which is more accurate

[hoggunner]

as a general rule which is more accurate the revolver or the semi auto?

[Graybeard]

Revolver for sure if you're talking centerfire but if rimfire not always the same as some of the semiauto rimfire handguns will outshoot most revolvers. Still across the board in my experience revolvers will outshoot semi autos.

[S.B.]

Which revolver and which semi auto and what caliber? You left the field wide open.

[GRIMJIM]

The way I read this question, hoggunner was asking about a standard quality firearm, not some cheap piece of junk or a tricked out target gun. If that is the case I have to agree with Bill about the handguns winning out here. There are always going to be exceptions to this of course but he did say as a general rule.

[SHOOTALL]

revolvers , and some of  chambers of a revolver can display better accy than others in the same cyl.
But like any rule there are some autos that break the rule and display great accy.

[hoggunner]

grimjim
 you read my ? perfectly, I am not talking about junk or tricked out guns more of a good quality handgun out of the box so to speak.
also not talking rifle rounds out of a contender but straight wall hand gun rounds.
Sportingly
Hoggunner

[SHOOTALL]

sorry i should have included quality guns in my post but here one wold assume quality only . I included the chamber issue because i have seen a few " QUALITY " revolvers that shot great out of all but one chamber . If you mark that chamber then you know your gun if not you know you will open the group but not know which shot will do it . Many autos shoot the first shot off a bit , some say due to hand cycled slide to load gun . If you find a revolver or auto that puts the full load in a tight group ( BY YOUR STANDARDS ) keep it !

[Win 73]

I can cite an example each way from my own experience.  I have a Ruger Mark II standard model .22 auto and a Ruger Single Six .22 revolver.  I am more accurate with the Mark II.  I also have a Ruger P97 .45 auto and a Ruger Blackhawk .45 convertible.  I usually shoot .45 ACP in the Blackhawk.  I am more accurate with the Blackhawk.

Remember, unless you are shooting from a Ransom rest, the shooter usually determines how accurate the gun is.  Someone else shooting my guns might have just the opposite results.  That's why it is important to get a gun that "fits" you.

[bull]

In theory, most target shooters will respond that a semi-auto is more accurate. This would be because an auto loader fires from the same chamber and barrel alighnment every time. A revolver fires from 6 or more,(or less) chambers and 1 barrel, thus multiple alignments. However, in the real world, I think most people tend to shoot revolvers more accurately.

[Tom C.]

In theory, most target shooters will respond that a semi-auto is more accurate. This would be because an auto loader fires from the same chamber and barrel alighnment every time. A revolver fires from 6 or more,(or less) chambers and 1 barrel, thus multiple alignments. However, in the real world, I think most people tend to shoot revolvers more accurately.

In my experience, that is true for rimfire guns, but centerfire guns, even though it should be true, doesn’t tend that way. My rimfire autos are typically more accurate than my revolvers, but my good revolvers are more accurate than run of the mill autos.

The best tricked out .45 target autos are good for 1.5” to 2” at 50 yds in a Ransom Rest. The good box stock revolvers will match that. My .500 S&W will shoot into 2” at 50 yds. over a bench with a 2x scope. I think my DW 744 is actually a little better.

The bottom line: handguns are individuals. There may be trends, but each is a law unto itself.

[SHOOTALL]

its funny that much of what is written by police trainers states that when they went to autos the scores went up . that may indeed be true for police officers shooting double action with the revolver and single action with the auto  but a good revolver shot single action is an accurate firearm .

[S.B.]

SHOOTALL, what are you referring to? What books or text are you reading this stuff in? Please, give me examples? Who are these authors?

[SHOOTALL]

mostly magazines , If memory serves correctly Hand gunner , Gun test , maybe American Rifleman and such many were back when the switch was being made . Not long after that it was the switch to DAO from the single action first shot to DA second shot . It seems every time a new gun comes out all we had were junk go figure !

[oldandslow]

I have to agree with Graybeard pretty much. I do think quite a bit has to do with the individual shooter when you rule out machine rests.

[SHOOTALL]

But which is more accurate ? not who is more accurate . I really don't know ! I have seen both turn in remarkable results and both be dismal . how would you really compare ?

[S.B.]

its funny that much of what is written by police trainers states that when they went to autos the scores went up . that may indeed be true for police officers shooting double action with the revolver and single action with the auto  but a good revolver shot single action is an accurate firearm .

Long ago, I quit putting faith into gun writers opinions? Proof is in the pudding.
Steve

[Redhawk1]

I shoot revolvers and auto's. I can shoot both accurately. A lot has to do with the gun and shooter. But inherently I believe revolvers are more accurate. JMHO.

[Drilling Man]

  I can only go by my years of experience shooting both, and on "average", i'd say when it comes to over the counter center fires, it would be revolvers that are more accurate...  BUT, when it comes to rimfires, the revolvers have to be compared to the likes of "over the counter" High Standard Victors, and S&W M-41's, so in rimfires, i give the edge to the semi auto's.

  My S&W M-18 is very accurate, but it doesn't hold a candle to my Victor..  In fact my Victor will outshoot any rimfire revolver i've ever owned or shot against, and probably a big percentage of the 22 rifles sold today...

  DM

[blackhawk45]

Revolver for sure if you're talking centerfire but if rimfire not always the same as some of the semiauto rimfire handguns will outshoot most revolvers. Still across the board in my experience revolvers will outshoot semi autos.

I Agree.

[SHOOTALL]

one thing that might shed light is ya don't see alot of long range autos where revolvers are often used long range .
You could say it is cartridge more than platform but that is all part of it .

[SharonAnne]

machine rest groups are not valid for autopistols. they aim the frame, not the barrel and slide. this is demonstrated most dramatically with the plastic grip pistols

[SHOOTALL]

I'n confused , the machine rest holds the handgun , the lack of proper adapters to hold certain guns may in fact give poor result . how does that equate to aiming ? as that is a separate function on the rest i have seen used .

[SharonAnne]

autopistols  may not always 'reset' in exactly the same position relative to the frame. Thus resulting in larger groups. If it is a good quality pistol that is well fitted this will not be the case. If the pistol is loose, shooting by hand, aiming the sights and not the frame can result in smaller groups.

And I SHOULD have said, 'machine rest results MAY not be valid for autopistols', for the reasons stated above.

[S.B.]

Your reference is to pistols that don't have a fixed barrel, right? Not every pistol has a moveablle or linked barrel.

[SharonAnne]

exactly, like the 1911, P35, many CZ, tanfoglio,etc. I like that you pin me down to specifics. shows you are thinking.

[SharonAnne]

also shows I need to be clear and specific.

[SHOOTALL]

I hope this does not start WW3 , SA you pointed out quality guns shoot good groups and poor quality guns shoot poor groups . The fact that both groups display both good and poor specimens sums up the obvious - you pay your money and take your chance . Less moving parts may make the gamble less but not a sure bet .
I will be honest with regard to a gun returning to battery if it is inconsistent it will not be accurate , but do realize your point as often the hand cycled first round of an auto loader will be the flier of the group .