Is a 5" gun still better than a 4" gun in 2021?

Published on September 24, 2021
Duration: 10:46

This video from The Humble Marksman, featuring insights from a Master Class USPSA shooter, compares 4-inch and 5-inch barrel pistols in 2021, particularly for red dot optics. The testing methodology, dubbed 'bro science,' involved build drills and target arrays using Glock, Sig Sauer, and Walther platforms. Key findings suggest that for modern red dot equipped pistols, longer sight radius benefits are diminished, and factors like slide design, weight balance, and recoil management become more critical.

Quick Summary

In 2021, the advantage of a 5-inch pistol over a 4-inch pistol is diminished with red dot sights. Factors like slide design, weight balance, and recoil management are now more critical. For many modern pistols, a 4-inch or 4.5-inch barrel offers a better balance of velocity and handling, as demonstrated in tests with Glock, Sig Sauer, and Walther platforms.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 4-inch vs 5-inch pistol debate
  2. 00:37Welcome to The Humble Marksman
  3. 01:38Speaker's Credentials: Master Class Shooter
  4. 02:23Testing Methodology: Bro Science Approach
  5. 02:27Glock 17 vs Glock 34 (Lightweight)
  6. 03:23Build Drill Results: Glocks
  7. 04:06Sig Sauer AXG Scorpion vs Pro (Middleweight)
  8. 04:33Walther Q4 SF vs Q5 SF (Heavyweight)
  9. 05:26Target Array Results: Glocks
  10. 06:01Target Array Results: Sig Sauer AXG
  11. 06:25Target Array Results: Walther Q4/Q5 SF
  12. 07:05Conclusion: Does 4-inch still beat 5-inch?
  13. 07:13Glock Platform Analysis: 17 vs 34
  14. 07:54Sig Sauer Pro Slide Design Analysis
  15. 09:03Walther Q4 vs Q5 SF: Heavyweight Verdict
  16. 09:34Future of Full-Length Pistol Design
  17. 10:13Designing a Pistol for Optical Sights
  18. 10:36Related Video: Building a Heavyweight Glock

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2021, does a 5-inch pistol still offer advantages over a 4-inch pistol, especially with red dot sights?

With red dot sights, the traditional advantage of a longer sight radius on 5-inch pistols is significantly reduced. Factors like slide design, weight balance, and recoil management become more critical. For many modern pistols, a 4-inch or 4.5-inch barrel may offer a better balance of velocity and handling characteristics.

What are the key factors to consider when comparing 4-inch and 5-inch pistols for red dot use?

Key factors include slide design (e.g., skeletonization), overall weight balance (closer to the trigger guard is better), recoil management, and dot tracking (how quickly the sight returns to the target). The diminished benefit of sight radius with red dots means these handling characteristics often outweigh the marginal velocity gains of a longer barrel.

Which pistol platforms were tested in the comparison of 4-inch vs. 5-inch barrels?

The video tested three pairs of pistols representing different weight classes: lightweight (Glock 17 vs. Glock 34), middleweight (Sig Sauer P320 AXG Scorpion vs. P320 Pro), and heavyweight (Walther Q4 SF vs. Q5 SF). Winchester 124 NATO ammunition was used for all tests.

What was the primary conclusion regarding the Walther Q4 SF and Q5 SF in the comparison?

Both testers overwhelmingly preferred the 4-inch Walther Q4 SF over the 5-inch Q5 SF. The Q4 demonstrated more consistent recoil, better dot tracking, and superior balance, with its weight distribution being closer to the center of the trigger guard, making it easier to manage.

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