Compared to other firearms, most 9mm guns, such as pistols like the Glock 17 and carbine rifles like the Colt AR-15 9mm, are more compact and have less recoil.

If you own a 9mm and want to improve its performance, you can get impressive results by upgrading the barrel length. A gun’s barrel length determines its maneuverability and accuracy. It also determines the velocity of a fired bullet with longer barrels delivering a higher velocity.

Do you need help finding the best barrel length for 9mm? Keep reading to know your options and shop for premium high-accuracy barrels for your favorite 9mm.

Popular 9mm Barrel Lengths

Longer barrels generate more velocity to allow a bullet to travel faster and longer distances before gravity can pull it down and affect accuracy. A longer barrel can also reduce recoil, making your shooting more accurate and comfortable.

However, having the longest barrel isn’t always a smart move. For instance, wielding and aiming a 9mm pistol may be difficult if its barrel is over eight inches long. Fortunately, most 9mm handguns with a six-inch barrel fire with maximum velocity and accuracy. If you own something bigger than a handgun, below is a compilation of the best barrel lengths for various 9mm firearms:

The Best 9mm Barrel Lengths for 9mm Rifle

The best barrel length for 9mm rifles typically depends on how you intend to use the gun. For instance, the ideal barrel length for 9mm hunting rifles is 26 to 28 inches – far longer than the recommended length for combat or military rifles.

Hunting rifles require a longer barrel because the length increases bullet velocity and aids accurate shooting from long distances. However, you will not notice any significant improvement in accuracy or velocity if a hunting rifle’s barrel is over 30 inches.

On the other hand, the ideal barrel length for combat or military rifles is 16 to 18 inches. 9mm combat rifles with 16 to 18-inch barrels are accurate up to 100 yards, which is more than sufficient for close-quarters combat. The upside of keeping the barrel length under 18 inches is it keeps the rifle compact, ensuring easy handling and maneuverability during close-range combat.

The Best Barrel Lengths for 9mm Carbine

A 9mm carbine has a shorter barrel than a regular rifle, making it lighter and easier to handle. You can get the gun with a barrel between 4.5 and 16 inches. Below are the best 9mm carbine barrel lengths within that range and why they are worthwhile:

  • 4.5-Inch Barrel: Shooters who choose carbines for home defense or close combat prefer 4.5-inch barrels because they are compact and easy to maneuver. On the downside, short barrels typically prevent complete gun powder burning, leading to reduced bullet velocity and accuracy.
  • 8.3-Inch Barrel: Like a 4.5-inch barrel, an 8.3-inch carbine barrel is easy to maneuver. The longer barrel length also ensures more gunpowder burning and a slightly higher bullet velocity than a 4.5-inch carbine barrel. Other advantages of an 8.3-inch carbine barrel include suppressor compatibility and more space to add accessories like sights and front grips.
  • 11-Inch Barrel: An 11-inch barrel sacrifices some maneuverability but offers more gun powder burning and bullet velocity. The increased velocity will allow you to hit targets at 150 yards or more.
  • 16-Inch Barrel: The 16-inch barrel is the best choice if you want the highest velocity and shooting range from your 9mm carbine. Also, your gun's weight will remain manageable with a 16-inch barrel, and you will experience less recoil.

The Best Barrel Lengths for 9mm AR-15

The AR-15 is more of a carbine than a rifle because it is shorter than the typical rifle. The gun is easy to customize, and according to Ballistics by the Inch, the optimal barrel length for a 9mm AR-15 is 7 to 8 inches.

With a 7 to 8-inch barrel, your AR-15 will have maximum efficiency and handling because the short length will keep the gun lightweight and easy to maneuver. While a 7 to 8-inch AR-15 barrel’s bullet velocity isn’t the best, it is sufficient for hitting targets at 100 to 150 yards, which is all you need if you own an AR-15 for self-defense, home protection, or plinking.

What if I need to extend the length of my 7 to 8-inch AR-15 barrel? You can increase the velocity and range of your AR-15 by slapping on a 7-inch suppressor to increase the barrel length.

The Ideal 9mm Barrel Lengths for the Best Velocity

A higher velocity ensures that your bullets travel with a flatter trajectory over a greater distance. Such bullets can travel further before gravity pulls them and affects your accuracy.

