Newbie question about barrel lengths

Started by joewolz, August-10-14 15:08

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joewolz

Im debating on where to buy the 1 1/8 barrel or 1 5/8 barrel magnum.  I've been looking online for accuracy testing info and I still haven't come up with a solution to my questions.

First, is there a noticeable difference in accuracy between the two barrel lengths?

Second, is the longer barrel length in the magnum a hindrance to concealablity?

I know they're both small, but I want to do 5th pocket carry and I'd like to know if the extra half inch makes a difference.

cwlongshot

Quote from: joewolz on August-10-14 15:08
Im debating on where to buy the 1 1/8 barrel or 1 5/8 barrel magnum.  I've been looking online for accuracy testing info and I still haven't come up with a solution to my questions.

First, is there a noticeable difference in accuracy between the two barrel lengths?

Second, is the longer barrel length in the magnum a hindrance to concealablity?

I know they're both small, but I want to do 5th pocket carry and I'd like to know if the extra half inch makes a difference.

Hello Joe!

1) Accuracy... in a NAA mini... Ha ha ah.. Ooh I'm sorry. No it makes no difference in accuracy. ;) (They are fun to shoot and shoot well enough for there purposes. If accuracy" is needed look at the Black Widow, Earl (1860) and Mini Masters.

2) I have both, The shorter is a lil more comfortable in pocket carry... Not allot of difference. I find at 2" in the black widow max I will pocket carry.

3) Do you mean the Watch Pocket? Even the 1" barrel sticks out quite a bit. I like to carry my short or LR there. They almost fits like a reg holster. The mag doesn't even get its cylinder covered, I would worry about loosing it. But all pants are different. I wear a lot of Dickies painters pants.

CW

joewolz

So the magnums are substantially longer then?  I really like the conversion cylinder idea to give me flexibility with the gun, especially since LR is difficult to get around me.  Magnum is easier to come by and I won't shoot nearly as much.

I'm down to my last 550 of cheapo federal 22s.  It makes me sad, but is off topic.

With the holsters available, intake it the mag is still a cinch to carry?

G50AE


grayelky

I find the magnum with 1 5/8 just as easy to carry in my right front pocket as the 1 1/8 is. I have both and carry both. I lean towards the longer barrel for the slight velocity advantage.

When I used to carry my LR mini, it never fit in any of the watch pockets of any of the jeans I wore.
Guns are a lot like parachutes:

"If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"

cwlongshot

Quote from: joewolz on August-10-14 16:08
So the magnums are substantially longer then?  I really like the conversion cylinder idea to give me flexibility with the gun, especially since LR is difficult to get around me.  Magnum is easier to come by and I won't shoot nearly as much.

I'm down to my last 550 of cheapo federal 22s.  It makes me sad, but is off topic.

With the holsters available, intake it the mag is still a cinch to carry?

The cylinders length makes it a lot longer yes.

Convertibles are a nice idea... But truth be told three of mine are convertibles and seldom use them.  :o ;D

Good point, grey, the longer barrel does offer an advantage with higher vel numbers.

CW

Goatpacker


Hello Joe!

1) Accuracy... in a NAA mini... Ha ha ah.. Ooh I'm sorry. No it makes no difference in accuracy. ;) (They are fun to shoot and shoot well enough for there purposes. If accuracy" is needed look at the Black Widow, Earl (1860) and Mini Masters.


The Minis can be accurate with a modification or 2. As with any firearm the longer the sight plane the easier it becomes for the guy behind the trigger to put the rounds where he wants. This does not mean the gun is really more accurate just easier to put and hold on target.

The front sight that comes on both the 1 1/8" and the 1 5/8" mini to me are useless out of the box. But if you file them down to where they just stick up a little off the barrel they can be used well (see in the pic). This is really easy to do.

Secondly with either of the lengths you have to be sure the crown is square with the bore.



SteveZ-FL

The length difference doesn't have earth-shattering impact on the ballistics.  Also, the half-inch won't affect concealment to any signifucant degree.

The real questions should be whether how you carry it will indeed have it accessible to obtain a good firing posture quickly and is the grip sufficient enough to fire the weapon with proper control. The answer to the second question better determines how accurate the firing will be rather than barrel length.

...SteveZ

"...you never need a gun until you need it badly" - from WEB Griffin's The Honor of Spies, and Victory and Honor.

joewolz

I'd like to pocket carry.  I want the magnum because if, god forbid, I ever have to use it I want the bark with the bite.  I've heard that in low illumination the mini mags really show some muzzle flash too.

Plus, I want the convenience of have a gun that can shoot 22lr and 22 mag.  I like options.

I hope I like the weapon, since it appears youse guys all do, and tend to buy more of them when you become a fan.  I'm a black powder shooter (it's about half my shooting if I can find a place to do it), so I might end up with the c&b version.

I want to pocket carry.  I'm thinking about getting a cheap pocket holster to try out for a while and upgrading as the need arises.  Would the barrel length make a difference in pocket carry?

