( 
)Although this may seem like a basic thing, there are some newer gun owners, or folks that have inherited a handgun out there who don't know how to do this. I find this out all the time when I get a customer who complains a gun holster does not fit and I know the Model and Make are correct. Sure enough, they have longer or shorter barrel than the holster calls for. So here is how the gun makers and holster measure.
REVOLVERS: The easiest. Measure from the front face of the cylinder to the very end of the barrel. This is because the barrel truly starts from just behind the crane, or frame of the gun. The cylinder length is NOT included, this is a different part than the barrel.
SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOLS: These are a little trickier, but usually each model only comes in one barrel length. Sometimes it is just better to look up the model on the internet or in a book and see what the length is given as.
The chamber (that part of the inside of the barrel of a gun, at the breech, formed to accept the cartridge) is included when measuring the length of pistol since the barrel and chamber are usually one piece. So look at the barrel and see where it actually ends (usually the chamber), or measure it when it is out of the gun for cleaning.
Hope this helps....Mike
Guide created: 10/29/07 (updated 12/19/07)
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