Today's feature is from our companion service, The Tactical Wire.

Handguns come in all shapes and sizes. Most models are produced with varying barrel lengths. This is another factor to consider when choosing a pistol, especially for concealed carry. Does barrel length matter, and how long a barrel do you need?

These days I carry revolvers, unless I’m on the range teaching. I also carry concealed, even when teaching. For concealed carry, you either dress to cover what’s in the holster -- or the clothes you have to wear determine what you carry. With revolvers I can choose the size pistol I need for that day and still have consistency. Big or small, all my revolvers require the same manipulations and trigger stroke.

Smith & Wesson has always produced a wide variety of barrel lengths for their revolver models, although not all the different lengths are still being manufactured today. There were J frames with 1 ¾” barrels – a “snubby” - K and N frames were built with 2” “snubby” barrels, 2 ½”,2 ¾”, 3”, 4” and much longer.

You could get a revolver with a barrel as short or as long as desired. For sports like target matches, the longer the barrel the greater the sight radius – the distance between front and rear sight. This translates into a more consistent sight picture and improved accuracy on target. The shorter the radius, the more difficult sight alignment becomes. For hunting game in the field, long barrels add velocity to the handgun round, which is always a good thing. Longer barrels make carry and concealment more difficult.

Shorter barrels are easier to carry and conceal. But, as mentioned above, the short sight radius makes it more difficult to obtain and hold a precise sight picture. It isn’t impossible; with plenty of practice you can hit silhouettes at one-hundred yards with some regularity. This is way beyond the range usually seen in self-defense shootings, although there are exceptions. At danger-close distance you don’t need a whole lot of precision to place effective hits in the threat.

You also don’t need a “Dirty Harry” handgun. It’s heavy and difficult to conceal, especially if you’re not six-feet or taller. For my size a four-inch barrel is the maximum, and then only in colder weather with bulkier clothing.

The Model 66’s I regularly carry have 2 ½” barrels. They conceal easily and are balanced well; they “feel” good in my hand. I also have several pistols with 3” barrels in both J and K frame pistols. All of these can be shot efficiently at close range, and still provide the accuracy needed to hit at longer distances.

A longer barrel does add some velocity to the bullet. An advantage we have today are rounds specifically designed for shorter barrel revolvers. There are lightweight, fast moving bullets that are designed to expand, expending their energy in the body. New powders create less muzzle flash and recoil.

What barrel length do you need? That will require some experimentation to discover what feels “right” to you. Luckily, with all that’s available today it shouldn’t be a problem to find your pistol.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.