same, can't ccw here.

 

Oh yea. Good 'ol NJ. I have shot a both of the barrel lengths in a .357 but not the same model. One is a S&W K frame and the other was a Higway Patrolman. I personally shot better with the 6" gun.

 

Ill have to see if i can shoot his again. Im pretty proficiant with my glocks. There a 4.5" barrel. I just want something a little bigger. Don't know if 6" is too big.

 

Revolver shooting is a little different. You don't have that tail to stop your hand from sliding up the grip.

 

I'd be impressed if anyone could CCW a GP100. It's a full-size frame. I have a blued 4" barrel. My first and only gun purchase (so far). Love it. Triple locking cylinder makes for a long-lasting, low-maintenance gun. My buddy has a 686+, and while I will concede it has a slightly smoother double-action pull out of the box, the Ruger is agreed to be the more durable of the two. I recommend it whole-heartedly.

As for the longer barrel, the other benefit besides reduced flip and increased velocity, is sight radius. A longer sight picture is more accurate, like a rifle. But I prefer my 4" because the 6" seems a tad unwieldy.

Can't go wrong with any GP though!

 

4" probaly has more velocity than the 6", but besides that the 6" is big and heavy. I had one and my dad has 4" and i like the 4 better. The 4" is the optimum length for the 357 mag. You really wont see much gain in velocity unless you get really long so the weight just isnt worth it.

 

I too prefer used. So many times they will say, "Yeah, I shot the hell out of that pistol, I bet you I put fifty rounds through it".

So I usually buy the gun and his "100 round arsenal".

 

Target shooting; the 6" has the advantage. Home defense; I'd say either. Carrying; obviously the 4" but since your'e in NJ that is a moot point.

 

Ruger

$13 SP101 CRL "Sparkle" Cleaner and Stain Remover - 8 oz. Bottle

SP101, 3" barrel....great gun

 

Its kind of a gloomy day so maybe ill take a ride and fondle some more revolvers. I just put my permit in yesterday..they told me 3 months


Last time they said that, it was more like 3 weeks..lol

 

x2 I have a Ruger Security Six that is a great pistol for home defense. Sadly it spends more time loaned out to friends/family that need a pistol for home defense then it does at my home. It has been a great intro gun when loaded up with 38 Special though.


As for the OP, if you intend to do more target shooting than anything I would go with the 6" barrel. The longer sight radius makes it more accurate for you to shoot and the extra barrel weight helps a little with recoil.

 

I dont plan on doing more then target shooting. I dont even know if i could hunt with it out of state.

 

I've owned several different Ruger Revolvers. My first was a Security 6, half shroud in 4 in. I had a pair of Pachmeyer Grips on it and did just fine. I also owned a 6 in stainless GP100. A litte too big for CCW, but a whole lot of fun to shoot. Not much difference in recoil, but then again recoil on either didn't seem too bad. I currently own the smaller brother, th

$13 SP101 CRL "Sparkle" Cleaner and Stain Remover - 8 oz. Bottle

SP101. Double action pull is horrid, but single action is beautiful. Tight groups and felt recoil isn't nearly as bad as my old Smith and Wesson 340pd.

 

Just the opposite. 6" will give you more velocity, of course.

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

I dropped the chart into an excel sheet and it averages 185 fps more goig from 4" to 6" for these loads, which is about 13% more velociy.

That being said, I agree with this guy that the 6" is awkward. If you ever want to use the revolver as a truck gun, or a backpack gun, or carry it under a coat if you have to, a 4" will serve you better.

I have a 4" S&W 64, and a 4" S&W 686 is definitely on my list. I think it's the perfect combo of shotability and packability.

 

Im more leaning towards a 4" barrel..but on the other hand, both my glocks are short barrel and im looking for something a bit bigger. To bad theres not a 5" barrel model.


I'd love to get a s&w...but ouch there expensive.

 

I'm told they do make 5" models every now and then, in batches for special distributor sales. Right now Ruger is so backordered I'd be surprised to see any new ones coming out soon.

 

Paid $500 total for this 64 plus the same gun in blue (Model 10) at a gun show last year. Police trade ins. But yes, if you pay retail for a new 686 you're talking what - $700 or so? I sold the 10 for $250 to a friend, so I have $250 in this gun.