TargetTalk

Hi folks. I've been wondering about the pros and cons of a short vs. long(er) barrel on an air pistol. For instance, why was the LP5 made with a shorter barrel than the LP10? Obviously a long barrel has a longer sight radius, which may be an advantage or not, but are there other considerations as well?

1. Can't be too long or it would be illegal
2. Longer barrel = heavier
3. Longer barrel = nose forward center of gravity
4. Longer barrel ~ longer sight radius (dep on design)
5. Longer barrel = more efficient air vs. velocity

1. is a hard limitation
2-4 is a matter of personal preference
5. is not a big deal- for the same exact mv a longer barrel may give you a few more shots between refills

The big grey area involves the tradeoffs with weight, cg, and sight radius. I prefer a heavier gun, with a forward cg, but with shorter sight radius. So I get the long barrel and attach my big fat sights closer together . . . my wife, and quite a few junior shooters, prefer lighter weight, cg closer to the palm, and seems to think longer sight radius is "more accurate." So she would get a shortie and weld on some sight extenders.

Go figure.

Steve

Great answer. Thanks Steve.

A couple more variables:

Extension tubes or Air stripper/compensators can add length and act as sight radius extenders with short barrels. The most expensive Roehm models are an example of this. Air rifles often have extenders.

A theoretical advantage of short barrels may be stiffer barrel or shorter "lock-time".

I guess most folks use the longest legal barrel with comp. attached unless weight is an issue. A method of reducing weight with a longer barrel is using a smaller cylinder e.g. from a "junior" model.

The difference in the Morini pistols, long Vs short: -
Both have the same sight radius; the short has an extended rear sight.
Balance is different.
A lesser number of shots from the small tank (still plenty for a match).
The biggest difference is the character of each pistol in feel and performance.
The long barrel scatt trace is a long, slow cyclic movement and I found it shot a fair number of 9.8 and 9.9's and most of the 10's were towards the outside of the ten ring. A poor triggered shot would be out on the edge of the 9 ring or rarely an 8.
The short barrel has a much faster and smaller hold, a tighter concentration of 10's. It pulls a lot of the 9.8 and 9.9's into the ten ring. But a poor triggered shot it will move way out into the 8 ring. Its shot pattern is like a doughnut shape, tight 10's and outer 9's.
As a result the short barrel has given me a 3-5 point advantage in score even with a couple of wide 8's.