6" revolver- too long for HD? - Page 2

Onward Allusion · July 6, 2013, 01:54 PM

It's fine for HD or general use. CC is another story. Besides, a 2" barrel (to a lesser extent 4") will steal some of the cartridge's power.

RC20 · July 6, 2013, 02:13 PM

First I had a 41 magnum for many years that was my HD gun and had no issues with it. Granted I was younger and guicker, better shot and in good shape.

Realistically a 6 inch shot well is leaps and bounds more better than a 2 or 4 inch shot poorly. The +P 38 rounds are a fine idea for HD as that is more than adequate and avoids over-penetration (the 357 round tends to penetrate too much as it was intended for LEO and car-body penetration with enough left to inflict damage to the person being shot at)

And never forget, the gun itself is a formidable club. You may have multiple threats the 6 rounds did not handle, it may become suddenly hand to hand and in hand to hand anything goes and any ting is a weapons including and empty gun gun used to poke someone in the face or as a club. There is a lot of heft in a 6 inch gun.

While I am not against speedloaders do not count on them. You may not get an opportunity to reload. Think tactically and reload if there is an obvious lull, not when you are out.

Also keep in mind hand to hand include kicking, gouging and biting.

Nathan · July 6, 2013, 04:06 PM

It really has 2 disadvantages:

1) The longer barrel gives someone else quite a bit of gun to grab in a struggle for the gun. That could tip the scales some in that scenario.

2) The longer sight radius while more accurate is harder to aquire and hold stable. As long as you focus on the FR sight, you should be OK.

These are disadvantages, but can be overcome with awareness and training.

Enjoy.

FairWarning · July 6, 2013, 05:25 PM

^^^^

Nathan, if some thug gets close enough to grab your gun barrel in your house, you have already failed to do your part and are probably in BIG trouble regardless.

This doesn't count as a worthy strike against 6-inch barrels IMO.

Model12Win · July 6, 2013, 06:46 PM

I pretty much agree with FairWarning as well.

If I can help it the... jerk... is going to be full of a whole cylinder's worth of lead before he can get close enough to grab the gun. Of course that is an ideal situation and I do see what Nathan is saying as a shorter barrel would obviously give less for someone to grab. However I think the benefits outweigh the risk in that situation.

wogpotter · July 6, 2013, 07:05 PM

I just measured quickly across my palm. 3 1/2". Thats less than 4 & way less than 6 so I think its an academic discussion at that point.

Theres actually no "Galactic Rule" that says you have to have the whole gun sticking out in front of you like the bowsprit on a sailboat either. (hint)

ClydeFrog · July 6, 2013, 10:36 PM

I'm not sure of the video title, but there is a great training clip of how a skilled, motivated person can disarm a home owner/armed citizen of a long gun(rifle, M4, shotgun).
It's a eye-opener when you see that low-light & stress must be included with your protection plans.
Real criminals & career crooks want a easy lick and will most likely flee when a possible threat like a large dog or a armed home-owner is encountered but if cornered some house-breakers will be violent.
Many cops & corrections officers call prisons; "gladiator schools" for a good reason. Felons & convicts learn what to do better and how to snatch weapons.

CF

redrick · July 6, 2013, 11:49 PM

I say it is a plus, you can also use the barrel as a hammer in CQC.

Model12Win · July 7, 2013, 10:33 AM

Yeah redrick that full-lug chunk of stainless steel up front sure would be a decent cudgel if it had to come to that. Didn't think of that but it's true!

FAS1 · July 8, 2013, 10:18 AM

While I think it is fine for HD, it will limit your options on how to store it for quick access if that is a concern for you. It's too long for some quick access handgun safes.

horselips · July 8, 2013, 10:54 PM

My carry gun, a NAA Mini Revolver has a 1 5/8" barrel, and that's not too short. My bedside handgun is my Charter Bulldog with a 3" barrel, and that's just fine. Elsewhere, discreetly placed around the house for my defensive convenience is a S&W 386 Sc/S with a 2 1/2" barrel, a Model 29 and a Webley Mk. VI., both with 6" barrels, and there's a Colt New Service Target with a 7 1/2" barrel right here in my desk. All those barrel lengths are just fine with me, and perfect fits for the particular weapons that wear them.

Your 6" Ruger is perfect. Take comfort and pride in owning a high quality, powerful, accurate, reliable, durable and flexible hand gun. They don't get any better.

Model12Win · July 9, 2013, 10:54 AM

Thank you horselips

I agree I'm pretty glad I chose this model of GP-100. Truth be know I was originally set on the 4" model but this one crossed paths with me at the right time and I'm glad I have the extra 2 inches of barrel up there now. It just really helps make the .357 magnum all that it should be imho.

jrothWA · July 9, 2013, 12:05 PM

the opposing person is going to MAGNIFY that length further!

Use what you have.

Ruger45LC · July 9, 2013, 03:37 PM

Great choice on revolver. I think 6" is perfect since I don't carry revolvers, longer barrels don't pose any hindrance to me nor should they. Now I was going to carry one all the time I mght want a shorter bbl, but I prefer a longer barrel.

