5" VS 4" - The Firearms Forum

Gene Seward · 03-18-2010, 04:18 PM

If you have or have had both a 5" and a 4" barrell in an M&P an XD or any other pistol could you really tell any difference in accuracy? I contacted Smith and Wesson the other day and was told the new M&P 40 in 5" would be out late summer and I really like the looks of it and plan to buy one. After holding the XD 5" I didn't care for the feel, however I have the sub-compact in 40 and had the 4" 9mm and loved them. I have always felt that if I couldn't hit it with the 4" I couldn't with the 5. LOL

Helix_FR · 03-18-2010, 04:39 PM

Don't get accuracy and range confused. Both guns can be accurate but the longer barrel can increase that range of accuracy. Its like a 2 in snub nose 38 compared to a 6 inch 38. Say at 7 feet both are capable of hitting a 2 inch circle. Move that target out to 20 feet. That 2 inch area on the snub nose turns into a 5 inch circle and the 6 inch barrel turns into a 3 inch circle. Both guns are accurate in their own respect but one has a better range of achieving that accuracy.
Honestly you won't see much of a difference between a 4 inch and 5 inch barrel. You may experience a little more muzzle flip and faster target acquisition with the shorter barrel but its a matter of what feels balanced to you. I have a PT92 in a 5 inch barrel and a CZ in a 4 inch barrel both are about the same on range but the 92 doesn't rise as much b/c of its forward weight.

Gene Seward · 03-18-2010, 04:50 PM

I get the range and accuracy idea. I have a 6" 44mag. and several 4" pistols and there is no comparison, but I was wondering about the real difference in like shooting paper at some what short range. I still think I have to have one cause they just look too good not to have one.

old semperfi · 03-18-2010, 10:14 PM

the only reason a shorter barrel is not as accurate is the sight radius.i have seen it proven that a two inch will shoot just as accurate as a six inch or whatever.a rifle is more accurate or so they say but that also is sight radius.if the rifeling allows the bullet to spin it will hit where aimed.i know ill get some trash out of this but the only real difference would be the distance b-4 it starts to fall.the longer the barrel the more complete powder burn the more power.i have shot metal targets out to 200 yards with a custom model 29 with four inch barrel. old semperfi

zfk55 · 03-19-2010, 09:27 AM

Try reading this. It debunks barrel length conceptions by practical firing.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html

zfk55

navis128 · 03-19-2010, 10:11 AM

I debated. The 4" felt better in my hand, but I was also concerned with accuracy. My local guy told me that he's seen the older a person gets...the longer the barrel they prefer due to the sight spread. I'm sure I'll get there, but right now I prefer a 4" barrel

Old Grump · 03-19-2010, 04:57 PM

I like them both, cannot tell the difference in accuracy, both shoot the same but the 5" is a little quicker for me to acquire sight picture with the same sights. That might just be psychological because paper results are basically the same. I can hit a milk bucket at 200 yards with either, I don't know how much further you want to shoot but my hold over point is the same with either gun. For carry the 4" has an edge, I notice the extra inch getting in and out of my vehicle. (Kawasaki Mule)

muddober · 03-19-2010, 06:37 PM

I cannot speak to the difference of barrel length in autos but a 44 Magnum or 45 Colt with hot loads in 5" is a whole lot more tame than one with a 4" barrel.

Ron

jim brady · 03-19-2010, 07:03 PM

That's right - the barrel length really does not count all that much for accuracy. Sight radius is the key. Once the bullet aquires spin from the rifleing, that is about all that it can do. You might have a little more sight radius with a barrel an inch longer.

There was a demonstration by an FBI agent years ago who shot a number of pistols really well, from a .25 ACP pocket pistol to a .44 revolver. Hits impacting on target were about equal with them all at - as I recall - at about 25 feet. Talking ability to hit (accuracy) not power.

zb338 · 03-19-2010, 09:39 PM

I have had and seen plenty of guns shoot very well with 4 inch barrels. I do have
a S&W M&P with a 4 inch barrel and a Glock 17 with a 4 inch barrel. I also have
a Glock 34 with a 5 inch barrel. the two 4 inch barrel guns are disappointing at
25 yards. The 5 inch model 34 shoots fairly well at 25 yards. I don't know why.
I have a S&W model 10 revolver with a 4 inch barrel and it shoots fine at 25 yards.
Zeke

03-18-2010, 04:18 PM	#1
Gene Seward V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Batesville, Arkansas Posts: 477	5" VS 4" If you have or have had both a 5" and a 4" barrell in an M&P an XD or any other pistol could you really tell any difference in accuracy? I contacted Smith and Wesson the other day and was told the new M&P 40 in 5" would be out late summer and I really like the looks of it and plan to buy one. After holding the XD 5" I didn't care for the feel, however I have the sub-compact in 40 and had the 4" 9mm and loved them. I have always felt that if I couldn't hit it with the 4" I couldn't with the 5. LOL -->

