Pietta SAA barrel length

[Jan Buchwald]

Hello
I am concidering buing a Pietta 1873 SA in .45 and like the 7½" barrel length, but are there any "downs" in this barrel length?

[Deadeye Dick]

JBW,
It's kinda what you like. I like long barrels. Some prefer short barrels saying that they are better balanced. The long barrel gives you a longer sight radius, which should help with accuracy. I like the looks of the longer barrel, others like the looks of shorter barrel guns. Shorter barrel guns are easier to get out of the holster. Longer barrels give you more velocity. I'm sure there are other reasons out there.
I suggest you try different lengths and decide for yourself what you like best, that is if you have access to them.
Most cap and ball pistols have 7 1/2" or 8" barrels.
Deadeye Dick

[Cookie]

I don't have a Colt SAA, but I've had Remington NMA's in both 8" and 5.5" barrels, so I can tell you how the same gun differed with different barrels.

As Deadeye said, it's really a personal preference, but for me, I love the shorter barrels, hands down.

For CAS, it was simply too hard to draw those long shootin' irons. I really had to bend the wrists to uncomfortable angles to clear the holsters. The shorter guns are much, much easier to draw.

And as Deadeye said, I just prefer the balance of the shorter guns. But, I also agree than the shorter barrels are harder to aim. I do have a harder time "finding the sights" with my shorter guns, but I feel their advantages far outweigh this downside.

However, given all this - I wouldn't go any shorter. I feel 5.5" inches is a real sweet spot for me and my revolvers.

If I had it to do all over again, I would definitely have tried to take as many guns for 'test drives' as possible before I bought. Picking a gun for looks alone will just lead to regrets down the road.

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[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

       A shorter barreled gun is faster out of the holster, but once out of the holster, I'll take the long barrel every time, it makes hitting your target much easier and tends to be much more accurate at longer distances IMHO.


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