Short Barrel vs. Long Barrel

[Phriend]

I'm looking for a gun that I can easily conceal -- so I prefer handguns that have a shorter barrel.

That said, will a handgun with a shorter barrel have less accuracy than a handgun with a longer barrel? Additionally, I would like to add a laser sight to my handgun.... is this possible on weapons that have a short barrel?

 

[DENALI]

Yes as a rule firearms with shorter barrel's are less accurate, but some short barreled guns can be remarkably accurate. Many things contribute to accuracy. I would urge you to stay away from laser's on these small defensive firearms as they introduce (to my mind) complexity to a situation where simplicity is required. Practice with your gun and learn to master it and it will serve you well..............

 

[1911Tuner]

When it comes to concealment, it's usually not the barrel that presents a problem, but the grip frame. A longer barrel/slide can also help keep the gun stable when worn in an IWB rig. Short-barrelled revolvers especially tend to be butt-heavy when worn concealed.

 

[spwenger]

Intrinsic vs. Practical Accuracy

Yes as a rule firearms with shorter barrel's are less accurate, but some short barreled guns can be remarkably accurate.

Aside from the fact that velocity is influenced by barrel length and that some bullets may be more accurate within a certain velocity range, the length of the barrel should not have much effect on the intrinsic accuracy of a handgun. Some shooters find that when they fire a gun in their hands (as opposed to a mechanical fixture such as a Ransom Rest), their accuracy suffers from the shorter sight radius.

Realistically, most self-defense incidents will occur at distances more likely to be measured in feet than in yards although there are always exceptions. This means that the difference between a two-inch group and a six-inch group at 25 yards is not likely to make much difference. While longer barrels can usually be concealed fairly easily by using inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters, a handgun with a longer barrel may take a fraction of a second longer to get clear of the holster and, if you are short-waisted, may not clear the holster at all if you can't lean to the opposite side during the draw.

Personally, I'll stick with my short-barrel revolvers rather than worry about shooting it out across the width of a parking lot. The last time I drew on a hostile human being it was literally at arm's length.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Accuracy of a good gun depends on the shooter not the barrel length.

The combination of a 2 inch barrel 38 Special S&W J Frame and a Crimson Trace laser grip is an excellent night and day defense gun.

That is if the user learns to use the equipment properly and practices with it.

With practice a high degree of accuracy and speed can be achieved in low light and darkness with a small laser equipped handgun.
I practice several evenings a week with laser.
If nothing else it's fun.



If you are thinking about a laser call Crimson Trace 800 442 2406 and ask them for a (free) catalog and (free) DVD called "Shots in the Dark". This will give you a LOT of information on the proper use of a gun mounted laser and maybe help you decide if you want one.

 

[possum]

the hardest part about concealing a handgun is typically gonna have to do with the grip more than the size of the barrel. generally though a longer barrel will give you more accuracy, the longer sight radius etc. i have no problem shooting accuratly with short barreled guns as opposed to long. ie my xd sc and xd service model are so similar i can hardly tell the difference especially at defensive distances. but outto 15yds it is good to go ad they are pretty much on par with each other. now when i do my 25,50and 100yd shooting than yeah there is gonna be a big difference.