4 3/4" VS 3 3/4" Barrels

**Rodolfo Fierro** · November 11th, 2010, 05:31 AM

The trend of newer "Compact" pistols has me wanting to get one. I wonder how much performance do you lose by taking away a quarter of the barrel? What does 9mm do when it comes out of such a short tube? Is there a lot more flash? Do you lose much velocity? Is there one type of ammo that lends itself to short barrels? Are there too many questions in this post?

**knight0334** · November 11th, 2010, 09:47 AM

Just click on your favorite cartridge..

http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html

**Nic** · November 11th, 2010, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Rodolfo Fierro

The trend of newer "Compact" pistols has me wanting to get one. I wonder how much performance do you lose by taking away a quarter of the barrel? What does 9mm do when it comes out of such a short tube? Is there a lot more flash? Do you lose much velocity? Is there one type of ammo that lends itself to short barrels? Are there too many questions in this post?

You lose velocity, and expansion suffers for it.

I can suggest using Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 124 Grain 9mm Jacketed Hollow Point ammunition. You can get a box of 20 for $20.99 at Midway USA. I've had very good performance with it in my Glock 26.

**ChamberedRound** · November 11th, 2010, 10:08 AM

You will lose velocity, and hence expansion. In addition, if the shorter barrel has the same twist rate at the longer barrel, then you will lose a little accuracy as well, because not as much spin will be imparted on the bullet, resulting in less stability.

**Lycanthrope** · November 11th, 2010, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by ChamberedRound

You will lose velocity, and hence expansion. In addition, if the shorter barrel has the same twist rate at the longer barrel, then you will lose a little accuracy as well, because not as much spin will be imparted on the bullet, resulting in less stability.

I don't think barrel length has much impact on spin rate unless you have gain twist rifling. Once you initialize spin, you don't increase that rate unless the twist rate changes.

In addition, shorter barrels are often more accurate due to barrel stiffness....they are just harder to shoot well over the short radius.

Flash rates can increase due to unburnt powder at the muzzle, but that is dependent on what powder is used.

http://www.handgunsmag.com/rugers_gu...ugers_guntalk/

Lycanyoujustlosevelocitythrope