Hey All - I'm mostly a rifle guy. I bought a Ruger SP101 a few years back as a carry gun and recently have gotten the itch to buy a semi. And at this point I've narrowed it down to either a Ruger SR9 or a SR9c. So that decision is made. But I'm looking for the reasons why I might want one over the other. Intended use will be range use and as a carry sidearm for both hunting and protection. For most purposes, what would be the perks of the additional ,75" of barrel?
Thanks.
Rob

1. Longer barrel = more muzzle velocity.

2. Longer barrel adds weight = less recoil.

3. Longer barrel = increased sight plane = greater sighting accuracy.

4. Longer barrel = 1" closer to target.

While neither would be my choice, the longer barrel provides higher stability, longer sight radius, higher velocity and less muzzle jump and flash.

Only 85fps diff between my LC9 at 3.12" and my Glock 17 at 4.49".

It won't change my mind but what would your choice be? And why?

I am making this choice for many reasons, some personal, some financial and some geographic. Plus of all this style semis I've handled, I like the ergonomics of the Ruger.

My question would be what would be the disadvantage of the additional length? People think they need the tiniest possible gun to conceal, and I just don't see it (no pun intended).

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RE, RufusG:
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"My question would be what would be the disadvantage of the additional length? People think they need the tiniest possible gun to conceal, and I just don't see it."
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I agree, once the gun is outside of my pocket ...

When I have a gun in my hand - - I want to feel like I have a GUN in my hand.


But as to a possible 'disadvantage' of additional length - (In my case) I have a Vaquero, 4 5/8" barrel vs. a Blackhawk 5 1/2" barrel ... The difference being 'BALANCE'.

Shooting offhand, I can hold, aim, and fire the shorter barreled 'Vaquero' comfortably and thus shoot more accurately.

The (slightly less than) 1" longer barrel 'Blackhawk' kinda wobbles around out there on me - while trying to put the sights on target.

For me, I'll always take a longer barrel, bigger gun if possible. A lot of people forget that the barrel is the easy part to conceal, its the grip length that really gets you in CCW.

I really like the feel of the compact. It fills my hand unlike the LC9 and I feel for concealed carry it would be a great gun. I have no use for the full sized one myself.

ask the guy that was smuggling one in ..
rectally!

Bigger is ALWAYS better!

This is the biggest factor. If you've tried a representative selection of pistols, and this one feels best, buy it. For me, the single-stack 1911 frame makes all others feel awkward and ungainly so, for about the same money, I would prefer a Springfield 1911 w/ the forged frame and slide; either 4" or 5" barrel would be fine, but I like the full-sized pistol for shooting.

I always chuckle at some of the questions on length... Reminds me of women talking about whether size matters.... But it always comes down to size doesnt matter, but its what you do with it.

Good point ... Snubby.

Depends where u carry it. If this is a selfvdefense gun the longer barrel ain't gonna matter to me. I go for concealment and practice with my SD gun. I say smaller the better

To me the difference is in the balance, in other words which one feels better to you. The longer barrel has a longer sight radius, but IME this is not much of an advantage. The longer barrel may or may not produce more velocity than the shorter barrel.