H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 As we all know, the three standard barrel lengths for a Colt SAA are 4-3/4" 5-1/2" and 7-1/2" Just for something to chit chat about, what is your favorite barrel length, and why? I like 4-3/4" the best, it just looks perfect to me. My second choice would be 7-1/2" That long barrel has some style points. To me, the 5-1/2" length is simply generic, with nothing special about it. Other opinions on the matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Drifter Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I always favored the 4 3/4 bbls until I got a pair of 5 1/2 inch Bisley vaqueros. The balance of the slightly longer barrel just suits me perfectly. I do like 7 1/2 also and mix them in at times. Interesting topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Drifter Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I realize they aren’t the SAA that you were referring to. Sorry for the deviation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Atz OK Drifter. The beatings will commence at Dawn. If we're not there, start without us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 FIRST A CAVEAT: I don't shoot Suppository Shooters any more. Strictly Cap Guns (almost). When I was a dedicated Suppository Shooter shooter, my favorite barrel length was 4 3/4. I like'd the way it felt in the hand and the appearance just seemed "right." Of course, then I switched to Cap Guns. Snubbie Cap Guns. Now, if the barrel is over 3 1/2 inches, it's a waste of steel. Go Figure. I realize my reference to Cap Guns has no bearing and adds no appreciable fodder to the OPs original post. Therefore, my references to Cap Guns may be ignored and I will take no offense. In fact, probably should be ignored. Sorta like a previous reference to Ruger (choke) in a SAA subject thread. I will withdraw now............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Drifter Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 It’s called “piling on “ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 No Problem Drifter. I've often be referred to as a Deviation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 4-¾" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Sin Nombre Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Mine has been and always will be 5,5”. I never thought I’d likevany other barrel length though. Then I got the urge to get a 7.5”, and really love the classic look. But the 4.75” has always looked wrong to me. It’s the flush ejector housing and barrel. It doesn’t look right. So I always stayed away. But of course what do I know? If it’s good enough for John Wayne then I have to be wrong. So now the question is no different to me than “do you prefer blonds, brunettes, or red heads?” The answer being yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackface Charlie Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 10 minutes ago, Redwood Kid said: Mine has been and always will be 5,5”. I never thought I’d likevany other barrel length though. Then I got the urge to get a 7.5”, and really love the classic look. But the 4.75” has always looked wrong to me. It’s the flush ejector housing and barrel. It doesn’t look right. So I always stayed away. But of course what do I know? If it’s good enough for John Wayne then I have to be wrong. So now the question is no different to me than “do you prefer blonds, brunettes, or red heads?” The answer being yes I'd rather molest a bobcat in a phone booth than ever be involved with a red head again!!! Just sayin---I'll take a 5.5 any day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Sin Nombre Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, Blackface Charlie said: I'd rather molest a bobcat in a phone booth than ever be involved with a red head again!!! Just sayin---I'll take a 5.5 any day! I said the exact same thing. That lasted until the next red head that caught my eye walked by. What can I say? I’m a slow learner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Rapid Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I love the the "look" of any SAA But my preferred CAS pistols are 7-1/2" in 45LC. I like the balance and feel, returning the longer barrel for both cross-draw and strong side to leather, and the improved stability when sighting the longer barrel and moving to the next target. The balance of a 7-1/2" pistol is a bit different based on caliber since the smaller rounds - 32-20, .38SP/.357 - have more steel (weight) in the barrel. Some folks perceive that the longer barrel is more accurate than a 4-3/4" - which I don't really support especially for our close target distances. I feel "stability" is what's key. RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 5-1/2" is my preference. They just feel right. Sawmill Mary has three pair of Cattleman revolvers - all with 4-5/8" barrels. Two pair are 38/357. The other pair are 44WCF. While the 4-5/8" 38/357 weigh about the same as my 5-1/2" 45Colt and 44WCF guns, they don't ballance the same. I did go nuts and traided into a pair of Ruger Vaqueros stainless birdshead in 45ACP with 3-1/2" barrels. Once I beat the bugs out of them I could shoot them plenty good enough. I shot them enough to know I would never warm up to Roogers and traided them off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Reb, SASS #54804 Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I think the 5 1/2 look best , but I use 4 5/8 because they seem to handle better for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 4 3/4" or 5 1/2", either is fine with me! I love the look of the 7 1/2" but don't care for them in CAS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 3" to 3.75" max. