Which subcompact do you shoot better: revolver vs. auto?

[Smaug]

I went to the range yesterday after work for a quick session.

I shot both of my CCWs, (Sig P365 and Ruger LCR 38) and was expecting that the group would be tighter with the auto, since historically, I shoot autos better.

It reminded me of a recent Paul Harrell video I saw, in which he also shot the revolver better than the auto, even going kind of rapidly.

The first time, I couldn't believe it. I assumed I was rushing with the Sig. I slowed down, did it again, same result. It was to the point where I could shoot 1 per second with the LCR and still outshoot 1 per 5 seconds with the P365. I was not trying to stage the trigger on the LCR or anything.

With the LCR, I was shooting light-ish reloads. (4.0 gr. Win 231 under a 105 gr. bullet) With the P365, I shot some reloads and some factory with the same result. Maybe the fact that I could shoot lighter ammo with the LCR allowed me to find a cool load that would be more accurate, where I couldn't do that with the auto, as I need enough power to cycle the slide?

...or maybe the fixed barrel of the revolver makes it more accurate?

It's certainly not the trigger, as the P365's is quite short, crisp and light compared to the long & heavy (but smooth) pull of the LCR.

...or is it really just down to me?

To those of you who shoot both revolvers and autos, do you tend to shoot one more accurately than the other, with a similar size of gun?

 

[Lennyjoe]

My P365 and Hellcat are way more accurate than either of my snub nosed revolvers (.38 and .357)

 

[jar]

The last few times I've needed to shoot any kind of qualifying I chose to use my Colt Detective Special 2" barrel.

Is it more accurate than any of my small pistols? I don't think so but it's familiar and comforting.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I shoot much better with my DA LCR 357 and Charter Arms 38spl than I do with my .380 or 9mm pistols.

 

[CDW4ME]

Use a shot timer.
Ammo loaded to standard velocity, power.
Strive for quicker than 1 shot per second, max of 3 seconds for 5 shots. (that is a .6 split)
Do that a couple times with each gun and compare the accuracy.

I can keep 3 rounds a second on a 6'' circle at about 8-10 yards with a Glock 19 - no way I could do that with a DA revolver.
I've not timed myself with a Sig 365 but the odds would be exponentially in favor of me being quicker with a Sig 365 than a revolver.
I say that because I've not shot a revolver in several years, so I'm near certain I'd do better (be quicker) with something I've shot recently.

Last time I pondered carrying a revolver was a few years ago and was comparing pocket size guns with the caveat that it would be shot one hand weak hand, my left; I intended to carry a 2nd gun (not a back-up per say but rather options) in my weak hand front pocket.
Contenders at the time: 442 snub, LCP380, Kahr PM9, Kahr PM40
My left hand did not like the feel of the snub and my weak hand finger was not at all happy about the DA trigger pull, left hand said nope.
LCP 380 recoils out of proportion to its power if shot one hand weak hand; I'm not kidding that subjectively it recoiled like the PM40.
PM9 with +P was ultimately selected as the best option for use one hand weak hand. (+P help ensure slide velocity shot one handed)
Later on I got the 365 and it is more one hand weak hand friendly than the PM9 but doesn't draw as easily from some pockets and speed would be (is) at a premium.

 

[westernrover]

My P365 and Hellcat are way more accurate than either of my snub nosed revolvers (.38 and .357)

Are the revolvers inaccurate, or just you with the double-action trigger and gutter sights? Can you fire them in single-action? And do they have anything better than the trough for a rear sight? Typically, it takes a lot of careful smithing to get a jiggle-barreled auto with the sites on the slide as accurate as a fixed-barrel revolver with the sights on the barrel. Also, a 1.875" snub barrel is plenty to stabilize a 38 bullet and when you subtract the length of the chamber from the auto's 3" barrel, they're pretty close.

 

[Slamfire]

When I shot these single action at 25 yards, they were extreme accurate












if I ransom rested the things, I would bet the Detective Specials would be equal in accuracy to the four inch Police Positive




The limitation of accuracy in human hands is of course due to the sight radius, a lesser weight which makes them more sensitive to grip and trigger pressures.

Little compact auto pistols are fine for what they were made for, spitting distance encounters.

 

[DeepSouth]

I’m sad to report I don’t really shoot my snub revolvers enough to honestly know the answer to the question.


When I shoot them it’s more for enjoyment than paying attention to group sizes.

 

[FL-NC]

Autos, in all handguns for every purpose. Faster, more accurate than anything I can do with a wheelgun.

 

[mcb]

I shoot both equal badly/goodly... The RM380 reloads easier but the 442 feels better in the pocket for me.

 

[trackskippy]

If Im deliberately shooting for groups, I shoot usually shoot the revolvers (DAO) a bit better.

If Im shooting more realistically, I usually shoot them both about the same, although my longer range hits are usually better with the revolvers, and that's shooting them shooting them DAO.

The guns of that size I normally shoot, are mostly S&W K/L frame 6-7 shot guns, with 2"- 2.5" barrels. I usually shoot a 642 J frame once a month or so too, but I much prefer the K frames. The auto these days is a Glock 26. I have a couple of smaller guns still around, but once I realized the 26 was the best choice, most of the outhers ended up as trading material. The 26 shoots like a full size, and can easily carry the same ammo as a full size with a simple mag swap if needed.

 

[Mark 40]

View attachment 1100170

Slamfire- that photo brings back a lot of memories for me. The very first handgun I ever fired was as a Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Explorer Scout in 1975.

Edit: forgot to answer the question. For me its like what JoeHenry mentions in #15. "Maybe it is just what you practice with the most" and for me that is revolvers.

