which handguns are among the easiest to shoot well?

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idek

New member
I haven't done a lot of handgun shooting. I own a Browning Buckmark, owned a Walther P22 before that, and have shot a Ruger Mk III a few times, but my centerfire experience is limited to a few shots from Springfield XD in .40s&w and a .44 magnum Ruger blackhawk.

I've considered buying a centerfire handgun, but I've probably been spoiled by accuracy and easy shooting of .22s.

So getting to my question, what are some centerfire handguns that tend to be easier to shoot well? By that, I mean which ones have good triggers, good sights (adjustable), and manageable recoil? I realize their are other factors to consider, but I'd like to start with ideas of what I might be able to shoot well and go from there.

I'm thinking of something in 9mm or .357/.38sp (I probably wouldn't shoot many .357 cartridges) with a barrel about 4". Aside from recreation, the gun could be used for HD and possibly as a trail/camp gun. It would NOT be a CCW. Also, I'm thinking guns around $600 or less.
 
Revolver wise, a good K frame (Mid size frame i.e., M15, M19, M65, etc.) is a good choice. Lots of grip options out there for it and one surely can find a grip for his hand and style of shooting. Its size and weight are about spot on for a belt gun, yet it is large enough for some serious target shooting in the 38 Special and in the 38+P or 357 versions powerful enough for social work or even a bit of hunting. Many of the models (M15, M19, M14/K38, etc.) come with the good S&W adjustable rear sight and that would also help you in your quest for accuracy.

Pistol wise, it's hard to beat the classic 1911 45 auto. In 9mm it would be even easier to shoot due to the reduced recoil. Various styles of safety, grip safety and sights all allow one to set it up for his style and taste.

I also really like the Browing High Power pistol and often select mine for a day in the woods or desert due to its accuracy and ease of use.
 
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9mm shoots easy enough, and more importantly has the cheapest ammo.

I would suggest a Browning HP if that were not definitely over your budget if new, and fairly hard to find under your budget used.

So instead I will suggest a CZ-75 or a Beretta 92FS, both of which can be had new for under $600.
 
Pistol

Nothing is as easy to shoot accurately as a 1911 pistol. Mostly because of the triggers are superior (usually) to other designs (usually). The ergos are also superior to many plastic pistols. However other aspects are dated on the 1911 ie capacity, ease of cleaning, maintenance/lubing ie most like to "run wet". I prefer to shoot 1911's (if shooting iron sights) at the range and really like them. I carry a plastic pistol most of the time though. If you really really really wish to "shoot well" meaning accurately. Nothing (at least anything I've owned or seen) will out shoot a FN Tactical or FN Competition pistol with a Trijicon RMR red dot sight installed. Find some way to try one and you'll see what I mean. In 5 minuets you will PROBABLY out shoot others with 5 years of practice. Yes, it's that good. Just my opinion based on owning a truck load of pistols. And as always "your mileage may vary".
 
"I'm thinking of something in 9mm or .357/.38sp (I probably wouldn't shoot many .357 cartridges) with a barrel about 4". Aside from recreation, the gun could be used for HD and possibly as a trail/camp gun. It would NOT be a CCW. Also, I'm thinking guns around $600 or less."

Glock 19 or 17


The 19 for me, my pistols are bought with potential CCW in mind.













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I'm thinking of something in 9mm or .357/.38sp (I probably wouldn't shoot many .357 cartridges) with a barrel about 4".
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I think you've answered your question. I would vote for a S&W K frame 38 special, with a 4" barrel.
 
Personally I own about 15 handguns and the one that shoots the best for me is my Beretta 92FS. With practice I've gotten more accurate with some of my other pistols but right from the beginning the Beretta just shot wonderfully for me.
 
I think a 4" service size .357mag revolver is never a bad choice, but many find DA revolvers aren't the easiest platform to shoot well if you're going to use the double action trigger. They can be shot well, and many do, but they seem to take more practice than other platforms. IMHO, it's worth the investment, though. Some mentioned S&W k-frames, but their L-frames (586/686) would also be worth considering. Ruger made/makes good revolvers as well. And, of course, Colt, made some really terrific revos.

