How accurate a gun do I need?

[TMan]

Keep in mind that I don't expect to need a handgun for defensive purposes. My handguns are for putting holes in paper. My rifles are for the same purpose - I only shoot animals in 35mm (well some now with compact-flash cards). (Oh, but if someone else kills them - I'll eat them - I'm not a complete whacko).

Yesterday, having an early breakfast and range time, I just grabbed the Ruger P90. I pulled a target out of the range bag, and whoops it had holes it in. It was one I'd kept from my last trip to the range with the Swedish Mauser. It had 20 holes in the center. I should have it framed.

I then proceeded to shoot the P90. Looking at it from a positive aspect: when I shoot this gun, I get my money's worth out of the targets. There are holes all over the target. I keep saying: "the next time this gun jams..." Of course it never has once failed in over thousands of rounds.

I used to just think: "I suck". However, I've learned that I don't suck with certain guns. After I first shot the P210, I was looking at my targets while they were doing first-aid to my hand. Wow, that was impressive. I've seen the same kind of results with other guns too. Some have really surprised me. The 460XVR just blew me away when I looked at the targets. I've had other guns with the same kind of results.

Having bought several rifles over the past year, I've observed that I shoot some very well compared to others.

I've concluded that:
1) Yes, I suck, but not that bad with the right gun.
2) A gun that shoots 1/2" groups will not give me 1/2" groups.
3) A gun that shoots 3" groups will not give me 3" groups.
4) Although I may never get 1/2" groups consistently, I will shoot better groups with a gun that gives 1/2" groups than I will with one that gives 3" groups.
5) In general, you get what you pay for. You can't expect to get 2" groups with a gun that will only shoot a 3" group

[TBT]

I'm a lot more accurate with 1911's than I am any other make or model. I typically shoot at about 10-15 yards (sometimes from a rest at 25 but I'm a tactical/practical shooter not a bullseye guy) and can notice a huge difference between what I can do with a 1911 and what I can do with other guns. At 10 yards I can keep the bullets in about 2-3" consistantly. With other guns my groups jump out to about 4-5" to be honest. 5" groups at 10 yards isn't all that good. But it is off hand and not from a rest. I thought that was good until the internet told me that everyone and their brother was shooting 2" groups at 25 yards off hand standing on one foot.

Maybe its the way that the 1911 sits in my hand. More than likely it is. I don't think that out of the box 1911's are more accurate than out of the box than say SIGS but in my hands they are and by more than a little.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; I enjoy punching paper targets as well as anyone else and prefer not to be down range on the field of hunting while others are shooting ( ala Dick Chaney).
One of my own favorite hand held centerfire pistols for longer distances, at 25 yds, has been with my Sig 229 Sport, chambered in 357 sig.

[TMan]

TBT, that is very interesting, and I never thought of it.

Reflecting on it, in general I do shoot very well with 1911's too. The only exception is the GI Spec version, and that is because the front sight tends to disappear as I extend my arms. ;D

I shoot better with the 3 Sig Sports than I do with the two Sigs that aren't the Sport versions, but I honestly can't say that I shoot the Sports better than I do the 1911's.

As I've mentioned before, it amazes me that I can't tell much difference between the short barrel Kimber vs. the 5" barrels.

I sort of think of the Sig P210 is my benchmark. On certain days, I've shot as well with some of the 1911's as I have with the P210. The S&W 952 also deserves honorable mention for accuracy in my hands.

[TBT]

That short barrel Kimber is an accurate gun. People often think I'm full of it when I tell them that it doesn't lose anything with the length that I can tell. Until they shoot it that is. Then they believe.

[ron]

I shoot good groups at 7 and 10 yards with my XD40. The angle on the grip is about the same as a 1911. I was a much worse shot with the Glock 26 and 36 I had at one time.

Now, the KelTec P3AT is a different story altogether. If I focus on the front sight, I can't see the rear groove (masquerading as a sight). If I try to focus on the rear groove, I can't focus on the front sight or the target. I've painted the back of the U-groove and the back of the front sight with yellow-green glow-in-the-dark paint and it is a little better. Thank goodness this is a gun made for up close and personal situations.

Ron

[Fobos]

I'm a tack-driver with my Glock. I'm more than adequate with my 1911 and 92FS also...

... but put a Walther (any model) in my hands and I couldn't hit Feinstein's left buttcheek (the cheek that's waaaaaaay to the left) twice in a row at ten paces.

[TBT]

fobos said:

... but put a Walther (any model) in my hands and I couldn't hit Feinstein's left buttcheek (the cheek that's waaaaaaay to the left) twice in a row at ten paces.

;D ;D ;D