How Much Velocity Do You Lose With a Short Barrel? | .38 Special: 1.8” vs 6” Barrel Velocity Test

Published on April 20, 2026
Duration: 1:04

This video demonstrates the impact of barrel length on muzzle velocity using .38 Special ammunition. A 1.8-inch barrel Ruger LCR and a 6-inch barrel Ruger GP100 were tested. The results show a significant velocity difference between the two barrel lengths, highlighting how barrel length affects projectile speed.

Quick Summary

Testing a 1.8-inch barrel Ruger LCR against a 6-inch barrel Ruger GP100 with .38 Special ammunition showed a significant velocity difference. The shorter barrel resulted in approximately 100 ft/s less muzzle velocity, a difference of about 12.7%.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction: Barrel Length Affects Velocity
  2. 00:04Firearms Used: Ruger LCR & GP100
  3. 00:10Test Ammunition: .38 Special
  4. 00:15Ruger LCR Velocity Test
  5. 00:25LCR Result: 624 ft/s
  6. 00:32LCR Result: 674 ft/s
  7. 00:35Ruger GP100 Velocity Test
  8. 00:43GP100 Result: 706 ft/s
  9. 00:49GP100 Result: 782 ft/s
  10. 00:51Analysis: Velocity Difference
  11. 00:53Average Difference: 100 ft/s
  12. 00:55Percentage Difference: 12.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much velocity does a .38 Special lose with a short barrel?

Testing a 1.8-inch barrel Ruger LCR against a 6-inch barrel Ruger GP100 with .38 Special ammunition showed a significant velocity difference. The shorter barrel resulted in approximately 100 ft/s less muzzle velocity, a difference of about 12.7%.

What is the average muzzle velocity difference between a 1.8" and 6" barrel for .38 Special?

In this test, the 1.8-inch barrel Ruger LCR averaged around 649 ft/s, while the 6-inch barrel Ruger GP100 averaged about 744 ft/s. This results in an approximate difference of 100 ft/s.

Does barrel length significantly affect .38 Special velocity?

Yes, barrel length has a noticeable effect on .38 Special muzzle velocity. The test showed a 4.2-inch difference in barrel length led to a roughly 12.7% velocity reduction with the shorter barrel.

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