A Glock 17 (or 34) is another good recommendation. Effective SD round, low recoil, simple manual of arms, reasonably accurate, dead nuts reliable, affordable, and lots of after market parts available.
 
I find the full size 1911 platform easy to shoot accurately, especially if you get one in 9mm. In revolvers, I would pick a Ruger single action for ease of accuracy.
 
I always thought it was extremely easy to shoot 38 spl through the S&W 586 4"

I could shoot it very accurately. I guess the 686 would be the same thing.
 
So getting to my question, what are some centerfire handguns that tend to be easier to shoot well? By that, I mean which ones have good triggers, good sights (adjustable), and manageable recoil? I realize their are other factors to consider, but I'd like to start with ideas of what I might be able to shoot well and go from there.
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In my experience, S&W Model 19, and Springfield XD Service, are easy to shoot well. The first, because of the excellent trigger, the second because it fits my hand well.

Your Mileage May Vary.
 
Ruger MK series

Mine- 22/45..can get every round within a 6 inch circle at 25 yards with plain iron sites/ free stance.
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I'd go with a Ruger single action revolver in .357mag.

Simple, easy and with the poor man's trigger job it has a very light and crisp trigger pull.
 
The Buckmark grip frame and single action trigger should be very similar to a 1911-style pistol, so if you like the feel of the Browning, then a 9mm 1911 would be a good choice.
I had a Springfield 9mm "loaded model" in my possession for a short time, and was very impressed with the quality of fit and finish. It's available with adjustable sights, and, of course, the customization possibilities are almost endless.
 
I also would suggest a good sized 9mm, like a Glock 19 or 17, whichever fits you best. They are accurate, extremely reliable, easy to field strip and maintain, don't have a lot of recoil and 9mm ammo isn't too expensive. One thing that's going to make you a good shot is practice, and the cheaper the ammo the more practice you get. I'm still rather new to the gun world so take what I say as you will. The first pistol I shot was my friends Glock 19 and I liked it.
 
9mm is a good choice ....lighter recoil, faster followup shots, cheaper ammo...

.38spl / .357 mag is a good choice in a good revolver...and overall, I think a medium sized gun ( like a K frame S&W revolver ...in a 4" or 6" is a good choice )...mod 19's, 66's, etc..

Picking any gun, is about what fits your hands the best...not my hands...but a 1911 platform in a 9mm is a very good choice ( single stack, slim profile, etc ) ....and another gun in the less expensive category over most 1911's is a Sig 239 ( single stack ) ....or maybe a springfield XD or the newer XDM platform. To find what suits you the best ....you need to shoot some guns...
 
I recently bought a Beretta PX4 in 9mm and have found it really easy to shoot accurately, though I shoot better slow-fire with my Python. If I needed to throw a lot of lead in a hurry and be on target, the Beretta would be my choice (among the pistols I have). If I have one shot to make at a distance, the Python gets the nod. But, I recently shot the brother in law's 40 caliber Glock and it was amazingly accurate. I shot it better than I shoot my Beretta. Maybe it was just one of those 'good' days, but the Glock was so easy to shoot.
 
Lotsa great guns out there,,,

But as a class,,,
I have found K-frame S&W revolvers to be an every-persons gun.

I take a lot of people shooting,,,
I usually start them with a Model 18 K-frame in .22 LR,,,
Later on I will step them up to a Model 15 K-frame in .38 Special.

For the most part,,,
They all do well with these guns.

I'm a firm believer that a guns fit to a persons hand,,,
Is the most important factor in accuracy.

K-frame revolvers seem to fit a lot of hands.

Models: 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 are all K-frames in .22, .38, or .357 Magnum.

There are a few more models but in different calibers I'm not familiar with.

Just my 2-cents worth

Aarond

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completely agree with hansam. a single action ruger .357/.38 incredible trigger. also the cz 75 line has great accuracy and a fair trigger. either would be my recamendation. all other options suggested are good, polymer guns are light with high magazine capacity which are great for carry and sd.
 
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