Accuracy at 7 yards

jmace57 · #1 08-07-2016, 02:19 PM

I went to the indoor range a couple of days ago to shoot 3 guns I had acquired, but never shot. I have to say I was a bit surprised at the results.

(for this test) I shot 10 rounds each from a Taurus PT58SS (.380), 10 rounds from a CZ-83 (.380) and 8 rounds out of a Star BM (9mm). I shot standing, and shooting about 1 round per second - maybe a little longer as I was making a point to try and line the sights up consistently.

I thought the Taurus had the best sights, closely followed by the CZ and those on the Star were almost vestigial. Ergonomics on the CZ were excellent - second best the Taurus, although the grip felt "fat", even though I have big hands. The Star, the least, but it was very fun to shoot, I guess being all steel.

What surprised me - and I assume it is the pistol - at how much worse the pattern was with the Taurus. Is this normal?

Taurus

CZ

Star

I would not have thought that anything intrinsic to the gun would have made the pattern so much worse on the Taurus.

bestagents · #2 08-07-2016, 02:39 PM

probably just you.

It takes some time/practice to get accurate with a specific gun. Changing grips can make a change in how accurate you are too, as well as how you grip a specific gun.

I know some folks that are great with certain guns and terrible with others. Few are good with all guns, and fewer still with limited experience shooting a specific gun, or changing each up over the course of 30 rounds.

Try shooting one gun a few hundred times over a few days THEN test it for accuracy.
Next week do the second gun the same, then the third week the last one.

OH, and don't forget to find the most accurate ammo for each gun before you start the tests.

jmace57 · #3 08-07-2016, 03:34 PM

That makes perfect sense I guess. I will try that as I get more experience with these.

Brian in Oregon · #4 08-07-2016, 04:09 PM

Get quality snap caps and (safely) practice at home to get used to the triggers. Even though you "know" the gun is unloaded, practice against a good backstop.

Targets Guy · #5 08-07-2016, 07:30 PM

It is what I strive for daily; accuracy at 7 yards.

H Richard · #6 08-07-2016, 07:52 PM

While it may have been just you with the Taurus, it wouldn't surprise me if it was a lot of the gun. I am not a fan of the quality of the Taurus, it is often very inconsistent. There are some good ones, but I have seen too many that weren't good.

Muss Muggins · #7 08-07-2016, 08:07 PM

At seven yards, I point and pull. Looking for reaction time and shots generally in the same zip code. Aligning the sights at that distance isn't necessary for a group in proximity of the ten ring. It's muscle memory and eye hand coordination . . .

Andyd · #8 08-08-2016, 12:30 AM

Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice does.

To be proficient with a handgun one has to learn the basics - and the basics for accuracy and speed shooting are not entirely the same. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Bullseye guide is giving good info on the basics for accurate shooting, from grip, stance, to trigger finger placement and pull.

Once that is learnt - and it is like a toddler learning to crawl first before he runs - one can work successfully on the more dynamic shooting skills.