Since I don't train to punch holes in paper or ring steel, training to stop threats and survive lethal-force encounters, I don't (literally) for the life of me understand why someone would willingly choose for their primary carry gun one that is not what they shoot better than all others. I'm not willing to make compromises in this regard, which is why I train primarily with a "narrow choice" of handguns.
I dont train to punch holes in paper or ring steel either, but either have to suffice for practice and conformation that youre keeping up on things.
Ive never understood the mentality, that being able to put rounds where they need to go, even if its only paper or something else, is time wasted.
If you cant make it happen on paper, or a tiny piece of clay bird on the berm, or a rock in the field, or anything for that matter, how can you make it happen on demand for real. And if you dont use something that confirms what youre doing, what do you use show where you stand and if youre at least holding steady, if not improving?
As far as the choice of gun, I have a couple of guns that are basically "target" guns, and I wouldnt consider them appropriate as a gun I would trust to carry or use, even if they are more accurate at shooting little groups.
Other than maybe sights, and a refinish, or a reliability package on my 1911's, all my guns are basically box stock. No trigger work, no action work, just the gun as it came from the factory.
I can shoot tight little groups with my Glocks, but I can also trust them to work whenever I need them to, and they shoot quite well to actually. Ive had a number of handguns over the years, that were superbly accurate, and I shot great with them, but they were basically "alibi" guns (if you were of a mind to play that game), and not trustworthy for anything but the bullseye range, and even then they could cost you.
This will give you an idea as to what I consider "shooting well enough"....
This was shot at 10 yards, a little more deliberately (more slowly) than I would normally shoot, but then again, the suppressor does block the sights, and I was shooting through it.
The Glocks do alright when Im in more of a hurry too, and theres some movement involved...
Same thing here with one of my 92's, and they do alright as well (I did clip her ear though, so Im sure Ill get yelled at for that
)...
This was shot at 10 yards as well, at a steady cadence, and DAO....
And theres always the gun thats supposed to be the best, and its not really all that bad either. Just a skosh bit slower at getting there.
.....
Other than the sights on a couple of them, all the above guns are box stock too. The only thing I do is add night sights to the Glocks and other guns I use that might take them.
The laser on the Glock in the second pic wasnt working at the time I shot that, as Id just bought the gun and it had a dead battery. I took it to the range when I got home, and that was the first time out with that gun too. Not a fan of the lasers anyway, and I sold it on EBay later. That brought the cost of that gun down to under $300 too.
The only shooting you see there that was done with what I call a more deliberate aim, was the Glock with the suppressor mounted, and the 625. Nothing was from a rest or "slow fire", and if they werent shot from a holster, the one 17 and 1911 were, they started from a SUL, or in the case of the suppressed guns, from a low ready at my side. A number of those were shot one handed as they were presented as well. A number of what you see on a couple of those targets too, were shot "without" sights. Just pointed.
Those are all just a couple of samples of targets Ive shot in practice, using a number of different guns, with different grip angles, sights, triggers, and very often, simply point shooting or shooting over the gun while moving, and not using any sights. Ive got a bunch more around if you think they are flukes.
I still am of the belief, that if you know the guns you are shooting, and you shoot regularly, you should have no troubles "shooting well" with them, or something similar, even switching back and forth at will as you go.
But thats just me.