YOUR 4" vs. 6" Accuracy?
- Thread starter L_Killkenny
- Start date
all the shots are within a three inch circle. the S&W's are always accurate.
Consider switching ammunition--especially if you are shooting a .22.
My bullseye guns (one Marvel conversion, a Ruger Mk II and a Browning Buckmark) will shoot CCI Standard Velocity into the same hole from a rest.
Change the ammunition to Remington Target, and they puke--badly!
At 25 yards from a good rest on a nice, clear target, you should be able to put your rounds into a dime without problem. If it doesn't do that, clean and lubricate--and then try some different ammunition.
My bullseye guns (one Marvel conversion, a Ruger Mk II and a Browning Buckmark) will shoot CCI Standard Velocity into the same hole from a rest.
Change the ammunition to Remington Target, and they puke--badly!
At 25 yards from a good rest on a nice, clear target, you should be able to put your rounds into a dime without problem. If it doesn't do that, clean and lubricate--and then try some different ammunition.
orionengnr
New member
Had S&W M25s (.45LC) in 4 and 6". Never noticed any difference in accuracy between the two. Sold the 6" because I can (and do) carry the 4".
Had S&W M57s (.41 Mag) in 4 and 6". Never noticed any difference in accuracy between the two. Sold the 6" because I can (and do) carry the 4".
Had S&W 357s in 4 (M66) and 5 1/2" (M27). Never noticed any difference in accuracy between the two. Seriously considering selling the M-27, just have not (yet) been able to do it. I don't carry it.
Have owned 3", 3 1/2", 4", 4 1/2" and 5" 1911s. Cannot tell any difference between the 4/4.25 and the 5". As a result, my only 5" is for sale. The 3"ers are a bit more difficult to shoot well, but that is a function of sight radius/light weight, not due to mechanical accuracy...
Note--I do not shoot Bullseye, and I'm not a 25 yard shooter. I am a 25' target shooter with (recently) the occasional IDPA/Steel Challenge/ISPCA match.
Had S&W M57s (.41 Mag) in 4 and 6". Never noticed any difference in accuracy between the two. Sold the 6" because I can (and do) carry the 4".
Had S&W 357s in 4 (M66) and 5 1/2" (M27). Never noticed any difference in accuracy between the two. Seriously considering selling the M-27, just have not (yet) been able to do it. I don't carry it.
Have owned 3", 3 1/2", 4", 4 1/2" and 5" 1911s. Cannot tell any difference between the 4/4.25 and the 5". As a result, my only 5" is for sale. The 3"ers are a bit more difficult to shoot well, but that is a function of sight radius/light weight, not due to mechanical accuracy...
Note--I do not shoot Bullseye, and I'm not a 25 yard shooter. I am a 25' target shooter with (recently) the occasional IDPA/Steel Challenge/ISPCA match.
Misssissippi Dave
New member
Shooting shorter ranges as you mentioned I don't think you would notice any real difference. You might find the new pistol might like a different type of ammo then the old one did. Very common with rim fire pistols. You never know until you try different stuff in your pistols. It is always possible with the right round you might even shoot better with the shorter barrel. This could be do to many things like balance of the pistol in your hand or finding the ammo it prefers. I base this on a couple of rim fire pistols I have in different length barrels and a Dan Wesson .357 I no longer have.
bamaranger
New member
eyes
Regrettably, I am finding that I can no longer see the front sight on my 4" handguns as clearly as I did when I was younger. Darn, its happened, I'm getting older.
The pistol I shoot best, presently, is the only longer bbled handgun I own, a 5.5 inch Single 6. I'm not selling all my lovely 4' pistols yet, but I can see a difference. (or not see)
Regrettably, I am finding that I can no longer see the front sight on my 4" handguns as clearly as I did when I was younger. Darn, its happened, I'm getting older.
