Pistol barrel length question

[Coyote Rider]

I've mostly shot rifles all my life, but I've been wanting a six-shooter lately, and I have a question about barrel length. I'm sure this has been discussed in the past more than once, but I'm hopeless at searching archives for some mysterious reason.

Anyway, some of the more popular bp revolvers are available with barrels about 7 1/2 or so inches long, but they are also available with 5 1/2 inch barrels. The shorter barrel ought to make the gun easier to handle, but does it adversely affect accuracy?

 

[SWC Bonfire]

Shorter barrel might affect accuracy because of the shorter sight radius, but the big difference probably is going to be in velocity. BP is slow-burning and longer barrels have more of an impact than in modern guns using fast-burning smokeless powders. The point of impact may drop from that of a 7 1/2" barrel. Slower moving projectiles may or may not affect accurracy... moderate loads always seem to be more accurate than full-house loads anyway. But you would have to have a full powder charge to equal that of a moderate charge in a longer barrel.

Short answer: get one and tell us what you find.

 

[Voodoochile]

Say for instance you are looking at a Remington copy .44 caliber.
the difference in velocity from a 8" barrel & a 5.5" barrel using the same powder, ball/bullet, & caps will be about 60 - 70 fps.

Not a whole lot of difference, the main difference is the longer barrel will give you a better sight track than the shorter barrel making it easier to aim at longer distances, but on the flip side the shorter barrel will make it easier to holster.

BTW I have both 8" & a 5.5" barreled models.

 

[mykeal]

Voodoochile has it right. There is a very small decrease in MV and ME with a shorter barrel; not enough to matter. If there is an advantage to the longer barrel (notice IF) it's due to the longer sight radius. The Lyman Black Powder handbooka and the Gun Digest Black Powder Handbook both contain chronograph data showing that point.

 

[arcticap]

The shorter barrel ought to make the gun easier to handle, but does it adversely affect accuracy?

The models with a 5.5 inch barrel don't have adjustable sights.
Then depending on the brand, a dovetail may need to be cut into the barrel so that a windage driftable sight can be installed to accurately dial it in.

 

[mmichalak2]

Better than 5.5 and 8...

Got me a set of bign's for Christmas.

You should see the others when I pull out the twin 12" barrel Remmy's

And they DO have adjustable rear sites.

 

[BHP FAN]

WOW! Must take about a week to clear leather? are those the brass frame ''Texas'' pistolas?