In Praise of the Revolver

[S&W Rover]

Just shot a couple of hundred rounds with the new M&P9, with Apex trigger and Novak fiber optic front sight. The trigger weight is probably 5 lbs and pretty smooth.

For testing, I fired 50 rounds with my elbows resting on a pad on the bench. Ammo was handloads of Titegroup under 115 grain Berry bullets that have been accurate for me in the past. The result? At 7 yards, a glob of a group, about 4" wide and 6" from top to bottom, to the left a bit, and centered low.

I then went to my Mdl 60 3" with hand loaded 125 grain Rimrock RN lead bullets over 4.2 grains of Trail Boss - a mild load. Firing from a standing position at 7 yards, the result after firing 50 rounds, some SA and some DA, was a 3" hole in the very middle of the black part of the target.

So its either the M&P9, or its me... but in my hands, the Mdl 60 beat the M&P, at least tonight. Are there others who can shoot their revolver(s) better than their semi-autos? I just think that revolvers (in this case, a J frame with a 3" barrel) are inherently more accurate, and for me at least, easier to shoot well.

 

[Blackshirt]

S&W revolvers have a pretty great tradition of accuracy. M&P9s...not so much. Apex is supposed to be developing an aftermarket barrel to tighten up the loose groups...

 

[Helderberg]

I have gone through three different M&P full-size 9mm & one 45 with similar results as you. I had two 686 4" barrel new models and I could shoot rings around the M&P's. I now have a 638 & 642 that I can shoot fairly well, but I tear the center out of the target with my 92fs. The M&P platform is very comfortable for me to shoot, but I can not get accustomed to the trigger. All my guns are now hammer fired guns and I enjoy shooting so much more. Sometimes you just fit a certain style of gun and it fits you. Enjoy.
Frank.

 

[BikerRN]

Try a Sig.

 

[BigBlueSix]

Got rid of my M&P 9C for a 4" M15 and I was amazed at how much better "I" got at shooting. This in spite of having invested in tritium sights, tried all the blackstrap configurations, different loads, etc.
so, it's not just you.

 

[DR505]

My 1911's are pretty darn accurate...especially the ones from Wilson Combat. Never fired an M&P.

 

[slickracer]

Just shot a couple of hundred rounds with the new M&P9, with Apex trigger and Novak fiber optic front sight. The trigger weight is probably 5 lbs and pretty smooth.

For testing, I fired 50 rounds with my elbows resting on a pad on the bench. Ammo was handloads of Titegroup under 115 grain Berry bullets that have been accurate for me in the past. The result? At 7 yards, a glob of a group, about 4" wide and 6" from top to bottom, to the left a bit, and centered low.

I then went to my Mdl 60 3" with hand loaded 125 grain Rimrock RN lead bullets over 4.2 grains of Trail Boss - a mild load. Firing from a standing position at 7 yards, the result after firing 50 rounds, some SA and some DA, was a 3" hole in the very middle of the black part of the target.

So its either the M&P9, or its me... but in my hands, the Mdl 60 beat the M&P, at least tonight. Are there others who can shoot their revolver(s) better than their semi-autos? I just think that revolvers (in this case, a J frame with a 3" barrel) are inherently more accurate, and for me at least, easier to shoot well.

Same here, I prefer revolvers as well. I have a 5" Pro Series but just can't get good results with it. It is a well made gun and is very reliable but for me I'll take a revolver any day.

 

[scooter123]

I have ain indoor 50 yard range nearby that I take advantage of in the winter to maintain my skill with a rifle. I also have a 2 1/2 inch model 19 I like to take on these sessions and have tested myself with it in single action at 50 yards. Generally I'll put 2 cylinders into the 7 ring of an NRA 25 yard slow fire target and 8 of the 12 into the 8 ring. One key to this performance is that on the 2 1/2 inch model 19 the front sight nearly fills the rear sight notch with only a whisker of "daylight". For me that makes consistent sight alignment much easier. On my semi's the sight picture isn't nearly as discriminating and I have to take a really careful approach to getting consistent sight alignment, something I often just don't have enough patience to do. As a result I typically shoot my model 19 more accurately than any of my semi's. I also shoot it more accurately than my longer barreled revolvers for the same reason.

IMO the cause for the drastic difference in accuracy you have observed is probably in large part due to your shorter revolver having a sight picture that makes it easier for you to shoot accurately. However, from a purely Combat approach there is absolutely nothing wrong with a "gob" of a group, in fact there may be an advantage because it will produce bleeding over a larger area.

