Well, there's accuracy, and then there's ACCURACY.

Today, no top Bullseye competitor uses a revolver. So, I'd say that's pretty strong evidence that at the top of the accuracy continuum, semi-auto pistols prevail.

But, in my experience, a $600, off the shelf S&W revolver is more accurate than a $600, off the shelf, semi-auto pistol (with similar barrel lengths).

 

Would that be because revolvers are front heavy, making one hand shooting more difficult, rather than some other reason?

 

Not in my experience. I consider myself a pretty good shot with any semi-auto pistols. I have never shot well at all with a revolver. I have tried to like revolvers and have had many, but I end up always selling them. Done with revolvers.

 

Well, revolvers do have a gap at the cylinder to forcing cone. I wonder how much of an effect that has on consistency?

 

There is some consistent velocity loss. It's a non issue.

 

I've yet to see a standard production semi auto pistol shoot 2.5" groups at 100 yards or cloverleaf shots at 25.

Revolvers have fallen out of favor for reasons other than accuracy, me thinks.

Folks have a tougher time shooting them accurately in double action, and they are a bit difficult to shoot in single action one handed.

I'll eventually be getting a model 67 here as an informal bullseye gun with a red dot. I used to use a 629 for the task, but it was a bit too much gun.

 

There have been fixed barrel pistols, and I've had two: a Walther PPK/S and a Steyr GB.
I did not find them more accurate than the JMB 1911 - which in my experience is the pinnacle (potentially) of accurate hand guns.

That being said I highly admire the accuracy of some revolvers I have, including the Colt Python and S&W 627 V-Comp PC which I shot last night.

 

Interesting question/thread.........one that can go in several directions.

Cutting to the chase,amongst other handguns(we got plenty)......and as it,or as I see it,applies to this thread;Here's a few comparos.

Two .44's....an early 629 Smith and a HB 744 DW.The former with an action job,the latter...bone stock.


>up against<


Two .45's....an early,pre A1(grandpa's minty 1916/17) and a series 70 GC.

All guns above shooting highly developed handloads utilizing our cast bullets/boolits.Lyman's 429421 and H&G 68's,respectively.Shot over chrono,from benches,both inside and out.

It's a bloomin dead heat....meaning,maybe shading a touch twds G-dads .45......with the DW right slam on it's heals.This considering both the GC and the 629 are fully capable of tearing one hole,braggin groups.The GC cut,what I consider one of my finest bench groups ever(to include rifles),with a .45...using factory Win 185g target stuff.But,that was on that particular day....

The DW is so bloomin acc,it easily can be distinguished.....if you're shooting a whole cyl full(in rotation) vs picking one cly.....and keep using that one.Which,like G-pa's .45(overall fit/acc) is one of those things that you don't see every day.

The 629 is probably the "weak" link in these four,BUT...is the one I've shot/hunted/killed(Deer) the most with.And without reservation the one handgun that would or could,go with me anywhere.It has been a "hunt buddy" gun for that long.

Want to compare a #14 Smith and a Python?You talkin about too close to call......Yes,I'll take a Python everytime but it ain't because it happens to be better,or more acc.

 

My NRA Precision Pistol (aka Bullseye) scores are higher with my Colt 38 Special target revolver than with my S&W M52-2 38 Special semi auto or 1911 platform 45s. All are shot single action. It may be the ergonomics, it may be using 158gr LRN over 148 HBWC, it may be Colt made great barrels in their target revolvers, I don't know. My highest scores are with a Hammerli 22.

32ACP is starting to show up in Centerfire stages beside 32 S&W Long, but one train of thought is to lose a few points in Centerfire by using a 45 but gain them in the 45 stage by being more practiced with the hardest to master pistol.

 

How many long range records were set by semi-autos?

Revolvers seem to be long range kings going from 2" to 8" barrels.

 

I think revolvers are seen as 'old man's guns'.

The Colt Gold Cup .38 and S&W M-52 never replaced the .38 revolver , and pretty much faded into history.

In .22 , semi-autos seemed to work better for timed & rapid fire. The Colt Match Target Woodsman , the S&W 41 , the Ruger Mk.I and various High Standard models were very popular and competitive autos.

The Colt Officers Model Match and S&W K-22 Masterpiece ruled slow fire. But the gunsmiths that could slicken up a revolvers action to compete are mostly gone.


In .45 , the Colt Gold Cup (or other high end 1911) was , is and always will be the King. S&W .45 ACP wheel guns never really challenged them on a large scale.

Inherently more accurate?

I'd bet if ya put one of each in a Ransom rest , the revolver would win every time. A lot less moving parts in the revolver during firing.

