Newbie accuracy question

[Mikey50]

The wheel gun 38 has a 2 inch barrell and the semi-auto 9mm has a 3/25 or 3 inch barrell. Which is most accurate?
All things equal, I am standing at rest and just pointing at a target.
Which will give me the best pattern at ten yards???
If you think, "Well everyone knows that answer" then tell me why because that is what I need to know..
Thanks guys
If there are web sites that will tell me what I need to read then post them please..

[FrankDrebin]

All other things being equal, you are likely to be able to shoot the gun with the longer sight radius more accurately.

[45 Fu]

I agree with Frank, the longer sight radius will help. I don't mean to be a jerk, but if all things are equal you will, most likely, get results that are close to equal.

Generally, revolvers tend to hold tighter groups. Notice I said "generally." There are just too many unknowns here to make the blanket statement that "A" will be better than "B".

[JohnKSa]

A longer sight radius (distance from front to rear sight) contributes to better accuracy. Barrel length in a handgun has no effect on accuracy.

The quality and pull weight of the trigger also have a practical effect on accuracy. Excessive recoil (particularly if it's painful) also can cause practical accuracy to suffer.

Finally, the quality of the gun and ammunition will play a significant part in the size of the groups.

There is a way to answer your question simply. Buy a variety of ammunition and head to the range with your firearms (assuming you can safely operate them.)

[nemesis]

Two and three inch guns were never designed with accuracy in mind. They were designed for concealment. Either one should be able to hit the target at ten yards.

If you want better than that, you need a different gun.

[Handy]

There are several types of accuracy: Mechanical, effective, combat, etc.

If we are talking just mechanical, without reference to things like trigger and sights that affect the shooter's ability to shoot well, there is no answer. Many snubbies are mechanically more accurate than the average auto, but some aren't. And, several autos are more accurate than almost all revolvers. This is both a design and execution problem: Both are required for accuracy.

But a sloppy gun might shoot nicer groups if it provides a better sight line and trigger pull than the mechanically accurate gun.


So, there is no correct answer to your question. It's like asking which one more rust resistant, or which one is easier to carry.

[Majic]

Unless the semi-auto is a DAO model then it will probably be easier to hit with. Revolvers require a bit more practice with the long heavy trigger stroke for each shot. When a semi-auto is shot in the single action mode the lighter, shorter trigger stroke makes hits much easier.

[FrankDrebin]

I always shot better with a revolver, even a 3" revolver vs a 3" auto.

[AJ Peacock]

Most revolvers can be shot single action only too. A good single action
trigger on a revolver is very tough to beat in my opinion.

AJ

[FirstFreedom]

I always shot better with a revolver, even a 3" revolver vs a 3" auto.

Well, that MIGHT be because a 3" revolver has 3" of bbl length past the chamber, whereas a 3" auto has about 2" of bbl length beyond the chamber. Possibly why. Although, maybe not, because the sight radius will tend to be the same on these, despite the difference, because of the addition length of the action in the rear of the chamber in an autoloader. But agree that revolvers tend to generally have better accuracy because of the fixed barrel, all things being equal. But then again, as Majik said, you must take into account PRACTICAL accuracy, and for me, the double-action pull of a revolver hurts practical accuracy.