# Handgun accuracy question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 5, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235 "2005-12-05T20:38:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235/21 "2005-12-06T21:05:00Z")
Watch the [videos linked here for a real life shootout](http://mrcompletely.blogspot.com/2005/11/real-shootout.html). Note that the cop and the badguy are standing about 10-15 feet apart when the shooting starts. Both get off multiple rounds at the other. No one hits another person. I glean from this that it’s damned hard to hit another person who is standing there shooting back at you, trained or not. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235/22 "2005-12-06T21:55:58Z")
> [@Padeye](#): > > I presume the atecedent to “it” is shooting from the hip. Quickdraw + pinpoint aiming. Shooting from the hip + pinpoint aiming. > [@](#): > > That statement by itself is not meaningful as anyone can shoot from the hip but the OP asked about how much accuracy could be achieved. My memory isn’t perfect and my book disappeared, but I think he said something like hitting within a 6-inch (diameter) circle from 50 feet. > [@](#): > > I’m also confused about your parenthetical remark. Factory made revolvers were available from Colt’s for nearly the whole of Wyatt Earp’s life. Hm, looking it up, I’m going to have to agree with you. It appears that my memory did get this one wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecb155/32.png) [@Hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hombre)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235/23 "2005-12-06T21:57:52Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I glean from this that it’s damned hard to hit another person who is standing there shooting back at you, trained or not. Yes, being shot at matters a LOT. But assuming that the officers in the video were trained to fire under stress is a big assumption. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235/24 "2005-12-06T22:03:16Z")
> [@Hombre](#): > > …While it’s true that long guns are inherently more accurate than handguns, shooting a man size target is much easier that 2 1/2" blocks… - - - Yes, but it is drastically more difficult to _throw 100,000 people 30 feet into the air_. I would be willing to accept either feat as impressive, myself. ~ ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235/25 "2005-12-06T22:05:28Z")
> [@scm1001](#): > > but aren’t those movie quickdraw hip shooting duels in the middle of the street a myth anyway? From what I’ve read, yes, but can’t recall where now. Also read that in most cases, lawmen used a 12 ga. shotgun, which I believe would be a heck of a lot more intimidating than a pistol, as well as more effective. Thanks to everybody for answers to my question and for a lot of really fascinating information. I’ll be really careful before crossing you quickdraw guys. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235/26 "2005-12-06T22:38:40Z")
The way I got pretty good at hip shooting was to chase tin cans down the road with a .22 auto pistol or something floating in a pond. the thing is that you can see an immediate indication of where your shots are going. After 6-8 bricks of .22 ammo, you will find that even when trying to be fast, you will impress yourself. Also helps to practice an hour a day for a few years… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handgun-accuracy-question/334235.md?page=1)