Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns lenght of sight plane

How much longer sight plane does it take to really notice a differnce ? say will a glock 21 really be that much eaiser to shoot accurate than a 30 ? just nder an inch differnce.

I can shoot any handgun barrel length equally bad. That said, I do find the fit and the balance of a handgun more conducive to accuracy
than the length of its sight plane - except for handguns with barrels under 3" or over 5 1/2".

I haven't found a longer sight plane to be an advantage at combat distances under 25 yards. at 50 and beyond anything longer than 5 inches is really wasted on me.

story behind the question, I got a 10mm conversion barrel for my glock 30. I've been impressed so I was thinking of getting a longer barrel like 6" or so to ring out top velocity for hunting reasons. Just wanting thoughts on dropping the longer barrel in the 30 I already have or if it was worth the $$ for a new glock 20 or 21 and conversion

A longer sighting plane will always be more accurate, all other things being equal. Don't think of it as only an inch, but what percentage longer.

Excellent point , in this case about 25%

There will be more precise aiming with a longer sight radius, but the consistency of holding - the grip, trigger work, and follow through are going to be approximately the same. You could I guess argue that a longer, heavier barrel has more inertia, and is less likely to wobble. Then again, with a short barrel, the bullet's gone before you have a chance to wiggle.

There is a general trend there, but I think the exact situation, will depend on the individual shooter.

+1 on tex's statement ----- the precision is in YOU not the firearm --- the longer radius is NOT more precise, it allows YOU to be more precise --- aligned sights are aligned sights regardless of radius. The only thing the longer radius gives you is a decreased margin of error and (IMO) as you age, that margin decreases along with your eyesight as your ability to focus decreases. It's roughly like asking if a rifle is more accurate with a scope on it. The rifle is the rifle, only your ability to use it has changed. Of course certain cartridge/loads may shoot better out of longer barrels, but that's a different discussion.
JMO, of course, I could be wrong.

not really on the topic, but i did buy a six inch barrel for a glock 20. After chrony'd loads, yes i did get more velocity, but not enough to fascinate me. The barrel also sticks out the end of the slide. Sighting radius is still the same.
Now in a ruger blackhawk 10mm, the 7inch plus barrel both gives more velocity, but i think better sighting at longer ranges.
shooting k frames in 2, 4, 6inch, the six inch is easier to aim with longer radius at distance.