Barrel length?

[jamesbeat]

I'm seriously toying with the idea of shortening the barrel (currently 8") on my Pietta 1858.
I'm aware of the things I need to consider regarding the cylinder base pin and loading lever, but I'd like to know a bit more about muzzle velocity and accuracy before I take a hacksaw to the gun.
I'd like to make the barrel as short as possible without seriously affecting velocity.
I remember reading something years ago about a 3.5" to 4" barrel being the 'sweet spot' for a modern revolver, but I also know that smokeless powder has very different burning characteristics to black powder.
If I shortened the barrel to, say, a 4.75" 'gunfighter' length, would it reduce the power of the gun a great deal?

Also, (I wouldn't go this short but I'm curious) what would the power reduction be for extreme shortening of the barrel, like the 2.5" to 3" 'belly guns' some people have made?

 

[scythefwd]

I'll bet you lose a bit of velocity. I am probably wrong, but isn't there some unburnt powder flying out the barrel of a BP handgun? That would mean you have gas production all the way to the end of the barrel, which creates velocity. To lessen that barrels length would also lessen the amount of powder burned, which would create a lower pressure and probably a much slower bullet. Much being 100+ fps per inch (again, I don't shoot handguns, just a rifle and I am very new to this, so I will most likely be wrong). I encourage anyone with more experience to chime in so I can learn something as well .

 

[jamesbeat]

Yup, that's exactly what I'm thinking.
From what I can gather, you lose around 40-50fps per inch lopped off a handgun barrel, but it varies quite a bit and that figure is for smokeless, not BP

 

[Smokin_Gun]

If ya don't jus' want a belly gun don't do it...you lose more than you'd probly want to at 25yds.
Just my opinion and ballistic velosity...