Rerun-- bbl length for lever .357: 16", 18",or 20"

by John Meeker , Monday, February 24, 2014, 12:44 (3931 days ago)

...am leaning towards the handiness of a 16", at which length the drawback appears to me to be a significant velocity loss. OTOH, it primary use is not game hunting but tincans and legal vehicular-contained anti-personnel traveling companion -- mostly when vising the Eastern Gun-fascist Regions -- where dwell some OK relatives.

Does anyone think that the difference between the 18-20" and the 16" are that significant, in terms of handling? Or is simply that they are easier to stow? The velocity loss has some concerns for me, as well.

The reason for the .357 is that I have a small herd of handguns that are that bore size, and I've been trying to keep it simple as we approach downsizing and travel. I like .45 Colt plenty, but don't really have but a few revolvers in that caliber, and none are terribly concealable, tho I do get a kick out of hip-pocketing or other wise carrying one under a coat in cooler weather.

Anyway...there probly is no one-size fits all answer, but there is quite a bit of guuny lore and wisdom on such subjects here, so Thanks for Your Thoughts.