Whether you own a handgun for competitive shooting, personal protection, or home defense, you want something that’s going to be reliable and accurate. After all, in a self-defense scenario, you don’t ever want to find yourself in a situation where you can’t depend on your pistol.
If you’re a new handgun owner, you’ll quickly discover that shooting pistols accurately is much harder than it looks. Being able to shoot a handgun accurately depends on two key components: your shooting technique and the way the gun was designed. Before you can hit a target outside of pointblank range, you’ll need to think about the following things:
- Your shooting stance
- How the gun rests in your hand
- The quality of the gun
When it comes to accuracy, comfort is an important factor. Glocks, for example, are brilliantly designed and built for accuracy, but some people can’t shoot well with them because they can’t get used to the gun’s rectangular grip. No handgun has been created with a one-size-fits-all design, so you’ll want to get used to your gun before you buy it.
What Constitutes the Most Accurate Handgun?
There isn’t a single gun that fits the description of most accurate handgun ever made. Yes, there are handguns that are more accurate than others, but you won’t find a handgun on the market that’s been designed to accommodate everyone’s different sizes and shooting techniques. In fact, your size is a big factor and is one of the main reasons along with carry comfort that many large caliber guns have a compact alternative.
With that said, here are some factors that help make some handguns more accurate than others:
- A trigger that's light and provides a clean break
- Comfortably factory or aftermarket grips
- High-quality sights that are either adjustable or provide optimal sight radius
- A barrel made from high-quality material
- Less recoil
A lot of firearms enthusiasts argue that the 9mm isn’t only one of the most accurate handgun calibers around, it’s also most balanced. It’s praised for its low recoil, and advancements in ammo technology has given it the same stopping power as the .45 ACP.
And hunting?
If you’re a sportsman who enjoys hunting with handguns, you’ll want something a bit bigger than the 9mm. Cartridges like the .357, .44, .45, and .454 are all great sizes for handgun hunting. The .40 is a powerful caliber too, but its heavy recoil makes it less accurate than its counterparts.
In addition, you’ll also need to purchase a high-quality gun from a reliable manufacturer. The chances of you shooting that prized buck or hog from pointblank range are slim, so you’ll need a pistol that’s accurate and packs a heavy punch.
Handguns That Are Known for Their Accuracy
Now that you have an idea of what to look for when shopping around for a handgun, let’s have a look at some of the more popular handguns on the market. Each of these models aren’t only durable or fun to shoot, they’re also designed to maximize accuracy.
1. Glock 19
The Glock 19 is a dependable and easy-to-use 9mm handgun that’s perfect for concealed carry and home defense. As a striker-fired gun, the Glock 19 is easy to control, making it a great gun for beginners in search of a balanced pistol.
As with other Glock models, the G19 was built with from high-quality parts and is known for its excellent craftsmanship. This, along with the fact that it’s a 9mm, makes the G19 an incredibly accurate when shooting targets up to 25 yards away.
Another great feature of the G19 that helps improve its accuracy is the modular back strap system that comes with the Gen4 models. This feature allows for gun’s grip to be adjusted to fit a wide range of hand sizes, making it more comfortable to hold, thus increasing the pistol’s accuracy. This feature also helps the Gen4 G19 overcome some of the complaints that gun owners had with previous Glock models.
Overall, the Glock 19 a great self-defense handgun that is accurate and brings the same level of dependability that Glock models are known for. I find that the G19 is perfect for new handgun owners who want a gun that’s easy to practice with buy also packs serious stopping power.
2. 1911 EMP 4” Lightweight Champion by Springfield Armory
Purists beware, the EMP 4” Lightweight Champion is not true 1911 in the traditional sense of the word. Instead of shooting .45 ACP cartridges, it’s designed for either 9mm or .40 S&W rounds. With that said, the 9mm version of this compact and powerful pistol just might be the most accurate 9mm handgun on the market.
When it comes to comfort and ergonomics, the EMP Lightweight sits comfortably in your hand and is easy to handle. Its low recoil and heavy stopping power make it a great gun for self-defense. For its small, 4” barrel, this gun is also incredibly accurate when rapidly firing at targets from 15 to 20 yards away.
Another feature that I really enjoy about the EMP 4” Lightweight Champion is the sights. They’re fiber optic sights that are perfectly designed for lining up targets, and are also great for beginner shooters.
Simply put, the style and performance of the EMP Lightweight Champion make it a great handgun to own – especially if you’re crazy about 1911 models. If you’re looking for a solid hunting pistol that can take down some big game, have a look at the .40 S&W variant. While the .40 still packs a decent amount of recoil, it’s significantly more stable than similar handguns available.
3. HK45 by Heckler & Koch
Image by hk-usa
There’s a reason that the .45 ACP is one of the most popular handguns of all time. It’s powerful, accurate, and practically a hand cannon. What makes the HK45 nice is that it’s designed to be the most accurate handgun out of the box. This makes it the perfect gun for people who don’t have the time, money, or experience to purchase aftermarket pieces to modify their guns.
