Why do I shoot soooo much better with revolvers?

[orionengnr]

Mr. B:
I am definitely impressed with the coin deal. Last (only) time I tried that, ~5 years ago, I was balancing the coin on it's side, not it's edge. And I still couldn't make it stay through a trigger pull. Of course I was using an M360, 1.5 oz revolver with a 20-lb trigger pull I'll have to try that again with an older K or N-frame with a nice trigger.

Okay, OP, you still haven't stated whether you were shooting SA or DA. When I am at the range, I note that most revolver shooters shoot SA...and I always wondered about that. I never shoot SA, because in an SD event, I don't want muscle memory to cause me to cock the hammer. So all my revolver shooting is done DA. And while I shoot a revolver reasonably well DA, I shoot a 1911 better.

 

[jmr40]

Generally a revolver is more accurate than a combat pistol. Try a good 1911, Browning Hi-Power or a CZ that has had the trigger worked on and I doubt you will notice any difference.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Nine times out of 10, when somebody reports how much better he/she shoots with a revolver, we're talking cocked, SINGLE ACTION slow-fire versus a typical semi-auto trigger. I am pretty sure the stock semi-auto triggers that match your average stock S&W SA trigger are few and far between. Point, my brother has a Dan Wesson 1911 and even it's trigger doesn't match my stock S&W 629 in SA mode.

Also, even a 4" service revolver has a more forgiving sight radius than a service size semi-auto. The sights on my 4" S&W 19 are farther apart than the sights on my Glock 17, and that is the "full-size" Glock. I know where there was a 6" S&W 19 for sale if I thought my 4" model was inaccurate. But it's not and I prefer the shorter, faster handling barrel.

Now, switch to using the double action mode on the revolver and start a timer behind the shooter and see which you make hits with better. For most people it is going to be a semi-auto with a consistent trigger pull (Glock, 1911, BHP, S&W M&P, XD or similar).

But I assure you, get good with shooting a double action revolver in DA mode and shooting anything else is almost cheating!

 

[shockwave]

Nine times out of 10, when somebody reports

No. Everybody knows that revolvers are much more highly accurate than semi-autos. This isn't even a point of discussion. Autos have high capacity. That is their advantage. Revolvers have reliability and accuracy. That is the calculus.

Sometimes, you find that some semiautomatic owners get upset about this and they want to change the reality of it, so they make arguments about how semiautomatics are just as reliable as revolvers, or that they are just as accurate. This is sad, because it is argumentation from bad faith. They know it's not true, but pride forces them to make the argument anyway.

Instead, just accept the truth of it. There is an advantage to the platform you select. There is a weakness. You cannot pretend that the weakness of your platform doesn't exist. For revolver owners, you accept that you lack firepower. Your accuracy is your compensation. Auto guys? You have lots of rounds and fast reloading.

 

[orionengnr]

No. Everybody knows that revolvers are much more highly accurate than semi-autos. This isn't even a point of discussion.

"Everybody" knows no such thing. Would you care to try and convince us of this ludicrous fantasy?

 

[jmr40]

The most accurate target pistols in the world are semi-auto's.

The military has known for 100 years that in dirty harsh conditions a semi-auto is more likely to keep working than a revolver. I like revolvers a lot, but this is the reality.

 

[Route666]

I think the main cause that they seem to be more accurate is that the sight radius is generally longer on revolvers. For example, a 4" barrel 686 revolver has a longer sight radius than a 5" barrel 1911. The reason that seems weird is that the 5" of the semi-auto includes the chamber, whereas the revolver doesn't, so for 357 you'd add on another 1.5" or so. Then you couple that with the fact that there are generally a lot more 6" and longer revolvers than there are longer semi-autos and it SEEMS that revolvers are more accurate.

Another reason, though with almost negligible impact, is a minute amount of accuracy lost in the sights being on the slide, with a tolerance between it and the frame, and it and the barrel leading to random variation in POI shot to shot on a semi-auto whereas a revolver's sights are fixed to the frame and barrel, in which the bullet directly travels. The tolerance between slide and barrel leads to variations in sight picture shot to shot, and the frame slide tolerance would increase barrel movement as the bullet is going down the barrel.

As a third reason, just an idea of mine, not sure if it is true or has been tested, is the variation in cartridge composition. The amount powder in two "identical" rounds could vary slightly, the actual diametre of the bullet, the grip that the casing has on it, even the weight of the bullet could vary slightly. Now while this will affect both types, I say that the reciprocating slide being accelerated at different rates, taking longer to fully open, hitting with varying forces when it does fully open, etc. would multiply the effect and cause the POI variation to be more with semi-auto than the revolver.

EDIT: Well, probably not the bit about how hard the slide hits when it opens, as the bullet should have left by then, but the equal and opposite slide acceleration may contribute to it. I also just realised it would only affect blow-back guns, as ones that lock should eliminate that possibility.

