Just how much difference does barrel length make regarding precision of the pistol - the ability to group shots closely together? I saw a guy once (admittedly he was an expert) shoot unbelievably tight groups at 20 yards using a snubbie. The difference was he had put on some contraption that gave him a much longer sighting plane. His point was that sighting plane was everything, barrel length inconsequential. Not having seen this addressed as yet (maybe I missed it) in any gun magazines using a Ransom rest, I wondered if anyone here has looked into it?
Barrel length vs accuracy
- Thread starter Oldnamvet
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P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I think somewhere around 4" is considered a good start after which actual accuracy may not increase significantly. Velocity will of course creep up a bit with barrel length which may stretch range but probably not accuracy.
IMO sight base is everything re open sights. That is what makes a snub more difficult for most folks tho - if used to a specific example of snub and learn its vagaries it is quite possible to get good hits at 100 yards - practice tho I think is needed for that - meaning ballistically it is possible but any ''aim off'' has to be discovered first.
IMO sight base is everything re open sights. That is what makes a snub more difficult for most folks tho - if used to a specific example of snub and learn its vagaries it is quite possible to get good hits at 100 yards - practice tho I think is needed for that - meaning ballistically it is possible but any ''aim off'' has to be discovered first.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Let me add this wee caveat - just done some quick math here.
Let us say we compare a 1/8" (0.125") deviation of front sight laterally within the rear sight, and treat that distance as the opposite side on a triangle. Then let the distance between sight elements be the adjacent side of said triangle we get, as the tan - if I didn't rush this too much -
2" sightbase - 0.0011º - or 3.96 seconds of arc
4" sightbase - 0.00054º - or 1.944 seconds of arc
6" sightbase - 0.00036º - or 1.296 seconds of arc
8" sightbase - 0.00027º - or 0.98 seconds of arc.
It is pretty apparent how the error reduces in a beneficial and slightly non-linear fashion as barrel length and so sight base lengthen.
This error when translated into target hits will be very significant I think you'll see, although the actual error thru sighting is the same offset factor. It is much easier to control I find with longer tubes, within reason.
Let us say we compare a 1/8" (0.125") deviation of front sight laterally within the rear sight, and treat that distance as the opposite side on a triangle. Then let the distance between sight elements be the adjacent side of said triangle we get, as the tan - if I didn't rush this too much -
2" sightbase - 0.0011º - or 3.96 seconds of arc
4" sightbase - 0.00054º - or 1.944 seconds of arc
6" sightbase - 0.00036º - or 1.296 seconds of arc
8" sightbase - 0.00027º - or 0.98 seconds of arc.
It is pretty apparent how the error reduces in a beneficial and slightly non-linear fashion as barrel length and so sight base lengthen.
This error when translated into target hits will be very significant I think you'll see, although the actual error thru sighting is the same offset factor. It is much easier to control I find with longer tubes, within reason.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I doubt barrel length is completely inconsequential, but it's definitely not the critical factor lots of people believe. All three of my snub-nosed revolvers are as accurate as longer-tubed models—providing I do my part, to be sure.
MachIVshooter
Member
The barrel length is a non-issue concerning accuracy, so long as it can stabilize the bullet. As others said, sight radius is what makes a gun easier to shoot accurately. But since the two are usually intertwined, longer barrels are generally referred to as more accurate.
deadin
Member
A way to test/prove the above, if you want to take the time /expense,
would to mount a dot or scope on a snubbie. I think you would find that the barrel length doesn't contribute that much to accuracy. (and besides, you would have a cool looking gun
)
Dean
would to mount a dot or scope on a snubbie. I think you would find that the barrel length doesn't contribute that much to accuracy. (and besides, you would have a cool looking gun
)Dean
Sunray
Member
"...some contraption that gave him a much longer sighting plane..." Yes, a longer sighting plane helps. However, if your 'expert' relys on it, he's no expert. An expert can shoot anything well.
The barrel length has little to do with accuracy. Sight radius, yes, but not accuracy. The ammo, trigger and the sights, for most of us, are far more important. Knew an old experienced cop who could shoot who could chase a pop can all over the range with a 2" .38 with fixed sights. Mind you, he also shot competively for recreation. Arvey was just a very good old school cop.
