Barrel Length and Gun Weight

L

longhollow

Inactive
Hi Folks, Looks like I'm going to go with a 9mm for competive shooting.

How much does barrel length have to do with accuracy? My basic understanding is that longer the better. Is their a negative side to a longer barrel in competition?

Don't want to start a discussion regarding brands, but I notice Glock offers 4, 4.5 and 5.3 inch long barrels in their 9mm models. Other brands also have a model that offers different barrel lengths.

Same question but now regarding weight. It would appear that a heavier handgun would be a better bet in competition. Do you folks agree? I'm trying to make the choice between high tech plastic -vs- metal.

Are plastic guns better because they are more "modern" or more recent designs?

Thanks Again,
Bruce
SoCal
 
If we are talking action pistol games such as IDPA, IPSC and steel (bullseye is somewhat different) then it's a lot more involved than just barrel lenght. Some games such as IPSC have a major and minor power factor for scoring. What that means to you is that you have to have a certain weight bullet going a certain feet per second to make major or minor.
bullet weight x fps / 1000 = (125 -164 for minor, 165 or higher for major).
I longer barrel will help a little to get more FPS.

Of more importance is sight radius. A longer sight radius will make it easier to aim the gun more precisly.

In terms of weight it is shooters preference. A heavier gun will have more mass to suck up felt recoil, but it will be slower to transtition from target to target. A lighter gun will have more felt recoil but will transtition more quickly.

The equipment is somewhat specialized so your going to have to pick a game first then you'll have a better idea on equipment. For action pistol games the big players are 1911-2011 type pistols, glocks, XD's, and CZ's. Typically you want a full size gun with a 5" barrel.
 
Hi Yar,
Yes, most likely either IDPA and/or IPSC not sure yet. So I would want a handgun that met both sets of rules for basic production semi-autos.

Thanks for the info. Hadn't thought about weight and moving from target to target.
 
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