What accuracy to expect from 9mm factory?

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ILoveBigRacks

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Bought a used HK USP Expert off the EE a couple of weeks ago. Had the new toy out to the range yesterday for the first time. Aside from a brief experiment with an XD-40 a couple of years ago, this is my first experience with a semi-auto pistol.

I was actually quite surprised by the accuracy, compared to my limited experience with the XD-40. At 25 yds off a small bag I was able to hit into an approx. 6-8" round with all shots, and regularly pick off small 2-3" targets, if not with every shot. Was shooting factory FMJ fodder, 100 round value pack :redface:.

Is this normal accuracy, or is it below/better than average? Without previous experience or comparisons, I'm basically shooting blind.

I'm still getting used to the pistol obviously so am expecting it to get a little bit better with practice. Not sure if I'll start reloading for it as I have a hard enough time finding time to reload for my long guns, but who knows.

BTW, 100 rounds and the pistol functioned flawlessly. Also, fits my hand to a tee as I have fairly big mitts and the larger frame sits well.
 
Even shooting off a rest you're still limited by the short sight spacing, any vision limitations and despite being rested on a bag by how supportively and consistent you hold the grips and finding a consistent and neutral trigger finger positioning. All in all it's a very Zen like skill to do this well. The gun itself is easily capable of far smaller groups than what you're getting. Not to belittle your skills but there's many that can shoot better than 6 to 8" groups unrested using the two handed freestyle method.

Don't feel bad though. A lot of us are still working on their Zen level towards the ultimate repeatable skill level. And I'm definetly one of them... :D

By far the two best online freebies that I've seen. These both helped me a LOT.

An excellent description of the two handed thumbs forward semi auto pistol grip. Also they explain in good detail the WHY of how this grip works so it can be slightly modified for different size hands and guns and still work. This write up ties in well with the next link.
http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/combatg_100306/

Todd Jarret in a trailer for a video on pistol gripping and shooting. Lots of good hints.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo4
 
With the right ammunition I can put round after round onto the gong at 100m with my p226. Gong is about 40x40cm. I find winchester 115 white box is all over the place. I had some reloaded 124 grain jacketed hollow point that gave me constant hits on the gong other than when I got to pushy and didn't keep my sights in line.
 
ILoveBigRacks said:
At 25 yds off a small bag I was able to hit into an approx. 6-8" round with all shots, and regularly pick off small 2-3" targets, if not with every shot. Was shooting factory FMJ fodder, 100 round value pack :redface:.

Is this normal accuracy, or is it below/better than average? Without previous experience or comparisons, I'm basically shooting blind.
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There are a few things about shooting automatic pistols. Firstly, the gun itself may not be very accurate, it is hit and miss with every purchase. The good thing though, accuracy can be improved by some tricks and tweaks and aftermarket parts. Could be as good as 1" groups off the rest at 25 yards. There is a lot of good reading on DIY or send it to smith.

Secondly, most bulk ammo will not group well. Especially if we are talking 9mm Luger, it is real ##### sometimes to get bullets to fly straight. Hollow points in 124gr or heavier, loaded to higher velocities usually do the trick. FMJ bullets are not very stable at 1:16 twist and notmal velocities.

Thirdly, like someone already mentioned, shooting off the bags will not necessarily make you hit the target. Buy 22 pistol and shoot 1000's of rounds. Work on the following

Get your grip right.
Correct stance.
Correct AND CONSITENT sight picture.
Breathing.
Trigger pull.
Follow through.
Check for flinch from time to time. Don't dodge this part, flinch is always just around the corner.

Get your hands on ISSF 25m slow fire targets and work on getting everything in the black, shooting off hand of course. 6-8" groups you are getting may be ok for some, but definitely not off sand bags.
 
Most decent (and some indecent) service type pistols will shoot 2-3" 10 shot groups at 25 yards rested. Some are better some worse, the USP is normally on the more accurate than average side of things, befitting a gun of it's price range. The Sig P210 will shoot close to an inch at the same range, in all cases this assumes the proper ammunition is used. The proper ammunition is whatever shoots well in your particular specimen. Remember there are variances from gun to gun that can step beyond the tendencies of each type or make of pistol.
 
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