Barrel Lengths

[Valsun]

So I have been looking at new barrels recently and there seems to be a lot of different opinions in what length is best.
Some people have said that 12 inch is minimum and others that anything above 16 is pointless.
So I was wondering what your opinions where on barrel length and if there is any rules towards them.

 

[Sid Sidgwick]

I remember years ago there was some testing done over at MCarterbrown about the effects of barrel length. I believe the results showed 14-16" as being the barrel length of choice.

Personally I use both a 14" and a 16" depending on which gun I'm using and find no difference between the two.

 

[Tom]

I use many barrels, and they range from 3" to two or three feet

But the majority of the time I use normal barrels in the 12" to 16" range

My 3" barrel is for cqb etc, it's too short to be efficient but makes my gun small and I'm only going to be shooting close up
There is a beneficial side effect in that the loss of efficiency means that my x7 set at 280fps with a normal barrel drops to 250fps with the 3" barrel. Purely by coincidence I use it at games that would be running at 250fos due to close proximity
I lose efficiency but get the same number of shots per fill
As long as i have enough air to shoot the amount of paint im carrying then efficiency is not a concern

My stupidly long barrels are for specific guns - an SLR (Like an FN FAL for kids!)
- a Barrett

The length does nothing of benefit other than being the right size for the style, and again loses some efficiency pushing the ball further up a barrel, but does have the benefit of being a foot or so closer to the target
A weird thing is that the barret barrel performs perfectly with cheap punter site paint. Other than looking pretty it has had one real purpose - sitting on top of a hill and shooting into the tower on a particular site. We used to put one guy on the hill and he would just concentrate on players in the tower


The optimum barrel length slightly changes per barrel but is usually around 14" to 16" as sid pointed out had been tested

It's good to build a selection of barrels over time, individuals experiences will differ but with a selection of barrels, and possibly bore sizing kits you can choose the barrel and size you prefer for the day
If it feels right, you get fair efficiency and can generally hit what you point at then you're doing well

 

[Terrorpin]

I think anything over 16" is just for show.
A 20" barrel will generally go 4" further than 16" (if you measure from the tip of the marker)

I would put more value on matching your bore to the paint being used.

 

[Matrix129]

no more then 14inch with my apex lmfao

 

[systemx]

I'd say a 14 or a 16 will do you fine with whatever marker you are using. A freak kit will cover virtually all bases for you in so much as you will have multiple inserts for bore matching and multiple fronts for varying overall barrel length. The nearest you will get to all things to all men. They are relatively cheap too.

 

[Mikee2793]

would a 12 with freak kit be better than a 14 without?

 

[Tom]

would a 12 with freak kit be better than a 14 without?

The freak will give you the ability to size match
The 14" will just give you 2"

 

[laddo]

I use a 21 on my sterling stp as it seems the easiest to hit the target.I have a 16 and the standard one but prefer the 21 just for the accuracy.

 

[systemx]

I would still recommend buying a full freak kit, it will come with a front, a back and 8 inserts from .679 - .695. If you like you can get a shorter front to give you a choice of a longer or shorter overall barrel length. They are also pretty quiet and look good too, I mean who does not like the classic all American front with the helix porting!!

The complete kit can be had for around £150ish new which when you look at other barrel systems is very cheap indeed. To get something similar from DYE for example the UL with a selection of backs would potentially cost you 3X that amount. Also I think that the Empire super freak kits are still about and they come with all of the above an Apex attachment as well which were fairly popular with the scenario boys a few yews back, although I cannot see you ever using it in sup air/walk on play.

As has been previously stated the study that was done on barrels a few years back, to cut a long story short, found paint to barrel match was the defining factor with accuracy for paint markers aside from paint quality, End of story.

Optimum barrel lengths were stated at 12'' - 16'' anything longer and velocity increases were nesessary to maintain the same muzzle velocity as a 12'' - 16'' barrel. That's fine but then your marker uses more air (less efficient) and more stress is placed on the paint ball at point of firing (more likely to break in the barrel)

Ultimately barrel length is a personal thing but using a barrel that's is too long, is unwieldy and ultimately pointless as no discernible advantage can be gained IMHO.