[Cannonball888]

Isn't it true that the measured barrel length on an autoloader includes the chamber whereas on revolvers it does not? If so, then wouldn't a 4" barrel on an autoloader be considerably shorter than a 4" barrel on a revolver?

[The Bushmaster]

Yup and Yup...Strange huh....

[BlindJustice]

Yes, examples to compare:

1911 with a 5" Bbl. include the chamber where the case length
is 0.898 so a max of 4.1" rifling.
S&W 625 w/5" Bbl. from muzzle to forcing cone. does Not
include the length of the cylinder.;
Whether individual examples of each have a higher velocity
or not depandes on individual barrels, as well
as the powder burn rate/ etc.

One thing hardly anyone mentions or seems to note is
s 1 turn in 16 inches.
so the bullet gets a maximum of 1/4th of a complete
turn for it's spin. Oddly, the S&W .45 ACP/AR revolvers
have a twist of 1 turn in 15 inches, so a 5 inch barrel would
give the bullet a maximum of 1/3rd of a complete spin.

I also seem to recall one is LH twist and one is RH twist
but I doubt that makes any difference regarless of northern
or southern hemisphere.... heh

Besides the confusion this may play with the neophytes,
any comments?

[Conqueror]

While it sounds strange, when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.

The chamber of an autoloader is connected to the barrel and they are one piece of metal. In a revolver the chamber is not connected to the barrel and they are different pieces of metal. That's the only "reasoning" behind the difference. It makes autos a more attractive choice of your local laws restrict carry to X barrel length - the auto will generally be smaller for a given barrel dimension.

[BlindJustice]

Looking at the tech specs on the S&Whome page
it lists O.A.L for a full size 1911 as 8.75 inches. and
a 686P 4" Bbl. as 9 5/8" My 686P has the Guy Hogue
Compac grip and when I line them up side by side they're
pretty darn close to being about the ssame in OAL and
they both weigh 39 oz empty.
The 1911 does have about a hafl inch longer sight length
tween front and rear sights.

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The