Rifle Barrel Length

[Hot Iron Hill]

Howdy All,

I enjoy the input from you all… I was wondering what barrel lengths you all are running on your rifles? 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

In my Cowboy rifles,  Factory 20"

 

..........Widder

 

[Blackwater 53393]

I have a 24” 1860 Henry replica, a 24” 1866 rifle, a 20” 1866 carbine, and I did have a 17” 1873 short rifle until someone stole it about ten years ago.

 

I like each one in a given situation.

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

Match guns.

18"

2 octagon barreled '73 rifles in .44 special

1 octagon barreled '73 in 357/38

1 '73 U.S. Marshal carbine in 357/38

 

Edited September 25, 2024 by SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

I started with a 24” Marlin, switched to 20” later,  now I run a 18” 1/2 round ‘73.

 

Randy

[Cotton Eye Joe]

18.5" Texas Brush Popper 1873 half oct/half round 357mag

 

20" Chiappa 1892 round 44spl

 

24" Cimarron 1866 octagonal 44spl

 

24" Marlin 1888 octagonal 44-W

 

The TX Brush Popper is definitely the fastest/smoothest of mine. Cimarron used to order all kinds of cool models.

[Griff]

I started with a 20" 1892 carbine (borrowed), and bought one to compete with.  I then shifted my focus to represent an earlier time in the cowboy era and used a 24-¼" octagon barreled 1873.  I shifted again to using a 24-¼" 1860 Henry for shooting with my .36 caliber 1851s... Most recently I bought a 18-½" ½ round/octagon 1873 and like it the best of the 3.  It's obviously lighter by far than either of the others, more maneuverable, easier to get around props, stage setups, etc.  

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

24 inch on Uberti Henry and Rossi 92  20 inch miroku 73 and 92 and another rossi 92

 

[Idaho Gunslinger]

I started with an 18" 1866. I now have a 20" 1873 and I seem to be more accurate with it while also shooting it faster. Not only does it have 2 inches longer sight radius via the barrel length but the rear sight on the 1873 is probably 2" closer to my face as well so I gained 4" of sight radius for 2" of barrel length. 

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

I use a 20" Pistol Grip Uberti '73 in 357 Magnum (shooting 38 special) for Cowboy

or a 24" straight stock Uberti '73 in 45 Colt for Wild Bunch

Regards

    

Gateway Kid

[Lassy LaRock]

20" Winchester 1873 .45Colt

20" Marlin 1894 .38Spc.

18,5" Uberti 1873 .357Mag PG

24" Uberti 1873 .357Mag

[Old Man Graybeard]

I prefer 24 inch barrels. I have several with 20 inch barrels that my son and grandson use...but seldom do I use anything but the 24 inchers....and if I come across a 30 inch in 44-40...

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Oh wow.....

Uberti Henry:  24" Octagon, .44-40

Uberti 66 Carbine:  19" Round, .44-40
Uberti 66 Rifle  24"  Octagon .45 Colt

Uberti 66 Short Rifle  20"  Octagon  .32-30
Winchester 73 Rifle  24" Octagon .32-20
Uberti 73 Trapper:  16-1/2"  Round  .44-40  (Note.   I also have a "Mare's Leg stock" for this, making it a "Buntline Mare's Leg" when I wanna shot something for fun.   Overall length is still over 27" so it's legal.)
Winchester 92 Carbine.  18-1/4"  Round.  .44 Magnum  (Not original barrel.  Letters as a .38-40 24"
Winchester 92 Carbine  20"  Round.  .32-20
Rossi 92 Carbine:  20" Round  .44-40
Colt Lightning  Rifle:  Octagon  26"  .32-20
AWA Lighting Rifle:  Round 24"  .45 Colt
AWA Lightning Rifle:  Round 24"  .44-40
Colt Lighting Rifle:  Round  30"  .44-40
Marlin 1888, Round 20" .32-20  (Letters as a 24")
Uberti Burgess Carbine:  Round 20"  .45 Colt
Spencer Carbine  Round  20"  .56-50


So, my barrel lengths are all over the place.    I seem to prefer the longer barrels.  Heck, my main shotguns have got 30" tubes.   

Edited September 25, 2024 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

My own are are 16" and 19" carbines and 18" and 20" octagonal rifles.  You will see all sorts of lengths at a match, but not near as many 24" (or longer).  For many years, the 20" .357 '73 was the hot ticket for CAS.  Then they came out with 18" octagon or half-octagon.  I'm seeing a few more of those than the 20" these days.  With the closer targets there is no advantage to the longer barrel, though some will say longer barrels hold steady while levering fast, but the fastest guys are shooting shorter ones, so...

 

How it balances and handles while moving are most important.  If the reason for the OP's question is to help him decide, then the standard advice of handling as many as you can will suffice.

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

While I can make a big long list of rifles that I ow...errrr...might own, I won't.

 

For this game I use a 20"

 

Phantom

[Major Art Tillery]

I use 20" the most.  Occasionally a 24"

[Captain Bill Burt]

The Burt Bunch cowboy guns are all 18.5 inches, some half round half octagon, some full octagon.  The ladies prefer the half round half octagon and the men use full octagon.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Nope.  None of the Above (Except for Abilene).  I have two Custom built Henry rifles, 19 inch barrels,  an OEM 18.5 inch Henry Carbine,  an OEM 16 inch Henry Trapper, Two custom built 16.4 inch 1873 Trappers.  ALL are my favorites depending on my coin flips.

[Anvil Al #59168]

Wife and I both shoot an 18 1/2.

18 1/2 or 20 would be my choice.  

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

I have three  20” and one 24 “ I use the 20” all the time. 

[Frederick Jackson Turner]

For navigating stage props, windows and doorways, you might find 20 or 18.5 inch barrels a bit more convenient.  Given the modest distances at which rifles and carbines are generally employed in this sport, that barrel length tends to make the most sense.

 

Cheers,

FJT

[watab kid]

mine alll vary in length as well , i do have the 60/66/73/94 and marlin so i shoot alll different as mood sets