No1Mk3 wrote:G'day Jasonf,
OAL in handgun cartridges is determined by the ability to load in the action, ie: revolver cartridges must be limited by the length of the cylinder and no other consideration. Even at that, you will quickly learn Colt cylinders are generally shorter than S&W cylinders and you can lock up your Colt if the ammo is made flush with a S&W chamber. For autos, most of which headspace on the rim of the case, you need to consider the ability of the cartridge to slide up the ramp and not jam on the end of the barrel. All OAL considerations start with those 2 thoughts, Cheers.
I would have thought that the majority of autos would actually headspace on the case mouth, not the rim. While there are certainly some autos which take rimmed ammunition, the majority would, I think be rimless (9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP etc).
Cheers
Sarco