What advantage or difference?

Kismet · October-07-21 18:10

Between the 1 and 1/8th barrel I currently have and a 1 and 5/8th inch barrel?

I can't image much more acuracy, the pocket size will be different, but, essentially is there any significant difference?

Thank you.

OLD and GRUMPY · October-07-21 18:10

I love mini. At best she is a belly gun. Get over it. Pull Point Bang Done.

pietro · October-07-21 19:10

.

AND, just think how much better terminal ballistics that 1/2" of extra barrel length gives...

bearcatter · October-07-21 19:10

There's a half inch difference, just under a third longer. That should be good for at least a 25 percent increase in the numbers I'd think, but the math and the physics may not agree.

Boisesteve · October-07-21 19:10

I have never had those two barrel lengths to chrono for velocity, so cannot comment with authority. It is all individual choices and compromises is how I see it. I want the longest barrel that is convenient, and when I mostly pocket carried that was 1 5/8 inches. Now that I mostly belt carry I think 2 inches would do, but I already have my 1 5/8 inch 22mag minis and holsters and am not gonna start over. I have practiced with them for so many decades they are like a part of me.
I am happy with the 1 5/8. YMMV.

barrytheprof · October-07-21 20:10

Here's some data from the NAA site:
22mag
1 1/8":
CCI MaxiMag 40 Grain HP 788 ave
CCI MaxiMag +V 30 Grain HP 1062 ave
1 5/8":
CCI MaxiMag 40 Grain HP 848 ave
CCI MaxiMag +V 30 Grain HP 1153 ave
2":
CCI MaxiMag 40 Grain HP 988 ave
CCI MaxiMag +V 30 Grain HP 1300 ave

From this data, here are the velocity gains as a percentage:

40 Grain:
From 1 1/8 to 1 5/8 gains (848/788 -1)*100 = 7.6%
From 1 5/8 to 2 gains (988/848 -1)*100 = 16.5%
From 1 1/8 to 2 gains (988/788 -1)*100 = 25.4%

30 Grain:
From 1 1/8 to 1 5/8 gains (1153/1062 -1)*100 = 8.6%
From 1 5/8 to 2 gains (1300/1152 -1)*100 = 12.8%
From 1 1/8 to 2 gains (1300/1062 -1)*100 = 22.4%

Each 10% gain yields about 1" additional penetration. 12 inch penetration is considered the bottom end of reasonable for self defense. When you are looking at 11 inches of penetration an additional inch or two is a good thing.

I started with a 1 1/8, and went to a 2" BW for the ballistics. After a while I went back to the 1 1/8 because it fits better in my pocket. I just bought a 1 5/8 to get somewhat better ballistics while still carrying something light and not bulky. It's a trade-off, but the 1 5/8 is significantly better than the 1 1/8.

When you are dealing with barrels that are too short to allow even short barrel ammo to get up to speed a small increase in length has a significant advantage.

If I got larger pants or lost some weight I might go back to the BW, but I want to carry something I can forget about while I go about my daily activities.

bearcatter · October-07-21 22:10

Remember too, standard barrel twist for .22 LR is 1:16, I think .22 mag is sometimes 1:14. So even with a 2 inch barrel you're not even getting a quarter turn before the bullet clears the muzzle. That's not very stable, and is maybe the main reason you get keyholing. Snub barrels never group as well as longer ones, no matter the caliber.

Wumbey Goomba · October-07-21 22:10

My two cents.
Forget the ballistics, the longer the barrel
the more accurate.

#accuracymatters

bill_deshivs · October-08-21 00:10

If the barrel is long enough to stabilize the bullet, barrel length has absolutely nothing to do with inherent accuracy.
The longer sight radius makes it easier to shoot.

Boisesteve · October-08-21 08:10

Barry: 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

barrytheprof · October-08-21 09:10

Thanks Steve.

Wumbey, accuracy and ballistics both improve with barrel length. There's no need to choose one over the other.

Kismet · October-08-21 09:10

Thank you for the informative and very gracious replies.

I was thinking the sight plane would be the most conspicuous improvement.

But for most instances I could imagine,distance for a mini should not be a major factor in self-defense.

I appreciate your help, gentlemen.

RogueTS1 · October-08-21 10:10

Let us not forget about aesthetics. We prefer the shorter barrels both for size and looks.

If the time ever comes that we need to fall back onto our backup gun's back up gun's back up gun aka the Mini ...... we do not believe any increased accuracy or muzzle velocity will matter that much.

Boisesteve · October-08-21 10:10

Here is an entertaining little video that demonstrates the point Bill made above. Enjoy!
https://gunsmagazine.com/videos/38-special-wadcutters-at-100-yards/

theysayimnotme · October-08-21 13:10

Sight radius means little when there is no rear sight. However you do loose quite a bit of energy with the shorter barrel & I would expect more keyholing.

bearcatter · October-08-21 14:10

Just see if NAA will make a mini with a 24 inch barrel. Problem solved. Rick would have some odd shaped holsters for them.

