[Red Dawg]

Here's a subject that you don't often hear talk of or discuss. Rifling in a pistol. They all have it. We all know what it does but you never hear much about it. I wonder why?

 

[steve66]

I think its not that important as compared to a rifle where you are shooting higher velocities and longer distances.

I am sure there is a complete science to it

 

[jimmills]

Oh, I think it may be important in a pistol. The reason I think that is because of the first 1911 I was issued as a T.O. weapon at Camp Lejeune. That thing was so worn out that the rifling really wasn't discernible. At ten feet the slug went thru the target sideways. Obviously the slug was tumbling after leaving the barrel. (Heck, maybe even before it left the barrel. It was really worn.) I took it back to the armorer and told him I was sure this would affect the accuracy of the weapon and I really wanted to fire expert but didn't believe I could with this POS. After only an hour or so of begging, he finally couldn't stand my tears anymore, took it back and issued me one that you could actually see some rifling within the barrel. Sure made a difference.

That was in 1960, shortly after the 1911 was invented.

Jim

 

[Steve48]

+1, Jim. I'm quite sure that rifling is quite important in pistols. I suppose we don't talk about it much because it's the same principle as in the long guns, and everyone talks about that.

 

[Red Dawg]

The principle is the same as in rifles. But with everyone trying to tweak everything, it just strikes me as odd that none of the big name makers are touting rifling to be superior in their hand guns. I'm not even sure I know (as well as others) know what the rate of twist is in their pistol. That to me is why we have so many folks asking about what is the best round to shoot in their pistols. And the whole 180 gr vs. 155 gr (.40 cal) or 230 gr vs 200 gr (.45 cal)

 

[steve66]

Well thanks for the education.

 

[airhead]

just a thought for those better educated in these matters:

How much does the bullet 'skid' on the rifling? If you've got a 1:12 twist on a 3" barrel, does the bullet come out spinning at one revolution per foot? Theoretically - maybe, but actually? Or does the bullet not absolutely spin with the rifling and just get going at 'somewhat' of a twist.

 

[Glock23-4-Me]

just a thought for those better educated in these matters:

How much does the bullet 'skid' on the rifling? If you've got a 1:12 twist on a 3" barrel, does the bullet come out spinning at one revolution per foot? Theoretically - maybe, but actually? Or does the bullet not absolutely spin with the rifling and just get going at 'somewhat' of a twist.

uhhhhhhh.............

 

[J T]

just a thought for those better educated in these matters:

How much does the bullet 'skid' on the rifling? If you've got a 1:12 twist on a 3" barrel, does the bullet come out spinning at one revolution per foot? Theoretically - maybe, but actually? Or does the bullet not absolutely spin with the rifling and just get going at 'somewhat' of a twist.

I don't think there's any "skidding." Every fired bullet I've ever seen has had very well defined rifling marks. If there was any skidding at all, the rifling marks would be indistinct or missing.

 

[Red Dawg]

I don't think there's any "skidding." Every fired bullet I've ever seen has had very well defined rifling marks. If there was any skidding at all, the rifling marks would be indistinct or missing.

Unless you've shot so many rounds through it and there is no more rifling. How may rounds and what type would that be is the next question. I would guess that since Brownie has a couple of Glocks with 80 to 90,000 rounds through them, he would make a heck of a spokesman for whomever the barrel maker is/was on those pistols.

 

[sgtlogan]

Hey Jimmills....in the late 70's when i was at Lejune, I think I got issued your original 1911. It made me think that they did not put rifling in pistols cause there wasn't any.

 

[jimmills]

Sgtlogan, maybe they were just trying to force us to kill the enemy with our bare hands rather than relying on another type of weapon. Saves on ammo cost that way.

Jim