 

[reppans]

Same for me.

I have compact semis (Glock 19, 26 and LCP) for carry, and 4" revolvers (K/L frames) that are my favorites at the range. Always thought my accuracy was correlated with the gun size.

Then I bought a J-frame 638. For me, it's as accurate as my Glocks DA and more accurate SA. Forget the LCP, my NAA Mini shoots better. I don't know.. maybe it's the trigger on the Smiths that I like.

So revolvers have now taken over both range and carry duty.

 

[petepeterson]

I struggle a bit with this, too. I like the additional firepower of an auto, and I'm pretty decent with them, but if I had to take one shot and it counted, it would be taken with my Model 19.

I also shoot my 3" J better than an auto. But not "better enough" to give up 9 or 16 rds of 9mm in my CCW.

 

[DR505]

As firearms instructors we have to qualify on a bullseye course and get 260 out of 300. With my .40 S&W Glock I normally shoot 278-282. The .45 ACP Glock comes in at mid/high 280's. With my 1911 or revolver platforms, that number is low 290's. Never got a perfect 300. But some of my coworkers have done so with a box stock G22. Ability counts for much.

 

[getoff]

my old rattle trap 586 having fired by estimate 25,000 or so rounds is still as accurate as any gun i have. with my HK P30 in SA, i can get pretty close, but the 586 still wins... i also have a 4" 64 that everyone who shoots it is a better shot than with what they brung. that said, my Springfield Armory TRP still wins the accuracy contest. thing is a total tack driver... i will still grab the 586 for bowling pins however!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

My Highway Patrolman (model 28) with 6 inch barrel is my most accurate handgun. On my last CHL qualification, the target had one giant hole in the middle and only a few separate holes on 50 rounds.

 

[camsdaddy]

my old rattle trap 586 having fired by estimate 25,000 or so rounds is still as accurate as any gun i have. with my HK P30 in SA, i can get pretty close, but the 586 still wins... i also have a 4" 64 that everyone who shoots it is a better shot than with what they brung. that said, my Springfield Armory TRP still wins the accuracy contest. thing is a total tack driver... i will still grab the 586 for bowling pins however!

Just curious what you carry daily?

 

[bananaman]

I have more S&W revolvers than anything. I shoot them well for me. Seems that I shoot them better than bottom feeders. So why did I drive over 4 hr. round trip Monday for a 1911? (my 4th) Because it is a S&W, and I have wanted 1 for a few years. It is a beauty, but have not shot it yet. Plan on doing so this week. Bob

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

[...]
So why did I drive over 4 hr. round trip Monday for a 1911? (my 4th) Because it is a S&W, and I have wanted 1 for a few years.
[...]

Is that one of the few current models of S&W 1911's that have a firing-pin safety (Swarz-like (grip-lever-controlled), I think)?

 

[APS]

An M&P with an inaccurate barrel should be capable of 2" groups at 7yds with decent ammo. If you don't want to take the time to get better with an auto you should definitely stick with what you're comfortable with.

 

[Arik]

An M&P with an inaccurate barrel should be capable of 2" groups at 7yds with decent ammo. If you don't want to take the time to get better with an auto you should definitely stick with what you're comfortable with.

This. It's all about taking the time to get better and I have proof of this!! seriously though, my friend and I went shooting two weeks ago. Granted he's not great with a semi auto but I brought my Mdl 13 with 38spl and 357 ammo. We shot at 10 ft and he did hit paper! This is with a revolver! He had 3 shots up high and right on paper but not on target. 2 shots hit the left side of the face, 1 shot hit bottom right stomach area and one shot hit bottle left on paper but not on the target. All my 5 shots (that's what was left) made one nice hole in the X. He then took his Glock 21 and at about the same distance did a little better but complained the sights were off. I took that same gun and distance of target and shot out the center. It's not the gun it's the individual.

Having said that, sometimes the factory screws up and it is the gun that's inaccurate

 

[Kframerbluvr]

My old standard barreled 4" RB M10 is probably my most accurate handgun. My Glocks, however, have caught up in practical accuracy in my hands. I have a lot more trigger time with them because they are my authorized handgun for my work. Once I retire, I fully intend to devote the majority of range time to my S&W revolvers and 1911s.

 

[Riflemann]

I shoot my 4" 686 far better than my 4.25" M&P40, or my 5" M&P40L CORE which I sold a few months ago, since I shoot my 686 all the time. I can't explain it but I shoot all my S&W revolvers very good. (6.5" 629 Classic, and 460XVR, 642CT.)