Does barrel length make a difference?

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viking499

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I am looking at putting a threaded barrel on my Buckmark. It already has a 5.5" slabside barrel that I can threaded. Or I can buy another 5.5 already threaded or a 4" already threaded.

Is there any advantages or disadvantages when looking at a 4 or 5.5 barrel?
 
I have read but not confirmed through my own testing that the 4" barrel will allow you to use supersonic .22 ammo and not have it get supersonic due to the short barrel length. This may be an advantage.

I have shot supersonic stuff through my 5.5" buckmark, some of it has a crack and some of it doesn't. I mostly shoot CCI standard velocity and it doesn't have the crack.
 
Here is my data:
Remington Golden Bullets 525 Bulk pack. Stated velocity: 1280fps
Federal 550 round Value pack. Stated velocity: 1260fps

Shot from:
Ruger MKII 5.5" bbl
Ruger MKIII 22/45 4" bbl

Remington:
5.5"...........4"

1040..........1019
1051..........1010
1096..........1011
1120..........987
1086..........1011
1110..........1013
1115..........1047
1132..........1013
1079..........1032
1083..........1028

Avg
1091..........1017
Spread
92..............60


Federal:
5.5"...........4"

1088..........1040
1166..........1013
1150..........1054
1148..........1047
1142..........1043
1140..........1083
1148..........1072
1145..........1059
1105..........1100
1112..........1017

Avg
1134..........1053
Spread
78.............87

Conclusion:
With typical high velocity bulk ammo and a 5.5" bbl, you will mostly be subsonic but depending on temperature, you will be pretty close to, if not above the speed of sound occasionally.
With a 4" bbl it is safe to assume you will be subsonic every shot.
 
That's the way I went. The ability to use high velocity bulk ammo in my pistol made it worthwhile, without a doubt.
 
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