How long is too long?

Size is everything :)

Depends what you want to do with the revolver; for target shooting at far distance 8 inch is great... Longer barrel = More accuracy and more velocity but also more weight on an aready heavy revolver...
 
Rivalen said:
Size is everything :)

Depends what you want to do with the revolver; for target shooting at far distance 8 inch is great... Longer barrel = More accuracy and more velocity but also more weight on an aready heavy revolver...
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Longer barrel does NOT mean greater accuracy. The only correlation between barrel length and accuracy is in relation to projectile velocity. Shorter barrels are inherently more accurate due to their being stiffer and less affected by barrel harmonics. Short of trying to do bullseye at extreme range(for a handgun) there is near zero gain in running longer barrels. The added weight can aid in follow up shots but the gain in velocity is minimal.

TDC
 
lots of the 44 mag silouette folks use a 10 inch and longer- the first revolvers( ie colt saa's) were 7.5 inch, and a lot of the cap and balls are 7.5 from the factory- so , no , a 8 inch isn't too long- provided you're not drawing
 
What is the longest for drawning?

Actually I was thinking of trying a handgun scope on it. I have a 4 3/8 barrel now and shot a 6 inch a while ago, I'm warned 8 is too heavy and bulky for anything but range use.
 
I run 8 3/8" and when it comes out it grabs attention
last time at the range my 8 3/8" was over shadowed by a guy with a 10" .... 8 isn't too long
 
TDC said:
Longer barrel does NOT mean greater accuracy. The only correlation between barrel length and accuracy is in relation to projectile velocity. Shorter barrels are inherently more accurate due to their being stiffer and less affected by barrel harmonics. Short of trying to do bullseye at extreme range(for a handgun) there is near zero gain in running longer barrels. The added weight can aid in follow up shots but the gain in velocity is minimal.

TDC
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What about the longer sight radius?
 
Personally i love long barreled guns have several 8 3/8ërs and a .44 in 10 5/8"that gets everyones attention lol. As for accuracy you have a greater sight radius with the longer ones. They shoot better at a longer range then the shorter barrel guns unless you are a good shooter than it would make no differance. Most people prefer the short barrel over the longer ones because of the weight that true because your arms get tired after awhile holding that long barrel puppy....
 
Interesting that nobody has mentioned the effect of longer barrels in regard to gas dissipation. The moment the trigger is pulled and the bullet leaves the cylinder, gases are leaking out the gap as well as being reduced by the increasing volume in the bore, behind the bullet. Rather than worrying about barrel harmonics (negligible in anything under 12") I'm more concerned with the position of the bullet in the barrel when all the combustion gases are spent and dropping. At this point any extra time the bullet spends in the barrel means lost performance due to friction. I believe the optimum scenario is balancing a powder load to match barrel length so that the pressure is on the decline as, or just after, the bullet leaves the barrel.
 
As others have stated I do not think the longer barreled revolvers are more accurate then the short barreled guns are, they are just easier to shoot more accurately because of the longer sight radis. All it matters is what you like. Personaly I like the long barreled guns as I think they look way better. Just my 2 cents worth.

Graydog
 
handofzeus said:
Interesting that nobody has mentioned the effect of longer barrels in regard to gas dissipation. The moment the trigger is pulled and the bullet leaves the cylinder, gases are leaking out the gap as well as being reduced by the increasing volume in the bore, behind the bullet. Rather than worrying about barrel harmonics (negligible in anything under 12") I'm more concerned with the position of the bullet in the barrel when all the combustion gases are spent and dropping. At this point any extra time the bullet spends in the barrel means lost performance due to friction. I believe the optimum scenario is balancing a powder load to match barrel length so that the pressure is on the decline as, or just after, the bullet leaves the barrel.
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ballisticsbytheinch.com the site shows different ammo. the 357 mahnum I ask about will accelerate up to 18 inches of barrel length!!! most handgun ammo still accelerates past 12 inches
 
TDC said:
Longer barrel does NOT mean greater accuracy. The only correlation between barrel length and accuracy is in relation to projectile velocity. Shorter barrels are inherently more accurate due to their being stiffer and less affected by barrel harmonics. Short of trying to do bullseye at extreme range(for a handgun) there is near zero gain in running longer barrels. The added weight can aid in follow up shots but the gain in velocity is minimal.

TDC
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While a long barrel won't make a revolver more accurate, the longer sight radius will make hitting easier. That said, I truly dislike handguns with long barrels, for me 5" seems to be the best balance between bulk and balance; even though an 8" Dan Wesson .44 was the most accurate handgun I've ever owned. Velocity is determined as much by the the cylinder gap, as barrel length, and every now and then a 4" gun produces higher velocity than a 6", with the same load.

I'm fortunate enough to have 12-6 printed on my PAL. While I find a 4" K frame Smith hard not to like, I'm not much for snubbies, although I recognize their tactical niche. But there is no wrong answer, barrel length is simply a matter of personal preference. But if the balance, weight, and long sighting radius of the long barreled gun appeals to you, go for it.
 
That makes sense with the bigger calibres since they're chambered in many rifles. Not so much for the smaller stuff I would imagine. !8" is probably the outer range for 9mm acceleration. I was probably a tad off on my 12" estimate. (that's what SHE said!) Ha! beat everyone to it.
 
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