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4 3/4 or 5 1/2? Driving Me Nuts!

Briareos
Hi everyone! This'll be my first thread here and I have a truly perplexing problem. I have been musing about buying a SAA for a while now and it's not incredibly important to me whether or not it's a "Real Colt" and other such nonsense so I've been looking into getting a US Firearms Rodeo SAA. I have pretty much figured out all the specs except the dreaded barrel length.

Now, I plan to be backpacking/camping and working while have this strapped on my waist so I know I won't be getting the 7 1/2 inch one so it's down to the 4 3/4 and the 5 and 1/2.

Besides aesthetics, is there ANYthing that could make any real difference between the models? I have limited shooting experience with them so I have never been able to notice differences in sight radius and things like that. So I'd love to hear some preferences based on experience!

Thanks!

[|)]

By The gentlemaning Of My Thumbs, Something Wicked This Way Comes
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • Ronald J. Snow
    My personal choice would be the 4&3/4".
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  • bobski
    short bbls can be drawn from and clear the holster faster. saa were never meant to be aimed, they were meant to be shot on instinct. sights are meaningless. i like shorter too.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.
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  • gap1916
    Welcome to GB. What calibur do you plan on using? If you plan on wearing this while camping and working what is the intent of the hand gun in this enviornment? This will help determin barrel lenght for me. My 2 cents [8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    2nd A N G L I C O
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  • Throckmorton
    For your needs I'd prolly go 4 3/4"...less weight and easier to draw when needed.Depends some on whether wer'e talking full house .44mags or .38's. [:0]

    Throckmorton SASS #23149
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  • Pearyw
    It is strickly a personal thing. I like the 5 1/2" better. To me it balances better and is easier to shoot. I have a 4 3/4" Colt 45 and a 5 1/2" Colt 45. I also have a pair of stainless 5 1/2" Ruger Vaqueros. I like to shoot the 5 1/2" guns more.
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  • restoreguy
    All the recommendations offered up are excellent and helpful. I too would opt for the 4 3/4" barrel, pretty much for the ease of carry and presentation, if you need to protect yourself from some 4 legged critter. Regarding sight radius, if you are going to carry your piece out in the field, you need to train with it and get very confident and familiar with your ability to deploy it in this moment of need. It is during this time that you will develope your ability to shoot it effectively. Don't sweat the sight radius. Good luck.
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  • gskyhawk
    5 1/2" I don't think you will find that 3/4" short makes it carry that much easier , but the longer barrel will give you a better sight radious, less recoil because the gun is heavier ,,,but because it is a little heavier it does make it a little harder to carry , but all in all I find the 5 1/2" just a better all around choice ,, longer barrel will give you a few more fps of vel.
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  • beantownshootah
    You didn't ask, but if I were getting a revolver for day-to-day carry, I probably wouldn't choose a single action, but rather a double action.

    I think a longer barrel is a little more practical for a "working" outdoors gun (a bit more accuracy/velocity).

    For concealment/defense a shorter barrel is better (easier to hide, faster to draw). Is that an issue for you?

    Personal preference is most important of all, and if you don't have one, don't sweat it, the difference of +/- 3/4 of an inch probably isn't going to make any difference!
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  • bobski
    bean..he did. he will be camping and backpacking.
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  • mrbruce
    My 4 3/4 inch Rodeo 45 is just the perfect size to wear. Nice, neat, and compact for carry. Most times I don't even notice it being there. The 5 1/2 inch guns are OK but will not do anything the 4 3/4 won't do as well.
    It's a sweeeeeet single action, enjoy it no matter what you decide...

    Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.
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  • Fourth Horseman
    The 4-3/4" is much easier to carry and draw and feels better balanced in the hand. That's partly why they became so popular in the 1880s and 90s. The 5-1/2" is IMHO more visually attractive and the 7-1/2" is definitely more accurate. Unless you just have a preference for the appearance of the 5-1/2", I'd recommend the 4-3/4".
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    I've been fighting with a Long Barrel Problem Myself...I have a BUNTLINE Plus 'Dakota' in .45 Long Colt with a 13 1/2 inch barrel...Shoots a 7" group at 25 yards Off Hand...Decided I wanted to Pack it...Finally decided on a Right Hand Cross Draw Holster.. It did the trick with the help of a Supporting Shoulder Harness...You can Sit, Stand or Run with the Rig as Designed...or as in My case a Fast Waddle......If You look around at one of the CASS Shindigs in your area....You'll see what I'm talking about.....

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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