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2 or 3" J-Frame Barrel Preference ?
v35
Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
Any preferences in barrel length and why?
Do the better ballistics and sight radius of the 3"-38 Spl barrel offset better concealability and possible drawing speed of the shorter barrel?
Do the better ballistics and sight radius of the 3"-38 Spl barrel offset better concealability and possible drawing speed of the shorter barrel?
Comments
Now that my vision is not quite so good the .1" fixed sights are a lot harder to see. That might change with work on my right eye. A 3" with adjustable sights would be handy.
For what it is needed for I have found it plenty accurate enough. Can I put 5 rounds in the 10 ring at 50 yards, no. But I can put 5 rounds in a 10" circle with single action slow fire and rapid fire 5 rounds in the same circle at 7 yards using double action. What more do you need for a pocket pistol?
YMMV.
Lately I've been looking at the Hogue's Zombie grips.
When talking concealed carry with a revolver, grip design is actually much more important than barrel length. The difference in 'carryability' of a 3 in. barrel compared to a 4 in. is insignificant.
A 3 in. barrel gives ballistics a lot closer to a 4 in. barrel than a 2 incher.
That one extra inch of barrel improves the balance of the gun considerably.
That one extra inch of barrel improves the balance of the gun considerably.
It also improves the BALLISTICS of the gun, considerably, especially if you're talking a .357.
At 2" the marginal difference in performance between .357 and .38 is so little, personally I don't see the point in a 2" .357. You're just paying extra for increased muzzle flash (ie to blind you).
The quick answer is that all else being equal a 3" gun is easier to aim, gives better ballistics, and can incorporate a full length ejector rod to throw empties entirely clear of the cylinder. It "may" have better balance, that's a bit subjective.
The 2" gun is easier to slip in a pocket, and its a little harder for someone close by to physically grab the gun, but these are about the only real advantages. On a belt, its the butt of the gun that determines the concealability. Another 1" of bbl doesn't change anything.
quote:Do the better ballistics and sight radius of the 3"-38 Spl barrel offset better concealability and possible drawing speed of the shorter barrel?I think this depends mainly on how you carry it.
Again, a 3" gun can be unwieldy in a pants pocket. If that's how you're going to carry, then you'll prefer the 1-7/8" standard snub, I think. If you're carrying on a belt, I think the longer barrel offers enough real advantages to be worth consideration.
I don't think drawing speed is really a factor here at all; real life isn't a Hollywood movie "quickdraw" fight. If it takes another 0.25 - 0.5 seconds more time to draw your gun because the barrel is a bit longer, I don't think that's really going to make a difference 99% of the time.
Front locking lug was removed and 3" ejector rod installed.Springs were all modified and hammer rebound minimized.
I carried it in the '60s but it's now relegated to a dresser drawer.
There's a good selection of plain and stainless barrels and cylinders in the drawer to play with. Currently it has an aluminum USAF cylinder and Glasers.
Before rebarreling it, I wanted to get other's take on the 3'' Chief.
DCS Shooter- That was a BIG mistake.
A 3" revolver needs a holster. Just as well be a sixshooter as five.
I do not care for the 3" J frame, except maybe the M60 with adjustable sights, kind of a .38-32 Kit Gun.