Non-matching Revolver Barrel Lengths

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409]

I shoot Frontiersman and my pair of ROA's 7.5" and 5.5" The longer one is shot cross draw and the shorter strongside. My OMV are 4.75" but shoot them cross draw too.

That's my story and I am sticking to it!

Sgt Hochbauer

[Poet Jones 99980]

Howdy and welcome to the campfire! I use two SS 4 5/8" , matched and slicked, Ruger BHs. I have big hands and these seemed to fit me right. I shoot them in a crossdraw left and straight hang right configuration.  That is the way I was taught by my mentor Leadpusher. I am not a top shooter or anything...yet. I am very competitive and, for me at least, the shorter barrels seem to give me a quicker draw and reholster even if I do have to "do the dance". The faster I can shoot accurately, the happier I am!

[Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129]

22 hours ago, Charlie Whiskers said:

 

  When I 1st started I was shooting a 5 1/2" OMV Ruger and a 1975 Remington 7 1/2" reproduction. I added a 7 1/2" OMV later all in 44-40. Plus a 1866 Yellowboy 24inch and a 1873 24inch rifles also 44-40. I just liked the 2 barrel length's when shooting revolvers. I ended up switching to 38/357 calibers (cheaper to shoot) and sold my OMV's to J Bar Binks along with a 66 rifle to help my switch over to 38's. I did the same when I went to the 38's. One 5 1/2" colt clone  and One 7 1/2" 1875 Remington. Since then I've been shooting assorted length open top conversions. Shoot what you like and have fun with what you choose.

  J Bar didn't mention him shooting an 18 inch Buntline; now that was a hoot to watch him draw that. He was yodeling the whole time trying to get it drawn.

Charlie and Crusty are a Hoot to Shoot with, and I miss doing just that this year .... Sorry Boys for not Choking you with my masses of Smoke this year ....

3 of my Kids got married this summer/Fall,,, cut into my shooting some ...   Merry Christmas to Ya both ....

 

Jabez Cowboy

[The Blarney Kid]

I shoot different lengths from a 3.5 in Thunderer to a 9.5 in Walker. Mostly I shoot a 7.5 in engraved pietta and a 4.75 in pietta pistolero both in nickel.  I also have a 5.5 in vaquero, a7.5 in Remington 1875,a 4 5/8 in blackhawk,2 7.5 in 1851 navies, an 8 in and a5.5 in1860 army. I have shot allof them in various combinations depending on what I feel like shooting at the time.

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Here is an interesting take on different barrel lengths.

 

These are my aforementioned Walker and 12" Buntline.   .45 Colt and .44 Special.   As you can see, the barrel lengths are not the same.  Shooting them together is fun.

 

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Always liked having the same length barrel.  Always thought you shouldn't be able to tell which gun is in your hand.  I was introduced to Short Barrel (Snubbie) Cap Guns one day.  then I built the rest of mine to match.  If the Barrel is longer-n-3 1/2 inches, yer waistin steel  

[John E.B. Rawton]

I started with 5 1/2” barrels, one Ruger NMV and one Hawes Western Marshall, both .45 colt. I was shooting double duelist and the Ruger was my right hand gun. 

I switched to a 7 1/2” (1851) “man with no name” in .38 spl. and an 8” “Richard Mason Conversion” in a .38 spl. 

I then got 2 Uberti Walkers, 9”, converted them to .45 colt and started shooting gunfighter. 

I mostly try to shoot JWS and recently added a c&b 1851, .36 and 1860, .44. I have put the percussion cylinders, .44, in the Walkers and am waiting to try them out. ( in need of some powder )

I am no where near to a point where I could compete time wise with other shooters even with short barrels. 

I’m content meandering through the stages