Measuring Barrel length Semi vs Revolver

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

So I did indeed used the search-tool to try to find the answers I'm looking for before I decided to create a new thread. If this thread already exists, please link me to it and close this one.

That being said, I'm going to pull a Jerry Seinfeld here and ask "What is the DEAL with THAT!?!?" So revolvers: the barrel length is measured from the forcing-cone to the muzzle. Correct? With semi-autos: the barrel is measured from the rear of the chamber to the muzzle... correct!?

I own a 4" 629, and when I hold a tape-measure or ruler up to it, the 4 inches measure from the forcing cone to the muzzle. I also own a 5" 1911, and when I hold a tape measure or ruler up to the barrel, the 5" seems to include the chamber itself. Doesn't that make it a 4" barrel in actuality? This seems very confusing to me, so if anyone can shed some light on this topic I would greatly appreciate it. If I'm not mistaken with how barrels are measured, I guess I'm just wondering WHY?? Is this confusing to anyone else?

 

[dovedescending]

It's because semi autos are trying to seem bigger than they actually are... it's a status thing...

 

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

LoL

...but what about my Wildey!? that doesn't need to seem any bigger than it already is, the thing is HUGE, (and so weird-looking people think it's a sci-fi movie prop)

 

[9mmepiphany]

You are correct in how they are measured. The measurement of a semi-auto's barrel does include the chamber. There are two reasons that are measured differently.

1. When you order or buy a barrel for either gun, the part you get is the part the measurement refers to.

2. Since the rifled portion of a semi-auto barrel in contained within the part, subtracting the chamber portion is complicated is it doesn't end in an obviously defined point...the bullet, which in a revolver is completely contained in the cylinder, extends into the rifled portion of the barrel

 

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

Thanks 9mmepiphany, '#1' makes a lot of sense and makes me feel a bit better about all this

 

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks 9mmepiphany, '#1' makes a lot of sense and makes me feel a bit better about all this

Yep, there are a lot of things that don't make sense in this world. Like the laws that pertain to barrel length of firearms.

A (nominally) 4" barreled revolver is a lot longer than a 4" barreled semi-auto. You would think lawmakers wanting to be more restrictive on semi-autos would have thought about that.

Breechface to muzzle ought to be the rule for laws (and length of the part as 9mmepiphany points out, for the parts catalogs), but that requires too much thought for most legislators.

I think I will get down off my soapbox before I embarrass myself further.

Happy New Year.

Lost Sheep

 

[buck460XVR]

Breechface to muzzle ought to be the rule for laws (and length of the part as 9mmepiphany points out, for the parts catalogs), but that requires too much thought for most legislators.

Here in Wisconsin, for hunting, that is how minimum legal barrel length for handguns is determined.