[JimRau]

Originally Posted by robocop10mm

Accuracy wise, the shorter barrel is as good, if not better than the linger barrel because of relative stiffness. This is more than offset by the reduced sight radius of the snub nose. This allows for small sighting errors to be magnified. The longer barrel allows more precise sighting and more practical accuracy.

Sorry about that. I just responed to the inital post.

[axxe55]

i have to agree that the shorter barrel is not less accurate, but is more difficult to be accurate with. now at longer distances, the longer barrels do help with velocity that is a factor in accuracy, due to increased MV.

my ideas for revolvers.

2.5" or less for CC or HD.

4-6" for target or range use.

6" or more for hunting uses.

[robocop10mm]

Nothing to be "sorry" about.

[shouldazagged]

Practically speaking, FBI studies repeatedly have shown that most defensive shootings take place at very short to point blank range, so that long-range accuracy (something you might well have trouble defending in court as self-defense) is not much of a consideration for CC.

Also, in a very short-barreled revolver flash and blast are magnified even with .38 Special. Personally I'd be concerned that in defending myself in the dark with a fire-breathing .357 I could be temorarily blinded by the first shot and less able to be aware of the state of the threat(s).

[JimRau]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Practically speaking, FBI studies repeatedly have shown that most defensive shootings take place at very short to point blank range, so that long-range accuracy (something you might well have trouble defending in court as self-defense) is not much of a consideration for CC.

Also, in a very short-barreled revolver flash and blast are magnified even with .38 Special. Personally I'd be concerned that in defending myself in the dark with a fire-breathing .357 I could be temorarily blinded by the first shot and less able to be aware of the state of the threat(s).

That is not as big of a problem as you might think today. When we first started using the 125 gr 357 for our duty round we were issued Remington ammo. The muzzle flash was, to say the least, excessive! It was like lightning, even in daylight!
When we did our night fire it was so bad you had to close one eye to shoot. But then we went to the Federal ammo which had a flash retardant in the powder and this cured the problem. This was in the early 1980's, today all the modern defense ammo use flash retardant powder.

[shouldazagged]

Good to know--I haven't owned a .357 for years. The ones I did have were a 4-inch and a 6-inch, and the flash from each was one hell of a fireball from muzzle and cylinder gap. Come to think of it, I think I always shot Remington 125gr JHP.

[Gonzilla]

Reloaders have an edge. They can slow velocity down to meet IPSC stds w/o the fireball effect or at least limiting it. Whatever helps you shoot faster and more accurately usually wins.

Even with a high grip n 6" barrel, the 357 can be a handful. Yet, with good loads, grips, & proper technique - it can be controlled. I never liked anything shorter than 6" in my youth but as I get older, I like the balance of shorter barrels. Your money - your call.

[John_Deer]

I have changed to Fiocchi ammo for the 357 mag. The local deputies tested Fiocchi for their secondary and off duty weapons. From my 6.5" Blackhawk 125 gr Fiocchi was clocked by a chronograph at 1740 FPS. Fiocchi doesn't have the huge flash that some ammo produces in my old Charter with a 2.5" barrel. The snubby is hard to handle.

Ballistics 101 got similar results from Fiocchi ammo. http://www.ballistics101.com/357_magnum.php

[danolator]

Nothing prettier than the flash off my SP101 @ night. 3 inch barrel is pretty snappy.

[Colby]

Sight radius is important - the greater barrel length - the better. But that doesn't mean you can't hit something at distance, even, with a short barrel. On his youtube videos, Hickok45 pretty well dispels the myth that you can't hit at distance with a short barrel. He hits his "gong" at 80 yards consistently with a 2 inch barrel revolver or even semi-auto. The man is good. He is a perfect example of "Don't blame the equipment". He is actually inspiring.

The .357 will rock you harder in a smaller, lighter gun, though. So - you gotta know what you want the gun for. If it is for pleasant range time - a small, short .357 is probably not the best, or at least the most pleasant, answer. But if you want power for defense - there is little doubt that .357 is an excellent answer.