Long Range Shooting with Handguns

Tabby · Jun 27, 2026

I have started doing a lot of shooting at 50 and 100 yards with my S&W Model 19, Sig Sauer M17 and now that I have adjustable sights on my Tisas 38 Super fired a few rounds on the range with the 38 Super. I was at the range to primarily sight in a new (to me) Remington 700 ADL in 243. I had brought some targets along to set up at the 100, then paced off 25 yards and fired 5 rounds, offhand at the top target.4 of the 5 were high and right, somewhat scattered. Made a sight adjustment thenf fired 5 more rounds. This time they were better centered with 3 shots in one elongated hole. Went back to the 100 yard line and shot 5 rounds from a supported position at 100 yards using the top of the target as my aiming point. All 5 rounds were in the scoring rings but a bit off to the right. I was there to sight in the rifle so stopped playing with the pistol. I have shot handguns at 100 a little while ago and the Model 19 was the most accurate, the Sig M17 keeping the rounds on paper. Now I'm going to have to play some more to try to get these handguns sighted in at 100. If you are up for a challenge try shooting your handguns at 50 and 100 yards. It's a lot of fun and simply amazing how accurate they can be at longer ranges. To keep from having to do a lot of walking set up several targets on a large cardboard and bring along a spotting scope.

RjHawk · Jun 28, 2026

from a supported position at 100 yards

sand bags or adjustable rest or sticks ? pretty good group for 100 yards

Tabby · Jun 28, 2026

RjHawk said:
from a supported position at 100 yards

sand bags or adjustable rest or sticks ? pretty good group for 100 yards

Shooting at 25 was offhand, one hand. At 100 off of a Caldwell Rifle Rest bat.

Gabe · Jun 28, 2026

It’s always surprising how capable a good handgun can be at distance once you really settle in.

RjHawk · Jun 28, 2026

came across a really nice Colt in 38 Super , was trying to post a link to it but computer doesn't want to do the right one for some reason

try one more time

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1183463712

got it right that time

Tabby · Jun 28, 2026

RjHawk said:
came across a really nice Colt in 38 Super , was trying to post a link to it but computer doesn't want to do the right one for some reason

try one more time

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1183463712

got it right that time

Unless you are a serious collector the price on that Colt is way out of line. From what I can tell, the asking price is at least $2000 high. My Tisas cost me $405 with the FFL fee and it looks and shoots flawless right out of the box with either the 38 Super or 9MM barrel.

critterpicker · Sunday at 5:09 PM

A while back I was doing some load development. Dan Wesson 41 mag at 50 yards. 15 shots off sandbags IIRC

Tabby · Sunday at 6:52 PM

Great shooting. It appears that you have the sights zeroed. Next, try shooting from a braced position, like a roof support on an outdoor covered firing point, tree or other standing support, or maybe shooting sticks and finally offhand. You will find that it is not all that difficult. From 50 yards move on to 100. using the same procedure. Sandbags and on to other methods of support then finally offhand. Revolvers are more accurate than pistols however it's possible to shoot almost as well with a semi auto at these ranges too.

critterpicker · Sunday at 9:17 PM

Best accuracy I can achieve is from the Creedmoor position. If you have ever seen silhouette matches, that's the position used there. It allows the handgun to recoil undisturbed. This is a huge advantage over sandbags. At my age, I can't get into that position any longer. Elmer Keith would sit , back against a tree or post and bring both knees up and put his hands between his knees. This works quite well, however , with a revolver you have to make sure the barrel-cylinder gap is beyond the legs. It is very painful if you don't get it far enough foreward.

Tabby · Sunday at 11:03 PM

I know the position, just never really used it much. I am familiar with the issues of powder flash burns from the cylinder gap. My daddy taught me better than to get caught by that one but it happens to others, most notably new revolver shooters. Last time it happened was a few years ago when helping out with a Black Powder pistol instructors class . Now one would think that someone who was going for a pistol instructor rating would know better, but one of the students had gripped the revolver with his strong hand on the grip and trigger, but had wrapped the weak hand around the front of the trigger guard and frame. You can imagine what happened when he pressed the trigger. I ended up taking him to the local urgent care to have the powder and flash burns treated. Needless to say he did not pass the course. Hard to shoot much less to instructor standards with your hand wrapped in bandages. That is unless you are proficient in shooting one handed, which few are these daze.

critterpicker · Monday at 12:39 AM

I had a shoe repair guy make me a blast shield for shooting a revolver in Creedmoor position. It had a 3/8 thick rubber that they used in truck tires , sandwiched between two pieces of saddle leather. The blast shield held up for several years of 41 and 44 mag revolver loads. Then one fine day I got a 445 Super Mag. First shot I took from Creedmoor I had a bruise the size of a grapefruit on the side of my leg. I had to reposition the gun on the blast shield so the blast was off the leg.