I used to think barrel length was the principle factor that made a pistol accurate. Yet, one summer down in the states I got to fire a Taurus Judge with a 3 inch barrel and found myself shooting patterns within a 6 inch diameter at 25 yards. Not long after I fired a German Luger with a 4 inch barrel at 25 yards, but disappointingly found myself getting a grouping at a much wider diameter. How significant to accuracy is barrel length? What other factors affect the accuracy of a pistol?
What makes a pistol accurate?
- Thread starter Teppo87
- Start date
barrel length is a factor as well as sight radius, trigger weight, length of pull, ergonomics, slide to frame fit (semis). Revolvers have an advantage because front sight is attached to the barrel, plus they offer extra sight radius for same barrel length due to the extra length of the cylinder.
Tests done to determine how much rifling is needed to stabilize a bullet have shown that even 1.5 to 2 inches is enough. The rest of the barrel is then used for building muzzle speed. Once bullet spin is achieved the bullet is as accurate as it can be. So barrel length is really not a factor.
Things that do matter are sight baseline length, accuracy of the muzzle crown and how consistently the barrel is held in the gun in the case of semi autos with linked barrels. Beyond that it's more up to the shooter related issues such as grip, eyesight and other human factors.
I hate to say it but a 3 inch revolver with decent barrel construction is capable of much tighter groups than what you got. I'm afraid the human factor slipped in again.
Things that do matter are sight baseline length, accuracy of the muzzle crown and how consistently the barrel is held in the gun in the case of semi autos with linked barrels. Beyond that it's more up to the shooter related issues such as grip, eyesight and other human factors.
I hate to say it but a 3 inch revolver with decent barrel construction is capable of much tighter groups than what you got. I'm afraid the human factor slipped in again.
troutseeker
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Prince George, BC
The shooter...
range time.
strider007
CGN frequent flyer
My thoughts exactly...you can add all the technical BS you want, but if the person operating the pistol can't put it together...how does the saying go? "Can't hit the side of a barn..."
Mechanical accuracy (or precision) depends upon the tightness and repeatability of the lockup with the sights, and the quality of the barrel.
Everything else (and the most important factor) is the shooter. There are some guys who can make a Glock sing, and others who can make a $5k custom 1911 into a scattergun.
Everything else (and the most important factor) is the shooter. There are some guys who can make a Glock sing, and others who can make a $5k custom 1911 into a scattergun.
smelly pete
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Chilliwack, BC
Unless your freeflier and call everyone morons for not being supreme athlete's who wear hazmat suits to the range!
..who was apparently "nternal", so was also responsible for the term "hand to hand non lethal combat"
