Gun Size and Shootability

S

Socrates3000

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I read a recent Guns and Ammo article in which the author had a shoot off of various pistols of different type, size, and caliber. The data and the conclusion of the study seems to be that it is not the size of gun: sub-compact, mid, or full size that matters in a pistol. It is the type: i.e. Glocks and 1911s shot well in the study while others did not. The 40s and .45s also shot about as well as the 9s The big question that I have after reading the article is do we really need more than one pistol as long as it is of a type that we shoot well?
 
There's no denying that some small guns are easier to shoot well than others. However, all else being equal, a standard-sized/full-sized handgun will be easier to shoot than a compact/subcompact pistol for the following reasons:

1. Recoil will be less from the larger, heavier pistol which will speed accurate follow-up shots.
2. A full-sized handgun provides more gripping area. It's easier to get more of you in contact with the handgun and that means more control.
3. A full-sized handgun has a longer sight radius which helps to minimize sighting errors.
4. A full-sized handgun often allows better internal leverage (due to its larger size) for better/easier trigger pulls.

There are things you can do to minimize the negative effects of shrinking a design, but you can't get away from them entirely.

That said, given the wide variety of handguns and shooters out there, it is entirely conceivable that a person could find a compact handgun that fits his grip/shooting style very well with the result that he shoots it better than most full-sized handguns he tries.

As to your final question, it's certainly possible for a person who is primarily interested in a handgun as a practical tool for self-defense to settle on a specific model of pistol and make it fulfill all his needs in that respect. It goes without saying that it won't be ideal for everything he might use it for but assuming he's reasonable in how he balances the compromises/features when he makes his choice then it should be very functional.
 
I would have to diasagree. Size of the pistol does matter. Ultra compacts have minimal sights and a short sight radius. Nobody can shoot one as well as they can shoot a full size pistol with a much longer sight radius and real, honest sight.
 
The big question that I have after reading the article is do we really need more than one pistol as long as it is of a type that we shoot well?
Click to expand...

Of course it makes sense to have more than one pistol. For instance, many folks will change what they carry based on the season. Smaller, lighter guns are more concealable in summer, and may be smaller in caliber, which is fine because would be attackers aren't gonna be wearing too many layers. In winter, people are able to conceal and carry bigger guns.
 
Practice with what you have. You will become proficient if you do it right. It's great to have more than one firearm, but you should become proficient with what you have to shoot. I have never found that I could not shoot smaller, lighter firearms if I practiced.

I think a lot of those gun magazine articles are just for entertainment. I have never taken them too seriously.
 
I think fit is the magic word. I have shot numerous handguns and there is one style and size pistol that I can shoot better than any other. I think if everyone could shoot various pistols you will find that there is one style and size that fits you better, and therefore you can shoot it better. Some just seem to point and hit the target easier than others.
 
It's fit that matters. I shoot a full size 1911 very well. My Ruger LCP? Not nearly as well. The first thing that comes to mind is that I have very large hands and get a much better grip on the 1911 than on the LCP. Additionally, the 1911 has better sights and a longer sight radius.

Also, depending on what you did with your guns, you may or may not need another pistol. I hunt, I conceal carry and a I target shoot. I have pistols that fit niches in each area. The 1911 is a target and CCW gun and the LCP is my summer gun that goes places the 1911 won't.
 
Sounds like the author of the Guns and Ammo article was checking to see if anyone was paying attention. The contention that gun size doesn't affect shootability is ridiculous. And why single out Glocks and 1911's for praise. Gun magazines are after all, nothing more than vehicles for advertising. I wonder what the writers do to help them cope with the personal embarrassment.

To answer your question, yes more than one pistol is a good idea. What you carry or take to the range depends on your mood and sometimes on how you are dressed.
 
While I haven't read the article...

I don't need to in order to tell you that any "study" such as that is only truly valid for the shooters involved. People vary considerably, and even the generalization that full size handguns are easier to shoot does not apply equally to everyone.

For example, a 90lb shooter with small hands, while they might be able to manage a full size (duty size) gun, they might find a more compact gun much easier to shoot. And the other side of the coin, an individual who wears a size 11 glove might find a duty size gun on the small side, and a compact nearly unusable.

The only thing "proven" is how well the people shooting did with the guns they used. How that applies to you and I is simply as anecdotal info.