Goatpacker

I carry 2, a 1 5/8" mini mag and a 2" widow, at all times. They are either in my front pockets, in my boots, on my belt, or on my nightstand. All methods are used with the same homemade holsters.

cwlongshot

I carry a 1 1/8" mini mag in a NAA pocket holster and a 2" Black Widow either loose or in a similarly styled pocket holster.

I also have a few pairs of pants that I had momma sew a little on so the revolver can slide in standing straight up. MUCH better in loose fitting slacks where the gun can get sideways. Not as big a issue in snugger jeans...

CW

grayelky

Re: Muzzle flash

Consider: You are firing ammo designed to be burned in a 20" rifle barrel, yet you are only providing 1 5/8" (+/-) of barrel for it to burn in. Once all the unburned powder hits fresh air, it burns all at once. This is what we see as muzzle flash. I am aware of 3 companies who have designed ammo for .22 mag to be used in a 2" barrel: Speer, Hornady and Winchester. I have not been able to find the Winchester. I have shot the other 2 at night, and there is very noticeable reduction in the muzzle flash. If you do a search on the forum, you will find adequate posts about these brands, their velocity and muzzle flash.

Not that you asked, but I prefer the Hornady Critical Defense by a very slight margin over the Speer Gold Dot.
Guns are a lot like parachutes:

"If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"

Bluelitenin

#12
As was stated earlier it depends o the pants and how large the watch pocket is. I have some regular jeans one pair of wranglers and the other is Route 66 jeans. In these the pocket just covers the cylinder on my sidewinder . Picture #1
I have a pair of painters style of jeans with a larger watch pocket. In this pair the entire gun is concealed . I can even carry my Black Widow or my magnum with a bayonet in these jeans. pictures # 2 & 3, The last picture is the minis I used for the pictures.
Sorry the pictures are upside down. They appear correct on the iPad. I went in and rotated them to be upside Down on the iPad and then reattached them and they are still showing upside down in the post.

NOTL21

Seems like that knife could hurt whether you are standing on your head or not!

cfsharry

You don't really carry that mini with the blade attached, do you?

Bluelitenin

Sometimes I do carry it. The blade has a sheath that snaps on so it won't fall off.
I'm looking for a holster that will accommodate the holster and laser.  The Kid makes
Some for this combination,  but I'm looking for a Kydex outside the waist carry.

TwoGunJayne

I have a pair of "Kabar" picatinny bayonets with sheaths that are pretty much just like that one. While detached, they make a handy pocket knife, actually. Never thought I'd actually like that sheath type/method.

grayelky

Quote from: Bluelitenin on August-13-14 10:08
Sometimes I do carry it. The blade has a sheath that snaps on so it won't fall off.
I'm looking for a holster that will accommodate the holster and laser.  The Kid makes
Some for this combination,  but I'm looking for a Kydex outside the waist carry.
If you are still looking for a Kydex holster, send me a PM.
Guns are a lot like parachutes:

"If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"

Fin13

Get folding grips and then it fits into a pocket easily, not sure about a watch pocket though.

joewolz

Thanks for all the excellent answers, everyone!  This is one of the best forearms forums I've ever seen.  Everyone is nice and y'all seem to keep the nasty comments to a minimum.

Thank you!

I

Great! We've got him fooled, guys!!!  ;D

Just kidding. We talk about guns and there is quite a bit of knowledge here. It keeps the insulting down to a minimum.

Goatpacker

Quote from: joewolz on August-26-14 17:08
Thanks for all the excellent answers, everyone!  This is one of the best forearms forums I've ever seen.  Everyone is nice and y'all seem to keep the nasty comments to a minimum.

Thank you!

You are most welcome here! Just don't ask to see pics of all our FOREARMS!!
Just kidding. Glad we can help!

TwoGunJayne

Hey now, we have the right to bare arms. A piece of hemp paper told me.  ;D

I

Quote from: Goatpacker on August-26-14 21:08
Quote from: joewolz on August-26-14 17:08
Thanks for all the excellent answers, everyone!  This is one of the best forearms forums I've ever seen.  Everyone is nice and y'all seem to keep the nasty comments to a minimum.

Thank you!

You are most welcome here! Just don't ask to see pics of all our FOREARMS!!
Just kidding. Glad we can help!

Waitaminnit! Isn't this a "short arms" site?

Kevin55

Really small - 22LR with folding grip or CVang grip.  The stock grip is too small.

Accurate - Black Widow


Kevin55

Kommiefornia made it easy, we can only buy the 1-1/8.

22lr
From what I have read on ballistics, the difference is not significant from 1.125 to 1.625.
Ammo choice is critical.

22mag
The longer the barrel, the better.  If I was getting a 22mag, I would look for a used 1-5/8 or Black Widow.

Look at my posts, I have links to the ballistics web pages.

I bought the 1-1/8 as that was what is available.  I figured the smaller, the better.  The point is to stick it where the sun don't shine, like a pocket.

Shooting the 22lr with stock grips is not accurate.  It really needs a grip for one more finger.  I chose the holster grip.  If CVang is making 22lr grips again, I'd get one.


My post #5 has links to ballistics pages and my summary.
http://northamericanarms.com/naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=4673.msg75019#msg75019