Barrel Length Pro/Cons, need help

[cyrus]

Barrel Length Pro/Cons, need help.

I am looking at a S&W model 41, it comes in a 5 or 7" barrel. I have not seen to much information on this.

So a longer barrel is a little faster and more accurate?

A shorter barrel is easier to carry.

How much more accurate? Once you are out to 5" I cannot imagine much difference...

Everyone has an armchair opinion any serious measured sources?

Thanks

[BamBam-31]

Never brought out my calipers to measure, but the longer barrel isn't necessarily more accurate. It simply gives you a longer sight radius, which allows you to be more accurate.

Personally, I like the looks of the 5.5" barrel on the 41 and would buy it purely based on that, but you will shoot better groups w/ the 7" barrel.

Just curious, why would you be carrying a 41? It's more of a target pistol than a hunting/backpacking pistol, IMHO.

[maxicon]

You get a little more velocity out of a longer barrel, and it affects the balance a good bit.

Better accuracy comes from the longer sight radius with iron sights, which is a pretty major factor, but if you're shooting optics, it won't matter.

The 41's not really a carry piece, so that shouldn't matter much.

Unless you're competing with iron sights, I'd choose whichever one balanced and handled best for you.

[Greg-Dawg]

Accuracy is within the shooter...except for 1911s.

[dfletcher]

Again, personal choice but a longer barrel gives me a better sight picture. I have an older High Standard with a 5" bull barrel and the longer +7" barrel and like each, but I do better with the longer barrel. There's also how well the gun balances, a longer barrel may hang better for you - or maybe the 5" would, try both if possible.

[cyrus]

I called S&W and I was told basically "barrel climb" was the main issue.

Any studies on accuracy?

[tunder]

Try this.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/

[tiko]

The bullet has 2 main motions, flying forward and spining around its axis. For handguns, ideal velocity is between 700-800fps. Faster doesn't mean more accurate (38spl vs 357 mag). To be stable and keep a straight, flat ballistic line, the bullet need to spin on its axis, the faster the better, the longer the barrel the faster, ex. for 1:16 twist rate, if the barrel is 8" then the bullet spin a half turn out of the barrel. If the barrel is 16" long, the bullet spin a full turn then exit. Its spining must be faster.

[tonelar]

The bullet has 2 main motions, flying forward and spining around its axis. For handguns, ideal velocity is between 700-800fps. Faster doesn't mean more accurate (38spl vs 357 mag). To be stable and keep a straight, flat ballistic line, the bullet need to spin on its axis, the faster the better, the longer the barrel the faster, ex for 1:16 twist rate, if the barrel is 8" then the bullet spin a half turn out of the barrel. If the brrrel is 16" long, the bullet spin a full turn then exit. Its spining must be faster.

gotta differ with you on this one, tiko

there is a bigger difference between an 8" and a 16'' barrel than between a 5" and 7" barrel

the OPs situation is more likely to be about pointability, balance and sight radius

[sd1023x]

Its a deuce deuce, just get the longer barrel!

I don't think this gun is for concealment, so why not take advantage of every extra fps velocity you can get?

[Army GI]

I agree, if you're using this for hunting/target shooting then get the longer barrel. If you're using it for self defense get the shorter barrel.

[BigDogatPlay]

I called S&W and I was told basically "barrel climb" was the main issue.

Any studies on accuracy?

In either barrel length the Model 41 is capable of far more accuracy than any but the most accomplished shooters. Clamp either one in a Ransom Rest, figure out what round is most accurate and you'll see ragged groups of one smallish hole time after time.

If you are shooting targets / bullseye, then the longer barrel is probably best with it's longer sight radius. For carrying out in the woods for hunting or plinking, the shorter barrel is going to be easier to work with and give you plenty of accuracy. The difference in velocity between the two barrels is not going to be enough to really matter that much, IMO.

That said, a 41 would not be my choice for stuffing into a holster for a hike in the mountains or plinking. It's a target pistol, good enough for fairly high level competition. Great gun, but not really a plinker.

[Army GI]

Try this.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/

By the way, thanks for that link! I was super surprised to know that the 45ACP actually slows down after 16" of barrel length!

[redcliff]

In either barrel length the Model 41 is capable of far more accuracy than any but the most accomplished shooters. Clamp either one in a Ransom Rest, figure out what round is most accurate and you'll see ragged groups of one smallish hole time after time.

If you are shooting targets / bullseye, then the longer barrel is probably best with it's longer sight radius. For carrying out in the woods for hunting or plinking, the shorter barrel is going to be easier to work with and give you plenty of accuracy. The difference in velocity between the two barrels is not going to be enough to really matter that much, IMO.

That said, a 41 would not be my choice for stuffing into a holster for a hike in the mountains or plinking. It's a target pistol, good enough for fairly high level competition. Great gun, but not really a plinker.

Totally agree with this post. I'd also add that despite the longer sight radius some people just prefer the balance of the shorter barrels and shoot them better.