Minimum barrel lengths for effective use of 45acp and 9mm luger rounds

[Prion]

I am curious to hear all of your thoughts concerning barrel lengths for 9mm and 45acp handguns. Particularly, minimum lengths in this age of concealed carry.

Also, what do you think is the optimum length to maximize performance for these two rounds when concealment is a non-issue?

 

[Yo Mama]

Everything gets slowed down with a shorter barrel. For the 9mm, it's effects are not as drastic as it starts off as a quicker round. .45 is already slow and gets slower, like down to 750 fps in a 3 inch barrel.

A few notes, a slower bullet will still perform. You're ammo selection would need to be critical, and you're thoughts on HP vs. FMJ may change as the barrel goes shorter.

In the end it's always a sacrifice. Comfort and ability to carry, vs. big old gun that's hard to hide. For work, I can only have a pocket gun period. I find comfort often that it's there in case. Outside of work it's a full size 1911.

Optimum performance for both rounds? 6 inch barrel IMO.

 

[Pistol Toter]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I have always been under the impression that Browning designed the .45 ACP around the 5" barrel using a 230 grn projectile. The 9mm, I have no idea but since most ole time LEO carried the 4" .38spl that the 9mm wouldn't be too much difference. Of course, keeping in mind that an inch in length will make somewhere between 50 and 100 feet per second. My .45 is a Glock 21 which has a 4.6" barrel which probably not enough difference to note; while my SP101 is 2.25" tube. I don't have any illiusions that I am giving up some measurable/substantial amount of velocity; but the snubby is whole lot easier to tote around and I quite willing to make the sacrifice. If I feels likes I needs to, I swaps out to the Glock. If you carry a abrevated tube on a .45, then lower the bullet weight and maintain the higher velocity. I carry 230's in my Glock but If iwas to drop to a 3" barrel I would go to the 180 grain pill. The SP is loaded with 125's. I won't go below that.

 

[hillbillydelux]

One thing I have learned throughout the years. All guns are different. To find out the answer:
1. Buy a chronograph
2. Buy several 45's and 9mm's of varying barrel lengths
3. Buy plenty of ammo for both
4. Have fun finding out the truth
5. Dont shoot your chronograph

 

[jem375]

I use 185 gr. JHP's in my 3" 45ACP....

 

[CDW4ME]

Short barrel velocities

Average of 5 shots:
Kahr PM45 Winchester Ranger T 230 gr. @ 832 fps / Rem. 185 JHP @ 889 fps
Glock 39 Win. 185 Silvertip 886 fps / Speer GD 185 @ 932 fps
Kahr PM40 Win. 155 Silvertip @ 1,077 / Ranger T 165 @ 1,118
Kahr PM9 CorBon 115 JHP @ 1,215 / Federal 115 +P+ @ 1,149
Glock 33 CorBon 125 JHP @ 1,324 / Speer GD 125 @ 1,315

Some of those should surely expand

 

[BlindJustice]

Some Nutters took a bunch of ammo, a chronograp
, a bunch of T/C Contender barrels along with a saw to shorten the barrel from 18" to 2" in 1" increments taking readings for each Bbl. Len.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/40sw.html

Taking a sample by like manufactueres and typical
bullet weights for the cartridges

9mm Parabellum/Luger --5"----4"----3"----2"
Corbon 124 gr. JHP+P 1282 1226 1170 1061
Corbon 115 gr. DPX-- 1315 1265 1215 1132
Speer 124 gr. Gold Dot 1259 1203 1108 1074

.45 ACP aka .45 ACP--5"----4"----3"----2"
Corbon 185 gr. JHP+P 1149 1109 999 939
Corbon 230 gr. DPX-- 1015 983 893 844
Federal 230 gr. Hi Shok 843 814 758 709

.40 S & W --------------5"----4"----3"----2"
Corbon 140 gr. DPX -- 1308 1236 1190 1093
CorBon 165 gr.JHP +P 1225 1164 1085 988
Federal 180 gr. JHP--- 1047 1016 962 905
Speer 180 gr. GD - SB 1053 1011 979 930


Looked at .357 Mag. and it certainly loses
a LOT when you get to a two inch Bbl. length.

Somebody commented on the Bbl. len. in
Semi-AUto versus revolver. Barrel Len. ina
Semi-AUto includes the chamber, so a 5" .45 ACP
only has 4" and a smidgen of rifling. A 5" Bbl.
on a revolver is measured from muzzle crown to
the forcing cone/front of the cylinder, for 4" Bbl.
does not include the chamber length in the cylinder.

I have a full size 1911, as well as a S&W 625 5: Bbl.
heck to get the revolver close to the same O.A.l you'd
need the 4" Bbl. len. - then there's the Barrel to cylinder
gap where you lose some pressure/velocity.

I should chronograph my two .45s and see where
the numbers fall. individual examples and all that.

Randall

 

[CoRoMo]

We need ballistics-by-the-half-inch.

 

[Shadan7]

Some Nutters took a bunch of ammo, a chronograp
, a bunch of T/C Contender barrels along with a saw to shorten the barrel from 18" to 2" in 1" increments taking readings for each Bbl. Len.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Jim D.

 

[VA27]

Any functioning firearm that shoots either of those calibers will be fine, regardless of barrel length...as long as you hit where you're aiming.

As to longer barrels, anything over 16" is pretty much just dead weight and sight radius...making it a little easier to hit what you're aiming at.

 

[DBR]

Generally speaking 45ACP is at it's best in a 5" barrel and starts to really lose below about 4".

9mm is best at 4"-4.5" and is OK to 3.5". Heavier bullets usually don't suffer as much from shorter barrels as light bullets (less powder to burn).

 

[J Lambs]

Minimum barrel lengths for effective use of 45acp and 9mm luger rounds

As far as self defence, I doubt the BG is going to enjoy being shot by a 3 inch gun, therefore it is effective!

 

[loop]

JMHO,

But, I have a .45 ACP revolver with a 1 1/2 inch barrel. That would be a bit short of a 3 inch barrel in a 1911. I've never felt undergunned with either.

I have a lot of power in a small package that is easy to bring into play.

Is there a whole lot of difference in power at poker table distances? No.

OTOH,

I've always felt like I need to consider shot placement and followup ability when carrying a 9mm. I don't care what the barrel length is or the capacity.

I'll take my 1917 S&W Fitz job over any 9 at inside the same room distances.