You don't say whether it's sa or da. Makes a bit of difference.
Amen. I answered the question assuming single action. Double action, my range reduces to probably 7 yards and under, and to be perfectly honest, I don't know that at 7 yards I could hold them all into a 4 inch circle. I am certain a 6 inch circle would do it, but the fact is that I am just not a particularly good DA shooter. Better than I was, worse than I should be. I also have to add that Cosmoline made a good point about rapid fire. I would be able to hit at 7 yards (because I have done some drills doing just that), but the shot placement would likely be fairly erratic.
Interestingly, this general topic is one of the main reasons why I buy into the fact that the rifle is better that a pistol in SD. I know for certain that I can pump 10 shots into a 4 inch circle at ranges much exceeding 25 yards reliably, consistently, and at speed. I am no super rifle shooter, but I am simply a much better rifleman than I am a pistolero.
Edit to add:
For all that, my carry piece is a 2-inch revolver. I prefer the power of the .357 over the general compact auto caliber offerings, and I simply trust a revolver more than I do an auto in a high stress situation. I know anything can go wrong, and I know autos are great, but thats how it is for me.
Also, M2, I envy your DA shooting.