Handgun accuracy standards?

PaulB47 · Jul 9, 2016

Just wondering what people use as a standard to say they have an accurate gun. Testing at 25 feet with a rest? What size group?

I'm guessing with most handguns it almost doesn't matter, but for (say) a trail gun or something along those lines it might be a factor.

Joe13 · Jul 9, 2016

At 25' with a rest... All in one hole... Or dang close.

Standing without support is all on the shooter.

Certaindeaf · Jul 9, 2016

Indeed. I think the classic historical standard is 2" at fifty yards.

oremike · Jul 10, 2016

The mil spec for a 1911 was an 8" group at 30 yds, I like my guns to shoot better than that.

Pops1911 · Jul 10, 2016

POA = POI at any reasonable distance off hand. That is how I define handgun accuracy in my small world.

Stomper · Jul 10, 2016

So, your small world is 1-MOA, yes?

mjbskwim · Jul 10, 2016

I sent back a TRP that did 6" at 25yds from a rest.
They returned it with a new barrel and a target they had shot 5 rounds in an inch.
I do close to that or the gun goes by by.
Rested. Then I give some leaway when I start wobbling free hand

I like to shoot out to 100 yards with my handguns. They should be minute of bad guy out there.
Or at least scare the pea tadlers out of them

clearconscience · Jul 10, 2016

Side of a barn at 20 paces.

GTG

Ura-Ki · Jul 10, 2016

I like that, Min. of bad guy! LOL Seriously, an Inch at 25 yards is pretty good! I bet most of mine can do better, but my shakey arthritic hands can do no better!

PaulB47 · Jul 12, 2016

They returned it with a new barrel and a target they had shot 5 rounds in an inch.
I do close to that or the gun goes by by.

Your standard is an inch at 25 Yards?! Or 25 feet? I don't know if I have any handguns that will do an inch at 25 yards, certainly with my eyes as they are.

Joe13 · Jul 12, 2016

PaulB47 said:
Your standard is an inch at 25 Yards?! Or 25 feet? I don't know if I have any handguns that will do an inch at 25 yards, certainly with my eyes as they are.

From a rest and bags, 1" is not unbelievable at 25 yards IMO.

Eye sight and trigger control could hinder that though.

x2ndxall · Jul 12, 2016

2" at 25 yards is excellent shooting. 3" at 25 yards is very good.

From a rest, with a high quality handgun and good ammo the above is doable for some. Most people can't put 5 shots in 2" at 25 yards with sand bags under their wrists.

x2ndxall · Jul 12, 2016

PaulB47 said:
Your standard is an inch at 25 Yards?! Or 25 feet? I don't know if I have any handguns that will do an inch at 25 yards, certainly with my eyes as they are.

A very high percentage of handguns are incapable of this. And that's the precision of the firearm, ie mechanical accuracy, no human factor.

PiratePast40 · Jul 12, 2016

x2ndxall said:
2" at 25 yards is excellent shooting. 3" at 25 yards is very good.

From a rest, with a high quality handgun and good ammo the above is doable for some. Most people can't put 5 shots in 2" at 25 yards with sand bags under their wrists.

Let's see you do that off-hand while doing a back flip off a Humvee. Will even allow an "operator beard and tactical socks"!

Ura-Ki · Jul 12, 2016

The real question is can YOU be accurate enough when the time calls for it? That is the test, the bestest pistol in the world is useless if YOU the shooter cant hit with it!

x2ndxall · Jul 12, 2016

PiratePast40 said:
Let's see you do that off-hand while doing a back flip off a Humvee. Will even allow an "operator beard and tactical socks"!

I'm going to do it.

Except for the hitting intended target part.

UserNameInUse · Jul 12, 2016

Paper plate at 7 yds, fairly rapid. I don't have the patience for target shooting.

Pops1911 · Jul 13, 2016

Wifey and I use Costco bargain brand paper plates at 7yards. Works just fine for self defense practice in our little world. We can attach several of them to cardboard backers. Useful for moving and shooting practice. Disclaimer- we do also own some really cool splatter targets. Dang it but I really like to see them splatter.

mjbskwim · Jul 15, 2016

Ura-Ki said:
The real question is can YOU be accurate enough when the time calls for it? That is the test, the bestest pistol in the world is useless if YOU the shooter cant hit with it!

Well....
That's why the gun has to be able to shoot perfect
Then you know where the fault lies