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Hammerli 206 and BBl Length
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:40 pm
by shadow
I noticed that the Hammerli 206 has a bbl lenght of 180mm or over 7 inches. The S&W 41 also has an optional bbl which is over 7". Both of these pistols also have removable muzzle brakes. I rarely (almost NEVER) see pistols on the firing line with 7 inch barrels and/or with muzzle breaks. What is the reasons for the demise of the long bbl and what was the muzzsle break designed to do (which it obviously DOES NOT do)?
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:55 pm
by James Way
The Hammerli 206 was manufactured back in the 1960s, so the rules for barrel length may have been different at the time.
For ISSF (International) pistol shooting, current rules limit the barrel length to 153 mm, which is just over six inches. I don't know how long this rule has been in place. For NRA Bullseye, a .22 barrel can be up to ten inches (254 mm). Hammerli, being a Swiss company, would make all their guns conform to international rules, although many American shooters use their guns because of their quality, especially the 208s.
The 206 was also made in .22 short (besides .22 long rifle) so perhaps it was used in that caliber for International Rapid Fire. As for the muzzle break issue, I don't know if there were problems, or if it also had to do with a change in regulations.