Why do manufacturers shorten the barrels...

[Bobson]

of their compact and subcompact models?

Use the Glock 22 and Glock 27 as an example. Both weapons are chambered in .40 S&W. The 22 is a "duty-sized" gun, while the 27 is designed around concealment. The 22 has a 4.49 inch barrel. The 27's is over a full inch shorter, at 3.46 inches.

Obviously the grip is shorter too, which is great, since a gun's grip is usually the hardest part to conceal; everything else (like the barrel) is usually tucked away, assuming you're carrying IWB.

I don't see why they shorten the barrel, too. Sure, the Glock 27 would look strange if it had the Glock 22's barrel on it, but is the reason based purely on aesthetics? Wouldn't it be a better weapon if they just took the Glock 22, cut the grip down to the size of a 27's, and sold it like that?

 

[Hossfly68]

Balance? Or could be that its just prettier that way.
Could just because I'm tired but I just got a pic in my head of a really short woman with a huge nose when I tried to picture a long barreled, short butted gun.

 

[chicharrones]

That's what I'd do to make a gun smaller since I would be thinking about overall size. Plus, it would lose some weight too.

People have been cutting down barrels on shotguns, rifles, and revolvers for years (centuries?) to make them smaller when the need for a smaller gun is present.

Autoloaders are a bit harder to do that to compared to the rest since it's more involved than just cutting the barrel itself. So, I guess the manufacturers are giving us what would be harder for us to do ourselves and there's usually a warranty associated with their work.

 

[2wheels]

I think it makes the gun easier and more comfortable to conceal overall. Many people say "barrel length doesn't matter with IWB", and to a degree they're right... But I hate full sized barrels stuck all the way down my pants, 3-4" is my limit. You also wouldn't ankle or pocket carry a G27 with a 4.5 inch barrel.

 

[beatledog7]

The answer is simple: marketing. The gun makers have done their homework, and they know what has the best chance of selling.

If one maker released a subcompact model in .40 S&W with a 5" barrel and it sold like ball caps at a NASCAR convention, they would soon all have to do it. Then a 9mm, and perhaps a .45 ACP... If I were said gunmaker and believed a gun built on this concept would be profitable, I'd start with a 9mm.

You get the idea.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

When it comes to IWB, some people like shorter barrels when sitting or doing other regular activities. I know if I carry a 5" Government model 1911 IWB, the end will either bump the seat and/or push the entire gun with holster into my side. With my 3" Defender or 3 1/2" Officer models, this does not happen. There is also companies that will produce a smaller frame but keep the barrel length the same, however it also comes to the balance of the gun as mentioned earlier.

 

[oldfool]

like the guy said... marketing... the MBAs-R-Us clones all go ga-ga over whatever the latest mega trend is, and the trend is "mine is better than yours, because mine is smaller/lighter than yours"

My example would be the Ruger LCP. They could easy add an inch of barrel on it, stick at least one more round in a mag, with a little bit more handle, and it would still be super easy slim CCW and more than light enough even if they made it all steel (which they never will, of course).
What it would be is a far better shooter than it is... but that don't count in marketing.
More guns are sold these days for carrying than they are for shooting.

 

[robinkevin]

Usually a shorter barrel is more ideal for carry as you can draw the pistol fast as with a longer barrel you have another inch to pull up before the barrel clears the holster, so that is one reason. Another reason as someone else mention is weight you loose some weight and that makes it easier to carry. Think about people who ankle carry then you can see a whole new light on where a shorter barrel is better. Also it is to fill a need, a defense pistol doesn't need a long barrel to be accurate at 15 feet (average defense range?) so there for its not needed on a self defense pistol. Then the icing on the cake is "marketing" as they are in fact marketing it to conceal carry self defense use, and its design around that use.

 

[oldfool]

I don't buy into the short barrel "fast draw" rationalization, myself
(apparently, neither do competition shooters)

A defense pistol ought be as shooting friendly as possible, IMO
Too small, too light never was a shooter's best friend

Carry comfort is way overplayed by the marketeers; carry comfort never once won a gunfight. There really is such as too much of a good thing, but there is also such as too little of a good thing.

 

[Sport45]

I'd think balance plays a part too. You wouldn't want a lot of weight hanging out front if you only have two fingers on the grip.

 

[JustSomeDude]

Because the 3 inch barrel you have with you is better than the 5 inch barrel in the safe at home. Many people simply can't conceal a full size gun, and so the subcompact market was born. I don't really see your beef, because there are plenty of guns that fit your requirements, go buy one of those and don't worry about it. I for one am thankful that the Kahr CM9 is available.

