Is accuracy changed between 4" and 5"

[Ironchef]

Please forgive the noobish question, but I am shopping for my first firearm, an xd9 for sure, and I've got this question.

I'm aware that the weight of the gun can have some difference in accuracy. I'm aware that basic handgun design also contributes to accuracy. Grip is obviously a huge factore...but what about barrel length -- and for that matter, 4" vs. 5"?

Shopping for an XD9 service or the tactical. I like the looks of the service more but I want accuracy. This would not be a concealable weapon (CA resident...) so length doesn't matter.

I put this on the Range section because I figured someone would be able to tell me if there is a noticable difference in accuracy given the barrel lengths listed above. So if anyone here has both a service and a tactical model xd (any caliber) and has seen differences at 5, 10, 15, 50 yards, do tell!

Oh, and since this is my first post here, I'd like to take this time and thank all the contributors to this forum, your obvious wisdom (and patience with noob questions), and for the general atmosphere here. It's a very welcoming place and I've learned tons reading it over the last month or so as I close in on the purchase of the finest handgun EVER made.

[propellerhead]

Welcome to XDTalk.

It's hard to define noticeable so it will be hard to answer your question. The Tactical is generally more accurate but a good shooter with a Subcompact can still outshoot a bad one with a Tactical. Shooting technique is the biggest factor in accuracy. What you are shooting has a small impact.

If you don't ever plan on carrying it concealed, go with the Tactical. The Service is good too and is easier to resell due to its popularity.

[Ironchef]

Thanks. Yeah, it doesn't matter much to me, but my wife was told by a gun shop dealer that the longer barrel makes for more accuracy. But the practical use for this gun is home self defense and lots of target shooting. I think the 4" service is much better looking. Maybe we'll get both! lol

[rogerxd45]

if its your first gun i would say get the gun you think looks and feels the best
i have been shooting for a while and imm far more of problem with accuracy then the one inch of barrel also the longer barrel has a longer sight radius which makes picking up at target easier
but i would say you wont be able to tell much a a difference between the two so get the one you like best

[leeindy]

there is no differance in accuracy between the two barrel lengths.

[xd4life]

You will notice less muzzle climb with the 5" then the 4", If you are going to use for CCW purposes and general range fun, I would go with the 4", If you are gonna use it for IPSC or other competition or target shooting, I would go with the 5"

[leeindy]

Originally Posted by xd4life

You will notice less muzzle climb with the 5" then the 4", If you are going to use for CCW purposes and general range fun, I would go with the 4", If you are gonna use it for IPSC or other competition or target shooting, I would go with the 5"

i have both and have used both in competition and i like the 4 in better. the balance is better. the 5 in runs good but im noticealby slower using it.

[SMMAssociates]

Ironchef:

Roger's pretty much got it.... (I'm new to the XD's and Tupperguns in general, but have been shooting/carrying for about 40 years.)

The longer the sight radius, everything else being more or less equal, the more accurate you will be. Overall, the 4" v.s. 5" probably wouldn't be an issue between the two guns, when talking about inherent accuracy.

You may just have better luck with one or the other. At some point, your skills will increase to the point that the advantages of the longer barrel are irrelevant, but every little bit counts if you're really trying to shoot "one ragged hole" targets.

I replaced a 2" .38 with a 4" some 40 years ago because I could barely hit the backstop with the snubby. Last night I took the center out of a bullseye target with an XD-9SC, which barely has a barrel at all.... (Both at about 30 feet.) The XD's got a better trigger....

New shooters should, IMHO, always go with the longest barrel that doesn't look silly. (Somewhere over 6", it starts to look silly when you go to the range. All those guys pointing fingers and chuckling.... .) The gun will just help you more, and the extra weight improves recoil-related issues.

For carry, you probably can get away with a much shorter barrel - most such encounters seem to occur well under 20' - but you may not be able to build up the confidence you need on the range. The same thing really applies to a "house gun", but you have the advantage of not really caring about size.

(It does help if you can lift it.)

Regards

[mikerulzu]

I went through a very similar process about a month ago - between the bi-tone service or tactical - and went with the Tactical. I don't think any kind of accuracy issues would be due to the gun itself, so I think that's a wash. You should just buy the one you think looks better.

[Loves2Shoot]

Technically speaking, the longer the bullet is in the barrel, the more the shooter can affect change on it. The longer the sight radius, the easier it is to aim. So, there are pros and cons. I've shot lots of matches with a 4" XD and am now shooting a 5" XD that is lightend to handle more like the 4". It really depends on how far you are shooting. I want the 5" for the 35-50 yard shots, other than that the 4" is just fine.