The pistol I shoot best, presently, is the only longer bbled handgun I own, a 5.5 inch Single 6. I'm not selling all my lovely 4' pistols yet, but I can see a difference. (or not see)
While the longer sight radius is the primary advantage in longer barreled iron sighted pistol, a secondary reason is the difference in velocity gained with the longer barrel. Longer barrels aren't inherently more accurate but the velocity gains help with trajectory and bullet drift for shots over 100yds.
For comparison, I'd have to compare my Model 27 with my Model 28, in reality there isn't much difference shooting the two. In deliberate slow fire, with one had (Bullseye Style) I do better with my 6 in Model 27. But for double action, "action style" shooting such as ICORE I'm better with my 4" Model 28. I think its what you are use to. The SA trigger is better on my Model 27, but I carried the Model 28 for most of my 20 years in LE and have shot it a heck of a lot more.
In short, I don't think, for me, there is a big difference, except drawing from a holster, the 4" had the edge.
In short, I don't think, for me, there is a big difference, except drawing from a holster, the 4" had the edge.
The longer sight radius on a six inch is better for people with real steady hands and the shorter spacing on the four helps out shakey people with funky eyesight. I think that has more to do with it than how long the bullet is guided by the barrel. Also, you gotta shoot a bunch of different loads through both guns before you go around talkin about which is more accurate and who bothers to do that. I make one hot 158gn SWC 38spl load by the thousands and any of my 38s or 357s that don't like it can just stay home when I go to the range.
1oo yards with a.22?
While the longer sight radius is the primary advantage in longer barreled iron sighted pistol, a secondary reason is the difference in velocity gained with the longer barrel. Longer barrels aren't inherently more accurate but the velocity gains help with trajectory and bullet drift for shots over 100yds.
__________________
Steve
Okay- if your shooting past past 25 yards there is a gain of sighting, accuracy, and trajectory in having a barrel more than 4 inches. I've never seen many shoot anything at 100 yards with a barrel length of 4 inches?!!? Thats unless your aimen at a garbage can or somthin of that size. With a 5.5 inch barrel 22lr and good 2.5 x30 pistol scop/ premium ammo/ bag rest....you're a pro if you can produce groups "5 rounds" or more under 6 inches.. yeah ive seen others with higher calbers and scopes mounted on 6+ inch barrels and bagrests with premium ammo and shooting skills hit sub 4 inch groups but your still never gonna get that type of steady shot in real life.... better to move up to a rifle
It's safe to say there is an accuracy gain and trajectory gain between the 2 barrel lengths. But 100 yards really isn't for pistols under 6 inch barrel length- especially the 22lr that is ofcourse unless your desert shooten at cars and washing machines. thats a more realistic goal for a 4 incher!?!!
While the longer sight radius is the primary advantage in longer barreled iron sighted pistol, a secondary reason is the difference in velocity gained with the longer barrel. Longer barrels aren't inherently more accurate but the velocity gains help with trajectory and bullet drift for shots over 100yds.__________________
Steve
Okay- if your shooting past past 25 yards there is a gain of sighting, accuracy, and trajectory in having a barrel more than 4 inches. I've never seen many shoot anything at 100 yards with a barrel length of 4 inches?!!?
Thats unless your aimen at a garbage can or somthin of that size. With a 5.5 inch barrel 22lr and good 2.5 x30 pistol scop/ premium ammo/ bag rest....you're a pro if you can produce groups "5 rounds" or more under 6 inches.. yeah ive seen others with higher calbers and scopes mounted on 6+ inch barrels and bagrests with premium ammo and shooting skills hit sub 4 inch groups but your still never gonna get that type of steady shot in real life.... better to move up to a rifleIt's safe to say there is an accuracy gain and trajectory gain between the 2 barrel lengths. But 100 yards really isn't for pistols under 6 inch barrel length- especially the 22lr that is ofcourse unless your desert shooten at cars and washing machines. thats a more realistic goal for a 4 incher!?!!
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Here's my long ranger.
If you have a handgun and it's accurate and you shoot it well, PLEASE dont get rid of it!! You'll regret it later. maybe not anytime soon, but you will regret it! Trust me, I can think of about a dozen I should have kept, miss them everyone and dont have the $$$ to replace them now.
