4.75" vs 5.5" barrel?

[texaswoodworker]

On a Colt SAA, does the .75" difference between a 4.75" and a 5.5" barrel really make much of a difference at typical CAS distances? It seems like at those distances, it wouldn't be that hard to shoot a 4.75" barreled gun as well as a 5.5" barreled gun. What length do most of the top competitors typically choose?

[Pit Mule]

I shoot both and don't think so. I'm sure an engineer type can sort out the differences mathematically but meh. It just boils down to personal preference and what feels good in your hand and works for you. I prefer the 4.75 as I feel it points quicker but I've witnessed some top shooters using 7.50's. But the most common that I see is 4.75. Just my opinion...

[Jefro]

Howdy Tex, the most common IMHO is the 5.5............I can shoot mine more accurate and faster than my 4.75. If you plan on shooting Cowboy Fast Draw as well as SASS start out with the 4.75 in .45 Colt. Good Luck

Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[Pettifogger]

That 3/4" might make a difference in balance depending on the caliber.  As a practical matter there is no difference between a 4 3/4" and a 5 1/2".  The difference is in the person shooting it.

[cpt dan blodgett]

One top shooter I know goes with 7.5 inch and a lever action shotgun.  The answer to what top shooters shoot appears to be all the above.  Will admit it has been a long time since anyone using a 92 could be called a really top shooter but...

[texaswoodworker]

Well, I think I'm going to go with the 4.75" then. I LOVE that look. :p

I figure I'll be able to shoot it just fine. I'm a pretty decent shot with my 4" Colt Army Special, so 4.75" should be fine.

What are they typical ranges for a SASS/NCOWS pistol range? 25 yards max?

[Pettifogger]

For SASS the recommended ranges for revolver are 7 to 10 yards.  The past few years it is more like 5 to 7 yards at a lot of clubs and matches.

[John Barleycorn]

I switched to 5 1/2" a few years ago. I have fewer pistol misses now. It's really whatever works for YOU😉

[Galloway]

I find the 5.55'' more accurate the slightly longer radius makes a big improvement in my experience. The main reason i recommend the 5.5'' however is the fact that every 4 3/4'' i've owned hits 3-4'' low left. Yet all my 5.5 and 7.5''s have been right on for windage. Good luck

[Dances With Coyotes]

I prefer the 5.5". To me it seems to point better

[Professor Marvel]

I would humbly suggest that you go try out both...
then buy whichever you like best!

It is after all a hobby and a game.

The key to happiness is to
Pick what you like and
Dance Shoot like no one is watching..

yhs
prof marvel

PS personally I prefer short barrels.

[Hambone Dave]

I am extremely, overly, highly biased on many subjects but especially firearms.

Pistols should never have a barrel less than 5".
Only pistols you need are a SAA or M1911.
Bolt-action rifles should never have barrels less than 24".
Sharps barrels should be 30" or more.
Lever action rifles barrel should not be less than 20".
Mares Leg barrel should be 9" otherwise they are not a Josh Randall mares leg.
Hunting shotgun barrels (side by side only) must be 28".
Coach gun barrels must to 20".
The only calibers you need are 22LR, 12ga, 30 and 45.
Firearms must be metal only.
Stocks must only be wood, ivory, bone or horn.

So it be written...so it be done
Yup

[Matthew Duncan]

Long arms and high waist and my dislike of low slung holsters.  The shorter 3/4" barrel helps me clear leather.

[Trailrider]

I agree you should try both! It is purely subjective, and each individual will have his/her own likes. The differences in balance and sight radius will be the factors you will have to decide.  Personally, I shoot one each 5.5" Ruger Old Model Vaquero and one 7.5" Ruger OM Vaquero. 

[Bart Slade]

Looks like I'm about 5 years late to this party, but...

I read recently that for those of us with failing eyesight, in a certain respect we can get better accuracy with SHORTER barrels.   Reason being that as you focus on the front sight, the further the rear sight is from it the blurrier it becomes.   Therefore,  the shorter the distance between the sights the sharper you're going to see them, ergo potentially better accuracy.

Once this idea got into my head, yeah I notice that I can line up my 4 3/4" revolvers a little better than my 7 1/2".   I feel like I can see the sights better on the 4 3/4" than the 5 1/2", but I don't really notice any practical difference.

[Coffinmaker]

  Bart 

Perception can be everything.  If you "see" the sights better with the shorter sight radius, your going to have more instilled confidence with that particular barrel length.

I once had special made shooting glasses made that gave me a depth of field from my elbow to about 4 feet out so I could see my handgun and rifle sights really clear.  Then one day I discovered this real old guy looking back out of the mirror and found I could see my sights better with NO correction at all.  Started to shoot better too.

As they say in Dinosaur hunting . . . . What Ever Works!!!

Be Safe Out There

PS:  This is from the guy who thinks anything over 3 1/2 inches is a waste of steel.  My rifles average 16 1/2 inch barrels.  Shotguns at 18 1/2.  Never met a barrel too short dontcha know. 

[ChuteTheMall]

Next time you miss a target, see if it isn't by less than an inch.  If so, you might appreciate that a 5.5 puts the muzzle closer to the target than a 4.75.

[Abilene]

Next time you miss a target, see if it isn't by less than an inch.  If so, you might appreciate that a 5.5 puts the muzzle closer to the target than a 4.75.

If that is going to make a difference, then just leaning forward can get the muzzle up 12" or so closer to the target.

[Coffinmaker]

  NECROMANCY is FUN!!)

Somebody please stand by with a Defibrillator for Abilene please.  Not in keeping with the OP question and the subsequent discussion(s), Butt:  I just recently finished building a pair of 1860 Cartridge Conversions (Kirst) on 1860 EIGHT inch barrels.  I can't bring myself to cut 'em.  They have been a GOB of FUN (so far).  Look funny sticking out the bottom of holsters made for my 4 7/16 barrel Open Tops.  Super grins and giggles.

Oh, just reach out and tap those small targets too 

[Baltimore Ed]

I can shoot my 4.75 inch vaqueros duelist faster than I could shoot a 5.5 or a 7.5 inch barrel vaquero. I've never shot modern. I shoot my 1911 or DAs duelist too. The one 5.5 barreled gun got shortened [see below] and the 7.5 got sold.