Vaquero Barrel Length

[homebrew]

Hey all y'all,

First post here but I've been learning a lot from the forum.  Thanks!

My question is where do you measure the barrel length on a revolver?

From the end of the frame or from the cylinder?

I purchased a new model RV and it measures 4 5/8" from the front of
the frame and 5 1/2" from the cylinder.

Just want to be sure I have the 5 1/2 that I thought I purchased.

Thanks

[Pettifogger]

The part that's screwed into the frame is part of the barrel.  So you measure the whole thing.

[Adirondack Jack]

Revolvers are always measured from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle. All other firearms are measured from the breech face (where the back end of the cartridge sits) to the muzzle.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Yep!

[Dick Dastardly]

Actually, the law measures barrel length uniformly from the breach face.  On revolvers, that includes the chamber length.  For our purposes we measure from the barrel/cylinder junction to the muzzle.  Now that that is clear as mud, simple measure the tube and don't include the cylinder.

DD-DLoS

P.S.  I modified this post to say Welcome.  New posters are always welcome.  This is a friendly place to hang out and palaver.  Merry Christmas too.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Dick, I don't think so. If that were true, why would the Federal and State forms I fill out every time I buy a revolver always list the barrel length as measured from the front face of the cylinder?

[Pettifogger]

Rifles, shotguns, and semi-auto pistols are measured from the breech face.  Revolvers are always measured from the front of the cylinder forward.

[homebrew]

Great!  I have what I wanted.

Thanks for the info!

What started all of this was a trip over to Plainfield, IL to watch a CAS shoot.

Much to my wife's dismay this trip led to buckets of lead, black powder,
mutton tallow, a couple of C&B revolvers out of storage (she didn't know
about) and the purchase of the 45 LC.

I'm under strict orders not to get involved in any more new hobbies but I
reckon this is just an extension of an existing hobby and can't be counted
against me.

Thanks again.

[Dick Dastardly]

Pards, posters, Gentlemen all,

I stand duly corrected.  I went on the State of WI DNR web site and they only specify minimum barrel length and don't say how the heck they measure it.  So, I'm going to measure from the back end to the front end of the barrel from now on.  FWIW, my RVs all measure 7.5" that way.

DD-DLoS

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Sounds right to me, Dick

[boot strap jack]

Homebrew, welcome to cas city

[Adirondack Jack]

Pards, posters, Gentlemen all,

I stand duly corrected.  I went on the State of WI DNR web site and they only specify minimum barrel length and don't say how the heck they measure it.  So, I'm going to measure from the back end to the front end of the barrel from now on.  FWIW, my RVs all measure 7.5" that way.

DD-DLoS

I went to the BATF regs and researched this very question for a pard a few years ago, when he was given bad info regarding what is allowable with a shotgun. They specify how each type is to be measured.  Revolvers are indeed the oddball, as all others have a "barrel" that includes the chamber, whereas revolvers do not.

It gets real spooky when ya try to do ballistics with a cartridge such as a .45 ACP and yer not sure if they mean a 5 inch autopistol (where almost 1.5 inches of that is chamber) or a 5 inch revolver where a cylinder of perhaps 1.5 inches or more must be added to "equalize" the two, then ya have a BC gap......

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I went to the BATF regs and researched this very question for a pard a few years ago, when he was given bad info regarding what is allowable with a shotgun. They specify how each type is to be measured.  Revolvers are indeed the oddball, as all others have a "barrel" that includes the chamber, whereas revolvers do not.

It gets real spooky when ya try to do ballistics with a cartridge such as a .45 ACP and yer not sure if they mean a 5 inch autopistol (where almost 1.5 inches of that is chamber) or a 5 inch revolver where a cylinder of perhaps 1.5 inches or more must be added to "equalize" the two, then ya have a BC gap......

You said the magic reason:  BATF or, in other words, government BS

[Dr. Bob]

SHB,

Well, after they put you away fer that kind of talk about the ATF, I will regularly send you some sunlight, so you won't ferget what it is!   After all, that's what friends are fer!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thank you SO much, Bob!  It's comforting at my advancing age, to know that I have friends like you.  You'll help me keep my sunny disposition.




Matter of fact, I'll be so bright they'll call me Sunny. Sonny.  Son of a ... OOPS!

[Dr. Bob]

Well, of course, with friends like me, you don't need any enemies!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Well, of course, with friends like me, you don't need any enemies!

I wouldn't go THAT far! 



You're a FINE friend!

[Silver Creek Slim]

DD,
This is probably what you are referring to:
Handguns:
• To be legal for deer, handguns must use center-fire cartridges of .22 caliber or
  larger and have a 5 1/2 inch minimum barrel, measured from the firing pin to the
  muzzle with the action closed.

From the "2006 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations".

Slim

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Guv-urn-mint strikes again!

[Dr. Bob]

Gee Slim,

Doesn't look like the Wisconsin rule makers think that anyone with any sense would use a revolver to hunt with!  Scoped Redhawk to the contrary!   4 3/4 inch SAA should meet the requirement.