9mm barrel length question

[neomentat]

will a 3.86 inch barrel differ significantly from a 4.44 inch barrel in terms of bullet performance? The caliber in question is the 9mm.

[JDay]

More length always equals better accuracy.

[Greg-Dawg]

Yes.

[Bug Splat]

More length always equals better accuracy.

You sure about that?

[Wizard99]

Slight drop in velocity but probably not much differance in terminal performance. The terminal performance of 9mm is about the same for the 3.5-4.5 inch barrel lenghts for most bullets.

[JTROKS]

Unless you're shooting +p stuff, the velocity drop is negligible.

[ontmark]

9mm Parabellum

Gold Dot, 124 grain JHP
P226 (4.4" barrel) - 1119 fps, S.D. 25, 19 rounds
P226 (4.9" barrel) - 1132 fps, S.D. 18, 10 rounds

Gold Dot, 124 grain +P JHP
P226 (4.4" barrel) - 1213 fps, S.D. 20, 10 rounds
P226 (4.9" barrel) - 1226 fps, S.D. 16, 8 rounds
P229 (3.9" barrel) - 1206 fps, S.D. 16, 20 rounds

[Exiledviking]

More length always equals better accuracy.

Not necessarily true. I read a lot about this a few years back and true accuracy does not really depend upon the length of the barrel.

A longer barrel just makes it generally easier to aim due to more distance between the front and rear sights.

[Echidin]

Not necessarily true. I read a lot about this a few years back and true accuracy does not really depend upon the length of the barrel.

This is true.

Though not a 9mm, this older gentlemen seems to have pretty good luck hitting targets out to 75-80 yards with his Glock 27 in .40 cal with a 3.46 in. barrel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdqIhmu9Fuk

[dgey]

there is a difference with the longer barrel winning out. you won't notice the difference. It's too small. get the barrel length that'll suit your needs best.

[eccvets]

it depends more on your skill and the gun make/model rather then just the lenght

[ar15barrels]

More length always equals better accuracy.

Incorrect.
More sight radius often gives improved practical accuracy.
More barrel length just gives more velocity.
When fired from a machine rest, accuracy is not effected by barrel length.

[tmuller]

I would not be concerned with bbl length in your case. Either bbl should be fine in this caliber, and I assume typical "handgun" ranges.

[JohnJW]

Incorrect.
More sight radius often gives improved practical accuracy.
More barrel length just gives more velocity.
When fired from a machine rest, accuracy is not effected by barrel length.

Also how tightly the barrel locks to the slide/frame. Fix barrel guns and guns with tighter lockup usually have better repeatability/accuracy.

[ar15barrels]

Also how tightly the barrel locks to the slide/frame. Fix barrel guns and guns with tighter lockup usually have better repeatability/accuracy.

Absolutely.
If you are holding the gun, the barrel just needs to fit the slide tightly.
If you clamp the frame in a ransom rest, the slide also needs to fit the frame tightly.
Slide to frame fit is mostly irrelevant if you are not going to clamp the frame in a ransom rest.