Ferretboy · July 9, 2013, 03:53 PM

I bought a Carrylite holster for mine from Triple K Holsters (http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/4/prd/133/) and it pulls it up high enough, and allows the holster to move enough on my belt that I can sit and drive just fine with it on my belt, just a little conscious thought to the position of the holster as I sit is all.

tomrkba · July 10, 2013, 01:42 PM

Focusing entirely upon the gun is a mistake. People tend to forget that arms are a valid target for grappling! Extend your arms while holding the handgun. Now do so with the long gun. The overall length difference between the handgun at full extension and a long gun is minimal. It is important that people learn how to handle extreme close range fighting; most people never consider it. There are techniques for avoiding and countering grapple attempts against handguns and long guns. Learn them!

csmsss · July 10, 2013, 04:47 PM

While a revolver is not my personal preference for a primary HD firearm, they have served millions of folks quite admirably in this capacity for nearly two hundred years now. And a barrel length of anywhere from 4" to 6" seems to me to be just about ideal.

ScotchMan · July 11, 2013, 08:26 AM

I agree with the last two posts above mine. I would add that you should have a long arm available for HD. Why debate one vs the other when you can have both? I have a 12 gauge shotgun and a double-stack .45ACP both within arms reach (as well as my carry gun, so I guess that's three).

Primary plan is to call 911 and cover the door with the shotgun. Secondary plan is to take the .45 through the house. However, highly trained professionals have a fairly low success rate at clearing houses with bad guys in unknown locations, even in teams. Its just too easy for someone hiding to shoot you before you can find and shoot them. Clearing the house with any gun is a very last resort. This is why the long arm is superior; because if you are using the proper tactics (hiding in your room and letting the police do the room clearing), its disadvantages are minimized.

One thing that hasn't been brought up yet is a light. Most revolvers, including the GP100, do not have a way of mounting a light. That's ok, if you have a suitable flashlight nearby, and are trained in its use. Personally, I find the added training burden of working with an offhand light, combined with the accuracy reduction of shooting one-handed, to not be worth it, so I run weapon-mounted lights on both my HD guns.

It is absolutely essential that you have a light worked into your HD plans. Don't count on the lights working, or being able to get to the lights, or even wanting to give both you and the bad guys the advantage of light. You need to have a portable light and know how to use it.

So with that stuff out of the way, the 6" is not substantially better or worse than the 4" for HD. There are much bigger factors out there. I will reference my signature for this one.

July 6, 2013, 01:54 PM	#26
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	It's fine for HD or general use. CC is another story. Besides, a 2" barrel (to a lesser extent 4") will steal some of the cartridge's power. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

July 6, 2013, 05:25 PM	#29
FairWarning Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: GA Posts: 1,149	^^^^ Nathan, if some thug gets close enough to grab your gun barrel in your house, you have already failed to do your part and are probably in BIG trouble regardless. This doesn't count as a worthy strike against 6-inch barrels IMO. __________________ Mauser Werke, Schmidt-Rubin, Colt, Walther, HK, Weatherby, Sig Sauer, Browning, Ruger, Beretta, etc, etc....a few friends of mine

July 6, 2013, 10:36 PM	#32
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Home defense training; long arms: retention... I'm not sure of the video title, but there is a great training clip of how a skilled, motivated person can disarm a home owner/armed citizen of a long gun(rifle, M4, shotgun). It's a eye-opener when you see that low-light & stress must be included with your protection plans. Real criminals & career crooks want a easy lick and will most likely flee when a possible threat like a large dog or a armed home-owner is encountered but if cornered some house-breakers will be violent. Many cops & corrections officers call prisons; "gladiator schools" for a good reason. Felons & convicts learn what to do better and how to snatch weapons. CF

July 8, 2013, 10:18 AM	#35
FAS1 Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 541	While I think it is fine for HD, it will limit your options on how to store it for quick access if that is a concern for you. It's too long for some quick access handgun safes. __________________ *Glenn* *FAS1 SAFE*

July 9, 2013, 12:05 PM	#38
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,529	Look at it this way... the opposing person is going to MAGNIFY that length further! Use what you have.

July 6, 2013, 02:13 PM	#27
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,334	First I had a 41 magnum for many years that was my HD gun and had no issues with it. Granted I was younger and guicker, better shot and in good shape. Realistically a 6 inch shot well is leaps and bounds more better than a 2 or 4 inch shot poorly. The +P 38 rounds are a fine idea for HD as that is more than adequate and avoids over-penetration (the 357 round tends to penetrate too much as it was intended for LEO and car-body penetration with enough left to inflict damage to the person being shot at) And never forget, the gun itself is a formidable club. You may have multiple threats the 6 rounds did not handle, it may become suddenly hand to hand and in hand to hand anything goes and any ting is a weapons including and empty gun gun used to poke someone in the face or as a club. There is a lot of heft in a 6 inch gun. While I am not against speedloaders do not count on them. You may not get an opportunity to reload. Think tactically and reload if there is an obvious lull, not when you are out. Also keep in mind hand to hand include kicking, gouging and biting.

