Can anyone give some insight on when and why Ruger shortened the barrel of the #1 460s&w?
From my research I have noticed that the early (model 11340) No.1 460 had 22" barrel and was shortened to 20" (model 21310) sometime shortly after. Both are #1S but I'm curious if there are any advantages other than a little extra velocity.
Thanks!

Proly to have a range of adjustment w the irons.

Kinda why shotgun slug guns have short bbls IIRC

I think the 22" look better.
But the 460 and 44 mag stuff is 20 or 20.5 and they look too short.

I think they brought them out to match the 44M. I acquired a 44M but do prefer my 22” # 3, and when I finally found a older 475L 22” jumped on it.

How does the #1 460 S&W shoot?

My "insight" is that these pistol caliber No.1's were made to appeal to the Midwest states deer hunters. That is enough barrel for a pistol caliber and they are really short and handy. The RSI has a 20" barrel and no one questions it.

I can see 20" for 44M but the 460 has monstrous potential and the custom rifle builders are saying that the factory pistol loads are still burning powder at 26". I thought that there might have been a specific reason why Ruger shortened it but I can think of an obvious good one. I wonder if the twist rate is the same. The 1:16 seems to be popular among custom builders but my 20" #1 is 1:20 twist. I know one thing.....the guys who have the 22" rifles are not giving them up.

For the most part, very good. Recoil is stiff kind of like shooting a 12ga mag load. If you like to handload, it seems that the 460 likes to perform best at or near max loads. The lighter bullet weights shoot best, in my opinion, out of the 1:20" twist. A 300yd gun in the hands of most shooters.

Like you say it is a very very small trade off in handy to carry, vs style, velocity & muzzle blast. I an ok with even a light 24" barrel in any single shot, real rifle calibers. Or 20" for pistol calibers is plenty. My Ruger American 450BM barrel is only 16". IMHO, People focus on velocity to much. I really dont think the 2" worth worry about. If I were to worry about it: The question is "what is the 460S&W, rifle or pistol ammo"? Given I dont know, 22" seems a nice compromise.

Thanks Mike. That's what I was looking for.

I agree. I raised the question mostly to see if anyone had knowledge of any accuracy issues with the 22"
The Ruger #1 in 450BM has a break on the end of the barrel. The 20" 460 could greatly benefit from one as well.
I just received 200 bullets from Winchester that im going to try in the 460. 260gr Platinum Tips. They are factory loaded in the 454 so I'm very excited to see what they will do in the 460. If i can't make them fly, my Muzzleloader loves them. Lol

Any time!

I have never ever liked longer barrels even going back to my first rifle a Mauser 8 mm 18" that was over 50 years ago.....I have changed and built several 460 S&W's rifles......with a suppresser I go with a 16" barrel I have never built a 460 S&W with a barrel longer than 20" just no need for a long tube on one.....

I’ve had the No.1 in both 22” and 20” in 475 Linebaugh. I got greedy and adopted out the 22” unfired in box with it’s beautiful stick of walnut. THEN,… a new 20” popped up at a local live gun option and I took it home. I missed the 22” version I had so this one in 20” would hopefully fill the ‘void’.
It has a plainish walnut stock but the price reflected it. I normally stay at 22” and longer barrels, my preference, however I’m kind of liking the 20” in PISTOL CARTRIDGE chamberings. I also have a No.1 in 44 Mag unfired with a plus grade Circassian stock and 20” barrel.
I was going to say I prefer longer than 20” barrels especially in already short single shot rifles, but the more I handle these the more I like them. I saw where the No.1 20” was available in 450 Marlin. I like the cartridge but would (and did) pass on it in a 20” barrel.
Now if a 44 were to ‘pop up’ at a steal of a price I would be tempted to rechamber it to 444 Marlin. I think Ruger should make a run of 444 Marlins with 22” or 24” heavier barrels. The 20” barrel on my 44 is at least part reason I have not made it a 444 Marlin.