Does it make any sense that I shoot my new compact better than my full size? I've been shooting since February. At least 200 rounds per week. Got my FS9 in Feb and after 2k-3k rounds put the APEX Poly trigger in it to see if that would help. So over the past 5 months my practice (at 7 yards) has gone from 8-10 inch spreads to 5-6 inch spreads.

Then I got the compact a few weeks ago and I'm shredding the bullseye, 2-3 inch spreads. Same ammo, I switch back and forth between the full size and the compact and I just shoot way better with the compact. I was told that it would be harder because of the shorter barrel and smaller grip, but I guess none of that matters for me. Is it weird to shoot a compact better than a fullsize?

Here are some of the targets from today. The wide spreads are the FS9 and the close ones are the 9c.

Attached Images

	FS9.jpg (56.1 KB, 69 views)
	FS9b.jpg (52.1 KB, 69 views)
	9c.jpg (61.8 KB, 70 views)
	9c2.jpg (64.7 KB, 68 views)

Maybe the small one fits your hand better.

I guess so. I have the same size back strap on both of them.

tectrry:

Different guns will fit your hand better (even with the same backstrap), point better, etc. That'll make some difference. Weight distribution is a bit different, too.

Meantime, the trigger "feel" could be somewhat different, too, and that can make a difference at the pointy end of the stick. The longer barrel should fix this, or at least minimize it, but it's a bit of a YMMV thing.

If you work over the trigger, sear, and drop safety (i.e., install an Apex DCAEK kit), or perform the mods yourself (Burwell's got an article on the web someplace), the two should come a bit closer.

The problem here is that S&W is stamping these things out as fast as they can, and there are all kinds of tolerances acting on each other. That results in guns that are substantially different, even if their overall design, equipment, and age were quite similar. Two different slides on a Compact, for example, milled on different machines, should be different. How different is anybody's guess.

The real test for SD guns, which the Compact is, and similarly the full size being a "Service Pistol" for LE holster use, is to put six rounds into a six inch circle, at about 30'. Anything else is gravy .... (Don't forget that these are NOT target guns, and while you can hack 'em to death, aren't going to turn into them.)

Regards,

__________________
Stu.

It's the grip. I had the same phenomenon with a Glock 22 and a Glock 27. I shot the 27 much better. After analysis I realized I was more comfortable with the smaller grip.

__________________
Freedom isn't free.

Pinky finger pressure on the FS.

I shoot 3" 1911,s much better (faster, more accurate) than I can shoot any 5". 1911.

My 9c will double tap consistent fist size groups at 7yds, and always shoots tighter than my full size!

It's all about the feel. You'll always shoot better with a gun that fits & feels the best in your hand. It's a psychological thing, but it's all part of the equation.

No two guns of the same type or manufacture will always shoot the same. With the subcompact pistol, you may subconsciencely be focusing more on your sights. As someone else mentioned, your pinky may be exerting unnecessary pressure on the full size grip. Still, I would first chalk it up to better focus on the sights. From an instructor standpoint, I generally see group size being the result of focus on the front sight. Less focus, bigger groups - more focus, smaller groups. Its sort of that "aim small, miss small" theory. Good triggers certainly help, but ultimately the focus must be on your front sight.

Thanks for all the great comments. Now my question is, do I just sell the FS9 since I like the compact so much better? I'd feel better grabbing the compact by the bedside table than the full size now.

Accurate guns are fun, non accurate guns, not so much.

3

Yep, sell the FS and get some X-Grips for when you need capacity.

That's what I did with my .40's several years ago, exactly the same problem.

Trade the FS for another compact...

My FS had both it's front and rear sights mis-aligned! I wasn't tempted to get rid of it, or change out the sights, but it was tempting.

New shooters often manage to shoot "off" until they really get the hang of things, or a better-skilled individual helps them out. There's also always a contingent who want to replace their sights (often with adjustables), too, on the same basis. (Night sights are a separate issue.) In my case, I had the experience to note the problem, and to fix it.

Overall, though, a given gun may "fit" your hand better than another one. If an experienced shooter (which could be you) can't get it to behave, it's time to "fix" things.

I yell at a buddy of mine. He's got a little Ruger .22 that only works if held just the right way (really awful front sight, actually). Practicing with it is a waste of time except for trigger control issues. You don't want to have to remember how to hold a particular gun v.s. another one in the safe should you need one.

Don't join the "gun of the month" club, either.... Everything you shoot for SD purposes should work exactly the same way unless particular components are entirely missing. IOW, if your primary carry has a thumb safety, each of the others should either have one that works the same way, or doesn't exist at all. It's easier to miss a thumb safety that's not there than it is to remember to use one that IS there, and pretty much suicidal to remember that the second one is "up" to fire....

Regards,

__________________
Stu.