Most Accurate Handgun By Caliber

[EK and KK in FM]

Found a very old thread on this topic and thought I'd revive it being as to how there are so many new handguns out there. For a starter, here are my picks of what I've shot.

.22 Hi-Standard Sport King Model 103 Pistol
(The MOST ACCURATE of All Listed)(A VERY OLD Pistol 1960s)

9mm Ruger New Model Blackhawk Revolver (6.5 inch barrel)

.38/.357 Ruger New Model Blackhawk (Same Revolver)

.40 Para USA Model SX1640S 1911

.45 Dan Wesson RZ-45 Heritage 1911

Please exclude the highly modified "race" type guns. They ALL should be very accurate.

[laytonj1]

My Freedom Arms revolvers are the most accurate of all the handguns I've owned (96 and counting) but for most accurate it would the model 252 in 22lr followed by the 475 linebaugh.

Jim

[darkgael]

How old was that thread? Just curious.
Very probably the most accurate handguns in any caliber are going to be single shots. The T/C Contender has a well deserved reputation for extremely good accuracy at distances well beyond what other handguns will do. It will outshoot virtually any revolver or semi. Forget rapid fire. The Encore, as well, is very accurate.
As for .22s, the most accurate .22s are those exotic target guns called "free pistols". (the Free Pistol is an Olympic shooting event, one of the International Pistol shooting events. It is 60 rounds fired at a target 50 meters away.)
There are quite a few good free pistols - all will outshoot any other type of .22 pistol at 50 yards/meters. They generally come with test targets that have amazingly small groups - one hole, not very ragged.
What distance are we shooting at for this thread? Up close, it may be hard to tell the difference. Stretch it out and quality shows. And ammo choice - especially with .22s - has a lot to do with how accurate a given firearm will shoot.
Pete

[rodwhaincamo]

I need much more practice. None of my guns or the ones I've shot have done well in my hands! And it's not the guns... Though I've never had my paws on a high qulity handgun yet. Was hoping I'd one day have $1k + to drop on one, but then children came into my life! The one I've done the best with so far was an AMT Hardballer that I could keep my 45 slugs within a 6" circle at about 25 yds firing as fast as I could with a reload. My 44 Mag seems to give me the dreaded flinch, though I have hit a football size rock at 40 yds. Took about 4 trys though.... Now back to the meaningful threads... Sorry, couldn't help myself....

[44 AMP]

All depend on the same factors as the "inaccurate" ones. These are a conmbination of the design accuracy of the gun, the accuracy of the ammo being fired, the quality of the sights, and especially the trigger, AND the ability of the shooter to put these things together.

There are no such things as cartridges more "accurate" than others, IF equal care is given to the manufacture of the ammo. In handguns and ordinary rifles this is most certainly true. When it comes to benchrest shooting, where a difference of .0005 can mean the difference between winning and losing, then its fair to say some cartridges do not deliver as much as others, as easily.

I have the most accurate 9mm pistol I have ever run across. Its a T/C Contender!

The most accurate pistol designs are those who barrels do not move in relation to the sights, and have integeral chambers. Then comes revolvers, and last service style autos with tilting barrels. However, there is a lot more in play than just the designs. Manufacturing tolerances are important, as is the intended use of the gun.

I have a Colt 1911A1 that will shoot 5 shots touching at 25yds. One ragged hole measuring 2-2.5", with 200gr match ammo. It won't do quite that well with 230gr ball. I have Contenders that will do under an inch, in several different calibers.

Some people can shoot some guns better than others. Add up all the factors, and the actual cartridge chosen is usually the least important factor.

[crnook]

I will comment on some of the pistols I have owned or shot.

In order of accuracy:

1) Ruger 6" 357 Revolver (cant remember the model, probably made in the late 70's)
2) Nighthawk GRP
2) Fusion 5" (actually a tied for second with the Nighthawk)
4) Kimber Gold Combat
5) Colt Woodsman
6) FN 5-7 (only shot one mag)
7) SIG P220ST
8) Colt GI
9) USP 9mm
10) XDM 9mm
11) Automag (paintball gun )
12) Taurus PT92 (this is the only gun in the list I would never own again)
13) Steyr M9 (with trigger work this would be much higher on list I think. I liked the gun)

Of course these are subjective results based on my skill and the quality of the individual piece I ended up with.

[zombieslayer]

My most accurate handgun- a ruger MkII 10" Target model. It amazes all who shoot it, and I'll keep it forever.

[Blue Grass]

My Python is the most accurate hand gun I've ever shot. However, if I shot my S&W 686 or my S&W 17 or my Kimber or any of my other guns as much as I shoot my Python, they might be more accurate. This is a question everybody will have a different answer for. My neice carries a Glock 33 in .357 S.I.G. Everything that could be bad about a pistols design is found on this little pistol. I couldn't even shoot myself with it. However, she loves it and can drive tacks with it. To each their own.

[mrt949]

TC CONTENDER. pick a caliber they are all accurate.

[Chief Engineer]

I have many Handguns, but the most accurate by far, is a Contender in 30-30. Anyone who thinks the lowly 30-30 isn't very accurate, really needs to sit behind one of these. Loaded with Nosler BT's its just amazing.

[stevieboy]

I think that the issue of intrinsic accuracy is one of the most oversold issues I've encountered on this and other forums. None of us is as accurate as the handguns we shoot. I'm as good an example of that as any. I'm 63 years old and an avid shooter. I fire double action revolvers, semi autos, and a few designated target guns. My accuracy depends on three factors: how well I can see the front sight; how steady my hands are; and the gun's intrinsic accuracy. As far as I'm concerned, the first two factors are far more important than the last. On a good day (increasingly rare) I can cloverleaf five rounds at 10 yards with any of my guns. That includes my J-frame Model 36. At 15 yards, on a good day, all of my guns give me 2 - 3 inches at 15 yards. Beyond 15 yards, fuggedaboudit, my hand tremors and my ageing eyes won't permit me to be even moderately accurate. None of my handguns, even my legendarily accurate S & W Model 41, are going to make up for my inherent physical problems.

The gun I shoot most accurately out past 15 yards is my S & W 1911. I doubt whether it's intrinsically more accurate than any of my other handguns. But, I can readily visualize the big white dot front sight and that, for me, is everything.

Now, I ask all of you, how many of you are really all that different from me? Are your hands so steady and is your vision so sharp that you can max out the accuracy of your guns? Or, are you like me, in that your physical limitations make the issue of inherent accuracy a moot point?

[1832]

IMHO:

22LR - SW Mod 41
38 SP - Old Model K-38 (Single Action Only - shortest lock time of any revolver)
9mm - Sig 210 (Hands down winner over any other 9mm on the Planet)
45 ACP - Giles Custom Hardballer (2" at 50yds with Match 200gr from Ransom Rest)

[woad_yurt]

I'll nominate S&W K38s and Model 14s for the .38 category.

[Tomas204]

Ok I I`ll go with mst powerful accurate 460 S&W 8/34" preformance center models ,I know mine shoots good @ 100yds ,and it will stop a school bus ,and as far as the TC`s ,they are a diffrent Hand gun put them as ,single shot hand guns ,lets talk multi round ,don`t get me wrong my buddies 7-30 Waters is a wicked Hand gun ,also my H&R .22 is pretty good a 9 shot

[mrt949]

S&w 617 8 3/8 22lr.