 

[Nushif]

No. Everybody knows that revolvers are much more highly accurate than semi-autos. This isn't even a point of discussion. Autos have high capacity. That is their advantage. Revolvers have reliability and accuracy. That is the calculus.

Sometimes, you find that some semiautomatic owners get upset about this and they want to change the reality of it, so they make arguments about how semiautomatics are just as reliable as revolvers, or that they are just as accurate. This is sad, because it is argumentation from bad faith. They know it's not true, but pride forces them to make the argument anyway.

Instead, just accept the truth of it. There is an advantage to the platform you select. There is a weakness. You cannot pretend that the weakness of your platform doesn't exist. For revolver owners, you accept that you lack firepower. Your accuracy is your compensation. Auto guys? You have lots of rounds and fast reloading

Wow! This reeks of truthiness! Enlighten us more, please.

 

[rich642z]

I own and shoot mainly my Rugers in .357 and my P95,345,97,and a .357 4.5/8ths inch barrel S/A Ruger Blackhawk. I have Glocks in 9 mm and they are safe queens. And,I do have some S&W revolvers too.rich642z

 

[noylj]

Revolvers don't fit me. Only ones I can sort of shoot have a custom grip so it feels more like a 1911.
Everyone has to find what works for them.
Many say the Colt SAA has the most ergonomic grip they have ever felt. Too me, it is too small and uncomfortable. If I had to shot SAAs, I would have to get a custom grip frame and grip.
What one person swears to another will swear at...

 

[MrBorland]

Are revolvers inherently more accurate?....

...Thoughts?

Just 2 more, now that my morning coffee's kicking in:

"Inherently more accurate" or "easier (or harder) to be accurate with"? When discussing the 2 platforms categorically, I suspect it's more the latter than the former. The distinction tends to get blurred.

There's also the well-known phenomenon that we tend to shoot a new/unfamiliar gun accurately because we're actually paying attention.

 

[340PD]

An interesting topic. Maybe it is age. I join you in that I shoot my revolvers more accurately than my semi auto's. This applies pretty much across the board regardless of barrel length. I also shoot all my revolvers DA only. Just a preference of mine. The only semi auto I own and shoot almost as accurately is a Springfield XDm 45. The trigger on that gun is very close to my revolvers feel. I know my Ed Brown Kobra Carry or my Kimber Ultra CDP are probably more accurate in a ransom rest but ransom rests are hard to conceal and carry.

 

[Boomm]

We know that intrinsic accuracy is not necessarily affected by barrel length. But it definitely helps for offhand shooting. The longer site radius is commonly sighted as the reason. This is a boon to those with aging eyes. But even for the hawk-sighted shooters out there, a longer revolver barrel (or a longer auto barrel and slide) means more axial mass. By that, I just mean there's more mass stretched out along the sight line.

If you look at the most accurate open class bows in the world, they all have one thing in common. They have a long weight pointing out the front of the bow, extending a couple feet forward. That's there to stabilize the bow by increasing the axial mass.

The longer barrel works the same way on handguns. We all have a little "circle of instability" when we hold a handgun. This circle becomes smaller, the more axial mass we add to the gun. It also becomes slower. With a longer barrel, you will start calling your flyers, more regularly. This also reduces the amount of deflection to POA if the trigger is jerked. Furthermore, it reduces any inconsistencies in the way the shooter handles recoil, due to inconsistent grip or whatnot.*

Now consider that the most common barrel length duty/target revolver is 4". A 4" .38 revolver has a longer barrel than an extended GLOCK G34/35 competition pistol. A 6" revolver would equate to an auto with a 7.5" barrel, which would be....?

Incidentally, I feel this is one of the lesser cited reasons that the 1911 platform is renowned for accuracy. It has a 5" barrel, which is unusually long in the auto world. The extended G35 is only .3" longer!

*it's all of these things that contribute to the circle of probability that occurs with ANY gun at the appropriate range. The more stable the platform, the more range you get before you start looking at this

This. Most intelligent post I've seen in a while

 

[wanderinwalker]

No. Everybody knows that revolvers are much more highly accurate than semi-autos. This isn't even a point of discussion. Autos have high capacity. That is their advantage. Revolvers have reliability and accuracy. That is the calculus.

Sometimes, you find that some semiautomatic owners get upset about this and they want to change the reality of it, so they make arguments about how semiautomatics are just as reliable as revolvers, or that they are just as accurate. This is sad, because it is argumentation from bad faith. They know it's not true, but pride forces them to make the argument anyway.

Instead, just accept the truth of it. There is an advantage to the platform you select. There is a weakness. You cannot pretend that the weakness of your platform doesn't exist. For revolver owners, you accept that you lack firepower. Your accuracy is your compensation. Auto guys? You have lots of rounds and fast reloading.

If I lopped off the hammer spur and reduced my K-frames to double action only, while the revolver WILL have better mechanical accuracy than a Glock, the average shooter will shoot WORSE with it.

