P22 3.4 in barrel VS 5 in Barrel

[mookiie]

I just got a new P22 today. I purchased the 3.4 inch model and I am thinking about getting the upgrade barrel to the 5 in.

My Question for everybody is does anyone have a P22 and the two barrels? Could you notice an accuracy improvement with the 5 in barrel over the 3.4? Do you think it is worth the 125 or so you had to pay for the longer barrel?


Any input on this would be great. Also if anyone can recommend ammo that functions well in their firearm I would appreciate that as well!

Thanks All who take a look.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I doubt if you would see a practical accuracy advantage. The longer barrel would simply stick out beyond the slide. Since the sights are still on the slide, there would be no accompanying increase in sight radius. (A longer radius - i.e., the distance between the front and rear sights - is more forgiving of tiny errors in sight alignment, helping to increase the accuracy of the shooter.)

 

[usp9]

My Question for everybody is does anyone have a P22 and the two barrels? Could you notice an accuracy improvement with the 5 in barrel over the 3.4? Do you think it is worth the 125 or so you had to pay for the longer barrel?

No, and definitely no. I found virtually no difference in accuracy but a huge difference in the nuisance factor of the longer barrel as it made cleaning a longer chore and the screws backed out. The short barrel is good enough.

Mini Mags worked well. I had feed problems with cheaper bulk ammo.

 

[6x6pinz]

can't say on the longer barrel, other than the drum mags work without additional hardware.

Like with most new 22's shoot high power quality 22 ammo for a bit first and then try the cheaper stuff. My 3.4" barreled p22 will shoot any 22lr I put through it. I can also use the drum as long as I have a fake silencer installed on the barrel.

 

[mookiie]

The Lone Haranguer -Fyi - the 5 in barrel does add over an inch to the sight radius.

 

[Kymasabe]

...and I have a P22 with the long barrel. I'm looking for someone with the short barrel to trade with. So, if you really want the long barrel, I'll gladly trade with you. Not guns, just trade barrels as they're interchangable.

 

[Hanzo581]

I owned the 5in version and sold it, and now own the 3.4in version, for me, I see no discernible accuracy loss with the shorter barrel.

 

[evan price]

The long barrel and fake compensator is a PITA. The "comp" loosens up and it is in my mind one of the factors that leads to slide cracking.

 

[dv/dt]

^ yea. I have a 3.4in version, but I've heard from others that the fake compensator does loosen up and can interfere with the slide, causing it to crack. The fake compensator also houses the new front sight so it increases the sight radius by about an inch (as mentioned).