Noise level..6" vs 4"

[jgh4445]

In a .22, would a 4" barrel be tremendously louder than a 6"? I have shot the 6" revolver but not the 4".

 

[Amici]

The 4" will be louder because less of the propellant is burning (comparatively) slowly in the barrel and is - basically - exploding upon dispersion at the muzzle. That said, it's not going to be a critical issue, and far less noticeable than a 2" vs. 8" barrel.

If shooting in low-light conditions, the muzzle flash will be appreciably more with the shorter barrel.

I suggest your barrel choice be determined by what the gun is being used for, such as carrying on a hike vs. target matches, etc.

 

[TXSWFAN]

Is a .22 even capable of being "tremendously loud" to begin with? Just thinkin.

 

[glypnir]

I wouldn't consider my Model 63-3, which I believe has a 1 7/8" barrel, to be very loud at all. Although I would strongly suggest wearing ear protection, it sure ain't as loud as, for example, my 8 3/8" barrel Model 29.

 

[CJ]

"Tremendous" is subjective, but generally the shorter the barrel, the louder the report.

Though a puny 22 may not seem loud, ear protection should always be employed when possible. Tinnitus and hyperacusis are both miserable to live with and permanent, with no known cure at this time.

 

[Roose Hurro]

First time I fired a .22 revolver (unfortunately, forgot the plugs), my ears instantly rang... that barrel/cylinder gap makes barrel length moot.


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[NFrameFred]

Originally posted by TXSWFAN:
Is a .22 even capable of being "tremendously loud" to begin with? Just thinkin.

Depends on how good your ears are, your age, etc.

Unfortunately, I've reached the age were natural degradation, exposure to loud music when I was younger, and years of working in proximity to loud industrial equipment has taken it's toll and there are certain frequencies that I have a hard time hearing well.

I always wear plugs and/or muffs when shooting, even a .22rf and to a small child with undamaged ears - yes, a 22 could be tremendously loud. Every instance when your hearing was "muffled" for a time after exposure to gun fire, equipment noises, a loud car - anything - it is indicative of some permanent damage to a degree.

 

[gregintenn]

I can't tell a lot of difference. However, I've never tried to scientifically measure the difference.

 

[44forever]

As I move along the firing line I can detect a noticable difference between the 2" bbls. and the longer ones but I can't hear a difference betwween the 4" and 6" examples. Of course I am wearing hearing protection and don't hear all that well anymore anyway.

 

[pred]

It seems to me the shorter the barrel the louder the Crack,
I shoot super colibris from anything from a rifle(quietier than my pellet gun) to a 2" 63,
Good noise from the 63.
Peter

 

[H Richard]

Regardless of the caliber or barrel length, ALWAYS wear hearing protection. Hearing loss it accumulative and progressive. In my 20's in the military I was a Jet Engine Mechanic. Back in the early 60's hearing protection wasn't very good, and working directly around running jet engines does cause hearing damage. Now, 46 years later I just received my VA disability for hearing loss incurred back then. Why I put up with the loss and the ringing in my ears all these years was because I always thought it wasn't worth it to pursue the compensation. I will now be receiving $123 per month for the 10% hearing loss I have. I could have been receiving this (or a lower amount which would gradually grown over the years) for the past 46 years. Guess the Gov't just saved some money on me.