Ok this is not a post to decide a specific firearm, well kinda it is but not in the normal sense.
I’m set on buying a double stack 9mm, I have a model and brand already decided, Im interested in opinions on barrel length.
3.2in
3.5in
4.2in are the options, capacity increases with longer barrel but not buy a major amount. The purpose for the pistol is a home defense and essentially a range gun. What’s your opinions for barrel length?
For range and home I would go full size which I’m guessing is the 4.2?
Full size is much funner to target shoot and wont make a difference at home.
The only advantage for smaller handguns is concealment and carry.
I am curious what one model comes with all those barrel sizes?
It’s two models but there pretty much identical. The larger two is the Taurus 24/7 G2 and the smaller is the Taurus PT111 Millennium G2…essentially there about the same.
If you want to hit anything smaller than a bowling ball, go 4.2.
Many people vastly underestimate how difficult it is to hit a small target with a handgun. Shorter barrels just make it harder.
Grouse
x2 with both Suzuki and Grouse
Go with the biggest one you can deal with to get the specific task done(within reason). Assuming that the grip still fits your hand well.
I have downsized from a 4.25 to a 3.66 barrel. The barrel length was not a consideration. It was all about the bigger one was too big for my hand. The “compact” fits like a glove.
Thanks guys for the advice, was thinking the full size already but wanted to see any arguments for the smaller.
x2 with both Suzuki and Grouse
Go with the biggest one you can deal with to get the specific task done(within reason). Assuming that the grip still fits your hand well.
I have downsized from a 4.25 to a 3.66 barrel. The barrel length was not a consideration. It was all about the bigger one was too big for my hand. The “compact” fits like a glove.
Good point. I thought about that after I posted.
I have downsized from a 4.25 to a 3.66 barrel. The barrel length was not a consideration. It was all about the bigger one was too big for my hand. The “compact” fits like a glove.
The makers are paying more attention to grip size now and offering adjustable fit grip inserts, but in double stack land, fit is still an issue that should be paid attention to. It used to be that most double stacks seemed to be designed for guys whose nickname was “Moose” and that hand hands about the size of a side of beef. Don’t fall in love with a brand if it doesn’t fit.
Does anything in the handgun world feel as good as a 1911?
Grouse
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>patk wrote:</div>
I have downsized from a 4.25 to a 3.66 barrel. The barrel length was not a consideration. It was all about the bigger one was too big for my hand. The “compact” fits like a glove.The makers are paying more attention to grip size now and offering adjustable fit grip inserts, but in double stack land, fit is still an issue that should be paid attention to. It used to be that most double stacks seemed to be designed for guys whose nickname was “Moose” and that hand hands about the size of a side of beef. Don’t fall in love with a brand if it doesn’t fit.
Does anything in the handgun world feel as good as a 1911?
Grouse
No. Most feel better. Single stacks are for the elderly. 
Like stated above, barrel length can effect your accuracy but it can really depend on the shooter. If you get a gun with a shorter barrel with a grip that fits you better, you will most likely shoot it better than one with a longer barrel and less comfy grip.
I spent years running a shop/range and watching people shoot “target” guns much worse than “carry” guns and visa-versa, all due to grips. A good basis is get the most comfortable gun with the longest possible barrel, as barrel length will only increase accuracy.
You can only do so much research behind a keyboard. You need to get each one in your hands and feel for yourself. I watched a guy who shot nothing but a Sig P210 and Ed Brown 1911’s shoot my Glock 34 better than any of his guns…
4.2 for around the house and plinking, unless you carry something on a regular basis, then best to practice with something similar. My opinion and what I do. Actually I have a Springfield 4.5″ barrel for around the house. Gonna replace with a pistol grip shotgun though for actual home defense. And if I know they are coming in advance. Ill have a carbine in my hands, a shotgun over my shoulder, and a pistol on my hip.
I have managed to get all them in my hand other than the largest but it’s an identical model to the 3.5in barrel and so the grip is just a bit longer. They felt great in the hand much nicer than the SD9VE I was also looking into, the Taurus has changeable backstraps and just felt better in my touch and feel days at the store. Not to say the SD9 is a bad pistol I just weighed all my options and my preferences etc.
My FNS 9 has a 4.0 inch barrel and I feel I shoot well with it. My wife’s carry weapon only has a 3.12″ barrel and she usually outshoots me, but she practices a lot more than I do. Bottom line is if it fits your hand, and you practice with it a lot, you can be a good shot with any barrel length. Of course, I wouldn’t want to try and shoot a golf ball with her weapon at 20 yards, but I’ve seen her routinely remove a 2 inch bullseye at 30 feet. She gets no back talk from me.
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