As we’ve mentioned, longer barrels offer more bullet velocity, but if your barrel is too long, your gun will become hard to carry, wield, and aim. According to Ballistics by the Inch, if you want the highest velocity, the best barrel length for 9mm is 17 inches.

With a 17-inch barrel, handling your 9mm gun will remain manageable, and you will have a better chance of accurately hitting far-off targets. If you choose to go an inch higher, tests show that the velocity from an 18-inch barrel is comparable to using 15 and 16-inch barrels. Based on this information, you have no reason to go higher than a 17-inch barrel, especially since a longer barrel will make your weapon harder to wield.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Barrel Length

The best barrel length for your 9mm gun will depend on your specific needs, such as what you intend to do with your firearm. Pick a barrel that best fits your requirements by weighing the following:

Velocity/Speed

Velocity in this scenario refers to the speed at which a bullet travels. A high velocity will help a bullet hit a target with more impact and do more damage. Also, if a bullet leaves a gun with a high velocity, it can travel further before slowing down enough for gravity to pull it off its trajectory. If you intend on shooting far-off targets, you should go for a barrel that offers maximum velocity and range.

Longer barrels generate more velocity because they have more room to burn gunpowder and generate enough energy to launch a bullet at maximum speed. Shorter barrels fire rounds before all of the gunpowder can burn to launch the bullet with maximum explosive force.

Accuracy

Sharpshooters prefer rifles because they have longer barrels that aid accurate shooting. Longer barrels improve accuracy because they provide a longer sight radius and allow bullets to exit the muzzle with more stability. The stability comes from the long barrel forcing bullets to travel and maintain a straight line before exiting the muzzle. The bullet will stay on its trajectory for as long as its velocity can carry it.

Concealment

If you intend on using your gun as a concealed weapon, you should choose a shorter barrel. Even if you do manage to conceal a long barrel gun, you may have trouble drawing it quickly during an emergency.

Heat Absorption

A gun barrel heats up during shooting because of the friction from bullets passing through it at high speeds. Since a longer barrel can absorb more heat, it will take longer for the barrel to overheat. On the other hand, short barrels heat up faster because they have a smaller surface area. On the upside, short barrels can dissipate heat and cool down faster because they are smaller and lighter.

Harmonics

Harmonics are vibrations that travel through the barrel when you fire your gun. Long and thin barrels experience more vibrations during shooting, and more harmonics lead to less accurate shooting. You can avoid such issues by opting for a shorter barrel or a thick and long barrel. However, bear in mind that thicker barrels typically weigh more.

Recoil

Rifles with longer barrels experience less recoil because they are heavy in the front. The barrel's weight offers more stability when shooting, reducing the likelihood of the recoil throwing off your aim or disturbing tracking prey for a follow-up shot.

9mm Barrel Length FAQs

Below are answers to common questions about 9mm barrel length:

Does Barrel Length Affect 9mm Bullet Velocity?

Yes, barrel length affects 9mm bullet velocity, and guns with longer barrels deliver the most velocity. If you want maximum velocity, go for a 17-inch barrel. Barrels over 17 inches offer less or negligible velocity gains when shooting 9mm.

How Far Can 9mm Shoot Accurately?

Depending on your gun, you can accurately hit targets at about 100 meters or 100 yards when shooting a 9mm. Fatally hitting a target that is farther away is possible but less certain.

At What Distance Will 9mm Drop?

The distance a 9mm bullet can travel before dropping due to gravity will depend on the gun. For instance, since a pistol will generate less velocity than a carbine, the bullet from a pistol will experience a drop before a bullet shot from a carbine or rifle. Other factors that affect bullet drop are barrel length, wind resistance, ammo manufacturer, and gun powder.

According to GunData.Org, you can expect 9mm Luger American Eagle (Federal) fired from a pistol to start dropping at 30 yards. The bullet will drop by about 12 inches by the time it reaches 100 yards.

Need a 9mm Barrel?

As we’ve established, the best barrel length for 9mm will depend on your specific gun and how you want the firearm to operate. If you want an easy-to-handle gun that does not sacrifice too much accuracy, go for a medium-length barrel. However, if maximum velocity and accuracy are your priority, go for a long barrel.

Besides barrel length, barrel quality is crucial if you want the best shooting experience. Visit the Ballistic Advantage store today to shop for top-shelf 9mm barrels that fit your gun and shooting goals, or contact us to learn more.