3" vs 4" for range gun that I might want to carry some day

[CajunBass]

For pure fun at the range, a gun that the majority of people can handle with no trouble, and a certain amount of "flair" I highly recommend the Smith and Wesson, Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece," in 38 Special.



It's a K-frame Smith and Wesson, with a 4" slightly tapered barrel, with adjustable sights, in 38 Special. This one also has the optional target hammer and trigger, highly recommended if you have a choice, as are the target stocks. They are a joy to shoot, Smith and Wesson didn't call them "Masterpiece" for no reason.

They're light enough to carry if you really wanted to. I don't but I'm lazy, preferring a modern plastic semi for that job. But for something most everyone , men, women, boys and girls of all ages can and will enjoy shooting...it's hard to beat a Model 15.

[dgludwig]

For a mostly carry revolver (as opposed to a mostly range revolver), the relatively new Colt King Cobra, a s/s revolver chambered in .357 Magnum and having a 3" long barrel, would be a good choice. This gun has also an excellent da trigger pull.

[Reloadron]

I was set on 4" but:
At least one person whose post I have read opined that 4" was a bit long for carrying in/drawing from a belt holster.
Jerry Miculek won the IDPA Nationals Overall one year with a 3" barrel.

Yes, quite true but you need what works for you. General range use and training grandchildren I prefer the 4" or longer barreled revolvers. I am not Jerry Miculek so tend to go with what works for me and not someone else. While I carry a semi-auto if I were to carry a revolver my choice would be my 2" S&W Model 10.

Worst case if I only had one it would be a 4" which I could adjust myself for carry. While I do not have a 686 I do have a 586 but with a 5.5" barrel, hardly a carry gun. The 586 or 686 is an excellent revolver.

Ron

[Reloadron]

For pure fun at the range, a gun that the majority of people can handle with no trouble, and a certain amount of "flair" I highly recommend the Smith and Wesson, Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece," in 38 Special.


It's a K-frame Smith and Wesson, with a 4" slightly tapered barrel, with adjustable sights, in 38 Special. This one also has the optional target hammer and trigger, highly recommended if you have a choice, as are the target stocks. They are a joy to shoot, Smith and Wesson didn't call them "Masterpiece" for no reason

They're light enough to carry if you really wanted to. I don't but I'm lazy, preferring a modern plastic semi for that job. But for something most everyone , men, women, boys and girls of all ages can and will enjoy shooting...it's hard to beat a Model 15..

Gave a Model 15 to my son-in-law for Christmas several years ago.



He really enjoys the gun as does my daughter. I think of the Model 15 as a Model 10 but with great adjustable sights.

Ron

[lee n. field]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

Have not owned a gun since college days' ROTC pistol team a loooong time ago.

Shopping an S&W 686+, but not holding my breath until I find one.

Meanwhile, to while away the hours, I am obsessing over barrel length.

Intended use right now is range/social: grandson shoots, son-in-law shoots, family friend and her husband shoot...

But who knows? Maybe some day I will want to carry it. And, besides, smaller is generally more convenient.

OTOH, I would like at least the chance to outshoot the guy next to me once in a while.

I was set on 4" but:

• At least one person whose post I have read opined that 4" was a bit long for carrying in/drawing from a belt holster.
• Jerry Miculek won the IDPA Nationals Overall one year with a 3" barrel.

So: would I be foolish to go for a 3" 686+?

I have a 4" revolver, a S&W 19-4. For what it is, a 6 shot medium power gun, it's huge.

For carry, go with 3".

Just my 2/ten-millionths of a bitcoin.

[Ruger45LC]

I like 3" revolvers, they don't give up much speed at all to a 4" and they carry better