 

[chicharrones]

My example would be the Ruger LCP. They could easy add an inch of barrel on it, stick at least one more round in a mag, with a little bit more handle, and it would still be super easy slim CCW and more than light enough even if they made it all steel (which they never will, of course).
What it would be is a far better shooter than it is... but that don't count in marketing.

Ruger already makes that gun. They just chambered it for 9mm since not many people want a concealed carry .380 pushing the size and weight of a Walther PPK or a Walther PK380.

More guns are sold these days for carrying than they are for shooting.

You are definitely correct when it comes to concealed carry guns for civilian use and backup guns for LEO use.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

With the nation spread off CCW permits, carry guns are obviously the hottest thing right now. I'm glad most companies are willing to make various models in different lengths. There is nothing wrong with options. If we didn't want them, everyone would be carrying the same gun, in the same holster.

There are many people that want a lighter gun. This can all depend on medical conditions, perceived weight and what the end user's daily activities are. Yes there is marketing behind many firearm products out there but what product doesn't?

IMO, the manufactures are more than happy to make poly pistols due to cost. Their profit margin is much higher on a poly pistol over an aluminum or steel framed model. If the LCP frame was made of metal as mentioned earlier, you would easily see a $100-$200 increase in price. This could also result in fewer sales since it would now be heavier and more expensive. The person with a back problem or someone who dosn't want a heavy pistol in their pocket will consider another company to purchase from.

I personally like all metal guns weather it be OWB,IWB or pocket carry. My usual set-up is an Ultra Carry II for winter, Solo for Summer and P238 for pocket. I also have a complete set-up for DA & DA/SA guns in the form of a PX4sc for Winter, PF9 for Summer and P3AT for pocket carry. I switch off every year to stay proficient with different triggers and models. I also practice with both types of guns through-out the year.

For someone like myself, I'm looking for a sub-compact type of gun where I can easily conceal the grip and have an acceptable barrel length that does not effect my everyday movements. If I was going to be standing all day I may opt for a 5" 1911 but it really all depends.

Not every CCW permit holder is a "gun person". They may want to carry something but the thought of a 2lb gun dosn't hold well with them. Even a smaller/light/all metal gun might be to much depending on the situations I wrote earlier. To be honest, I'd rather have someone carrying a lightweight, short barreled gun to protect themselves over nothing at all. I think many don't realize how these firearm options are helping the carry movement and the firearms community in general.

 

[mgmorden]

Remember that not everyone carries IWB. Some people carry in pancake holsters or other "outside the belt" rigs. You can't have too long a barrel with that.

Realistically too, self defense shots tend to be at INCREDIBLY close ranges. If I'm shooting plates at 25 yards, I want a nice long barrel/sight radius. Hitting a human sized target at 3-5 yards though? The sight radius is meaningless at that point.

You simply don't need the long barrel for what these guns are made for.

If you really want though, you can get a G22 and have the grip cut down to G27 size and use the G27 mags.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Remember that not everyone carries IWB. Some people carry in pancake holsters or other "outside the belt" rigs. You can't have too long a barrel with that.

It all depends if the person is carrying OWB openly or concealed. A full size gun can only be set up so high above the holster loops before it starts flopping around. To be honest, I find OWB concealed carry a lot harder to do than IWB since the muzzle has a much higher chance of exposure no matter what the barrel length is.

 

[Greg528iT]

I don't buy into the short barrel "fast draw" rationalization, myself
(apparently, neither do competition shooters)

Most of the "competition" shooter's rigs I've seen are where the gun sits ON not in a holster. They don't draw the pistol out of the holster, they unclip it.

 

[mgmorden]

It all depends if the person is carrying OWB openly or concealed. A full size gun can only be set up so high above the holster loops before it starts flopping around. To be honest, I find OWB concealed carry a lot harder to do than IWB since the muzzle has a much higher chance of exposure no matter what the barrel length is.

I think we agree, I just worded my response a bit ambiguously. I was saying that when carrying such a way you are not able to carry a gun with a long barrel (if carrying concealed). All in all, for concealed carry short barrels work better for the carry part, and aren't really a hindrance if you need to use it at self-defense ranges, so it's not much of an issue.

 

[brickeyee]

Why do manufacturers shorten the barrels of their compact and subcompact models?

To try and make them smaller.

The frame is usually smaller also.