Sheriff vs 3 inch Earl

[Ozark75]

So, here's the deal. I need another mini. I have a Sheriff. As you know, the Sheriff is a 2.5 inch. I'm thinking about a 3 inch Earl. Anyone have both? A Sheriff and 3 inch Earl? Is the 3 inch Earl too close to being the same as the Sheriff? Should I go with a 4 inch Earl? I do have a 4 inch Ranger. So that would be two 4 inch Mini's. I'm trying to remain somewhat diversified. I was trying to sell the Ranger, but I think I'm going to hang on to it for now. It makes a great yard gun. I keep the lr cylinder loaded with shorts and the mag cylinder loaded with, well magnums. The Ranger makes swapping cylinders super easy, which is very helpful in a yard gun. You never know what will wander into the yard.

So anyway, back to my point. 3 inch Earl or 4 inch Earl?

[bearcatter]

An inch of barrel doesn't make much difference functionally, plus or minus. Does make some difference if you're going to conceal carry, which you don't mention. The faux loading lever makes either Earl quite a bit different than a Sheriff.

If it were me, I'd say forget about the Sheriff for a minute, and look at the two Earls. Then I'd say, whch one of these Earls do I like the best? Then I'd get that one.

[Wumbey Goomba]

I would politely argue, an inch of barrel makes a
big difference for accuracy, when it comes to a mini.

[bearcatter]

Three to four, not so much as 1 to 2 does, Pug vs Black Widow.

[Uncle_Lee]

So, here's the deal. I need another mini. I have a Sheriff. As you know, the Sheriff is a 2.5 inch. I'm thinking about a 3 inch Earl. Anyone have both? A Sheriff and 3 inch Earl? Is the 3 inch Earl too close to being the same as the Sheriff? Should I go with a 4 inch Earl? I do have a 4 inch Ranger. So that would be two 4 inch Mini's. I'm trying to remain somewhat diversified. I was trying to sell the Ranger, but I think I'm going to hang on to it for now. It makes a great yard gun. I keep the lr cylinder loaded with shorts and the mag cylinder loaded with, well magnums. The Ranger makes swapping cylinders super easy, which is very helpful in a yard gun. You never know what will wander into the yard.

So anyway, back to my point. 3 inch Earl or 4 inch Earl?

Before you buy either, check with me.
You might save some money.

[Ozark75]

So, here's the deal. I need another mini. I have a Sheriff. As you know, the Sheriff is a 2.5 inch. I'm thinking about a 3 inch Earl. Anyone have both? A Sheriff and 3 inch Earl? Is the 3 inch Earl too close to being the same as the Sheriff? Should I go with a 4 inch Earl? I do have a 4 inch Ranger. So that would be two 4 inch Mini's. I'm trying to remain somewhat diversified. I was trying to sell the Ranger, but I think I'm going to hang on to it for now. It makes a great yard gun. I keep the lr cylinder loaded with shorts and the mag cylinder loaded with, well magnums. The Ranger makes swapping cylinders super easy, which is very helpful in a yard gun. You never know what will wander into the yard.

So anyway, back to my point. 3 inch Earl or 4 inch Earl?

Before you buy either, check with me.
You might save some money.

I certainly will

[Ozark75]

I'm not really sure about any velocity gains or accuracy gains going from 3 to 4 inches. I imagine there would be some gain in both areas, but whether or not it is noticeable, well I have no idea. I'm leaning toward a 3 inch Earl, just because it catches my eye a little more. But, being only 1/2 inch longer than the Sheriff, is it really just another Sheriff with a faux loading gate? If it really is just a Sheriff with a faux loading gate, I may go with the 4 inch for the potential for a noticeable gain in velocity and accuracy. Even though the 3 inch catches my eye a little more, the 4 inch is in no way an eyesore.

I guess what I am trying to do is find a new Mini that will fit between the Sheriff and Ranger. I carry the Sheriff daily IWB and I keep the Ranger handy for use as a yard gun. So really the question becomes, 3 inch or 4 inch Earl? And why?

[Rick_Jorgenson]

I have a 4" Earl and briefly had a 3" Earl (a week after I bought it a good customer saw it and just had to have it)

Looking to replace the 3" Earl

I like the "look" of the 3" Earl better then the 4" Earl or the Sheriff

Thats all that matters... right? lol!!