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[Clansgian AT wmconnect.com]

> >I also have a .22 pistol, with a 4.5" barrel.  I love mine.  I often
> carry it in a thigh holster.  I'm 'dead on'-meaning I can put it in a 4"
> circle- at about 50 feet, but my barrel is shorter. ;)

Barrel length doesn't contribute much to accuracy.  

First, a .22 round itself is a very accurate round, subject to far less 
ballistic compromises than larger rounds.

The favorite of my .357's is a Taurus with a 3" barrel.  Once an aficionado 
sporting a S&W opined strongly that the (unusual) 8" barrel would be far more 
accurate.  We loaded up some (more or less) identical rounds and tested a 
revolver with a 2 1/2" barrel, 3", 6", and that (unbalanced!) 8".  The guns 
were in 
a vice.  The difference in the accuracy was nil.

A longer barrel gave higher velocity, which can be good or bad.

James