Third Generation Accuracy comparison

[texasjarhead]

I've owned three 3rd gen S&W's: 6906; 910; 5903. Intuition tells me the full size models should be more accurate than the compact (longer barrel; longer site radius), but my 6906 is considerably mor accurate than the other two. I realize variations can exist in individual pistols, etc. and it's hard to generalize.

Anybody else find the compacts more accurate than the full size?

 

[MR835]

I find the compacts more accurate in 6906 and 4516-2. Than my 5906 and 4506-1. Both the compacts are tack drivers at 36'. The full size guns group very well at 36' but not as well as the compacts. The Tacticals are another question altogether. Can they be BEAT FOR ACCURACY. NO NO NO.

 

[losingle]

Depends on what type of shooting. On a given day my 6906 can equal my 5906 for pure accuracy. Rapid fire, 5906 always the best.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Yup! My little 3913 can regularly keep up with my SIG P226 at 25yds. And will outshoot my recently acquired 5906!
It has something to do with the slide staying shut a micro second longer and the barrel not unlocking as fast.
Dale

 

[18DAI]

I have found my compacts to be more accurate than my full size guns..........or perhaps I should say I shoot my compact pistols more accurately than I do the full size versions. Both series of guns being more inherently accurate than I am.

I have noticed that most officers during annual qualifications posted higher scores with their compact off duty guns than they did with their full size duty pistols.

IIRC we had a discussion on this topic some time ago where one of our learned members opined that the shorter, stiffer and sometimes thicker barrels on the compact pistols, lessened the harmonic resonance of the barrel resulting in increased accuracy when combined with the shorter sight radius (which lessened the "wobbly effect" on sight picture).

Dunno for sure but that seemed to make sense to me, then and now. Regards 18DAI

 

[texasjarhead]

Very interesting comments! I didn't realize the compacts had thicker barrels, but that would certainly help explain the issue. Also the comments about the slide staying shut longer are interesting as well. Thanks to all for the educational remarks.

 

[losingle]

Sheesh, guess I'll trade in my rifle for a good derringer for hunting then.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Sheesh, guess I'll trade in my rifle for a good derringer for hunting then.

Nah, just get a carbine.
Dale