Barrel length choice

[English Mike]

Hello everyone from a new member of this forum.
I have more or less settled on the spec for the 1876 I am going to order - Uberti for quality and 45-60 for convenience, but I am stuck on barrel length. To me the 28in barrel looks ungainly compared to my 26in 1886. I am not a hunter and will use the rifle for general target shooting and cowboy silhouette with black powder only.Sights will probably be a Beach combination front and Riflesmith tang on the back. I guess I am leaning towards the 22in barrel model unless anyone has some adverse experience with them. Any advice on relative accuracy, balance and handling most appreciated.
English Mike

[Grizzly Adams]

Hi, Mike and welcome.

I went with the 22 inch barrel because I like shorter rifles and carbines.  I think the balance is near perfect, and one does not miss the weight lose!

The only thing I would add is that I wish Uberti would put the shorter forearm on their 22 incher.  They use same length as the 28 inch barrell and it should be one inch shorter on the short rifle - technically speaking.

[OKDEE]

Hey English Mike!

I too have a 22" barrel length, much like Grizzly, for the same reasons.  Mine is in the 45-75 caliber.  Sweet caliber.  I would like to have a 24" to compare with the 22", but that may take a while.  Take a look at the 24". 

The 22" seems pretty accurate out to 100 yards, but beyond that I have not done any shooting.  We have a 150 and 200 yard targets at one place that I shoot, but due to the rains, and not being able to get a brushhog in there, we cannot see the targets!   Maybe later this summer, when it drys out.

[Hobie]

I got the SRC for two reasons.  #1, it was the NWMP gun.  #2 it had the 22" round barrel.  If I was to buy a rifle I'd really want the English sort, 22" round or half round barrel, button magazine, shotgun butt with fold down barrel sight and tang peep.  I think I like the .45-75 as the best all around cartridge, the .45-60 as easiest and cheapest to supply with ammo.  These cartridges don't have a recoil so severe that one needs a heavy gun to mitigate recoil.