 

Most of the time. But put an old S&W Target N frame against most of the mass produced semi auto pistols today and the S&W will spank them good. Think of it as not so much the type of action - but the precision of the fitting and alignment. When you get into custom Linebaugh revolvers with line bored chambers there is really no comparison.

 

... When you get into custom Linebaugh revolvers with line bored chambers there is really no comparison.

That sounds likes the best way get perfect alignment. Combine that with a barrel with a twist rate and bore optimized for your purpose and you can have a tack driver.

I am always fascinated by TOZ revolvers. They were single action revolvers designed from the start for target competition where the cylinder slides forward to cover the forcing cone (barrel stub?). As far as I know they were only used in 25 meter events.

We really need a PPC gunsmith to settle this for us.

 

The Colt E/I frames (Officer's Model Match/Python) are unique in their class. They're the basis for some very accurate revolvers. The K frame S&W's have been the basis for the K22, K32, and K38 Masterpiece revolvers. The S&W's are a bit easier to tune.

Both have their spokesmen and detractors. The Colt's stack continuously until the hammer drops; the S&W's stack to a point, then steady pressure until the hammer falls.

They dominated the paper punching shooting for years, until the "action" sports took over starting in the 1980's.

1911's have been custom tuned by smiths to excellent capabilities by Wilson, Brown, Baer, the late John Giles, and Bomar. I own a John Giles, and it's a tack driver.

However, for out-of-the-box accuracy, it's difficult to beat the S&W Model 52. It shoots the .38 Special 148gr wad-cutter to better accuracy than any out-of-the-box revolver. Add a good red dot, and it will cut small clover leafs at 25 yards.

 

Hmmm.. Back in the day... when PPC was big.. A good .38 open class would shoot under an inch @ at 50. Someone mentioned twist rates.. Big factor.. One reason the 52 failed, but there were many other issues with the 52..S&W is hooked on 18-3/4 twist.. Not great for small groups @ 50 ..The 52 also shared the slow 18 twist..Python had a 14 twist and grouped much better..10 and 12 twist rule .38 spl. I have worked on countless S&W K frames, and the cylinders are one area that I must commend S&W in regard to quality control. I have never found a chamber out of rotational location.. Getting a revolver to shoot that well, takes nearly or more effort than a 1911..The dynamic barrel in autos is an issue..The barrel tester may show a 1911 barrel with a potential of 1 inch @ 50.. It is impossible to get that same accuracy once it is fit to the gun..because the barrel is not held in a static position..Revolvers are difficult to master.. especially in the rapid fire stages of bullseye competition..Good fixed barrel .22 pistols will commonly shoot .750 @ 50 and really good guns will sometimes approach .500.
In bullseye competition, the very small difference in accuracy is overshadowed by the ease of shooting automatic pistols..

 

Hmmm.. Back in the day... when PPC was big.. A good .38 open class would shoot under an inch @ at 50. Someone mentioned twist rates..

In threads like this it's always cool to hear the opinions of an expert, thanks Jerry.

 

My son and I have shot in local matches for years and between us, have a pile of first place trophies. We shoot slow fire at 15 and 25 yards. Through the years, the 1911's we shoot have ranged from Kimbers to DW's to Ed Browns. My old 6" 686 still puts up the best scores, slightly edging the 1911's every year.

 

It's the fixed barrel. A semi-auto with fixed barrel is also inherently accurate. Revolvers can have longer barrels with a much greater sight radius which also affects accuracy. Whatever, I still don't like revolvers.

 

What is more accurte....a revolver or a semi-auto

This is a very broad question, but when discussing either of the above handguns, it usually boils down to the specifications used and the quality of parts used during the manufacturer.

I would say that a well made revolver and a well made semi auto of the same caliber may be equally as accurate.

Probably the most accurate semi auto out of the box is a target grade .22, such as Hammerli, Hi-Standard, Ruger, etc. The .22 cartridge is inherently accurate.

The weakness of the revolver is the cylinder....it has to have near flawless machining when boring the cylinders, so each line up perfectly with the barrel forcing cone.....which also requires precise timing of the cylinder "hand" which turns and aligns the cylinder. Years ago, bullseye competitiors would test and mark the cylinders on revolvers, and choose the best 5 cylinders that shot the tightest group. The cylinder that was not as good for accuracy was marked and never loaded.

