[Airborne Infantryman]

Gentlemen,

I have come to a dilemma; I'm currently deciding between a Ruger GP100 in either 4 inch, or 6 inch barrel length.

I am trying to determine the minimum barrel length required to get the full potential from the .357 Magnum cartridge. What would your recommendations be? This would be a range toy/SHTF Zombie killin' gun :supergrin:, so I am just wanting to get all I can out of what I buy. Is the difference between barrel lengths going to affect the muzzle energy and velocity to the point where it becomes a selling point for me? I.E., if the velocity and muzzle energy are only affected by 50-100 FPS or FT/LBS, then I see myself going for the 4-inch barrel, but if its a significant difference, the 6-inch is the way to go, I suppose. What other factors must I consider when deciding barrel length, when it comes to also keeping the caliber in mind?

 

[bambikilr]

yes, it will to all your questions, plus, accuracy...you will get the most out of 6" harder to conceal is the only drawback IMO...love my .357 mag

 

[mitchshrader]

.38 2-6 inch, .357mag 4-8 inch, .357max 6-10 inch.

 

[Airborne Infantryman]

Ah, I see. 6-inch barrel preferred, but 4-inch barrel acceptable?

I think that since the Ruger GP100 won't be a CCW piece, and that I want the maximum performance I can get with .357, I'll go with the 6-inch GP100.

If they sell the 6-inch, I'll just get the 4-inch. At least I know I'm getting pretty darn good results even if I do have to go the 4-inch route.

 

[FlyBoy007]

My 140gr reloads lose about 75-100 fps going from my 6" Ruger Security Six to my 4". Using BlueDot powder, much less if I am using Unique.

Off a bench there is no change in accuracy only off hand due to my limitations not the gun.

My 4" gets out on trips, my 6" stays in the safe, and would have been sold a long time ago if not for the family factor.

Get the 4" in stainless and be happy, It will travel much better.

 

[Big Sam]

For hunting or for a range toy, you will probably prefer the 6" barrel. Compared to the 4" barrel you will get an increase in velocity (100 fps +/-). The 6" bbl will cut down on recoil and blast. It's more barrel heavy (the 4" GP has about perfect balance though) making it easier to hit with at range. All in all the 6" barrel is better in most ways except carry. Mine has a 4" barrel for that reason. Both are good. I think you will find the 6" GP a lot easier to shoot than the 4" with full power loads. Both will get the job done though.

 

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

357 vs 357

 

[CTSixshot]

Sight radius is greatly enhanced with the 6"

Sight Radius - The distance between the front and rear elements of mechanical or “iron” sights. Theoretically, the longer the sight radius, the lower the potential for human optical error, hence the more accurate the system. This is true of open sights on longer barrelled rifles, which can have a long sight radius while still keeping the rear sight the proper distance from the shooter’s eye. If the rear sight is too close to the eye, it creates focus problems, potentially affecting aim ( unless it is an aperture or peep sight, which obviates the need for focusing ). For this reason bloop tubes are sometimes used on short-barrelled rifle to extend the sight radius.

 

[fredj338]

I have maybe 7 357mags now, 2"-6". The 6" is the way to go for best performance vs protability. You'll lose upto 125fps between 4" & 6" bbls. That is quite a lot. I prefer the 4" guns for general range use & certainly carry, but hunting, 6" rules.

 

[ricklee4570]

I prefer the 6 inch barrel for the .357 Magnum.

100 fps is quite a bit of difference!

 

[nohocop]

If you have your choice between 357 mag vs. 38 spcl in a 2-inch revolver, if you like big calibers, why not choose 357 mag every time?

 

[8X8]

I own 3” and 6” 686+’s. If I could do it over I would keep the 3” and would get a 7” 686+ with the unfluted cylinder and the nice 3-5-7 wood grips. The grips and unfluted cylinders are only a available on the 3-5-7 series which designates the revolvers that only come in 3”, 5” and 7” full lug barrels. Just so I could squeeze maximum velocity from a cartridge that is very barrel length dependent. Plus the 7” fits perfectly in a 6.5” a N frame side armor holster I have. The cylinders are longer on the 686’s than they are on the 610. A truly perfect fit for both guns really. I used to see new 8 3/8” half lug barrels around and I slept while they were snatched up.

 

[Railsplitter]

Gentlemen,

I have come to a dilemma; I'm currently deciding between a Ruger GP100 in either 4 inch, or 6 inch barrel length.

