Noon, Nothing is gained, including velocity, with more barrel than 16" when shooting pistol cartridges (and 22LR) with such small powder charges. And the whole point of these rifles for me is small, light and quick, which means no scope and a 16" barrel. As I said, I've never encountered an old Marlin 357 or 44 with 16" barrel or they would have certainly been a consideration.