The semi auto has many configurations, and a fixed barrel "blow back" system is probably the most inherently accurate design. Most all of the .22 target grade semiauto handguns are "blow back." The "short recoil system" of the 1911 is "capable" of excellent accuracy, if the proper specs. are used when fitting the barrel to the frame and slide. However, most mfg's don't spend the extra money to have custom fitted 1911 guns......they keep the cost of mfg down to be more competitive at retail against other 1911 mfg's. Even so, a well made 1911 .45 is usually capable of shooting 3"-4" five shot groups from a rest at 25 yds with good ammo. An "accurized" 1911 .45 like those used in competitive target shooting are capable of 1.5" five shot groups from a rest at 50 yds. when made by a highly competent 1911 smith.....

Les Baer pistols offer a 1911 .45 with the option of their $300 extra "accuracy guarantee." They will custom fit the barrel and guarantee the pistol will shoot a 1.5" group from a rest at 50 yards with certain ammo.....which is often 185gr. .45acp Federal Match ammo.

 

I like all guns, any gun, I prefer pistols, but the average revolver tends to be more accurate than the average semiauto.
My 2 cents.

 

semiautos are used because of magazine capacity it still boils down to the shooter doing his or her job

 

BINGO it is technique that keeps the gun shooting where you point it

lately,on bad days of shooting, w e blame the TARGETS for thos e errors--LOL

 

At one time I believe the average box stock revolver had the edge over the average box stock automatic. Not so much anymore. Autos are better than they have ever been.

 

I think that's still very much the case.

Even my little snubs shoot right up there with my full size guns.

 

For me, I always thought revolvers were more accurate than semi-autos until I got my RIA 1911 Tactical in 9mm. I changed my mind.

 

Dan Wessons dominated long range silhouette shooting in the 1980s. The barrel was held in tension and the guns had a front locking latch. This made for a very rigid set up.

The single action trigger is a real joy.

At longer range distances, niether my Wilson's or Brown's could shoot with my Dan Wesson .357 from this era.

Freedom Arms now makes some great long distance revolvers. Beautiful guns. Very expensive.

Great long distance revolvers are not in fashion. High capacity, carry, and 1911s are what is selling. The really fine long distance revolvers are heavy and low capacity.

 

I've never found revolvers to be more accurate or precise than semiautomatic pistols.

Revolvers' multiple cylinder chambers each like up with the forcing cone slightly differently, and though the barrel is immovable, the slight differences in cylinder-hole alignment can produce a certain degree of bullet spread.

Semiautomatic pistols' chambers and barrels are always the same, but the barrel lockup can vary slightly from shot to shot, as determined by the reproducibility of the positions of the muzzle lockup at the front of the slide and the chamber orientation at the breechface.

Given typical machining tolerances, my experience with multiple brands, models and calibers of semiautomatic pistols and with multiple S&W and Ruger revolvers in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, in J, K and L frame-size examples, makes me judge that stock semiautomatic pistol accuracy & precision exceed that of stock revolvers by at least a small margin, most of the time.

I have not compared any truly top notch line-bored (e.g., Freedom Arms) single action revolvers' accuracy and precision with any semiautomatic pistols, and I would not be surprised if revolvers of that higher level of mechanical quality excelled typical semiautomatic pistols' accuracy-precision, but for practical purposes and for commonly available guns, I have greater confidence in good semiautomatic pistols.

 

A box stock service revolver will likely be more accurate than a box stock service auto.
A friend has a Taurus that we Ransom Rested sub 2" at 50 yards with WWB 110 gr .357.

A tuned target revolver will shoot with a target auto for less money.
Frank Glenn will build a PPC revolver on your base gun for $750.
He charges $1800 to accurize your 1911.

I know Jerry thinks the black powder 18.75" rifling twist of a Smith is too slow for best accuracy, but the old PMA once did a side by side comparison of a S&W and a Python. The Smith was more accurate with hollowbase wadcutters.
One pair of guns, maybe the next set would have been the other way 'round. But I am not worrying about it. My Pythons are darned accurate, but I cannot tell they are any better than my S&Ws.

 

I shoot SASS, and we only use revolvers. There is something about a revolver that says -UHHHHHHHHHH- when you pull it from the holster and go to work.
I also shoot semi, but prefer the revolver.
Accuracy is ONLY for longer distance shooting, if your a good shot at 5 to 25 yards, you will be good with a semi also.
Depends on your target etc---

Thank you,

Henry

 

Stock revolvers out shoot stock semis for me. The reason the revolver fell out of the bullseye game is because you have to thumb cock it and then SPECIAL target semis will shoot just as accurately as the revolvers. The target semis cost much more than a stock revolver.

 

I think we should ask a professional shooter who shot both types over a number of years.

 

Jerry Miculek would be the best place to start. He seems to be a revolver guy for most of his records though.

1000 Yard shot...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ3XwizTqDw