As I understand it, pistol cartridges lose velocity (effectiveness) when they are shot out of shorter and shorter barrels. That is, various semiauto cartridges need minimum length barrels to get the full effectiveness out of their size/load.
For instance, I've read that the best/minimum length for 10mm or .45 is a 5" barrel and anything shorter results in substantial losses in velocity/effectiveness thus undercutting the advantages of these cartridges. Also heard that at a certain point, a 9mm out of too short a barrel renders the cartridge no better than a .380.
So, what are the optimum/minimum barrel lengths for getting the full effectiveness/velocity from various standard semi-auto cartridges? (And how then can guns like ultra compact .45s and 9mms remain as effective as bigger pistols?)
In particular, I am looking at getting a 10mm. Many have a full 5" barrel, but some, like the one I am looking at has only a 4.25" barrel. So how much do I lose in that .75" difference?
For instance, I've read that the best/minimum length for 10mm or .45 is a 5" barrel and anything shorter results in substantial losses in velocity/effectiveness thus undercutting the advantages of these cartridges. Also heard that at a certain point, a 9mm out of too short a barrel renders the cartridge no better than a .380.
So, what are the optimum/minimum barrel lengths for getting the full effectiveness/velocity from various standard semi-auto cartridges? (And how then can guns like ultra compact .45s and 9mms remain as effective as bigger pistols?)
In particular, I am looking at getting a 10mm. Many have a full 5" barrel, but some, like the one I am looking at has only a 4.25" barrel. So how much do I lose in that .75" difference?