I confess to a weakness...

SaxonPig · August 9, 2014, 12:07 PM

I love 5&W 5" revolvers.

Pair of 1950 44 Special Target Models.

A 10-7 that I bought new in 1979 and lived in my mother's nightstand until she went home in 2011 and the gun came back to me. Haven't been able to bring myself to shoot it.

27-2s in blue...

and nickel.

How about a British Victory Model in original condition except the stocks which I swapped for better shooting comfort. I load the 38 S&W and have several revolvers in this caliber.

I have others but alas the 5" 44 Magnum is not one of them. Too rare and pricey for the likes of me. Would enjoy having one, though.

lamarw · August 9, 2014, 12:30 PM

Hog, Those are some nice revolvers.

Sevens · August 9, 2014, 12:40 PM

Perhaps it is the fact that (generally speaking), five inch barreled revolvers are excruciatingly rare and I never see them and certainly don't get a chance to shoot them, I've long had some (thoroughly unfounded) idea that it must simply be the finest length for a medium sized revolver barrel.

Part of my thought process has to do with the different barrel profiles I've owned, shot and loved over the years. A four inch barrel shoots extremely well for me, but in my opinion... it just doesn't look exactly quite right. And I shoot a six inch barrel very well, but depending on the barrel profile, I find it to be gangly after getting through a hundred rounds or more, though I do enjoy the look.

That line of thinking has always given me this idea that five inches must be *THE* "Goldilocks" barrel length for a K or L-frame.

I did have a fiver once. It was a Model 625 that I really thought I was going to fall deeply in love with. I did not, actually, and I was in the middle of a weird time in my life and I only kept that revolver for one month and 133 shots fired. I sold it for exactly what I paid for it and chalked it up to experience. It would take some really odd turn of events for me to ever attempt to own another moon-clipped .45cal revolver.

**4V50 Gary** · August 9, 2014, 01:06 PM

I too have a .45 ACP S&W revolver. Neat revolver.

Wyosmith · August 9, 2014, 01:39 PM

I agree Saxon.
5" is my all around favorite length for revolvers. It's too bad we are not heard by S&W and Ruger.

I also have to settle for 6.5”, 6" and 4" most of the time. I like them too, but not as much as 5”

PatientWolf · August 9, 2014, 04:04 PM

That is a good weakness to have. For some reason, I like odd barrel lengths also 3", 5", 7". Unfortunately, I've not really had the opportunity to feed that interest (other than a 3" SP-101).

SaxonPig · August 9, 2014, 04:38 PM

On some models the 5" barrel was a standard catalog option so not particularly rare. Others were very limited production. A 5" M&P or Model 10 is not hard to find. Same with a Model 27. A 5" M29 will cost you 3K+ to land.

PzGren · August 10, 2014, 10:24 AM

Good taste is no weakness.

It would be weakness to part with some of those gems!

RickB · August 10, 2014, 10:40 AM

I've read a few comments that the 5" barrel looks best on an N-frame because it gives the gun proportions similar to a 4" K-frame.
I don't know about that, but I liked the looks of the 544 that I owned for fifteen years.
I don't remember if that gun was Lear Siegler or Bangor Punta era, but it was very well put together and finished and had one of the best SA triggers I've ever shot.

Nick_C_S · August 10, 2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

I've read a few comments that the 5" barrel looks best on an N-frame because it gives the gun proportions similar to a 4" K-frame.

It does.

And I agree.

I want a 629 Classic in 5". *Sigh* Maybe someday. It's one of those gun purchases that keeps getting moved to the back burner.

Jeff #111 · August 10, 2014, 03:53 PM

My 5" M&P from 1947. Very sweet shooter.

Jeff #111 · August 10, 2014, 03:56 PM

Also own a pre-war 5" Heavy Duty. The 5" barrel is a nice compromise.

aarondhgraham · August 10, 2014, 04:48 PM

Yep,,, 5" barrels are elegant.

That's the best for everything choice.

The only thing I miss about a Taurus Model 94,,,
Was that great 5" barrel.

I think I'll start to keep an eye out,,,
For a 5" Model 10 or M&P.

Aarond

.

SaxonPig · August 10, 2014, 08:32 PM

I wanted a 5" HD, but the two I owned were both 4" examples.