I am trying to determine the minimum barrel length required to get the full potential from the .357 Magnum cartridge. What would your recommendations be? This would be a range toy/SHTF Zombie killin' gun :supergrin:, so I am just wanting to get all I can out of what I buy. Is the difference between barrel lengths going to affect the muzzle energy and velocity to the point where it becomes a selling point for me? I.E., if the velocity and muzzle energy are only affected by 50-100 FPS or FT/LBS, then I see myself going for the 4-inch barrel, but if its a significant difference, the 6-inch is the way to go, I suppose. What other factors must I consider when deciding barrel length, when it comes to also keeping the caliber in mind?

For the purpose you stated the 6 inch would be preferable more velocity, longer sight radius and less muzzle flip, excellent for hunting and woods survival. Considering the 357 Mag can also shoot 38 Special ammo the power range and variety of ammo types that can be shot in the gun is impressive to say the least.

 

[SargeMO]

A 4" 357 is handy and milks enough from the cartridge to cover 85% of handgun chores. For the rest, get a 44 mag.

 

[LaneP]

I like the velocity boost in the longer barrels. The 686 here started life as a 4" bbl but after many months of Covid related delays, I was able to get it into the Performance Center late last year for installation of a 7" bbl.

 

[G21.4Me]

In 357 Magnum I own, or have owned, all of the popular barrel lengths between 2 1/2 and 6 inches. For easy carry and a very fast draw I prefer to use either an S&W Model 686 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel, or a Ruger SP101 with a 3 inch barrel. When I am out hunting or walking in the woods I prefer to carry my S&W Model 27 with a 6 inch barrel; and, yes, it is a very hard hitting handgun!

For general all around use and frequent daily wear I preferred to carry my old Colt Python with a 4 inch barrel which, somewhat sadly, I no longer own. (But, a while ago, I did sell it for a whole lot of money!)

As a 'rule of thumb' shorter 357 Magnum barrels will still work well on two-legged critters, and longer 357 Magnum barrels work well on the four-legged kind. As far as salability goes I think that a 357 with a 4 inch barrel is, probably, going to be the best seller. My own preference is for a 357 Magnum revolver with a barrel between 2 1/2 and 4 inches.

(Which is what I have trained my own wife to use; and, for a fact, she shoots her 3 inch barreled Ruger SP101 357 Magnum—with 'full house' loads—much better than most men I have stood behind and watched shoot on public firing lines.)

My wife's EDC 357 Magnum:



My own occasionally carried (but still most favorite) 357 Magnum revolver:

 

[fredj338]

Gentlemen,

I have come to a dilemma; I'm currently deciding between a Ruger GP100 in either 4 inch, or 6 inch barrel length.

I am trying to determine the minimum barrel length required to get the full potential from the .357 Magnum cartridge. What would your recommendations be? This would be a range toy/SHTF Zombie killin' gun :supergrin:, so I am just wanting to get all I can out of what I buy. Is the difference between barrel lengths going to affect the muzzle energy and velocity to the point where it becomes a selling point for me? I.E., if the velocity and muzzle energy are only affected by 50-100 FPS or FT/LBS, then I see myself going for the 4-inch barrel, but if its a significant difference, the 6-inch is the way to go, I suppose. What other factors must I consider when deciding barrel length, when it comes to also keeping the caliber in mind?

You will have no idea unless you are using a chronograph, the manuals are not even close.

 

[8X8]

I like the velocity boost in the longer barrels. The 686 here started life as a 4" bbl but after many months of Covid related delays, I was able to get it into the Performance Center late last year for installation of a 7" bbl.

I did the same with a 610. Had the 3 7/8” barrel replaced with a 6.5”. Best part was they changed a few worn parts and tightened it up tremendously. No endshake and the cylinder undoubtedly locks up tighter than all my other S&W revolvers. They also tightened up the gap to perfection. I waited almost a year but I had plenty of options to shoot.

 

[walkin' trails]

Muzzle velocity is generally going to be higher with a longer barrel, but 6 inch barrels aren’t always practical to carry. Besides, the reputation of the. 357 as an effective self defense cartridge came from the 125 grain semi jacketed hollow point fired from a 4 inch revolver. Even in some modern testing I’ve seen, that round is still very effective from a 4 inch, and shorter barrels too - for self defense that is. A 6 inch or longer barrel is going to be great for hunting and will make more effective use of 158 grain or heavier bullets. I used to have a 6 inch Python, but preferred My 4 inch model 19 for carry.

 

[ironhead7544]

For an all around belt revolver in 357 Magnum, I would go with the 4 inch S&W Model 66-8. This version has been beefed up to handle the warmer 357 loads. The K frame is just the right size for the 357 Magnum.

For hunting whitetails with a 357 Magnum, I would go with a GP100 Ruger with a 6 inch barrel. The weight of the full lugged barrel keeps the recoil down with the 180 gr plus loads I like. Also, the Rugers generally give 50 fps velocity gains over most other 6 inchers.