Clifford L. Hughes
New member
Clifford L. Hughes
L Killkenny:
Accuracy does not depend on barrel length. Longer barrels seem to shoot more accurate because the distance between the sights. Assuming that both barrels are equally miss aliged the shorter barrel will scatter the bullets more then the longer barrel. This is due to the angle of the front sight, the rear sight and the target. When I was young I shot nothing but six inches barrels. Now that my eyes are weak I shoot four inches barrels.
By the way, I competed with both the rifle and the pistol for three Marine Corps rifle and pistol teams. I'm a master shooter, in my younger days, with both guns.
Semper Fi.
Gunny Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
L Killkenny:
Accuracy does not depend on barrel length. Longer barrels seem to shoot more accurate because the distance between the sights. Assuming that both barrels are equally miss aliged the shorter barrel will scatter the bullets more then the longer barrel. This is due to the angle of the front sight, the rear sight and the target. When I was young I shot nothing but six inches barrels. Now that my eyes are weak I shoot four inches barrels.
By the way, I competed with both the rifle and the pistol for three Marine Corps rifle and pistol teams. I'm a master shooter, in my younger days, with both guns.
Semper Fi.
Gunny Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
Florida Guy
New member
In my experience, there is little difference between the two.
I think what matters most is the prowess of the shooter.
I think what matters most is the prowess of the shooter.
I MAY shoot the 6" better, at least in revolvers, and from a two handed rest position, but that's a guess because they're so close as to be indistinguishable. Offhand, I'm definitely better with the shorter barrel. One point worth mentioning in my case...I find the balance of the 4" models is usually better for me...I'm talking Smith's and Rugers here. It's a matter of balance..and of course the increased weight.
An "N" frame Smith wearing a 6" barrel is a weighty beast. If I'm not paying particular attention, I'll allow the muzzle to droop late in the string of 5 or 6 shots. It just happens...eye strain, grip relaxation...whatever.
The same happens with the Rugers, especially the alloy framed guns...that longer barrel, the BH's in particular, droops...gives me those low or high shots out of group...the high ones come from recognition of the problem and over correcting. I do better with the Steel framed Flat Tops, but I'm still better with those sporting the 4-5/8" barrel.
Regards, Rodfac
An "N" frame Smith wearing a 6" barrel is a weighty beast. If I'm not paying particular attention, I'll allow the muzzle to droop late in the string of 5 or 6 shots. It just happens...eye strain, grip relaxation...whatever.
The same happens with the Rugers, especially the alloy framed guns...that longer barrel, the BH's in particular, droops...gives me those low or high shots out of group...the high ones come from recognition of the problem and over correcting. I do better with the Steel framed Flat Tops, but I'm still better with those sporting the 4-5/8" barrel.
Regards, Rodfac
I shoot my 6 inch GP100 better then I did the 4 inch, but with me I believe it's just a matter of balance. I shoot a 4 inch MkII and don't have a problem. When I owend a P228 and P226 in 9mm I shot the P226 way better, again just a matter of balance and better grip for me. I really enjoy the MkII 4 inch.
N-Frame isn't that weighty...
... but for an apples to apples comparison, I also notice more need to fight muzzle droop with my 6" 629 vs my 4" 29.
I prefer the 4" for the typical distances I shoot. The slight increase in velocity a previous poster mentioned should make a difference in trajectory and accuracy at longer ranges (accuracy since I'm not the best at calculating drop), but in my case if I were trying a 100yd shot, I'd want some kind of rest or support.
... but for an apples to apples comparison, I also notice more need to fight muzzle droop with my 6" 629 vs my 4" 29.
I prefer the 4" for the typical distances I shoot. The slight increase in velocity a previous poster mentioned should make a difference in trajectory and accuracy at longer ranges (accuracy since I'm not the best at calculating drop), but in my case if I were trying a 100yd shot, I'd want some kind of rest or support.