Handgun accuracy expectation

OR4NGE

OR4NGE

Regular
Uber Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
200   0   0
Location
Montreal
Hello there,

I like to print tiny holes on paper with precision rifles.

Just got into handguns and will be buying a ruger mk 2, P226, a Springfield 1911 A1, and a 686 .357.

I am just looking for some benchmarks for accuracy so I can start improving right away with my iron sighted, unmodded pistols.

I read 4 inch groups at 10 meters with a mk 2(40 MOA) were ok so it is currently what I know but was curious of diferent accuracy expectations per caliber based on your experience.

Let me know.
 
OR4NGE said:
Hello there,

I like to print tiny holes on paper with precision rifles.

Just got into handguns and will be buying a ruger mk 2, P226, a Springfield 1911 A1, and a 686 .357.

I am just looking for some benchmarks for accuracy so I can start improving right away with my iron sighted, unmodded pistols.

I read 4 inch groups at 10 meters with a mk 2(40 MOA) were ok so it is currently what I know but was curious of diferent accuracy expectations per caliber based on your experience.

Let me know.
Click to expand...

A MK2 bull barrel is much more accurate then 4" at 10M. There a thread somewheres of a pistol challenge shot at 25M free hand.

12391825_10153832263421241_3147182392600557015_n.jpg


And I had a 22. Ruger revolver with a 6 7/8" barrel, with a 2x scope, that I could hit 6 out of 6, at a 8" gong at 110Y.
 
I would find that thread with the pistol challenge at 25m. Print and use the target above. If you can keep 10 shots in the black its pretty good. However If I were you I would practice closer on a different target, like 10-15 meters, and do the odd 25m test to see how you are improving.
 
OR4NGE said:
Hello there,

I like to print tiny holes on paper with precision rifles.

Just got into handguns and will be buying a ruger mk 2, P226, a Springfield 1911 A1, and a 686 .357.

I am just looking for some benchmarks for accuracy so I can start improving right away with my iron sighted, unmodded pistols.

I read 4 inch groups at 10 meters with a mk 2(40 MOA) were ok so it is currently what I know but was curious of diferent accuracy expectations per caliber based on your experience.

Let me know.
Click to expand...

The Ruger and 686 will be mechanically more accurate than you would ever be. I never got around to mounting my Rugers on a ransome rest, but free hand at 10m, 1" groups were normal with good ammo like a CCI SV. If I put an optic or red dot on it, 1/2" groups off the bench are possible. For revolvers, I was able to match a load to my S&W model 64 to 3" at 50m from my ransome rest.
 
FarmerDanz said:
Controlling your flinch will decide how accurate you can be. Its much more challenging than rifle shooting.
Click to expand...

This. I laugh a little every time I hear some mention that their pistol isn't accurate. Even when people say that "this pistol is SO accurate!".

The overwhelming majority of the time it has everything to do with your ability to shoot a pistol well, not the inherent accuracy of the pistol itself. I doubt there's a of of people out there than are a good enough shot to even approach the accuracy limits of most pistols.

If you were to clamp any pistol in a vise and line up the sights properly every time (Or better yet, mount an optic to them), I bet an inch or so group at 25m wouldn't be unrealistic.

Long story short; don't go into it with ANY expectations. Shoot a group, then try to shoot a smaller one. Repeat. When you can no longer shoot a group smaller than the last one, then you can either look at areas of your technique to improve, or look at buying a "more accurate" pistol.
 
My competition 22 was /is a Ruger Mk 1. I regularly scored 100 on the time and rapid on that target above - at 25 yards. That was one hand and against the clock.

And I was a good shot, but not a great one.

Get some coaching, so you are practicing good habits. Otherwise you will be learning to be a good poor shot.

Learn what a good sight picture looks like and learn how to hold it until the hammer drops. Your first job is to zero the sights and get all 10 shots in the black.

By the way, you have made a terrible choice of first handguns. With those you will never be able to blame the gun...
 
FarmerDanz said:
Controlling your flinch will decide how accurate you can be. Its much more challenging than rifle shooting.
Click to expand...

Ganderite said:
My competition 22 was /is a Ruger Mk 1. I regularly scored 100 on the time and rapid on that target above - at 25 yards. That was one hand and against the clock.

And I was a good shot, but not a great one.

Get some coaching, so you are practicing good habits. Otherwise you will be learning to be a good poor shot.

Learn what a good sight picture looks like and learn how to hold it until the hammer drops. Your first job is to zero the sights and get all 10 shots in the black.

By the way, you have made a terrible choice of first handguns. With those you will never be able to blame the gun...
Click to expand...
What they said. Handguns are far more difficult to shoot accurately than rifles. Most uncoached new handgun shooters shoot very poorly until someone with some experience helps out.
 
FarmerDanz said:
Controlling your flinch will decide how accurate you can be.
Click to expand...

This and trigger manipulation.

Set realistic goals. Expect a shotgun like pattern at 10 yards for quite some time. Dry fire your centre fire handguns at home and get snap caps for the range so you can run the dummy drill (http://pistol-training.com/drills/ball-dummy-drill). When your groups tighten up add speed. When they tighten up again add distance.
 
learn your sight picture from a rested gun. you can make 1 hole groups at 10m pretty consistently. Now push to 25m.... can you hold 2" when benched?

Excellent!

Now stand up and try to get close to those results.

I love the .22 handguns. Addictive, accurate and engrossing. Ruger/Buckmark/Anschutz/Smith and Wesson/High Standard/Drulov/Pardini/Walther/Thompson.....

There is not a single gun in that group that is inaccurate. On days where i can't group with the Ruger, I pull out the Buckmarks. If that doesn't work, our comes the high standard. finally if I cannot make a group with the Free Pistol, I know it's just time to cut my losses and go home :)
 
If I am shooting a decent target oriented gun, I'm trying for, and very happy with, 2", 5 shot groups at 25yrds from rest, 50% of the time. With open sights, I cannot hope to get anything consistently less than that as frankly, I can't really perceive anything smaller than that. For some guns it is easier. For others (even if they are no doubt mechanically capable of that and better), it requires a level of concentration or technique that I don't have or can't sustain. If I'm shooting a service style pistol, I'll still try for that but adjust my expectations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom