[natural marksman]

Hey all.

I'm eventually getting into target shooting (and one day clay target shooting), and I was thinking about what gun I'd want but can't decide...but I have a lot of time to think about it.

I was thinking a handgun with good accuracy, good ergonomics and low recoil would be a nice choice for target shooting, but I've not tried many handguns and I only know what I've heard about other guns.

What's the most accurate handgun you've ever fired or what other guns would you recommend for target/clay shooting?

[kirkcdl]

My Tanfoglio Witness Elite Match,by far...

[Riss]

MY CZ-75 SA. Got new trigger and hammer in. Dialed in the trigger, went to range to test the sights. At 25 yards put the first bullet inside the A in the middle of an IPSC target. Almost put the gun away after that. No need to see if the sights were on. Gun is 10X more accurate than I am.

[CYANIDEGENOCIDE]

ruger 22/45 with a red dot. Its like cheating.

[Deer Hunter]

S&w 625.

[mrt949]

CONTENDER remington xp 100. rpm merrill.freedom arms.sig 210 too name a few:D

[Pulse]

IPSC or actualy ISSF and CISM targetshooting?

no IPSC gun will stand up to ISSF/CISM match grad accuracy guns and with those matchgun you wont be very good at IPSC.

IPSC:
Tanfoglio
CZ
SIG X5 (check reg if approved)
Sphinx

heck, for starters you can use any service grade handgun.

ISSF/CISM Pistol
Hämmerli
Morini
Walther
some say also Pardini, but i cant shoot worth a damn with them.. dont know why.

if you want to get in to ISSF and CISM target shooting, you might also want to look at Rifles.
on thise cases there are many manufacturers, but only two realy dominate the market:

Tanner and Bleiker rifles, they hold about 80% of the overall market for highgrad match target rifles.

*edit*
how could i forget Sphinix!

[MCgunner]

Hands down, Thompson Center Contender. True handgun with MOA accuracy. I've never picked up anything else close. XP100s don't really interest me. They need a butt stock on 'em and they'll be carbines. To me, a handgun needs a holster for carry. Everyone's different, though. Some don't consider the Contender a handgun, some love the XP. The Contender does it for me, though, as a hunting system. I don't own another handgun that I can shoot at 200 yards and make the rifle guys cry. :D It was THE tool for production class when I was shooting IHMSA.

[DougW]

My Browning High Power Practical. The most accurate for target shooting for me, as long as I do my part.

[jfh]

S&W 52, or a S&W 41

[mrt949]

When i was shooting ihmsa a old timer said buy freedom arms in 44mag or 357 mag .it will be the only gun you will ever need. man iwish i had listned back then .1985 .could have saved a lot of money :banghead:

[MCgunner]

When i was shooting ihmsa a old timer said buy freedom arms in 44mag or 357 mag .it will be the only gun you will ever need. man iwish i had listned back then .1985 .could have saved a lot of money

I don't shoot IHMSA anymore, but I do want a FA in .454 Casull in the future when I can afford it, just to own one. I might not ever actually hunt with it, but I just WANT one. :D I wouldn't want to scope it, though, for hunting and I'd prefer around a 5" or so barrel for carry.

When I got into IHMSA for a little while, I had a 7mmTCU barrel for my contender and dies and an IHMSA sight on it. I still have that rig, but IHMSA was sorta boring to me, challenging, but I just can't see driving 200 miles to plink at steel targets. LOL!

[threefeathers]

A 1950's Colt Gold Cup used by Captain Dave Cartes to win the Pan American Championship.

[buck460XVR]

@ a hundred yards, my X-Frame .460.

[twoclones]

handgun with good accuracy, good ergonomics and low recoil

S&W model 617 with 6" barrel for indoor range distances and open sights.

[brif]

My s&w mod 41.

[Mini30]

In each major food group:

semiauto rimfire: AMT 8" Lightning
semiauto cntrfire: S&W 639
Singleshot: T/C Contender in 44M

My Springfield Armory Single Shot adapter in 444 Marlin was pretty accurate, too.

[mrt949]

Do too carpletunel surgery i put the big bore stuff away and shoot 22.lr with my 617 8 3/8 s@w or my ruger goverment mk 11. it still goes bang and clang .but they must have deffective animals they move when i shoot. ;)

[Geno]

Still World Record-holder at 500 yards is:

Thompson-Center Contender

Employing iron sights, the shootist grouped 3.5" by .75"...at 500 yards.

[SaxonPig]

Might be this one. Best trigger ever and very tight groups.

http://www.fototime.com/605A87B5DBF0237/standard.jpg

But my 6" Python is no slouch, either. That's with full power magnum ammo, too.

http://www.fototime.com/AB7CECF844113D3/standard.jpg

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

My Ruger Mark II Target Pistol with Volquartsen sear & hammer, Clark adjustible trigger and Eley Pistol loads (blue label).

[leadcounsel]

I tend to think either my Glock 35 .40 caliber or my CZ 75 9mm.

[searcher451]

Not too long ago, I would have said that my Walther P88C was the most accurate handgun I own, by far (next in line: the Walther P5). But then I picked up a Colt Challenger and have been absolutely knocked out at how accurate the thing is ... and how much fun it is to shoot. It dates from 1953 and is, as they say, the real deal. Thank god you can still find .22lr ammo to shoot.

[woad_yurt]

If we include all types of handguns, I'll say that my ol' Ruger Single Six Magnum Model is spooky accurate. If we go to centerfires, I have to say it's a .38 SPL Model 14-4 S&W. Both of them have very long barrels and are spectacular tack drivers.

I have probably shot others that are more accurate but they weren't mine so I didn't have the benefit of lots of practice spent with them, you know? There was a guy at the range who let me shoot a hugely tweaked, modified and scoped Ruger MK II that is a definite contender, though.

EDIT: I forgot one that's surprisingly accurate, an original Whitney Wolverine. That weird looking thing is right on the money. Everyone shoots just great with it. I have to shoot it from a rest someday just to really see....

[MCgunner]

Still World Record-holder at 500 yards is:

Thompson-Center Contender

Employing iron sights, the shootist grouped 3.5" by .75"...at 500 yards.

Wow, that's some pretty danged good shootin' right there! I can normally lump 5 shots into a 3" circle with the 7mm TCU barrel, 10" barrel with iron sights, off a sand bag rest. I really have to concentrate, though, and the wind has to be calm. My eyes seem to be getting worse, though, and I rely on a scoped .30-30 to hunt with. Makes that sort of shooting a lot easier for me.

My hat's off to whom ever fired that group. Wow.

[FreuderLocks]

I like the Springfield Armory XD-M 9mm, Its reasonably affordable too.
-FL

[Geno]

MCgunner:

At first, I didn't believe it, so I called TC and asked if it were true, and they confirmed it. The information used to be posted at the company's splashpage. I couldn't shoot that well even with the best scope. :)

I no longer recall which caliber was used.

Doc2005

[Pulse]

we still dont know if he wants to do ISPC or ISSF/CISM style target shooting.
or heck even olympic air rifle/pistol.

[parisite]

My S&W model 52 and one of my High Standard Supermatic Citations.

[twoclones]

I'm not sure all of these recommendations have taken the OPs Low Recoil request into consideration.

[S&W-Keeper]

6" Colt Python.I can't, but I have had friends that can shoot my Python six times at 25 yards from a sandbag and cover it up with a quarter.

[Prepster]

The most accurate handgun I've ever fired was my buddy's S+W 29 Classic. I'm sure if I picked up a Contender that wouldn't be the case anymore. I've only seen one being fired, I haven't touched one myself.

[22lr]

S&W 5906, sorry I have never fired a pistol over 6 inch's and that gun (a cheapo 22) was horridly inaccurate. I find myself getting some nice groups with the 5906.

[PzGren]

MR 73 in .32 S&W long.

[Jubjub]

I used to have an 8 3/8" Model 17, before someone broke in to my apartment and took it. Two handed over sandbags at 25 yards, it consistently shot six shot groups under an inch. My best was just over a half inch, with some old Winchester Mark III pistol match ammo.

Of course, my eyesight was much better back then. Handguns, at least the ones with iron sights, just don't seem to be as accurate as they once were. ;)

[michiganfan]

Browning Hi Power just ekes out my Sig 226

[Rembrandt]

Smith & Wesson model 41

[Duke of Doubt]

Remington-Rand 1911A1 with National Match barrel, high aspect sights and Hogue monogrip. The accuracy I get with that thing exceeds even my Smith and Colt revolvers, which are pretty darned good themselves. I tend to keep "shooters" even if they aren't the fanciest or most valuable pieces, and that Remington-Rand will leave my collection only when I'm in the ground. I can break sticks offhand with the thing; nobody believes it even when they see it. Everyone who's ever shot it with me shot better than they ever have in their life.

[possum]

suprisingly the ruger p345.

[Furncliff]

Hi Standard Supermatic. Mine was made in CT. in the late 50's and was passed to me by my dad. The interesting thing is, this is the pistol I start non-shooters on and they all do very well with it.

[BCRider]

For .22 I got to shoot the range owner's High Standard fancy older target shooting pistol. Don't recall the actual model but it was set up with the fancy full monty grips that support the thumb and heel of the hand. Had some barrel weights that you can adjust as well.

For center fire there's no doubt about it. Any of the .38 Spl S&W revolvers get's my vote. I've shot .38Spl through a Model 10, a model 19 and just the other night through a 586 with a 686 barrel kludge that had a trigger job done to it. I typically can easily shoot a group that is 1/2 to 2/3 the size of my very best semi groups.

And .38Spl has a satisfying medium push sort of recoil that lets you know you're shooting a "real" gun compared to a .22 but is in no way intimadating. I really suggest you try one or two before deciding to plunk down your money on whatever.

PS; Almost forgot. Try a .38Spl with some target wadcutters. They offer reduced recoil even over the regular .38Spl.

[MCgunner]

The most accurate handgun I've ever fired was my buddy's S+W 29 Classic. I'm sure if I picked up a Contender that wouldn't be the case anymore. I've only seen one being fired, I haven't touched one myself.

Ya know, I didn't think I liked Contenders for a long time, but I sorta got a hankerin' for one, drove to Houston one day and found a used one with an old octagon .45 Colt/.410 barrel for about $250 at a well known gun shop on west Fondren. I played with that, but later got a .30-30 barrel and scoped it, then a .22 barrel and scoped it, then the 7mm TCU. I tell ya, I've converted completely to a TC lover. It's the rifle accuracy of the things and I'm a handgun hunter, so it's a one shot, one kill attitude. I did take two deer a few years back with it, though. Fired and hit the buck, grabbed a cartridge off my wrist carrier and reloaded, and took the doe when she was trying to figure out what happened. LOL This was at 90 yards shooting from a tripod stand with a gun rest on it. I'd get an Encore, but I really don't need more than the .30-30. It's still packin' 1000 ft lbs at 200 yards and dead on with a 150 Nosler Ballistic Tip. It's sighted for 200 yards and is only 3" high at 100, flatter shooting than any magnum handgun caliber I know of.

I was at an informal club shoot once and they were shooting .22s and I didn't have anything to shoot. Friend sho shoots bullseye a lot loaned me his M41. They allowed me a few practice shots to get used to it. My God, first shot went off soon as I got my finger on the trigger. LOL. He had that thing set down in the ounces which I'm not used to. I got the hang of it and finished second to him in the shoot. LOL. That iis a lot more accurate gun that I am accurate, I can tell ya that, but then I own a few guns that are more accurate than I am. :rolleyes: I've also shot his M52, another awesome accurate bullseye gun. But, neither of those guns can group 3" all day long at 200 yards. My contender can. :D With a little more scope power and a cross hair rather than the 4 mil taper dot reticule, I think I could get a 2" group out of it at 200, but, who's gripin'? LOL It's plenty good enough for deer hunting.

As service guns go, my Ruger P90 is pretty accurate. My Taurus M66 will put 6 shots into an inch at 25, too, as will my Blackhawk in .357 and my .45 colt blackhawk. They are slightly more accurate than my Smith M10 OR my M19. The Blackhawk is a 4MOA gun at 100 yards with magnums. These handguns are right out of the box, nothing special. I haven't owned too many autos, though, and the P90 surprised me with its accuracy for a bone stock affordable pistol. It's more accurate than it needs to be. My Mk2 will shoot 1" with about any cheap ammo at 50 yards, but I cheat and have a scope on it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=49836&d=1167014958

[Japle]

I had a custom XP-100 in 7mm IHMSA that would stay on a soda can at 200 meters - 5 shots in 3". That's back in the days when we were restricted to iron sights.

A TC Contender in 7 TC-U and my Wichita 7R were both about that accurate. Hitting 50 meter chickens at 200 meters was no problem.

If you're talking about regular everyday guns, my custom Argentine HP is super accurate. This group was shot two-hand standing at 25 yds. 1" - 1 1/2" groups are common with this gun.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/Japle/Guns/BHPwTarget.jpg

[Geno]

MCgunner:

I liked my Contender package. That 10", .22LR MATCH chambered-barrel was so tight I had to wipe the bore about every 10 rounds or I couldn't close the thing.

I also had the .30-30 barrel with a TC muzzle break. The only handgun I fired that was more exciting was the Encore in .260 Rem, 7mm-08 Rem, .270 Win, .45-70 Gov't, 444 Marlin etc. The TC scope made hitting targets to 200 yards pretty durned easy.

Those original Contenders (not the G2 like my daughter has now) are awesome. My Contender had the single best trigger of any firearm I ever have fired. :cool: I actually learned of the Contenders following my cervical fusing. Great memories.

Doc2005

[natural marksman]

Someone said before:

"we still dont know if he wants to do ISPC or ISSF/CISM style target shooting.
or heck even olympic air rifle/pistol"

It's gonna take a long time for me to get into shooting. This is because I'm having a little trouble getting the money to pay for all types of club memberships and stuff, and licensing.

I live in Australia. The gun laws here suck. There's a truck-load of paperwork I need to go through before I can get a license to shoot. And it costs money, and all adds up.

I'm still drowning in paperwork at the moment, so I don't know much about the kinds of shooting you can do, but what is ISPC and ISSF/CISM? It may all be different over here to what you guys have over there...

And another thing - a lot of guns that are legal in America are not legal here.

Basically any pistol with a barrel shorter than 120mm (4.72") or revolver with a barrel shorter than 100mm (roughly 4") is not legal. Any caliber bigger than 9mm is not allowed, so I couldn't legally own some of the guns mentioned in this thread (but thanks for the input anyways guys :)). Also, the magazine capacity has to not exceed 10 rounds.

Semi-automatic long-guns like rifles and shotguns are restricted to clay-target shooting competitions only, at least, as far as I know. And apparently, from what I've been told here, clay shooting is the only shooting discipline we do in the olympics. I'm planning to get into that kind of shooting, but for now I'll stick with the handguns.

[Mike OTDP]

From the original post, I would suggest the Olympic-style disciplines. The International Shooting Sports Federation runs them. Pulse had a good list of guns, but I would head over to the Target Talk forum (www.targettalk.com) for more information.

A fair number of Australian shooters post there, so you should be able to get good advice.

[Pulse]

Natural marksmen, i just checked, Australia is not a CISM member, along with Great Britain and Japan, you are the only first world countrys to not be in CISM, very odd.
especialy considering that it is the International Military Sports Council and your country is rather active with its military.

anyways, your country is however member in both, ISSF and IPSC

here a the link to the homepage:
http://www.issf-shooting.org/

i personaly find that page horrible and they realy should put more info on there homepage, wiki helps out here, they have a good section about ISSF:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Shooting_Sport_Federation
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSF_shooting_events

here the Link to some reading material about IPSC
http://www.ipsc.org/
and
http://www.ipsc.org.au/

as Mike said, head over to targettalk.com and maybe open a topic in general and ask the AUS members a few questions about the law and such.

good luck and 'gut schuss'.

[MCgunner]

The cheapest competition far as hardware that I've found is IDPA, but I don't know if it's done in Australia. www.idpa.com It's a lot more fun that IHMSA was. :D It is done with normal defensive pistols, does not require target grade accuracy.

[fishingjld]

if we are including rimfire then i shot my father in laws .22 ruger mkiii. 3 pnd trigger stainless. that thing has accuracy for days.

[Rodentman]

I am far from an experienced shooter, but I was impressed by what I could do with a Sig P229. My 1976 Smith 28-2 aint bad either. I have nothing tweaked or modded.

[Poor East Texan]

Ruger 22/45 hands down.

I've never shot a REALLY accurate centerfire, but 1911A (built 1913 and rearsenaled at some point) will do maybe 2" at 15yd.

[Devilfrog]

Revolver: Colt King Cobra .357 Mag
Semi-Auto: Springfield XDM-9

[chieftain]

My most accurate handgun was a revolver. A Used Smith and Wesson model 14 6" barrel in 38spl of course, (I never saw one with another length barrel) already worked and set up for bullseye/2700 and I used it for police PPC. I picked it up in IIRC 1971.

No recoil, shooting Wad cutters. Most beautiful trigger ever on any handgun. Even thought the Single actions was to die for, I don't think I ever shot it single action in competition, always double action. You know the way revolvers were meant to be shot.

Years later when I transitioned to bottom feeder Jammamatics and action shooting, I went with the SIG 226.

I don't think I ever missed a double action shot, if I was going to miss it would be on the followup single action.

Anyway the reason I went to action shooting was because of arthritis in my elbows, I couldn't handle the weight of the gun upon presentation. The wad cutters had no recoil. I had sold my model 14 in a rage about the inability to use it effectively Bullseye shooting anymore. Sure wish I had not done that.

about 9 years ago the arthritis got to my trigger finger. I went back to the first weapon I ever carried for business, the 1911 in 45acp, also with the shortest trigger travel of any commonly found weapon available.

I am still shooting action, Steel Challange, IDPA, some Single stack, Bowling pins etc....

My health continues to be a problem, but the ole' 1911 keeps going bang, everytime.

Go figure.

Fred

[357sigRog]

Colt Detective 38 Special

[sniper5]

I'll go for the XP100. Bought one of the first that came out in .221 fireball. Put a 4x scope on it. Used to win a lot of money with it. Nobody had ever seen one before. Them: "Have you checked out my .270? Nothin's better!" Me: "Oh, I don't know. I'll bet my pistol will outshoot it." Them: "Bulls**t!! Me: "Hey, wanna put some money on it?"

[viperstarbuck]

Though I'm sure there is better, I experiences very good groups with both the Glock 35 with aftermarket porting and a Smith and Wesson Model 460 XVR Compensated Hunter. Neither was mine, but i got to shoot the latter at a range and the former was a lender from a friend. The S&W was like shooting a rifle.

[bannockburn]

Most accurate centerfire handgun:
Colt Gold Cup
Colt Custom Gun Shop Combat Commander

Most accurate rimfire handgun:
Ruger Mk. II 5 1/2" Bull Barrel

[Clarence]

S&w m-41

[Hawk]

High Standard Supermatic Citation.

Wish I had it back. :o

[JLb_MT]

For me my most accurate handgun is my 460XVR. If I do my part it is more accurate than a lot of rifles at 100yds,

[DJW]

They are all accurate IF I DO MY PART.

[win71]

With a 7 1/2 barrel. It is the easiest handgun to shoot accurately I've ever owned. The first one I had was a hand-me-down, in 1958.

[MikePGS]

Another +1 for the Gold Cup. I only shot 1, maybe 2 mags out of the thing but it was incredible.

[punkndisorderly]

My Ruger MkII and III have been the most accurate I've owned by far.

As far as centerfires, a buddy's Springfield 1911 TRP gets the nod. I was skeptical about the extra price over the "Loaded" 1911's I've owned. My group was smaller than I've ever managed with any other handgun.

[Mike OTDP]

FWIW, probably the most accurate gun I've ever fired is my Morini CM84E free pistol. It was shipped with a test target...20 rounds at 50 meters.

The group is less than an inch in diameter.

[Just One Shot]

Most modern handguns are very "consistant". Accuracy is in the ability of the one firing the gun not so much the gun itself. :neener:

[zx12rider]

My sig trailside..

[The Lone Haranguer]

With its fine sight picture, crisp trigger and six-inch barrel giving it a long sight radius, I did my personal best with a Colt Python. This was a six-shot group of about 4 inches at about 50 yards, hand held in a kneeling position.

[Pilot]

My Benelli MP95E .22LR bullseye pistol is the most accurate I have ever shot. Second would be my Ruger MK II with the Volquartsen accurizing kit.

[ohiobowhunter78]

Kimber SS Custom 1911. I shoot it the best.

[gglass]

Without a doubt, my best shooting was done with the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro Series. This firearm shoots POA/POI better than competition handguns costing upwards of 3 times more. If you ever have a chance to shoot one, don't pass it up. You would be missing quite an experience.

Just look at how the famous Massad Ayoob shot his best scores ever the first time out with an M&P 9 Pro Series:

http://www.gunsmagazine.com/Features/0908/Ftr0908.html

[Bill B.]

Colt Python 6"

[f4t9r]

1911 in 38 super

[makarovnik]

Hi-Point .45acp. Yup it's true. My Ruger 22/45 is also very accurate for a handgun.

[kwhi43@kc.rr.com]

Do Black Powder muzzleloading pistols count here? This was shot at 25 yds.
one handed in competion. 10 shots.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o127/prizzel/Untitled33.jpg

[colemanw]

My first post on THR- WooHoo! ::D

1911 230 grain hard ball / 16-18lb recoil spring! (If handled properly!!!)

[hemiram]

My Dan Wesson Model 15-2 with a friend's 15" barrel on it was amazing. If I took my time, I could put a shot anywhere I wanted to, within about an inch at 100 ft.

[NMEddie]

My Sig P226 in .357 sig.... I love this gun and have had this love affair with my Sig for 7 years! Ok, TMI :neener:

[theotherwaldo]

Ruger Super Blackhawk with de-tuned handloads, then Mark I Target, then '58 Remington. In that order.

[amprecon]

My Glock 21

[meatmachineman]

Remington Xp-100 221 fireball

[GTS Dean]

Savage 510 bolt pistol in .223 with 2.5x scope. 3 shot groups under 1 inch at 100 yards with 40gr V-max.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Taurus Raging Bull 8.375" in .44 mag. or Dan Wesson 15 6" in .357 mag. Hon. mention to Browning Buckmark. I'm hoping my T/C encore with 10" .218 bee bbl can best them.

[aHFo3]

I had a cap gun when I was a kid that I couldn't miss with!

More recently, my 8 3/8 629 .44 mag.

[1Texican!]

XD -.45acp - 4" w/competition action job; reduced overtravel & reset; Dawson adjustable fiber optic sights; Springfield Custom™ match grade barrel; and LaserMax for tired ol' eyes

It's a much better gun than I am a shooter . . . but we just somehow get 'er done!

[robsc]

two::
a Ruger Mk l Std. made in the late `50s w/fixed sights and a Smith&Wesson M41 7inch

[scotjute]

.357 Ruger Security Six with 6" barrel and target grips shooting 158 grain soft points.

A close second was a 4" Colt Lawman or Trooper shooting 158 grain .357.

3rd is a .50 caliber Lyman Plains percussion pistol shooting patched round balls with 30 grains of FFF. To 35 yds., that pistol was amazingly accurate.

[Jaws1]

I recently purchased a Smith & Wesson model 610 in a 4" barrel. I fired a friends and was so impressed with the accuracy and ease of shooting that I purchased my own. Again right out of the box its right on. I'm very pleased with its accuracy. The moon clips are a plus.

[LTR shooter]

For anything goes - TC Contender Super 14 in .223 for centerfire and TC 10" 22 match for rimfire.

For auto handguns - in rimfire probably my Ruger MKIIs or Smith 41. In centerfire it was Springfield Armory 1911 accurized by Clark Custom Guns.

Revolver - either my Smith 686 or 629 , too close to call.

[Radagast]

Natural Marksman, I am a fellow Aussie and a former member of the Australian IPSC team, so my bias is towards the action shooting sports and against the slow fire style competitions.

The basics are the same in each state:
1) Join a pistol club
2) Pass a police criminal record check.
3) Complete a club training course
4) Apply for a probationary pistol license
5) Wait six months
6) Buy your first hand gun. In the first year you can only own a centrefire or a rimfire, not both.
7) After 12 months are up you can then purchase further guns, if your club will sign off on them being required for a given competition.

In that six month period you should borrow or hire as many guns as possible to find out what works for you.

Before joining a club you should decide what type of competitions you want to shoot. If you like the zen moment of trying to hold completely still and shooting between heartbeats then ISSF style shooting is for you.

If you like big booms and recoil and being out doors then IHMSA/IMSU metallic silhouette shooting is for you.

If you like the idea of running full tilt through an obstacle course while hammering down steel plates and shooting moving targets then IPSC is the go.
If your knees are giving out but you like the idea of IPSC then try Action Match. It's IPSC without the movement.

If you like the idea of IPSC but want to shoot a revolver try ICORE.

If you liked playing cowboys and Indians as a kid then look at single action shooting, it's dress up games for adults.

Some links:
www.pistol.org.au for ISSF shooting.
www.ipsc.org.au for IPSC. Check the links page to gun dealers. Also check out the IPSC forum at:
http://www.ipsc.org.au/phpBB3/
http://icoreaustralia.org.au/ for revolver shooting.
http://www.actionmatch.com.au/for action match
http://www.ihmsa.org/ for silhouette
http://www.ssaa.org.au/ with lots of useful links.

My pick of firearms that you can obtain in OZ are as follows:

CZSP01 Shadow. Very accurate, cheap. Ideal for IPSC production division.
Bul M5 or STI Edge for IPSC Standard Division.
S&W 686 for any slow fire centerfire match.
S&W 627 for ICORE.
All of the above should be able to to group 5 shots into an inch and a half at 25 meters.

Good luck.


Ken

[Dr.Rob]

Rimfire: .22 cal Ruger Mk1 Target pistol 7 5/8" barrel (Mk 2's can still be had in this barrel length and in stainless)

Centerfire auto: Sig 226 9mm, Browning Hi-power 9mm a close 2nd. (I couldn't afford a 226 when I wanted one, got a Browning clone while they were cheap)

Revolver: Colt Diamondback .38 special

[snowtigger]

2nd series Colt Woodsman target model. Just sent them where I was looking. Wish I could afford one.

[stubbicatt]

TOZ35M. Accurate and easy to shoot well too.

[MCgunner]

I'm hoping my T/C encore with 10" .218 bee bbl can best them.

I assure you, it can if you can. :D

[charliemopic]

My most accurate handgun or the handgun that I shoot most accurate is my Ruger SingleSix in polished stainless with the plain non-adjustable rear notch-front blade sights. I shoot this gun accuratly in both .22LR and .22 Win Mag rimfire. Probably becuz I can't monkey around with the sights and no flinch.

Thanks for askin

[tbtrout]

S&W 686 and Kimber Warrior. It is a toss up between both. I think I will go to the range tomorrow and settle it.

[Fishman777]

I'd probably say that it would either go to my GP100, or one the the 686s that I've shot. In SA mode, a good DA revolver is really hard to beat. I might have to give the nod to my GP100 (just because I am so familiar with it).

I don't shoot autoloaders that often (don't own any). I keep telling myself that I'll get one, but I keep getting seduced by revolvers. Go figure.

The autoloaders that I shot best were the one that had really slim grips. I've shot several Sigs, HKs, Berettas, Glocks, SA XDs, CZs, and a Ruger. Of those guns, the two that I shot the best were the CZ 75 B, the Beretta 90two (with the slim grip), and the SR9. I was a little surprised by the SR9. I guess my hand fits that gun really well. That same day, I rented a P30 and was stunned that the SR9 fit me better. That may not have been the case if I could have played the the grips on the P30. I hope to try an XDm soon. The grips feel amazing.

[W1EAT]

My plain-jane Ruger Standard Model with fixed sights and standard grips always seems to outshoot anything else I try. It never jams or misfires and I don't take it apart or fuss with it. I wish Ruger made cars.

[EdLaver]

I have shot so many accurate pistols, but to be totally and brutally honest I have to say the two that really really really stand out to me have been my Beretta 92fs 9mm with over 6k rounds and still accurate as ever. Next is my Smith & Wesson M&P .40 with 3k rounds and still going.

[FiveFiveSixFan]

Browning Hi Power.

[Koos Custodiet]

Low recoil? Anschutz Exemplar (22 rimfire).

But like the XP-100, it's cheating, 'cos it's a bolt action rifle with a short barrel and a pistol grip :-)

[socal44]

Ruger mkIII hunter

[freakshow10mm]

H&k p7

[CSA 357]

Colt gold cup 45, or my smith &wesson mod 14-1

[Smeh]

Coincidentally, the most accurate handgun I've ever shot is the only gun that I own. :D

Ruger GP-100. I've shot plenty of semi-autos from .22's up to .40's, and none of them seem to do it for me. I'm sure my technique isn't spectacular, but I shoot my wheelgun better than any other handgun I've shot.

[AKElroy]

2nd vote for the 22/45. I have a 2.5x EER scope, and from sandbags this pistol draws a crowd on a calm day @ 50 yrds. Ely Tennex gives repeatable one ragged 1" hole TEN ROUND GROUPS. It IS like cheating; to quote an earlier post.

[ArmedBear]

High Standard Victor
Ruger 22/45
Ruger Mark II Target
Browning Medalist
Browning Buckmark
Smith and Wesson Model 41

Notice something?

They're all .22s.:)

Quality .22 handguns can be had for relatively little money, and can be ridiculously accurate.

[Clarence]

S&W M-41..............one hole groups at 25 yds when shot off sandbags.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I've got 3 S&W that shoot good, a couple Rugers (3 counting my ROA) and a Browning BDA and a Makarov that socks em' in there.
a shooting buddy trades pistols frequently and had a Glock 9mm that I shot. it was good shooter. and a CZ 9mm that I shot that did great. he said he regretted selling that one.

[JImbothefiveth]

If you want to clay shoot, you'll need a scatterweapon of some kind.

Which handgun you get depends on what game you want to shoor. A rimfire, maybe a ruger mark III or buckmark, could be a good coice.

[Ala Dan]

a .45 caliber West German SIG-SAUER P220A~! ;)

and for revolvers, a 6" Smith & Wesson model 19. :D

[Deer Hunter]

doubletap

[Deer Hunter]

I take it back.

Walther GSP or Hammerli SP20

[john44402]

Very difficult to choose.

My Smith 5 inch 625, 6 1/2 inch 610 or Springfield Armory TRP.

Offhand shooting, all three are ridiculously accurate and make me look like much better than I am.

[jackrabbit101]

i recommend a Les Baer custom made 1911 . . . you can handload your own "mousefart" loads for competitions and the 1911 is one of the most accurate handguns ever made

[Gewehr98]

S&W Model 52.

Out to 200 yards?

Wichita Silhouette Pistol.

[pakmcc]

Of the guns that I've owned and or still own . first a model 41 S&W .22. The second is a model 57 with a 6 " barrel S&W. But I do have a S&W 28 that was converted to .44 spl. and it shot a 5 shot group at 50 yards of 1 and 1/2 inch off a ramson rest.(and yes, it's one gun that I'll never sell.)
but CZ's are quite accurate also
Pat

[jerry46]

For centerfire I would have to say my 6" Smith and Wesson Model 14-4 in 38 spl. In rimfire, I would say my 5 1/2" Ruger Mark II slabside Target pistol. Both of them will shoot better groups than I can.

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear NM,

I've tried several different autos over the years, but found my home with a S&W Model 14. I highly recommend it for ease of shooting accurately.

LBS

[Archer1945]

For handguns probably the most accurate I've shot was the S&W 1911PC I recently had the chance to shoot. For rifles it was undoubtedly my old FWB300 air rifle. Since that is such a specialized use gun probably the closest to a general purpose rifle, though still a target gun, was my Remington 513T.

I recently purchased a CZ452 but haven't had a chance to really give it a work-out but from just the little I've shot it it might just prove to be a tack-driver and, for a .22, at some longer ranges.

