Sub Compact Firearms...Know the Functionality

If you did want to do high precision (eg bullseye) type shooting with one, issues you’ll run into are the following:

• These guns generally have combat sights intended for “fast” target acquisition, rather than “precise” shooting.

• Short sight radius makes aiming harder than longer barreled gun.

• Triggers on these are generally “adequate” type combat triggers with 4–6 lb pulls, not crisp light match triggers, of 2–4 lbs. pull. Guns themselves aren’t really designed for match grade accuracy, and usually aren’t loaded with match grade ammo. In practice, most shooters aren’t good enough to really take advantage of match type pistols anyway, but those that really are would probably want better.

• Contemporary subcompacts are usually polymer and lightweight, making recoil brisk. In theory that “shouldn’t” affect accuracy, but in practice high recoil guns can cause anticipation/”flinch” which works to degrade accuracy. High recoil also reduces rate of fire, making it harder to get fast follow-up shorts on target.

• Individuals with large hands may find guns feel small in their hands and that can contribute to lesser accuracy. Pinky hanging off of bottom is particularly bad since pinky adds significantly to grip strength and also helps counteract gun recoil flip.