4" or 5" Barrel for Competition

[usmarine0352_2005]

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Thinking about competition shooting. Looking at getting a Springfield XDM in 9mm.





What is the difference in accuracy between 4" and 5"?





What would you choose?

 

[Straight Shooter]

Just an FYI (no sarcasm)...

The XDM has 3.8" and 4.5" bbl variants.
The XD has 3", 4" and 5" bbl variants.

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

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Ah, ic.



So I guess the 4.5" XDM is the way to go?
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[Straight Shooter]

What do you want to compete in?

Guns with longer barrels generally have some advantages, better sight radius, less flip etc. but in reality it boils down to what you shoot best.

If you're looking at IDPA, the spirit of the sport is to shoot what you would carry.

 

[CYANIDEGENOCIDE]

oh no you want the 3.8 because the barrel is stiffer at least that is the standard argument amongst the legal minimum .308 crowd

 

[SundownRider]

Longer barrel means longer sight radius, which means increased accuracy at longer distances, provided you can actually shoot the thing and aren't just hoping there's a magical formula to turn bad gun habits into a winning solution.

My IDPA gun is a full size 92FS.

My $.02. YMMV

 

[essayons21]

I have noticed some of the professional IDPA shooters have started gravitating towards the 4" barrel. Something about faster draw, transitions, and controllability.

Personally I like a 5" barrel 1911 because it is faster and more controllable for me.

 

[tango2echo]

I've shot IDPA and other various competitions for the last 18 years. I prefer 4.5 to 5" barrels for the reasons stated above.


t2e

 

[19-3Ben]

I had a friend who shot in some IPSC-like tournaments. Used a 3"bbl 1911. I asked him why in the world he'd want a 3" when concealability wasn't an issue and he had so much to gain from the larger pistol.
His answer was that he could shoot the 3" just as accurately at the distances used in that competition, and the shorter slide helped him to get a faster draw.
Never thought of that before.

I didn't vote because I've never done competitions so I have no personal advice or insights.

 

[Eightball]

5" balances better for me in most every application. YMMV.

 

[shockwave]

Can't tell you why, but in IPSC, the Rossi 4" .357 always turned in better scores than the S&W 6" .357. Eventually, I just stopped using the .686 and stayed with the Rossi. Draws faster, aims faster, and delivers tighter groups.

For HD, I rely on the .686, but for combat the Rossi is a great gun and the 4" barrel has proved itself to me. That is, in the home, the S&W is the go-to weapon, but on the street, I'll pack the Rossi or something smaller.