200 yard shot...with a Bodyguard 380!

[Rastoff]

I don't believe this video.

Normally I'd be right there with you. However, this is Jerry Miculek. He holds 20 verified world records with various guns and 7 world championships in IPSC shooting. He has absolutely nothing to prove to you or me. So, I believe it and you should too.

The way I've seen it described, there are two different factors involved in how a gun hits what it's aimed at: precision (which controls the gun's innate consistency when used) and accuracy (which addresses how the gun and the shooter work together.)

You're correct about the two factors, but a little off with the second parenthetical description.

In any measurement system you have precision and accuracy. Precision is how well a stated system can repeat the same measurement and get the same result. In the case of a gun, it's how small a group can it shoot when all human error is removed. Precision is not directly related to the goal or center of the target.

Accuracy is how close to the goal or intended target can you get. This is also a function of the gun itself. If the sights are misaligned, then the gun is not going to be accurate. With any gun it will only be accurate at one distance. This is load dependent.

Now, you have the precision and accuracy of the gun and then you have the precision and accuracy of the shooter. Two related, but different measurements.

Take a look at these pictures:

This is just bad shooting. You can't tell anything from this target. The shots are all over the place.

With this one we start to learn something. If the shooter is standing and unsupported, we know they are doing things correctly, but need to work on their shot process. If this is from a rest, we know the sights are probably aligned properly, but the gun is not very repeatable.

With this one we can see a lot. If the shooter is standing and unsupported, they have something wrong with their technique. Whatever they're doing, they're doing it the same every time. If shooting from a rest, the sights are probably off. But the gun is very repeatable.

Everything is going right here. If the shooter is standing and unsupported, they are better than 90% of the shooters out there. If shooting from a rest, this gun could be better, but it's now down to refining the load, maybe a match barrel or something like that.

When it comes to shooting we must also define the intended use. Considering the last pic, if this was shot at 3 yards and it's a bullseye gun, shot from a rest, this is not very good. However, if it's a defensive gun, shot from standing and unsupported, this is great. If it's done under time pressure, this is amazing.

So, it all depends on what's important. Hitting a target at 200 yards with a snubby revolver, fired double action and only getting one out of 5 is good shooting. It's plenty precise and accurate for that type of gun.

I could go on, but I'll leave it here for the moment.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I think that Jerry really doesn't care what we think. He is such a great shot and he is not working, he is just having fun and getting paid for it. Besides, he is a older guy, like a lot of us.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

You're correct about the two factors, but a little off with the second parenthetical description.

We don't really disagree -- you just said it better than I did.

That said, I consider sight positioning/alignment a SHOOTER controlled factor. If the shooter knows the sights are off, he can still shoot accurately, by compensating for the amount off when aiming the gun. The result can still be accuracy. (That's equivalent to what Jerry M. did with some of his shots... as you can't have sights on a small .380 that can properly sight on a target 200 yards away.)

Great example targets, by the way.

 

[Whatnickname]

What ever. 200 yards with something like this is entertaining but not the least bit practicle. As for the .380 round, I know the ammo has improved and offers improved terminal performance. That said they're making 9MM pistols today that are nearly as small. Whatever the .380 can do the 9MM will do better. Where deep concealment is concerned I'm going to stick with my KHAR CW9 or my M&P Shield.

 

[Rastoff]

200 yards with something like this is entertaining...

Exactly. Don't look any further.