Rifle Barrel length

[rossi_j 99]

Just a quickie. . .

 

1. What is the shortest you would take a .22 barrel too before you start to loose accuracy?

 

2. What is the legal requirement for 12ftlb energy barrel length (minimum) ?

 

Just looking to shorten a rifle for my own take on driven shooting

 

.atb. .ste.

[pianoman 3,587]

Hi Ste.

I read somewhere that, on firing, a pellet engages the rifling in an air rifle barrel within 4 inches and is accurately spinning on the lands before it has reached the end of this, and on to the muzzle. So, perhaps a practical barrel of 5 inches length is possible. Pistols have been accurately shooting projectile rounds with short barrels for decades. You have to consider being able to cock the rifle if it's a break barrel. A 5-inch barrel would be very difficult, even with a handful of silencer, which puts the notion of an ultra-short rifle back a bit.

 

And, as you say, there is the law to consider. An air pistol which falls into the catagory of a short barrelled arm cannot exceed 6ft/lbs at the muzzle. Perhaps that is because it's easier to conceal and use an air pistol as an offensive weapon, thus the power restrictions? I really don't know for sure why the law is underwritten this way.

 

You only have to consider the Crossman Ratcatcher is originally a Co2 air pistol. It had a plastic stock added, re-classified as a "rifle" and thus was able to be increased in power.

 

My instinct is that short barrels are better on pcps and Co2 than spring rifles. But I wouldn't go chopping and cropping a barrel just yet mate. You might be well advised to go seek advice from a number of gunsmiths and see what the general consensus of their opinion is.

 

ATB

 

Simon

Edited April 28, 2011 by pianoman

[rossi_j 99]

Cheers pianoman, I have no intention of carrying out the mod myself as I am aware it requires a certaing amount of skill and attention to detail to cut a barrel with a degree of precision beyond me and my junior hacksaws capabilities

also I want a unf thread on the shroud to fit a twink mk2, the rifles to choose from are a bsa supersport wich will require a certain amount of barrel to maintain a smoothe cocking action (as you mentioned), or my newly aquired c02 smk wich I have taken a liking to as it is light, easy in the shoulder and feels sturdy, or another old break barrel that isnt a patch on the other two so prob not worth bothering (you can't polish a turd as they say )

Im in two minds to be honest, but if the job is done properly by a gunsmith and I put some serious thaught into it, it could be well worth it

 

Just a thaught at the minute mate, want something to shoot from the motor and maybe even slot inside my wax jacket :laugh:

 

.atb. .ste.

Edited April 28, 2011 by rossi_j

[pianoman 3,587]

[rossi_j 99]

[Daz 7 563]

A couple of lads have got the SMK but are now changed them from co 2 cartridge to Buddy bottle conversion at our Club, they love them cause their so light. On some of the PCP guns if you have the barrel shortened you might have to alter the Reg for Power setting has a couple of lads who have shortened the barrels on their Rapid MFR'S had a slight power drop so a Tweaking might be in Order.

Had a Theoben Sirroco and that Barrel was only 8 inches long before the Silencer.

 

Regards Daz.

[andyfr1968 772]

If you'll stand the postage, I'll do the work for you for nothing. Just give me the specs.....

[rossi_j 99]

Nice one andy, appreciate that

Just got a bit more research to do yet, dont want to do anything detrimental to accuracy or handling, to have four full length rifles it makes sense to make one into something a little different, fit for a specific purpose, I think I will use the bsa as my gramp has a spare barrel for it just incase I decided to sell it as I know a super short carbine isnt to everyones taste, just have to see what it feels like breaking the barell further down, I think it is the supersport its been with my uncle for a while, it is a break barell not a tap loader like some other bsa models of that period.

Ill get back to you via pm mate, still pondering at the moment. . . .

 

 

 

If anyone knows the point at wich a rifle becomes a pistol could they please post here, it will have a full lengh stock, just wondering if it governed by overall length or barrel length?

 

Thanks for your replys guys.

 

Daz, yea I have seen some mouth watering mods for the smk, food for thaught

 

.atb. .ste.

[andyfr1968 772]

No worries, Ste. I've access to a lathe and barrel shortening used to be part of my job years back, so I do know how to do it correctly

 

Honest.....

[rossi_j 99]

Cheers andy, I dident doubt you for a second mate

 

That would be great if you would do that for me in the near future

 

.atb. .ste.

[matt_hooks 188]

Section five hand guns are defined as lethal firearms with a barrel less than 30 cm (12") long, or an overall length of less than 60cm. I can't find any other definition of the difference between an air pistol and an air rifle, though there must be one.

[TheYorkshireHunter 2]

Just a quickie. . .

 

1. What is the shortest you would take a .22 barrel too before you start to loose accuracy?

 

2. What is the legal requirement for 12ftlb energy barrel length (minimum) ?

 

Just looking to shorten a rifle for my own take on driven shooting

 

.atb. .ste.

 

 

Here, sorted. there quite decent too. first hand,

 

http://www.skanar.co.uk/

 

all the best

 

sean

[barrywhite 282]

I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS TRUE HOPE SOMEONE CAN SAY YES OR NO .A long time ago I was lead to belive if an air rifle had the stock shortend so it was a pistol stock and the barrel was 12 inches long the gun was still an air rifle .and if an air rifle had the barrel shortened to what ever you like but it still had the full rifle stock it was still an air rifle .

[Marksman 934]

Ste,

 

Adi converted the barrel on my S10 I had at the meet from a full length to the size it is now and the accuracy is as good as the shooter, give him a bell and I'm sure he'll be able to help you

 

Darryl