Pistol Accuracy at 50 meters distance ?

[SA]

Hi everyone.

I have been looking for some evidence in the form of actual tests whether a semi-automatic handgun can be used accurately from 50 meters range.

During the process I came across these test results http://thegunforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=108&start=0

The person here is testing four handguns --> a Russian Baikal MP446, Serbian CZ999, an NP22 & a Taurus PT99.

Among these, the accuracy from the PT99 and NP22 were the better ones. He scored 130/200 and 120/200 respectively with these two handguns.

Now my questions are:

1) Do these results prove that it is indeed possible to shoot at a human sized target accurately from such distance.

2) Is it possible that this shooter was more familiar with the PT99 and hence shot better with this particular gun as compared to others?

Feedbacks will be appreciated.

 

[bc1023]

The guns are certainly capable.

I've got a couple 1911s guaranteed to shoot 1.5" groups at 50 yards from a ransom rest.

Its all about the shooter.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Any quality handgun is mechanically capable of that level of accuracy. Some design features of handguns may not lend themselves well to long range precision shooting (e.g., "squishy," rough or heavy trigger pulls, poor sights), but by and large, the only limiting factor is the shooter.

 

[Captcurt]

I'll go see.

Now I'll have to go see what I can do with my Hi Power. I used to go to the police range with a buddy who was a cop. I've seen some great groups shot at 50yds with revolvers. That was before the semi's came into vogue. I have shot some respectable groups with my 22/45's at 50yds though.

 

[gordy]

But you need to ask, What is the bullet performance at 50 meters,( I like yards better but that's a different story). At this distance you would be much better off with a 30 carbine or a 7.62x39, or a 44 magnum.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Nah, a service pistol round will be plenty effective at 50 meters (roughly 55 yards). I wouldn't want to stand in front of a .45 ACP at that range.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I know quite a few shooter including myself who can hit an IDPA target with regularity at 50 yards (unsupported).
My Freedom Arms revolver, HK USP .45, Les Baer 1911 .38 Super have all shot sub-5 inch groups at that distance, again, freestanding.
Now, if the target is shooting back, my groups might open up a bit

Most pistol rounds will still have 85% or more of their velocity at 50 yards, and the hollowpoints should function normally.
I like the .45 caliber semi-wadcutter design for shooting at distance, seems to keep it's accuracy well at that distance and it's a proven design for non-expanding bullets.

 

[PO2Hammer]

If you want to really be impressed, see if your local library has a copy of 'Sixguns' by Elmer Keith.

 

[cavman]

I wouldn't want to stand in front of a .45 ACP at that range.

Certainly not. pg 30 of Jerry Kuhnhausen's Vol II 1911 Shop Manual quotes early ordinance tests that at 250 yards the .45 penetrated white pine 6".

 

[DonRon]

I have a neighbor that can hit a telephone pole stump consistently with a 7.625x39 Tok and it blows right through at 100 yards.

 

[DonRon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFd3kF6LHz4



No explanation needed!

 

[wanderinwalker]

It's easily possible to hit a torso-sized target at 50 meters with a handgun. Even with a Glock with a factory trigger and night sights, hits on an IDPA silhouette at 50 yards are easily repeatable. I mean, I can even do it with the Glock 26 with my pinky hanging off of the bottom of the grip. And even the 14x18" plate at 100 yards is in danger more often than not.

The myth that a handgun is useless beyond contact distance is just that, a MYTH.

 

[Slamfire]

In my opinion the guy is cheating. He is firing with bench support and his hands are supported. Lots of people shoot handguns and rifles with sand bag rests and think themselves outstanding shots. But take the bench, sand bags away and they don’t do very well.

Folks won’t take the time and effort to learn how to shoot unsupported, because of this a market has developed for portable lightweight hunting benches and shooting rests. Guys are taking their bench with them.

Because I am a decent shot unsupported, I am grumpy about all this bench stuff. Sort of “that was the way it was and we liked it”.

I shoot my handguns offhand. My preference. I shoot at a 12” gong target. Makes a big clang. At 25 yards, this is a really good 48 round group with a 45 ACP Colt Combat Elite.


When the day is good, and I feel good, and the load is good, and the gun is good, I can get nice clusters at 25 yards.

When I move the gong out to 50 yards, I don’t take pictures. I don’t get “clusters”. There is nothing to brag about. In fact it is downright easy to miss the whole target. Does not take much to miss the whole berm. Thank goodness, no matter how bad my followthrough, I will always intercept the earth. I would have felt awful if I accidently winged the Space Shuttle. When the acquired flinch causes me to hit less than half the time at 50 yards, I quit. And yes, the flinch gets worse the more I shoot, and it gets worse quicker with increased recoil.

Another reason I don't shoot my 44 Magnums much anymore.

50 yards is a long way with a handgun. A Red Dot increases hit probability, don’t have any scoped handguns yet, but still, just the slightest twitch, and the bullet is going in the berm.

I am in total awe of Wild Bill Hickcok shooting someone dead, with a handgun, at 50 yards. The guy must not have had any nerves, a pulse, or breathed air.

 

[DonRon]

Now this at 50 meters is a real work saver. especially when fence building!

 

[M2 Carbine]

Pistol Accuracy at 50 meters distance ?

You could ask my young friend here. Her target is the small (12 inch) white steel plate and she seldom misses.


Some of my favorite shooting is with small handguns at 52 yards.




.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Here it is again (posted it in a a couple other threads). Colt .32, 8 shots, 50 yards. Little itty bitty sights. The two high ones are probably my error. Still, a great 50 yard example of what quality pocket pistols might deliver.

[/IMG]

 

[PO2Hammer]

^^^ Good shooting, neat pistol!

 

[Pete D.]

50 meters

The Slow Fire stage of the NRA Conventional pistol match - outdoors - is fired at 50 yards - one hand unsupported. I have seen clean targets at that distance more than once; the best was 10 Xs.
One of the two pistol events in the modern Olympics - the Free Pistol event - is fired at 50 meters. The B17 target has a 10 ring that is 50 mm in diameter.
The record for the match by William Demarest of the USA (60 shots to qualify and 10 for the final) is 676/700 (577 and a 99 final). One hand, unsupported.
Pete

 

[Drail]

Read up on the Camp Perry National Matches.

 

[nathan]

Aim a little higher like 12 o clock at 50 meter distance . It should compensate for the drop past 30 yds.

 

[Peakbagger46]

When I had free practice ammo and was shooting A LOT, I used to be able to hit a IDPA target pretty darn (around 80 percent of the time) well at 100 yards, prone position. Gun was a glock 27 with night sights.

 

[Shoot66]

I shoot clay-birds at 50m (55y) using my SIG P210. Standing, unsupported, two-hand hold. I aim at the lower edge. Usually I get 3 – 4 of 5. Those are 4 inch in diameter. So yes, it is possible.

 

[smartshot]

yeah....in the "earlier days" not "old days" the police used to shoot at the 50 yard line right handed standing, prone and left handed standing.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Even the little pocket pistols will do OK if they have decent sights.

Micro Desert Eagle. 52 yards. Standing, two hands.
Two shots went low.

 

[piece of meat]

check out 'hickock45' on youtube, the guy has dozens of videos of hitting up to 80 yards CONSISTENTLY with every handgun known to man, hell the guy can hit 50 yard targets no problem with sub compact glocks. he even hits a 200 yard target a couple times with a glock 27.

the gun can do it no problem, its all a matter of how well the shooter shoots it.