The HK45 is so accurate and reliable that it was almost made the official sidearm of the United States Armed Forces, but was beaten out by the Sig P320 at the last minute. It’s still a heavy-duty handgun that’s comfortable and easy to shoot, making it a favorite among various police departments in the United States and Australia.
Some of the features that help boost this gun’s accuracy include:
- An easy-to-use double action trigger.
- Comfortable and ergonomic design, including adjustable grips for maximum comfort.
- Octagonal rifling pattern that preserves the quality of the barrel and improves accuracy.
- A built-in MIL STD 1913 rail for laser sites and other accessories.
The HK45 is, hands down, a must-have for any handgun lover, and its 10+1 capacity makes it more attractive than many of its competitors. Whether you want a gun for range time or self-defense, the HK45 can consistently provide you with accuracy and comfort.
4. Glock 42
Generally speaking, Glock tends to always make handguns that are designed for dependability and accuracy, and the Glock 42 is no different. This pocket shooter is a .380 ACP and is a handgun known for its small size and low recoil.
The benefit of the .380 ACP is that it has relatively low recoil, making it easy to control despite its stopping power. Combine this with the fact that the Glock 42’s technology is designed to boost accuracy, and you have yourself the most accurate concealed carry handgun around.
With a length under 6” and a weight of 13.76 ounces, the G42 is a perfect open or concealed carry weapon to have. Its smooth trigger and low recoil make it easy to control, giving you one accurate handgun.
If you have large hands and are looking for something more comfortable, you may want to move up to 9mm models instead. For everyone else, especially women, the G42 is a safe and reliable handgun that provides an excellent level of accuracy and precision when used.
5. Sig P210
Image by Theleom
The P210 is a popular handgun that saw production between 1949 to 2005 and is as accurate as it is coveted as a collector’s item. The two most common cartridges for the P210 are the 9x19mm and 7.65x21mm, but there is also a .22 long rifle variant as well.
One of the main reasons that the Sig P210 is such an accurate gun is because of its excellent craftsmanship and engineering. The gun was carefully designed to reduce movements that could affect the bullet’s flight path as it was leaving the gun. This, combined with the gun’s superior quality barrel and comfortable grips, make it an easy gun to manage.
Despite its age, many handgun enthusiasts still regard the P210 as the most accurate handgun in the world. It’s praised for being accurately hit targets within a two-in circle from as far as half a football field away.
As with all Sig Sauer products, the P210 is a timeless masterpiece that’s reliable, accurate, and one of the more stylish handguns to hit the market. Not only is it a great gun to add to your collection, it’s also a great handgun to shoot on the range and will certainly attract the attention of nearby enthusiasts.
6. Smith & Wesson Model 29
If you want a durable and accurate gun that packs a lot of stopping power and is praised for its reliability, the Model 29 might be your best bet. One of Smith & Wesson’s most iconic revolvers, this handgun is available to support .44 mag or the .44 S&W cartridge. You can even choose between a 4” or 6.5” barrel, which is great if you want a gun for carry or one for shooting targets.
The 6.5” barrel version of the Model 29 is popular among hunters for its accuracy and dependability. It’s comfortable to hold, has great sights that make tracking targets easier, and packs a lot of power. In fact, the standard version can easily take down boar, black bear, and deer from midrange. The Model 29 magnum is strong enough to drop bigger game, including brown bears, elk, and even moose.
Whether you enjoy the classic feel of a revolver or you want a top-of-the-line handgun for hunting, the Model 29 is an excellent choice.
7. Glock 20
The G20 is a powerful 10mm handgun that’s popular among handgun hunting enthusiasts. It’s accurate, lightweight, and comes standard with a 15+1 capacity that makes it great for hunting black bear, deer, boar, and cougars.
Like other clock models, the G20 is constructed with the same high-quality craftsmanship that sets Glock handguns apart from their competitors. Its Nylon 6 frame is lightweight and able to withstand heavy usage without failure, which is important when hunting with handguns.
Some of the features that make the G20 an incredibly popular handgun for hunting include its low recoil, easy-to-pull trigger system, hexagonal barrel rifling. All of these features contribute to making the G20 an accurate gun to have, even when fired rapidly.
Anyone who enjoys shooting handguns outdoors is encouraged to check out the G20. Whether you plan on actually hunting with it or using the G20 for added protection when hiking through the woods, it’s a valuable handgun to have handy.
It’s about Picking the Right Handgun for the Job
A lot of what makes a gun accurate is how you feel when holding it. Take the .380 ACP as an example. Even though this handgun is praised for its accuracy and low-recoil capabilities, people with extra-large hands often struggle to shoot it. Some even have to leave their pinky extended just to grip the gun safely! For this reason, it’s important that you always play around with a gun before buying it.
There's no denying that each of these guns are among the best in the industry for accuracy, but your experiences may be different in the field.
When it comes to accuracy, shooting a handgun that’s comfortable and easy to use is just as important as shooting one made with high-quality parts. As a general rule, rent various handguns at the local shooting range and determine which is the most accurate for you. This will help you get an idea of what you should and shouldn’t consider when shopping around for a pistol.
Now that you have a good idea of how to choose an accurate handgun, what do you plan on picking up?
