Pietta 1858 5 1/2" or 8"

[mrappe]

I do CAS with .45 LC and have had a Pietta 1858 8" for about 13 yrs. I really like the gun and with 25-30 grn Goex it is one of the most accurate handguns that I own. I have been wanting another 1858 and am contemplating buying a 5 1/2 " for my second gun and using the as a CAS gun. I was thinking of the 5 1/2 since I like the looks of it and it will be easier to draw and is lighter but I am not sure what loading and shooting one is like compared to the 8". Is it as accurate? etc. Has anone had experience with both of these lengths and do you prefer one over the other and why?

Thanks for any input.

[Hedley Lamarr]

I like 5.5 solely because of the easier draw.
It's more than accurate for CAS target sizes & distances.
One of these days I'll bench it & see what it can do.

[Cookie]

I like 5.5 solely because of the easier draw.
It's more than accurate for CAS target sizes & distances.
One of these days I'll bench it & see what it can do.

+1 on each point.

I also prefer a 5 1/2" barrel solely because of the MUCH easier draw. (Used a pair of 8" 1858's previously, too long for me.)

Also more than accurate enough for CAS shooting. (Never do serious target shooting w/ them, so no idea how accurate they are in comparison.)