[FM12]

A Safari Arms Matchmaster .45ACP

[Rmac58]

Cz p-06

[whitefeather]

"Series One" Kimber Classic Custom 1911.

[mikebnem]

My Taurus 608 eight shot 4" 357 mag.

[Mousegun]

My home made and accurized Caspian 45. I have shot a perfect score of 100 on a bullseye target at 25 yards with that gun.

[Big Bill]

My Stoeger Couger 9mm that I just gave to my son as a gift.

[jkingrph]

S&W Mod 41, 22 LR with 7 1/2 " barrel, K-22 is close second. Centerfire it's a tossup between a Browning Hi power, with Bar sto barrel and Millet sights and a S&w K-38,

[Mastiff]

You guys will laugh at me. My most accurate and reliable handgun is a Norinco TT-33 clone. I bought two of them over 15 years ago for $89 ea. I just gave one to my brother. I've outshot guys who have pistols that cost over $1000, it really frosts them. I've got over 55,000 rounds through the thing as of the last time I figured it out.
I've become a great fan of these pistols, obviously. Inexpensive and bulletproof, always goes bang when I pull the trigger.

[ACBMWM3]

My taurus 24/7 40S&W

[nicholst55]

An old Clark Heavy Slide (made by the master, Jim Clark, Sr.) 1911 wadcutter gun. It was so accurate that it was almost boring. Unfortunately, it wasn't mine. :mad:

[Peter M. Eick]

My 1939 Registered Magnum.

One a good day I can do this with it.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/eickpm/single_action.jpg

This is from an offhand position, 15 yards, 50 rounds of hot 158 grn reloads.

It took me a long time to get this good, but what can I say. It's a Registered Magnum. What do you expect?

[Poor East Texan]

SWEET looking gun and nice shooting Tex!

[GLI45]

My STI Eagle 6.0 in .45acp.

[browningguy]

My Pardini .32 was the most accurate I have shot, next is my Witness Elite Match, then a couple of .22 Target pistols.

[t3rmin]

My "new" CZ-82!

[Brother J]

Les Baer TRS

[Deltaboy]

my Ruger p-89 9mm I shot 250/250 at the gun range with it.

[cortego]

Hi-power

[texas bulldog]

another vote for the BHP.

[warnerwh]

Both .357 and .44 Dan Wessons.

[ironvic]

That's easy: A Smith & Wesson Model-52. .38 Special wadcutter gun, 5 shot, walnut gripped thing of beauty. Boy, that baby could shoot the proverbial ragged hole at 25 yards. It sat at the gun shop for years because the locals thought it was not up to par with a "manly" caliber, so I finally bought it for 5 hun. I traded it to my brother a while back. Sure do miss it.

[Rob0811]

SIG P220 or a 9mm STI Ranger II

[cavman]

A David Sams Caspian 1911 .45

A S&W M41 .22

[TBT]

SW1911, first run.

[mongo4567]

I've shot a few pistols that were easy to shoot and so accurate that I knew without a doubt any flier was my fault. Some of them are a Ruger MK2, S&W M66, Kimber Classic, and Springfield Loaded.

[2ndAmFan]

I know not many people will believe me, but as far as a stock gun, original iron sights with no add-ons whatsoever, it was a milsurp Russian 9x18mm Makarov. I could plink 12 oz soda cans at 50 yards with that thing all day, or print 1" groups at 25 yards. I tried to buy it from the guy that owned it so many times I don't even remember them all but he, understandably, refused to sell. Last I heard his wife was using it as her CCW, and he still won't sell it!

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Peter M. Eick - I think I can safely say that we all hate you, so you can relish in our jealously. :p

Anyone who said a semi-auto centerfire has most likely never fired a good revolver or rimfire pistol. And certainly never an XP / Striker / TC.

[coltnj]

Colt Trooper Mark III, .357 with 6" Barrel

[340PD]

This air pistol would shoot one hole groups. Easily the most consistantly accurate gun I have ever seen. .17 cal of fun.

[rogertc1]

My Ruger Mark 1 with a 7 7/8" barrel. I hit dead on what ever I place the sights on. And this has been since I was about 14 years old.

[mr2guru]

My 6" high standard supermatch trophy.

[MDG1976]

Ruger MkII full of Volquartsen goodies

[thunder173]

Best shooter I ever owned was a Model 651 S&W 4 inch J Frame Square Butt, in .22 Magnum. Used to take 15-20 meter shots braced on my while sitting knee sitting. Target: the target tapes we used to cover the bullet holes IN the target. Usually 4 outta 5 into the tape, sometimes even better.

[Restorer]

+1 for the Smith & Wesson 617 6" barrel. It's a lot of fun to shoot and insanely accurate.