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted December 31, 2018 Author Share Posted December 31, 2018 11 hours ago, Hillbilly Drifter said: I realize they aren’t the SAA that you were referring to. Sorry for the deviation Eh, close enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddnews SASS# 24779 Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I've always favored the "artillery" (5 1/2 inch) length -- but I campaigned a 7 1/2 and liked it, too. I've always thought the 4 3/4 was for people who wanted to do B Western. It's not my thing, but fine for other folks if that's what they like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil dogooder Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 At one time or another I've ran from 3.5 to 10.5. I've never really liked the short barreled guns. They just don't balance right for me. Most of my guns are 5.5 or longer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawman Mays Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 6 hours ago, Warden Callaway said: 5-1/2" is my preference. They just feel right Same for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I like my 4.5/8 Suppository guns . And 7.1/4 Cap Guns . Shoot what you brung ! Rooster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself The O'Meara Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 4 3/4 for speed 5 1/2 for balance 7 1/2 for style points the way I shoot, I go for the style points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I like and use them all. Up close and personal target get the 4 3/4" a little further out and I will use the 5 1/2" and out there or maybe smaller targets get the 7 1/2" Colts. I can keep my speed up and not worry much about missing using this method. One more thing. There is nothing like the feel of a 7 1/2" shooting gunfighter! Just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawhorse Kid Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 16 hours ago, Redwood Kid said: Mine has been and always will be 5,5”.......... the 4.75” has always looked wrong to me. It’s the flush ejector housing and barrel. It doesn’t look right. .............. Choice #1) 5.5 , the look just pleases me. Choice #2) 7.5 , because Why Not? Choice #3) everything else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Howdy H.K. I seem to recall reading someplace that the most common barrel length for the SAA was 5 1/2". Next most common was 7 1/2", then finally the 43/4" length. I seem to fly in the face of convention. I don't care for the 5 1/2" length at all. Just looks boring to me. I don't own any Colts with that barrel length. As a matter of fact I don't own any single action revolvers with that barrel length, except a Ruger Vaquero. But that's a different story. I prefer 7 1/2" and 4 3/4". 7 1/2 is long and graceful. I also like the 'brutal' appearance of a 4 3/4" Colt, with the barrel the same length as the ejector rod. These are my usual Main Match pistols, a pair of 2nd Gen Colts, one 7 1/2", one 4 3/4". I ran across another 7 1/2" 2nd Gen not too long ago. The only Uberti I still own also has a 7 1/2" barrel. My taste in older Colts seems to bear out my preferences. This 7 1/2" 38-40 Bisley Colt left the factory in 1907. It has not been to a match yet, I hope to remedy that next year. This 4 3/4" 38-40 Bisley Colt left the factory in 1909. It has been to a couple of matches, I hope to bring it to more along with the 7 1/2" Bisley. Rugers? There's that single 5 1/2" barrel. The shiny one, third from the right. Three Screw Rugers? Yeah, there are a couple of 5 1/2" Single Sixes on the right in this photo, but they are 22s and don't count for CAS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 In the SAA I like Both the 5 1/2 a the 7 1/2 for different Reasons ,,, The 5 1/2 incher keeps my loads under 1,000 Fps. and is faster on the Draw and re-holstering... I really like the way 7 1/2 inchers Hang on target ,,,,, even if it means down-loading my .45s to stay under 1,000 Fps. .... You Know it's Kinda Funny that shooting my Grandpa's First Gen Colt 7 1/2 incher made in 1874 with ammo of the same Vintage, Would be breaking the rules as these loads in his gun exceed 1,000 Fps ... Jabez Cowboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrel Cody Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 I used to always say 4 3/4". But the closest I have come to a clean match was twice last year with 5 1/2" Piettas. So now I'm unsure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Blarney Kid Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 I shoot everything from 3 1/2 to 9 in in my pistols, from a Thunderer to a Walker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Coles SASS 1188 Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 I find it easier to just buy pairs in all the barrel lengths, sheriffs models to 7.5 inch and shoot whichever one calls to me on the day. I also like to have the right gun for the period for which I am dressing. For example, early outfits require a 7.5 inch. Later outfits can use a shorter barrel, or a Bisley. The only barrel lengths I don’t like are so called Buntlines. Too long to be practical as a pistol and they don’t point well. Never understood revolver carbines either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duster Tom Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 I shoot a Colt 5 1/2" in a cross draw and a 7 1/2" on the strong side. Back in the west it was common for a person to have mixed barrel lengths. I miss equally well with each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashknife Cowboy Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Yes to all of them....3.5 to 7.5 inches! Favorite to carry in CAS is the 5.5 inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 4 3/4" for cartridge guns, 7 1/2" for percussion revolvers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk James Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 4 3/4 please, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 i started with 5 1/2" , i went to 4 3/4" thinking i liked the balance better , then had to try 3" and 7 1/2" without getting any real satisfaction , im back to 5 1/2" and i did keep one 4 3/4" as a back up because i like it a lot , i kept one 7 1/2" more for its historical linage and ill get one 3" again just for S&G to put in my doc holiday holster , but i found both to be less than to my liking for my main match guns , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Shane Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I've got 2 7 1/2" 44-40 Cimarrons, my favorite barrel length because its how they were designed and feel "right", these, a 20" Cimarron '73 in 44-40 along with an '87 are my main match go-to guns! My next favorite is my 4 3/4" EMF Hartford in 38-40, like John Wayne and my Daddy. Finally, I have a Uberti 5 1/2" because it came with my '92, both were unfired in 44-40. You'll notice all my guns are original calibers...and I shoot BP with full loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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