is bigger better? 2" or 4"

[JacoLesFlea]

...A .357 both firing the same ammo one with a 2" and one with a 4" barrel. Which would have the most kick, be the most accurate considering you are already a good shot, and biggest differences between the two barrel lengths. So question is, is bigger better in this scenario? or will 2" suffice.

The weapon is a EAA .357 Windicator

[Relic]

I'm no expert but my guess would be that the difference in accuracy would be only very very slight but you'd get more muzzle blast and perceived recoil from the shorter of the two.

[Munjibunga]

The 4" barrel will be more accurate.

[JacoLesFlea]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

The 4" barrel will be more accurate.

thanks, and the shorter barrel would have more kick if I'm not mistaken....correst me If I am wrong.

[JacoLesFlea]

Originally Posted by Relic

I'm no expert but my guess would be that the difference in accuracy would be only very very slight but you'd get more muzzle blast and perceived recoil from the shorter of the two.

that makes sense

[kanonfodr]

A third thing: 2" barrels will generally draw quicker and be faster to acquire a target. Fourthly: I use the 7-meter standard in judging my handguns, both barrels will allow almost the exact same accuracy and the 4" barrel will allow slightly more muzzle velocity (thus, more kinetic energy as the round travels downrange) but not enough to really matter. Unless you have a real need for the longer barrel (under-barrel light or laser) or you are using the handgun for hunting purposes I would personally go with the 2" barrel.

Peace,
Greg

[Relic]

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

A third thing: 2" barrels will generally draw quicker and be faster to acquire a target. Fourthly: I use the 7-meter standard in judging my handguns, both barrels will allow almost the exact same accuracy and the 4" barrel will allow slightly more muzzle velocity (thus, more kinetic energy as the round travels downrange) but not enough to really matter. Unless you have a real need for the longer barrel (under-barrel light or laser) or you are using the handgun for hunting purposes I would personally go with the 2" barrel.

Peace,
Greg

Right, I forgot about that - the longer barrel gives the gasses behind the round more time to build up greater pressure, hence more velocity..

[fhm555]

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

...Unless you have a real need for the longer barrel (under-barrel light or laser) or you are using the handgun for hunting purposes I would personally go with the 2" barrel...

^This...

if you find it hard to control, take it to a good gunsmith and have them port the barrel.

Mag-na-port International--The Mag-na-port Process: Handgun Porting

[Icey101]

isnt the 2 inch barrel better for shooting someone up close?...lol

what about 8 inch?...feeling lucky punk!!!

[lunarpollen]

I've been thinking about getting a Chiappa Rhino with a 2-inch barrel myself...

[Stinsok]

Nothing cooler than a Smith and Wesson Combat Magnum (.357 wise that is.) I dig 4'' .357's!

[Mike N]

I'd take the 4".

[MakiSupaStar]

There's a joke about size mattering in here somewhere.

[boing]

Longer barrels are not inherently more accurate, but the distance between the front and rear sights (sight radius) will be greater, making it easier to align the sights more precisely.

The biggest difference will be muzzle velocity. A 2" barrel with standard ammunition burns a lot of powder after the bullet has left the barrel.

In .357 I'd favor a 4" barrel. Modern .38 special loads do just fine for snubbies.

Extra cool points for .357s in 3 inchers, tho.

[boing]

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

...the 4" barrel will allow slightly more muzzle velocity (thus, more kinetic energy as the round travels downrange) but not enough to really matter....

Last I checked (years ago), going from 4 to 2 in a typical .357 dropped a good deal of velocity, enough to bring a JHP out of it's optimal velocity range for expansion. It's been awhile, though...?

[Fat.Mike]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Nothing cooler than a Smith and Wesson Combat Magnum (.357 wise that is.) I dig 4'' .357's!

I have an S&W 686 in 4". Love that gun. Good and heavy, and at 100 yards I actually hit near what I'm aiming at.

[turbo chicken]

my wife says bigger ... not sure what that say's about me. I just asked "bigger or smaller?"



are you going to be carrying this thing with you? if yes then shorter...

just something to have in the house/or carry as a secondary to your hunting rifle... take your pick.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

A third thing: 2" barrels will generally draw quicker and be faster to acquire a target. Fourthly: I use the 7-meter standard in judging my handguns, both barrels will allow almost the exact same accuracy and the 4" barrel will allow slightly more muzzle velocity (thus, more kinetic energy as the round travels downrange) but not enough to really matter. Unless you have a real need for the longer barrel (under-barrel light or laser) or you are using the handgun for hunting purposes I would personally go with the 2" barrel.

Peace,
Greg

What the hell, why even bother with a barrel?

[lowfreq33]

I've found that I'm more accurate with a longer barrel, but it's possible that the extra length just helps my aim.

[Akami]

Being neither a fan of long or short barrels I'd go for the 4", although 3" would be nice if they had one. Short barrel is both quick to draw and swing around onto target, but 4" barrel is a very nice compromise length, offering the quickness of the shorter barrel while offering the easier sight acquisition and extra steadying weight of longer barrels.

Go with the longest barrel that is practical for you.