Rifle Barrel Lengths?????

[aglass1987]

I have always been interseted in cowboy action shooting and been thinkin about joining a club. But I like to stick with the oringinal era of the old west. Im gonna be shooting a 1892 replica in 44-40. But my question is which is barrel length would be more original to the western days. I know the majority of the carbines are 20" and the 16" of shorter are considered rare anyway as most of them went south of the border. I was just trying to figure out which is more oringinal a 20" or 16" barrel(i guess which was more popular in the old days). Any thoughts.......

[Lazarus Longshot]

I can't answer your question as to which of the two barrel lengths is more authentic, but I need to make a suggestion if you're planning on using the rifle for Cowboy Action Shooting. I suspect the 16" barrel won't hold ten rounds in the magazine tube. Make sure that whatever rifle you choose can hold ten rounds in the magazine tube. Most stages call for ten rifle rounds, and if your rifle holds fewer, you will have to reload on the clock. This will put you at a severe disadvantage.

Don't wait. Join a CAS club real soon. It's a hoot!

[aglass1987]

i did a complete action job on the gun and i cut some coils off the tube spring so i can squeeze that tenth round in there

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

You already had the shortie!!!!

[aglass1987]

So which length is more original you reckon?

[Graybeard]

20" then the longer 24" to 26" with the super shorts being far less popular I believe.