What's the most accuracy you can expect with a pocket .380?

D

db4570

New member
I'm a fairly experienced pistol shooter, and am a pretty decent shot. I keep downsizing my EDC in an effort to carry more regularly, and have currently settled on the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380, which I like for the most part. (Still working on sorting out some hopefully break-in-related failure-to-feeds and light strikes.)

It seems like the groups are huge at 25 yards. I understand 25 yards is long for a carry pistol, but it's the shortest target they have at my club. I'm getting about 10" groups. About half are within about 5", with some random fliers. This is both from a rest and standing. Remington white box.

Interestingly, it seems I do a little better with Winchester white box, but it's still a big group. For some reason the group with the Winchester seems like it spreads vertically, while the Rem is more all over the place. Could be randomness, or my imagination.

I know not to expect too much from this puny gun with it's demanding trigger, but it still seems a bit sloppy. It seems not as accurate as my Ruger LCP which I traded it for, without having had a chance to compare the two in a shoot-off.

What's the best any of you guys can shoot with a tiny .380? (No lying alowed. ;) )

David
 
I don't think I ever shot groups at 25yds w my lcp, but I get about 2-2.5" groups at 10yds. I'd be surprised if they opened to 20". Probably 6-7". This is an older lcp w virtually sights to speak of.
 
I consistently hit a dueling pole at 50' at an indoor range with poor lighting. Lcp is pretty darn accurate.
 
Get them all on a paper plate at seven yards and you should be fine.

If you shoot "self defense" at 25 yards, you had better have a very good lawyer.

These sorts of handguns are made to be ripped out of your holster or pocket and used instantly, up close and personal. They are not target pistols.
 
I think a lot depends on the gun and its sights. I have no troubles at keeping them on the head of a photo silhouette at 25 with my Glock 42 and SIG P230.

I wouldnt even bother with my LCP or Seecamp, not that they probably couldnt make decent hits COM with a little deliberation. From a more realistic 10 yards or so and in, they do fine.
 
If you can get a over 50% of your groups into 5" at 25 yards, that will equate to 2.5 inches at 12 yards or a bit smaller at 10 yards. IMHO, that is not bad for that gun and within most folks' expectations.

Jim
 
I always shoot at 7 yards as that's the max range you can reasonably expect a self defense situation to occur at. I have no problems keeping it inside my 6" circles that I consider good enough. If I actually slow fire and take careful aim I can keep it at half that. Sig P238.
 
I don't even bother shooting at 25 yards with my .380s (LCP/Glock). If I am carrying either its intended strictly as a last ditch defensive measure. I think 10" at 25 yards with the LCP is great. The Glock probably could do a little better with the good sights and larger radius.
 
If you can hit something at 25 yards, you can darn well hit it at 7 yards!
All you guys who practice at 7 yards only are cheating yourself.
 
I get good groups at 12 yds with mine. One inch is no problem but 25 yds is a real stretch and well beyond SD distances for any pocket pistol. Rod
 
What if-a scenario developed where you HAD to shoot at 25 yards?
I still say you are simply cheating yourself by not learning to use your gun to it's, or your, maximum potential. That seems to be the norm today.:(
 
The shortest distance I shoot at the range is 15 yards. I probably shoot at 25 yards more than any other single distance, but I spend a fair amount of time shooting full-size pistols slow-fire at 50 to 100 yards. When I started practicing at these longer ranges, I found that it quickly made shooting consistently tight groups at 15 and 25 yards a bit easier (and easier to do so quickly).

For the tremendous diversity of problems my Kahr P380's has had, I at least can't fault its accuracy (that is, after Kahr replaced the original barrel, which came with a very poorly-cut crown). I've managed ~1.5" five-shot groups at 15 yards plenty of times. It takes more concentration to squeeze that performance out of a pocket pistol than with a full-size pistol, of course, but the mechanical accuracy is there.
 
In todays day and age of the "active shooter" 25 yards may not be enough to protect life.

That's one of the reasons I do the majority of my static shooting in the 17-25yd range. I want to at least know under ideal conditions I have a small hope in hell of hitting, and the Shield doesn't disappoint.

Like the poster above I always try a mag or two at the 100yd gong...always. With the CZ p-09 not that hard, the shields a little more difficult.

Problem being I've never shot my LCP past 10 yards.
 
The benefits of shooting on private lands is your ability to modify your courses to include long range pistol shooting. I regularly shoot gongs at 100 yards with my Sig P238 and P938 (as well as my other pistols) to keep in my mind that the weapon is capable of hitting targets at all reasonable distances if I do my part. Practice defensively up close and then "go for the gold" at distance.
 
Slow fire shooting at long range for self defense may seem macho, but it's not realistic. Great for hunting, though. The majority of real life self defense incidents take place at 10 feet or less. The rest of them take place at 7 yards or less. You can find some unusual examples, but that's the real world measured data, not opinion. You should try more practical things like single hand off hand shooting in case your primary arm is taken out. Slow fire is good to work on discipline and develop proper habits, but you should also work on quick fire and rapid target aquisition. I'll put up half a dozen targets and switch targets between each shot. It's not that I'm practicing to take on a team of guys, but I'm practicing to quickly get a shot on target when things change.
 
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