Some of you mini guys are always speculating about the mini's shortcomings, and trying to justify using whatever caliber and ammo design you have. Or making your mini decidedly un-mini with fatter or longer grips. Why don't you accept that a mini is what it is? It wasn't meant to group a half inch of big holes at 50 yards or have a full 3 finger grip.

I've never bought a mini because being what it is doesn't work for me. A Guardian has several shortcomings, but if you fix any of them, it's no longer what it is supposed to be. They are fine for me straight out of the box. The only thing I'd like different would be a coil spring instead of the chicken wing looking drawbar spring. I don't trust it 100%.

Canoeal · October-10-21 20:10

Averages from the NAA tables...

Kismet · October-12-21 19:10

First of all, thank you folks for a wealth of information.

I'm not going to do it. In addition to all the pro-and-con points, it might invalidate the factory lifetime warranty for little practical gain.

For anyone interested, there is a one and 5/8ths Wasp barrel on eBay right now selling for $30 plus $8 shipping. I believe the guy gets guns from a police dispersal unit and breaks the non mechanical parts out. Not sure, think he said that. He said "You should be able to change them." Probably...but...ehh.

Thank you all, again. Have fun.

bluecow · October-13-21 06:10

In the real world, (out side of paper figures and theory) Aint a tinker's *** bit of difference other than looks.

Kismet · October-13-21 13:10

Perhaps, but if it was not mentioned, we all would have missed the charm and good manners of Bearcatter's ever-so helpful post.

Warmed my heart, it did; AND contributed relevant information.

Thanks, again, ever so much to my initial inquiry.

bearcatter · October-13-21 18:10

I hope that mention of my post was sarcastic with good intentions?.....

I wasn't criticising anyone. I just hate to see anyone caught up in other people's opinions. The mini is a great handgun, but it's not a high-cap .45. You could say that in reverse, too. A .45 can't do what a mini can. The "bigger is better" crowd will always pick on shooters that don't choose a cannon over a smaller caliber gun. Try putting a 1911 in your sock......

In a really small gun, I wanted easy control and minimal kick. I didn't pick .32 over .22 because of ballistic charts. It was because of the rimfire's slightly iffy ignition. I didn't pick .25 because nobody makes .25 pistols and it's really hard to find ammo (even in normal times) . So the .32 works for me, and I don't care what works for someone else. If .22 works for you, that's great!

Have you hugged your mini today ?!

Canoeal · October-13-21 21:10

If you want to compare apples to apples, Maybe take a look at lucky Gunner...and keep track of the barrel length. If you click on barrel length it will sort them for you.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/?fbclid=IwAR1_z_cEvnVykdpz-B7vR_mE_uwb_xHPREYuTwh2eegxwDyBRmuNQ-dnWqs#22Mag

Uncle_Lee · October-14-21 06:10

Bearcatter: "I hope that mention of my post was sarcastic with good intentions?.....

"

I think it was purely sarcastic.

OV-1D · October-14-21 07:10

Quote from: bearcatter on October-13-21 18:10
I hope that mention of my post was sarcastic with good intentions?.....

I wasn't criticising anyone. I just hate to see anyone caught up in other people's opinions. The mini is a great handgun, but it's not a high-cap .45. You could say that in reverse, too. A .45 can't do what a mini can. The "bigger is better" crowd will always pick on shooters that don't choose a cannon over a smaller caliber gun. Try putting a 1911 in your sock......

In a really small gun, I wanted easy control and minimal kick. I didn't pick .32 over .22 because of ballistic charts. It was because of the rimfire's slightly iffy ignition. I didn't pick .25 because nobody makes .25 pistols and it's really hard to find ammo (even in normal times) . So the .32 works for me, and I don't care what works for someone else. If .22 works for you, that's great!

Have you hugged your mini today ?!

I'm right with you Bearcatter , never truer words spoken .

bearcatter · October-14-21 13:10

I hope you really mean that. Thank you sir........

I'd sure never diss anybody with a mini.

grayelky · October-14-21 15:10

I have a 1 5/8" Wasp that is my daily carry. I have a 1 1/8" Black Jack that stays in my "work at home" pants. I truly cannot tell any difference in the way the 2 carry. I lean towards the longer barrel of the 2 solely for the few extra FPS it will produce, which cremates a few more pound feet of muzzle energy. I carry a mini for my convenience, not its ability to stop a mad bull in full charge. I just pray if it becomes necessary for me to pull one, God sees me in better favor than the bad guy. If so, I win, and stay around for another day. If I have lost God's favor, then I find out the answer to the ultimate question, and no longer depend on faith.
My suggestion to the OP: try them both and see which one feels better in your hand. That holds true when buying any weapon. Try as many as is feasible and see which one(s) fit you the best.

Texduk3 · October-14-21 15:10

my popcorn is ready....................

bearcatter · October-14-21 16:10

Better make it two big bowls....