July 6, 2013, 04:06 PM	#28
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,823	It really has 2 disadvantages: 1) The longer barrel gives someone else quite a bit of gun to grab in a struggle for the gun. That could tip the scales some in that scenario. 2) The longer sight radius while more accurate is harder to aquire and hold stable. As long as you focus on the FR sight, you should be OK. These are disadvantages, but can be overcome with awareness and training. Enjoy.

July 6, 2013, 06:46 PM	#30
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I pretty much agree with FairWarning as well. If I can help it the... jerk... is going to be full of a whole cylinder's worth of lead before he can get close enough to grab the gun. Of course that is an ideal situation and I do see what Nathan is saying as a shorter barrel would obviously give less for someone to grab. However I think the benefits outweigh the risk in that situation.

July 6, 2013, 07:05 PM	#31
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	I just measured quickly across my palm. 3 1/2". Thats less than 4 & way less than 6 so I think its an academic discussion at that point. Theres actually no "Galactic Rule" that says you have to have the whole gun sticking out in front of you like the bowsprit on a sailboat either. (hint)

July 6, 2013, 11:49 PM	#33
redrick Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,043	I say it is a plus, you can also use the barrel as a hammer in CQC.

July 7, 2013, 10:33 AM	#34
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Yeah redrick that full-lug chunk of stainless steel up front sure would be a decent cudgel if it had to come to that. Didn't think of that but it's true!

July 8, 2013, 10:54 PM	#36
horselips Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Posts: 159	My carry gun, a NAA Mini Revolver has a 1 5/8" barrel, and that's not too short. My bedside handgun is my Charter Bulldog with a 3" barrel, and that's just fine. Elsewhere, discreetly placed around the house for my defensive convenience is a S&W 386 Sc/S with a 2 1/2" barrel, a Model 29 and a Webley Mk. VI., both with 6" barrels, and there's a Colt New Service Target with a 7 1/2" barrel right here in my desk. All those barrel lengths are just fine with me, and perfect fits for the particular weapons that wear them. Your 6" Ruger is perfect. Take comfort and pride in owning a high quality, powerful, accurate, reliable, durable and flexible hand gun. They don't get any better.

July 9, 2013, 10:54 AM	#37
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Thank you horselips I agree I'm pretty glad I chose this model of GP-100. Truth be know I was originally set on the 4" model but this one crossed paths with me at the right time and I'm glad I have the extra 2 inches of barrel up there now. It just really helps make the .357 magnum all that it should be imho.

July 9, 2013, 03:37 PM	#39
Ruger45LC Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 769	Great choice on revolver. I think 6" is perfect since I don't carry revolvers, longer barrels don't pose any hindrance to me nor should they. Now I was going to carry one all the time I mght want a shorter bbl, but I prefer a longer barrel.

July 9, 2013, 03:53 PM	#40
Ferretboy Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: Longview, WA Posts: 214	I bought a Carrylite holster for mine from Triple K Holsters (http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/4/prd/133/) and it pulls it up high enough, and allows the holster to move enough on my belt that I can sit and drive just fine with it on my belt, just a little conscious thought to the position of the holster as I sit is all.

July 10, 2013, 01:42 PM	#41
tomrkba Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2011 Posts: 751	Focusing entirely upon the gun is a mistake. People tend to forget that arms are a valid target for grappling! Extend your arms while holding the handgun. Now do so with the long gun. The overall length difference between the handgun at full extension and a long gun is minimal. It is important that people learn how to handle extreme close range fighting; most people never consider it. There are techniques for avoiding and countering grapple attempts against handguns and long guns. Learn them!

July 10, 2013, 04:47 PM	#42
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	While a revolver is not my personal preference for a primary HD firearm, they have served millions of folks quite admirably in this capacity for nearly two hundred years now. And a barrel length of anywhere from 4" to 6" seems to me to be just about ideal.

July 11, 2013, 08:26 AM	#43
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	I agree with the last two posts above mine. I would add that you should have a long arm available for HD. Why debate one vs the other when you can have both? I have a 12 gauge shotgun and a double-stack .45ACP both within arms reach (as well as my carry gun, so I guess that's three). Primary plan is to call 911 and cover the door with the shotgun. Secondary plan is to take the .45 through the house. However, highly trained professionals have a fairly low success rate at clearing houses with bad guys in unknown locations, even in teams. Its just too easy for someone hiding to shoot you before you can find and shoot them. Clearing the house with any gun is a very last resort. This is why the long arm is superior; because if you are using the proper tactics (hiding in your room and letting the police do the room clearing), its disadvantages are minimized. One thing that hasn't been brought up yet is a light. Most revolvers, including the GP100, do not have a way of mounting a light. That's ok, if you have a suitable flashlight nearby, and are trained in its use. Personally, I find the added training burden of working with an offhand light, combined with the accuracy reduction of shooting one-handed, to not be worth it, so I run weapon-mounted lights on both my HD guns. It is absolutely essential that you have a light worked into your HD plans. Don't count on the lights working, or being able to get to the lights, or even wanting to give both you and the bad guys the advantage of light. You need to have a portable light and know how to use it. So with that stuff out of the way, the 6" is not substantially better or worse than the 4" for HD. There are much bigger factors out there. I will reference my signature for this one.