And, to further complicate matters, some people can shoot a certain size of gun reasonably well, but a particular brand/model better or worse. I have a friend who can shoot a Colt snubnose quite well, but hand him a S&W J frame, and not matter what, his groups double in size. And it ain't the gun, its how it fits him. A shame too, as he loves J fames!
 
I also didn't read the article and have a question

What the heck does "shootability" mean? Seriously. Is it accuracy? Comfort? Speed?

Accuracy - Try putting a full cylinder on letter size paper @ 25 yards with a 2.25 sp101. Then try it with a 4" Redhawk. Worlds of difference regarding the challenge of it.

Comfort - My wife can't shoot my sp101 due to the recoil. It is too uncomfortable. She happily shoots her 2.5" 686, with the same load, well.

Speed - I tell ya, I can put a full cylinder of 22 lr on target a lot faster then I can put hot 44 mags on target.
 
Shootability is the combination of all the factors that let a person make quick, accurate hits with a pistol.

Raw accuracy potential may or may not be part of the shootability equation. Sometimes other factors (such as poor grip fit, bad sights and trigger) can overcome the raw accuracy and result in poor practical results on target, particularly when time is an issue. Similarly, good ergonomics can turn a relatively inaccurate pistol into a very shootable weapon as long as the range is not stretched too much.
 
If you use the carry gun for Home defense, and also manage to CCW it, then yes you only need one gun.
 
size does matter. shoot the biggest caliber that you can effectively control and feel comfortable carrying whatever that may be
 
All questions I once had in my mind about shootability, stopping power, etc., were settled once I had a few hundred rounds through a 1911.

A gun that I am accurate with, that is enjoyable to practice with (there, those first two pretty much cover "shootability" in my mind), that has a legendary century-long combat record, that is purchased in many variations by collectors, that shoots a round that is virtually never questioned as to its stopping power and against which other calibers are compared in this context, that has easy-to-get replacement parts, that is used extensively in shooting competitions, that is missed sorely after it ceased being issued to military personnel, that can be concealed well despite its five-inch barrel, that has entire books and forums and clubs devoted to it...is a gun that essentially ends a search for answers to the burning questions.
 
The article I referenced in my initial post is called ", Big Gun Vs. Little Gun"
and is in the Guns and Ammo 2010 Handgun Anual.
 
Despite my little or no experience compared to some friends around here, I should say that I agree with what 44AMP said...

It is how well that specific person shoots with that specific gun...

Some may believe some may not but I definitely shoot almost the same with my HS/XD 4" 9mm and my Kevin/Micro Eagle.
Yet of course I should say that I almost always practice between 5 to 15 yards...

For most people the trigger is awful in Micro Eagle. I shot a few handguns and I agree with that. (It is not a "miss trigger" gun...:D) And even with that, I do okey...
And I should mention that I am no small size either, regarding the issue of "small hands"...
Nope... I am about 82 kg. 186 cm.

Again, I agree it is "mostly" how well the gun suits you. Not its size...


All the best
 
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If the contention of the article is that you shoot best what fits best, then I tend to agree.
The note that chambering "isn't" an important consideration is probably true of full sized guns for average shooters. If we consider compact and sub-compacts and smaller/weaker shooters, then the size of the round becomes very important. A 20oz or lighter handgun that's nice to shoot in .38 could be unshootable in .357 or larger.
 
I agree completely...
However I don't think any manufacturer will introduce a handgun that they assume to be popular, lets say with the size of a Micro eagle or an LCP in those calibers...
It would be a bad decision, don't you think...:)

All the best
 
I fall into - it depends on what fits your hand - group.

Do we need more than one gun - for defense - probably not. 90% of the time I carry a 5" 1911 in .45 acp regardless of how many guns I have.

As collectors / or just fans of various other styles of guns - should we buy and learn to shoot them - sure ( 1911's, DA/SA semi-autos, revolvers, etc ).. but I'm primarily a 1911 guy in semi-autos / and a S&W guy in revolvers....
 
Size and ergonomics both matter. I carry a Ruger New Vaquero in 357Mag, gun weighs 42oz, ergonomics are cloned off the Colt SAA and are excellent. I carry the hottest, nastiest 357 ammo I can score in it, right now six rounds of Doubletap's 125gr full house with Gold Dot projectiles. This is up near 800ft/lbs energy, same ballpark or a bit above most 10mm fodder.

It's controllable one-handed.

Barely.

:)
 
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