The barrel length has little to do with accuracy. Sight radius, yes, but not accuracy. The ammo, trigger and the sights, for most of us, are far more important. Knew an old experienced cop who could shoot who could chase a pop can all over the range with a 2" .38 with fixed sights. Mind you, he also shot competively for recreation. Arvey was just a very good old school cop.
357wheelgunner
Member
The first time my wife picked up my 3" model 65, with fixed sights and loaded with WWB .38+P, she hit a milk jug at 100 yards single action.
I'd say if you can hold it steady the revolver will be better than you are...
I'd say if you can hold it steady the revolver will be better than you are...
Fatelvis
Member
I think when going for extreme accuracy, especially at longer ranges, a 7 1/2" barrel is a great length, considering it is still "holsterable", yet gives plenty of sight radius for those 200 meter shots.
twoblink
Member
The .22LR actually LOSES velocity out of an 18" barrel, but why is the long gun more accurate? It really is all about the sight radius..
The barrel length has more to do with velocity out the barrel than accuracy..
The barrel length has more to do with velocity out the barrel than accuracy..
45crittergitter
Member
Normally a shorter barrel will be more inherently accurate, due to it being stiffer. However, as pointed out below, humans can usually shoot a longer-barrelled gun more accurately.
Some of the old black-powder Colts with 7-8" barrells are described as being very "pointable", almost naturally pointing to the target. Perhaps besides sighting distance, the weight distribution of the longer barrell will tend to enhance accuracy.
BluesBear
member
Well there's the accuracy of the firearm and the ability of the shooter. For me personally, my 6" no-underlug, square butt N-frame improves my ability to shoot more accurately than my 3" no-underlug, round butt N-frame. It's all about the pointability. However in a Ransom rest my 3" Model 29 is just as accurate as my 6" Model 629 when using the same ammunition.
Also for me personally my 3" round butt N-frames points better than a 4" no-underlug, square butt (or round butt for that matter). It's all a matter of balance and personal preference.
I actually think that a 5", no-underlug, square butt N-frame points the best of all.
Anyone else besides me ever CCW a .44-40?
Also for me personally my 3" round butt N-frames points better than a 4" no-underlug, square butt (or round butt for that matter). It's all a matter of balance and personal preference.
I actually think that a 5", no-underlug, square butt N-frame points the best of all.
Anyone else besides me ever CCW a .44-40?
Father Knows Best
Member
Actually, a shorter barrel can often result in improved accuracy. Look at rimfire silhouette guns. They want a long sight radius, but they don't use long barrels. Instead, the use a short barrel with a long barrel extension to support the front sight and give a long sight radius. Weight isn't an issue (it helps keep the gun stable), so why wouldn't they use long barrels? The answer is that the shorter barrel gets the bullet out of the gun quicker. Just as a long lock time can contribute to diminished accuracy because the gun has more opportunity to move around between the time the sear releases and the cartridge fires, a long barrel can cause diminished accuracy because the gun has more opportunity to move around between the time the cartridge fires and the bullet exits the barrel.
The ideal gun for accuracy purposes is one with an instantaneous lock time, and a barrel just long enough to properly stabilize the bullet, but with either a single plan (optical) sighting device, or a long extension that gives a good radius between the front and rear sights.
The ideal gun for accuracy purposes is one with an instantaneous lock time, and a barrel just long enough to properly stabilize the bullet, but with either a single plan (optical) sighting device, or a long extension that gives a good radius between the front and rear sights.
mitchshrader
Member
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IMO..
the 'ideal' revolver barrel length, meaning 'best for the most folks' .. at 'practical accuracy' (meaning plain iron sights)
offhand, is 6 inches. longer MAY help for extreme ranges, but within 100 yards, 6 inch barrels are hard to beat..
course, everybody shoots different. lots of exceptions to any average..
and my FAVORITE length is 5 inches..
the 'ideal' revolver barrel length, meaning 'best for the most folks' .. at 'practical accuracy' (meaning plain iron sights)
offhand, is 6 inches. longer MAY help for extreme ranges, but within 100 yards, 6 inch barrels are hard to beat..
course, everybody shoots different. lots of exceptions to any average..
and my FAVORITE length is 5 inches..
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