Barrel length on a S&W 41

In an article in VOL. 9, NO. 4 issue of GUNS & AMMO magazine, Bob Milek did a test of .22 velocity in different size barrels. He started at 14" and went down to 4". The difference between a 7" barrel and a 5" barrel was 98fps. Is that a big enough increase in velocity to have a positive effect on accuracy?

I guess what I am saying is do I need a 7" barrel for my 41?

Hi Bryan, in today's BE shooting, with optics or red dots the 7" bbl is of little advantage. Shooting with iron sights is another matter as the sight radius is beneficially longer.

Our matches are shot using ammo that does not start out supersonic and somewhere, before striking the target, go subsonic, causing bullet instability and accuracy problems.

The M-41 with a 5.5 barrel is a heavy combination when using a dot sight. Many shooters have had their "leaner" 7" bbls cut down and recrowned to reduce weight over the factory 5.5 by gunsmith.

Clark Custom Guns once sold a M41 short, slim bbl.

My opinion is if the weight is not an issue stick with what you have.

Thanks Larry. The weight is not an issue. I love the way the pistol feels. As long as the additional 100fps is not a big plus I am very happy with the 5.5'.

Larry Lang wrote:Our matches are shot using ammo that does not start out supersonic and somewhere, before striking the target, go subsonic, causing bullet instability and accuracy problems.

If it doesn't start out supersonic, how can it "go subsonic"?
The sight radius is an advantage for irons, if the weight and balance is comfortable for you. With a dot, it's all about your comfort only.
/B

I think Larry was saying the same thing you are. The bullet is subsonic the whole way.

I think Larry Lang ment that in Bulls Eye matches our rounds leave the barrel at subsonic speeds thus avoiding the destablaizing effect on the bullet of transitioning from Super- to Sub- sonic. Larry just said it nicer. What say you, Larry?

This is exactly what I said and meant.
"Our matches are shot using ammo that does not start out supersonic and somewhere, before striking the target, go subsonic, causing bullet instability and accuracy problems."

I don't understand the confusion...

We don't either.