I do have this 5" 3rd Model 44 Special.

bedbugbilly · August 11, 2014, 02:56 PM

Jeff - I have a 5" M & P - DOB of 1952. It's my favorite - born the same year as I was and it is just the greatest "all around revolver" that I own.

August 9, 2014, 12:40 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Perhaps it is the fact that (generally speaking), five inch barreled revolvers are excruciatingly rare and I never see them and certainly don't get a chance to shoot them, I've long had some (thoroughly unfounded) idea that it must simply be the finest length for a medium sized revolver barrel. Part of my thought process has to do with the different barrel profiles I've owned, shot and loved over the years. A four inch barrel shoots extremely well for me, but in my opinion... it just doesn't look exactly quite right. And I shoot a six inch barrel very well, but depending on the barrel profile, I find it to be gangly after getting through a hundred rounds or more, though I do enjoy the look. That line of thinking has always given me this idea that five inches must be THE "Goldilocks" barrel length for a K or L-frame. I did have a fiver once. It was a Model 625 that I really thought I was going to fall deeply in love with. I did not, actually, and I was in the middle of a weird time in my life and I only kept that revolver for one month and 133 shots fired. I sold it for exactly what I paid for it and chalked it up to experience. It would take some really odd turn of events for me to ever attempt to own another moon-clipped .45cal revolver. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 9, 2014, 01:06 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	I too have a .45 ACP S&W revolver. Neat revolver. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 10, 2014, 04:48 PM	#13
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Yep,,, 5" barrels are elegant. Yep,,, 5" barrels are elegant. That's the best for everything choice. The only thing I miss about a Taurus Model 94,,, Was that great 5" barrel. I think I'll start to keep an eye out,,, For a 5" Model 10 or M&P. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

August 11, 2014, 02:56 PM	#15
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Jeff - I have a 5" M & P - DOB of 1952. It's my favorite - born the same year as I was and it is just the greatest "all around revolver" that I own. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

August 9, 2014, 12:07 PM	#1
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	I confess to a weakness... I love 5&W 5" revolvers. Pair of 1950 44 Special Target Models. A 10-7 that I bought new in 1979 and lived in my mother's nightstand until she went home in 2011 and the gun came back to me. Haven't been able to bring myself to shoot it. 27-2s in blue... and nickel. How about a British Victory Model in original condition except the stocks which I swapped for better shooting comfort. I load the 38 S&W and have several revolvers in this caliber. I have others but alas the 5" 44 Magnum is not one of them. Too rare and pricey for the likes of me. Would enjoy having one, though.

August 9, 2014, 12:30 PM	#2
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	Hog, Those are some nice revolvers.

August 9, 2014, 01:39 PM	#5
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I agree Saxon. 5" is my all around favorite length for revolvers. It's too bad we are not heard by S&W and Ruger. I also have to settle for 6.5”, 6" and 4" most of the time. I like them too, but not as much as 5”

August 9, 2014, 04:04 PM	#6
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 947	That is a good weakness to have. For some reason, I like odd barrel lengths also 3", 5", 7". Unfortunately, I've not really had the opportunity to feed that interest (other than a 3" SP-101).

August 9, 2014, 04:38 PM	#7
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	On some models the 5" barrel was a standard catalog option so not particularly rare. Others were very limited production. A 5" M&P or Model 10 is not hard to find. Same with a Model 27. A 5" M29 will cost you 3K+ to land.

August 10, 2014, 10:24 AM	#8
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,260	Good taste is no weakness. It would be weakness to part with some of those gems!

August 10, 2014, 10:40 AM	#9
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I've read a few comments that the 5" barrel looks best on an N-frame because it gives the gun proportions similar to a 4" K-frame. I don't know about that, but I liked the looks of the 544 that I owned for fifteen years. I don't remember if that gun was Lear Siegler or Bangor Punta era, but it was very well put together and finished and had one of the best SA triggers I've ever shot.

August 10, 2014, 03:53 PM	#11
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,072	My 5" M&P from 1947. Very sweet shooter.

August 10, 2014, 03:56 PM	#12
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,072	Also own a pre-war 5" Heavy Duty. The 5" barrel is a nice compromise.

August 10, 2014, 08:32 PM	#14
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	I wanted a 5" HD, but the two I owned were both 4" examples. I do have this 5" 3rd Model 44 Special.