03-18-2010, 04:39 PM	#2
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,618	Re: 5" VS 4" Don't get accuracy and range confused. Both guns can be accurate but the longer barrel can increase that range of accuracy. Its like a 2 in snub nose 38 compared to a 6 inch 38. Say at 7 feet both are capable of hitting a 2 inch circle. Move that target out to 20 feet. That 2 inch area on the snub nose turns into a 5 inch circle and the 6 inch barrel turns into a 3 inch circle. Both guns are accurate in their own respect but one has a better range of achieving that accuracy. Honestly you won't see much of a difference between a 4 inch and 5 inch barrel. You may experience a little more muzzle flip and faster target acquisition with the shorter barrel but its a matter of what feels balanced to you. I have a PT92 in a 5 inch barrel and a CZ in a 4 inch barrel both are about the same on range but the 92 doesn't rise as much b/c of its forward weight. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

03-18-2010, 04:50 PM	#3
Gene Seward V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Batesville, Arkansas Posts: 477	Re: 5" VS 4" I get the range and accuracy idea. I have a 6" 44mag. and several 4" pistols and there is no comparison, but I was wondering about the real difference in like shooting paper at some what short range. I still think I have to have one cause they just look too good not to have one.

03-18-2010, 10:14 PM	#4
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: 5" VS 4" the only reason a shorter barrel is not as accurate is the sight radius.i have seen it proven that a two inch will shoot just as accurate as a six inch or whatever.a rifle is more accurate or so they say but that also is sight radius.if the rifeling allows the bullet to spin it will hit where aimed.i know ill get some trash out of this but the only real difference would be the distance b-4 it starts to fall.the longer the barrel the more complete powder burn the more power.i have shot metal targets out to 200 yards with a custom model 29 with four inch barrel. old semperfi

03-19-2010, 09:27 AM	#5
zfk55 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lost Prairie Montana Posts: 237	Re: 5" VS 4" Try reading this. It debunks barrel length conceptions by practical firing. http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html zfk55

03-19-2010, 10:11 AM	#6
navis128 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,392	Re: 5" VS 4" I debated. The 4" felt better in my hand, but I was also concerned with accuracy. My local guy told me that he's seen the older a person gets...the longer the barrel they prefer due to the sight spread. I'm sure I'll get there, but right now I prefer a 4" barrel __________________ A British general reported to London that the rebels, though untrained, had earned his respect: "Whoever looks upon them as an irregular mob will find himself much mistaken." "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." The Declaration of Independence

03-19-2010, 04:57 PM	#7
Old Grump Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Little hut in the woods near Blue River Wisconsin Posts: 2,286	Re: 5" VS 4" I like them both, cannot tell the difference in accuracy, both shoot the same but the 5" is a little quicker for me to acquire sight picture with the same sights. That might just be psychological because paper results are basically the same. I can hit a milk bucket at 200 yards with either, I don't know how much further you want to shoot but my hold over point is the same with either gun. For carry the 4" has an edge, I notice the extra inch getting in and out of my vehicle. (Kawasaki Mule) __________________ "When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."~~- Thomas Jefferson Roman Catholic, Life Member of American Legion, VFW, Wisconsin Libertarian party, Wi-FORCE, WGO, NRA, JPFO, GOA, SAFand CCRKBA

03-19-2010, 06:37 PM	#8
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: 5" VS 4" I cannot speak to the difference of barrel length in autos but a 44 Magnum or 45 Colt with hot loads in 5" is a whole lot more tame than one with a 4" barrel. Ron

03-19-2010, 07:03 PM	#9
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: 5" VS 4" That's right - the barrel length really does not count all that much for accuracy. Sight radius is the key. Once the bullet aquires spin from the rifleing, that is about all that it can do. You might have a little more sight radius with a barrel an inch longer. There was a demonstration by an FBI agent years ago who shot a number of pistols really well, from a .25 ACP pocket pistol to a .44 revolver. Hits impacting on target were about equal with them all at - as I recall - at about 25 feet. Talking ability to hit (accuracy) not power.

03-19-2010, 09:39 PM	#10
zb338 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Recently moved to Pennsylvania. Posts: 286	Re: 5" VS 4" I have had and seen plenty of guns shoot very well with 4 inch barrels. I do have a S&W M&P with a 4 inch barrel and a Glock 17 with a 4 inch barrel. I also have a Glock 34 with a 5 inch barrel. the two 4 inch barrel guns are disappointing at 25 yards. The 5 inch model 34 shoots fairly well at 25 yards. I don't know why. I have a S&W model 10 revolver with a 4 inch barrel and it shoots fine at 25 yards. Zeke