Does Weight of handgun Affect Accuracy?

[760knox]

Pratice...just pratice

[xmustanguyx]

From a purely technical standpoint ... no. You can stick pistols in stable vices and prove this easily.

What it does affect is your ability to shoot the pistol given a certain level of training. This is similar to how a heavy/gritty trigger affects your shooting. The gun may be dead-on accurate, but takes more training to handle well.

That makes sense to me! I never thought of it like that.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Well...technically speaking, yes...

The weight of your pistol can cause fatigue faster/ sooner than others. (different for every shooter), once fatigued, accuracy can take a hit

...but that's the shooter's fault, not the weapon's.

Short answer to the OP's question is "no".

[vincnet11]

Ed Brown Kobra Carry 1911 vs Glock 21

[1911Luvr]

Do any of you think that the weight of a gun affects accuracy of the gun?

For example, polymer stock vs stainless steel for any given caliber.

Yes, it is usually much easier to throw the lighter weight guns more accurately, especially the polymer ones. Plus, they go farther when thrown!

[InGrAM]

Weight effects fallow up shots. The lighter the gun = more recoil. (usually)

Aluminum framed .45 Colt commander = kick like a mule

[sig220]

lighter=less muscle used=easier to control=more accurate

[OneSevenDeuce]

Inherently, no it does not affect accuracy. However, if you want to look at it from a practical standpoint, yes, it can affect accuracy. There are certain pistols that were designed to be a specific weight so that it will be optimal for target shooters. Too light and your hand will be jumping all over the place. Too heavy and you will be struggling to keep the gun on target. Lighter does not always equal easier to control, not does heavier. It has a lot to do with a particular shooter. So yeah, short answer is no, long answer is "sort of".

[AAShooter]

It is easier to disturb the "perfect sight picture" on a light pistol. Also the ratio between pistol weight and trigger pull weight becomes significant. So, for most shooters, trying to shoot a light pistol with a heavy trigger is problematic. For example, a small Glock with a heavy New York trigger. Yet, the same shooter and trigger in a much heavier gun will have much better results.

[glock7]

Well...technically speaking, yes...

The weight of your pistol can cause fatigue faster/ sooner than others. (different for every shooter), once fatigued, accuracy can take a hit

i'd have to agree but, the more you practice...the muscle memory kicks in. enjoy

[AAShooter]

Ed Brown Kobra Carry 1911 vs Glock 21

This is the equivalent to measuring accuracy with a yard stick. Clearly for carry applications both with suffice; however, accuracy tests at short distances aren't done with 6" plates.