At the end of the day, from what I see on the range, inherent accuracy of the platforms is moot when stacked against the tolerances of the average trigger nut. I have been asked before what I have that "Shoots so accurately!" when using both a revolver or a semi-auto. And I rarely shoot my revolvers by thumb cocking them.

 

[Rexster]

I tend to shoot 4"-6" K/L-frame-sized and GP100 sixguns consistently better than ANY handgun, and I do mean in DA mode. By consistent, I mean under a wider range of circumstances, and will less practice. I can shoot certain autopistols, such as a 1911 or SIG P229, in single action mode very well, but I must have plenty of recent practice, and must be having a "good day" at the time.

A P229 with the DAK trigger system allows me to do quite well with consistency, but without the advantage of the 4"-6" revolver's balance point more toward muzzle. The DAK trigger mimics a K-frame trigger in stroke length quite well, at least in my hands. I reckon I could hang some weight on a P229R's accessory rail to get the balance more out there where I like it.

FWIW, to get the best results in single action with a sixgun, I need to shoot lefty. I do somewhat better with DA mode right-handed. I am left-handed, and left-eye-dominant, but right-armed and right-legged. (Some of the fingers on my left hand are measurably longer than their counterparts on my right hand, and my left thumb is "double-jointed," so my left hand is definitely more versatile.) I carry my "primary" handgun on my right hip. I shoot Glocks better lefty. 1911s are a mixed bag; they "fit" my right hand better, but on a good day, I can amaze myself how well I shoot one lefty, one handed. Just thought I would toss that trivia in there, in case anyone wants to read anything into it and/or speculate about its effect on the accuracy issue.

 

[Shadowdancer]

My best shooting handgun is an old Colt .22 Target revolver 6". The trigger is perfect and the recoil is nonexistent. For sheer joy of target practice, nothing beats my old revolver.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I've only been shooting handguns for about 1 1\2 yrs. So far I seem to shoot my 2 older Smiths about the same as my autos. I do shoot DA with the revolvers. I also have a Sp 101, the trigger is nowhere near as good as the S&W guns.
My M&P9 pro is the best shooting auto I have and for me I can shoot it better than anything else I own.
I do like a nice wheelgun though. For me, it's all about trigger control.
I also notice everybody at the range shooting revolvers in SA mode. They all tell me they can't shoot in DA. To me, if you can't shoot a revolver in DA, why own one.

 

[harmon rabb]

Lol. You were probably shooting a DAO semi-auto, then shooting a revolver in SA. No **** you shot better. Lol. Go shoot a 1911 with a nice trigger and you'll probably do just as well.

 

[Route666]

I'm with you on the DA revolver Sauer Grapes - obviously it is easier for the bullseye type competition to shoot in single action, but 95% of the time DA never gets used on most peoples' comp guns. It feels like a waste of half of the guns' ability. I prefer the DA pull to the SA on the revolvers I have used. SA seems too close to the grip, DA feels right.

 

[wacki]

A 6" revolver would equate to an auto with a 7.5" barrel,

??? how does a 6" barrel turn into 7.5"??? Is the auto not measured from chamber to crown? Do you add the length of the wheel gun onto the barrel?

 

[Robert Wilson]

It's easy enough to find handguns (both revolvers and semi-autos) that are more accurate than the very best handgunner that ever lived. So I don't put much stock into the "inherently more accurate" debate.

The question is simply one of shootability. Some people do better with semiautos, some with revolvers. I shoot them about equally well (assuming the triggers are equally as good) but had a harder time learning semiautos because of all the banging around and flying brass. I find revolvers less intimidating during and immediately after firing, so they were easier for me to master. I imagine I'm not the only one to experience that - though I may be the only one willing to admit it in public!

 

[tex45]

That was my first "real" gun, too. I am much more accurate with my 6.5" black hawk in .357 than any of my high dollar 1911's. Maybe the longer bbl, maybe the extra 50K of rounds I have shot through it in the last 40 years, maybe all of those early years with toy SAA cap guns...I don't have an answer

 

[MikePGS]

It's probably the fixed barrel. I like revolvers a good deal but I am yet to find one that has an especially comfortable grip. It always feels like I'm holding the gun at a weird angle.

 

[Mr. T]

Revolvers are more accurate at least by my experience. My GP-100 has a 6" barrel and my XD's have 4" barrels. My GP-100 is a double action, but when I shoot it already cocked, the trigger pull is much easier to control. The XD's are striker fired and teh trigger pull is a little more difficult to control...for me they require a greater amount of concentration to achieve accuracy at longer ranges...that's not a problem with my GP-100. I can shoot my revolver out to 50 yards as accurate or more than I can shoot my semi-autos at 25 yards.

 

[wacki]

The military has known for 100 years that in dirty harsh conditions a semi-auto is more likely to keep working than a revolver. I like revolvers a lot, but this is the reality.

????? I don't see how. Revolvers are much simpler. Proof? What fails?