S&W pistol barrel length

[oldman10mm]

I did a search in this forum and came up with nothing.
So here's the question. For revolvers barrel length is from cylinder gap to tip of barrel,for pistols S&W stated barrel length equates to breech face to tip of barrel. Shouldn't it have been from rifling engagement(end of chamber) to tip of barrel ? Anybody know why S&W proclaims the false barrel length ? Is it strictly a marketing ploy ?
A 69series 3.5" barrel is actually 2.75" by revolver standards.

 

[les.b]

Hi!, oldman10mm!!!

As far as I know, this is standard for all manufacturers. I think that everyone measures their semi auto bbls the same way. I agree that it might make more sense the way that you state, but I think that everyone has just gotten used to doing it that way.

Best Regards, Les

 

[OKFC05]

S&W did not invent this convention for barrel length, and it has been used for over a century.

 

[b_san]

That's straight from the ATF guidelines. On a revolver the barrel physically ends at the cylinder gap, as the chamber (cylinder) is a separate piece, so that's where it's measured to. A pistol (and long gun) barrel on the other hand is a single piece, combined with the chamber, back to where it contacts the breachface thus that is where you measure to.

 

[Wise_A]

Good luck trying to measure from the chamber leade to the muzzle.

 

[oldman10mm]

Getting that measurement is not a problem at all. I'll post them for curiousity sake.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Hey guys long time no see.......


OM10mm it's been the standard way to measure barrels..... cus in both cases it is "the barrel" ...... since the early 1800s......for revolvers and to the turn of the 20th century for autos................

rifles and shotguns......... must go back to muzzle loaders..... no real chamber and the "load" length could vary... with amount of powder, wad, shape of bullet (Civil War:round ball, buck and ball, and mini ball)....

the ATF adopted it so it's also........ "the LAW"!!!!

 

[bigggbbruce]

Getting that measurement is not a problem at all. I'll post them for curiousity sake.

Just a waste of time... no one cares, it's a moot point.