 

[Riomouse911]

I try to shoot at least one revolver and an auto each time I shoot, for no other reason than I like to maintain some proficiency with any type of handgun I have in the safe.

There are differences with the operation of both revolvers and autos, but a lot of the shooting process is the same (or similar) to both types of guns.

Stay safe.

 

[WrongHanded]

Whilst I shoot guns like a GP100 and 686 slightly better than most full sized autos, with smaller wheelguns things get tricky. I seem to recall being fairly proficient with an SP101 when it was wearing a Hogue (all-my-fingers-fit-on-it) grip. Anything smaller, such as an LCR, and performance really deteriorates for me. At that point, I get better results with smaller semi autos.

 

[JoeHenry]

Maybe it is just what you practice with the most. I shot NRA Action pistol for over 10 years. Never seemed to improve until I started shooting a double action revolver (S&W 686 6” barrel barricade wings and red dot). For me personally I think it was the double action pull and the some what surprise break. If it is informal, non timed shooting I am about equal with a double action revolver and a single action semi automatic, such as a 1911 and Browning Hi Power. I do remember, on one occasion, a shooting partner and I were taking turns with his bodyguard J frame shooting 8” steel plates at 25 yards. Who says a snub can’t be accurate?

 

[nofendertom]

Slamfire---Am I seeing things or are the first two pictures of the blued Colt Detective Specials the same gun ?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Are the revolvers inaccurate, or just you with the double-action trigger and gutter sights? Can you fire them in single-action? And do they have anything better than the trough for a rear sight? Typically, it takes a lot of careful smithing to get a jiggle-barreled auto with the sites on the slide as accurate as a fixed-barrel revolver with the sights on the barrel. Also, a 1.875" snub barrel is plenty to stabilize a 38 bullet and when you subtract the length of the chamber from the auto's 3" barrel, they're pretty close.

Mostly me. Hardly shoot any revolvers so when I do I’m a bit off. Single action is much better for me.

 

[epags]

CCW firearms are a Glock Model 36 and a Ruger LCR 38; timed @ two shots in 5 seconds from concealed draw and fire @ 3, 7, and 10 yards.
Alway do better with the pistol at all distances.
Even when I slow fire with full sized 1911 pistol and Dan Wesson Revolver, the pistol always wins.
It is strictly me and my grip.

 

[Pat Riot]

I prefer revolvers. To be fair I have a lot more practice and experience with them. I used to own a little black trigger finger munching KelTec P3AT. I never shot it accurately because the darn thing pinched and slammed my trigger finger something awful. I also had a Remington RM380 and an R51 POS. I won’t bother discussing the R51 except to say that in order to offload it the guy wanted the RM380 as well so I sold them both.
I liked and trusted the RM380, but the long trigger pull seemed to cause me accuracy issues. With Remington ammo the RM380 was fairly accurate if I concentrated. I didn’t want a gun that I needed to concentrate with for accuracy in a bad situation.
My 2 favorite CCW guns are my S&W 442 and 36.
I trust them and I can shoot well with both.
I have shot other subcompact semiautos but haven’t found one that tripped my trigger…pun intended.

 

[jmohme]

The wife and I went to the range a few months ago. She was considering getting a smaller gun for purse carry so we rented a P365.
It was awful. My wife could barely keep shots on the paper. I did better, but really did not like the gun.
To be fair, I did not go into with high expectations for the P365 because I really never liked small handguns, and still do not.

The only other smaller gun I can say I tried was a Ruger SP101 .357. Now that was a nice shooting gun and if I ever wanted a smaller gun, that would be my first consideration.
So I voted Revolver.

 

[sgt127]

I absolutely love revolvers. But, with any decent power, like a 642, it just hurts my hand.
I’m kinda OK with an SP101 because of its weight. And, the full rubber grips.

An auto eats up a lot of that recoil with the action. And, the lower bore axis.

So, yeah. I’d prefer the P365.

 

[Rexster]

I could not manage to shoot a Glock G27, that I bought in early 2002, as well as I could shoot the SP10, that I had bought about 1997, or the J-snubs, that I had been using far longer. So, I sold the G27, and bought a second SP101. That second SP101 put my J-snubs into reserve status, because J-snubs had become uncomfortable to fire, much.

 

[halfmoonclip]

A lot of it comes down to sights; I can do better with the ones on a 640 Pro than the same gun with the simple Baughman ramp/groove.
Learned to shoot double action with a stainless Kit Gun and a little metal man target; pounded him 'till he had a permanent bow.
But as I've gotten older, the combination of milder recoil and great sights have let me shoot the 365 better.
Moon

 

[Tallball]

It depends on the person: their experience, the size and shape of their hands, stuff like that.

I shoot small revolvers better than small autos.

I shoot large revolvers better than large autos.

That's just me. Everyone is different.

I shoot them both regularly and have for many years.

That's why I have various small semiautos sitting in the safe and a revolver in my pocket.

 

[Pat Riot]

I could not manage to shoot a Glock G27, that I bought in early 2002, as well as I could shoot the SP10, that I had bought about 1997, or the J-snubs, that I had been using far longer. So, I sold the G27, and bought a second SP101. That second SP101 put my J-snubs into reserve status, because J-snubs had become uncomfortable to fire, much.

“J-snubs”

I do plan to use that term. Just to let you know.

I do believe an SP101 is in my future as well. My J-snubs kick harder than they use to. Ever since I had wrist surgeries recoil really hurts sometimes. Funny thing is that snap from a slide racking is much more painful that revolver recoil. It’s a shame because I really want a Glock 20 10mm, but I don’t think I can shoot one comfortably.