3.5" vs. 4" 27

[aterry33]

I was shooting my 3.5 and 4 inch 27's today with a variety of loads. The 3.5 seems to be just as accurate as the 4. I am curious about what others' experiences have been, and what your preference is. I know many people prefer the 5 inch 27 but the shorter barrels handle better for me. What is the approximate loss of velocity/energy when you shave off 1/2 inch from the barrel?

 

[colt_saa]

Velocity/energy between two revolvers with a 1/2" difference in barrel length is not possible to predict.

Chamber dimensions, Barrel/cylinder gap and bore condition can make more of a velocity difference than 1/2" of barrel.

Taking a 8 3/8" magnum revolver and cutting 1" at a time from the barrel (so all other factors remain the same) yields a average loss of 63FPS per inch from traditional factory magnum ammunition.

These days, loads specific to short barrels reduce the difference that would occur in your example.

 

[aterry33]

With those factory loads for short barrels, is a short barrel generally defined as anything under 4 inches?

 

[colt_saa]

The definition of short barrel does not matter

Fast burning powder will make less of a velocity difference between 3 1/2" and 4" than a more traditional slow burning powder.

 

[fyimo]

The difference in velocity probably wasn't much and accuracy varies by gun not necessarily by barrel length. There are a lot of tolerances that go together that affect accuracy and some revolvers just shoot more accurately then others that are identical models and barrel lengths. I have two Model 18's with 4 inch barrel and one is noticably more accurate then the other.