Going from a 6.5 inch barrel to a 9 inch?

2

.22 Enthused

Inactive
I have a Heritage Rough Rider that I've enjoyed for years since I purchased it in 1995! I generally shoot from 50 feet and have had very good accuracy so much that I use a target recommended for only 25 feet. I really do enjoy this .22 revolver so much that I'm thinking of getting the model with the 9 inch barrel.

Here's my question out for opinion: Would the 9 inch barrel really improve things where I can see a big difference?:confused: Or should I just stay happy with the 6.5 inch and save the money?
 
22 Enthused:

Barrel length is up to the owner: because long barrels are cumberson I shoot nothing over six and a half inches. Because of my aging eyes I find my four inch barrels more accurate.

The length of the barrel has nothing to do with accury: it's the longer sight radius of the longer barrel that accounts for the increased accuracy. Save your money and enjoy what you have.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
I was thinking about getting one of those for my kid to shoot. Your report gives me confidence.

I have a K22 with a 6" barrel and an H&R Sportsman in 4". With me it's not so much barrel length (to a point), but the one I practice with the most. You may improve slightly with the 9", but you sound like you've got it nailed already with the 6".:)

Remember the golden rule of revolvers..."you can't have too many", and a 9" sounds pretty cool.:cool:
 
The 9 in barrel will give a little more velocity as for as accuracy no big difference. May be a slight improvement but should not be any big difference.
 
The longer barrel ....longer sight plane ...might help a little ..but not a lot.

But in some calibers...I like a longer barrel (like 8 3/8" in a .44 mag ) - the extra weight ...helps a lot on the recoil.

In most cases ...in most calibers...I shoot a 2 1/2" gun pretty well out to about 21 Ft / 4" guns out to about 30 Ft / 6" and 8 3/8" barrels beyond 30 Ft... ( but shooting well...is relative too ) ...doing double taps in and out of a holster under 3 sec is one thing .....shooting for bulls eye accuracy beyond 30 Ft is something else.

In a .22 ...in general, I shoot a 6" barrel ...as well as any. In a .357 mag more of the differences show up / and in a .44 mag ...there is a big difference between a 3", a 4", a 6" and an 8 3/8". I can defend myself just fine with a 3" or 4" even in a .44 mag ( double tapping groups of less than 6" accross in and out of a holster...) but I'm lucky to hit a 12" circle with a 3" or 4" gun in .44 mag beyond 40 Ft....at least with my old eyes...
 
I'm no expert, but here's my 2 cents...

I own one each 3", 5", and 7" S&W 686. I enjoy shooting the 3 inch very much. Balance and handling are perfect for me and it is just fun to shoot. The 5 inch is obviously heavier, but not enough to complain about. For me, the 7 inch full lug barrel does not feel right. It is too front heavy, and it's almost like work to shoot instead of fun.

The difference is 14oz from the 3" and 7". That is not a lot, but all that weight is way out in front of the grip. That, in my opinion, basically ruins the balance of this particular gun. Shooting from a rest is not an issue, but standing, one handed, and especially off hand are a struggle.

Your guns weight and balance, and your personal preference will differ. But too much barrel can definitely change the point-ability, and fun factor.

Dauff
 
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