Barrel lenght vs Sights radius

[Guardian angel]

Hi folks,

I need some expert's advices.

I think in real shooting situations (IDPA, home defense, ...)
a gun like G34 with a long sights radius will give better results
than another gun with a smaller sights radius (like Sig 2022 f.e.), even if the otherone is able of better inherent accuracy from benchrest.

Am I right or am I wrong ?

Thanks in advance for replies.

P.S. : Some times ago, I was purchasing a all purpose gun (IDPA, home defense, ...) I was interested with a Sig 2022, but finally I think I'm gonna make better results with a G34...

[D.R.Middlebrook]

The fact of the matter is, most street fights are up close and personal, so you probably won't have the time or the distance to get the gun up and out to eye level. Further, sight radius is a myth...shocked:

All the longer slide does is make the front sight "LOOK" thinner, because it's farther away. You can get the same results by using a thinner sight to begin with. We proved this back in the 1980's doing accuracy tests at 50 yds.

But what you will gain with the G34 or G35 is a better trigger pull, a heavier slide, extended slide release and oversize mag button.

D.R.

www.TacticalShooting.com:

[USPSA Guy]

The advantage of a longer sight radius has nothing to do with the width of the front sight. A thinner front sight or wider rear notch WILL make a difference, but not the kind Guardian angel is asking about.

The longer the sight radius, the more forgiving the gun is in terms of sighting errors. The difference between something like a G22 versus a G35 is very minor. Extend the barrel/slide on the G35 to 16" or so and the difference would be noticeable. Of course it would be very "unhandy".

In real shootings, if you figure the distances most often quoted, the shorter gun might have a slight advantage, as it could be brought to bear more quickly, but again, only a SLIGHT difference.

Now if someone managed to grab the gun while you're still holding it, then a super short barrel would almost guarantee that a single shot would cure them of their desire to ever grab your gun again...

Of course you could also argue that the longer barrel and ever so slight higher velocity could make the shot more effective...

Personally I think the fact you actually have a gun in a real life gun fight means you're one step ahead of most of the population....

[D.R.Middlebrook]

As a sight maker (who's sights have won the NRA Bianchi Cup Cup with the HIGHEST score ever fired with a stock gun and numerous other records for both SPEED & ACCURACY), I'm trying to give guys some help by dispelling a myth for you here:

Two points determine a straight line! shocked: That's the LAW. That's just the way it is...

The human eye cannot tell the difference between say a .125" wide blade at 6" vs. a .100" blade at 5", as they appear the same thickenss.

FWIW: I built Todd Jarrett's sights few years back. One was a SUPER THIN (.045" wide) front post with a super small (.090" rear notch).

Very Respectfully,

D.R.Middlebrooks

www.TacticalShooting.com