Short Barrels

[iamthelazerviking]

Who here regularly uses a barrel under 12"? I've been wanting to rock a 10" for fun. Stock Emek barrel is meh but I slapped it on my sniper for fun and really liked how it felt (didn't shoot).

I will have to do my own testing, but is there any noticeable difference in "accuracy" and sound?

[wunderbarsafari]

I often use a 10” CP on my Gmek. It’s not much louder than the stock Shaft4. Both barrels are .689. The CP has about 5.5” of control before the ports. I’ve only done a side-by-side with reball (.675-ish) and I’d typically lose 5-10 FPS with the CP. Accuracy wise there’s no difference when adjusted for velocity. As far as aiming though, it may be take a little getting used to if you only shoot 14”+.

[BrickHaus]

I like running around with a shorty barrel. Ran an 8" Bigshot on my a5 years ago. And I have a 10" dw barrel in my stash I use regularly. Like stated above, you gotta turn your velocity up a bit, and get used to a different line of sight, but they shoot relatively well once you are used to it.

I find shorty barrels arent really for cqb per say, but more for playing hard cover. its nice holding buildings down when you can play the walls tighter. Or even items like spools, or boards in the woods. I find short barrels are better if you intend to use stuff like that as cover.

[Tinybear]

For years I ran a 10” stainless ANS barrel on my 68 Automag. I really like it but tend to use longer barrels now as I just gotten used to them more on my other guns. But that classic mag with a 10” barrel makes for a SUPER tight little (heavy) setup. Lots of fun for indoor fields and such. It also definitely had its own unique sound. Not loud per say but very metallic sounding. Think that may be the size and fact is completely stainless.

[Jordan]

I have a 2" tip I run on my Freak occasionally. If anything it seems more accurate for some reason.

[XEMON]

I used to use 16" when i did speedball and competition ... It help to push teh blow up bunker and stay tucket behind it ...
But now i only play rec, I have a new barrel philosophy: The shorter the better!
I will cut down anything thats a bit too long ... and that makes sense ...

If you are used to run 12" or 14" you will not feel a difference when using a 10". Going under, you might start to feel a difference.

[autococker04]

I use a 10 inch UL pretty regularly. In my mind shorter= better with hard bunkers.

[Tippster]

I run a 8 inch barrel on my 68 carbine with springfed foregrip sometimes, makes it feel pretty light and compact.

[OpusX]

I use a Doc Tanto on my main Sniper as well as my Mag, and sometimes my Emek. It is about 9", Freak bored, and wonderful for playing tight on hard cover (as others have stated). No issues with accuracy. Short and tight feels light and right.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

I got multiple shorties. 12" is the max i go now and I prefer 8-10" barrels. The check it 8in two piece on my cocker is my favorite.

[Jonnydread]

When I have a choice I almost always default to a longer (~16") barrel for aiming purposes, but I have absolutely no preference. I think it kind of depends on the gun? I like shortish Phantom barrels (11"), but prefer 14-16" on cockers.

[Cyberpyr8]

Yeah I find I aim so much better with a 16" barrel. I just miss a lot more with the 14's. I Have thought about trying the short Emek barrel to see how I do with it in comparison. I like playing really tight so the short barrel would make that easier.

[iamthelazerviking]

I use a 15" and like it, especially on sniper. Sweet spot between 14-16, which is also what I'm used to. But something shorter could be fun. Get in bunkers tighter.

[Diomedes]

I regularly (when I play, that is) use 6", 8", or 10". I really like it and don't see any different in the ability to hit what I want. I pick the length based on the how it balances the setup - it feels weird, for example, to use a vertical 13/3k with a 6", but the 10" or 12" feels right. But I wouldn't go longer than 8" on a sidesaddle or rear ICD lever setup.

[Rusty Brass]

I run an 8 on my main Phantom and a Doc's Tanto on my beater MicroMag and wish there were more shorty options. There's no reason accuracy/physics-wise to go longer with paintballs, velocity is restricted and there's no rifling. The efficiency sweet-spot with a decent bore match is around 11" IIRC? Which doesn't matter much with HPA or over-boring anyway... Might as well go short and keep things nice and tight.

[iamthelazerviking]

I do recall that info, 10ish inches being the most important

[Shaftski]

My go to barrel for many years on my angels was a 10" boomstick. I was a tall front/snake player and moving a lot. Instead of accuracy it was more about reaction time. All close/no range.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I prefer longer barrels. 10” is about as short as I go especially on anything I’m concerned about efficiency on.