We know that our capability to hit a target is determined both a mechanical accuracy of our handgun and our practical accuracy as a shooter. The handgun mechanical accuracy is determined how closely the gun places each shot together on the target. The most common semi-auto service pistols with open sights can provide about 3” group at 25 yards. Some pistols are more accurate, for example SIG P-series, other do not. The practical accuracy is satisfactory if a slow fire group is less than the double size of the mechanical accuracy at 25 yards if a shooter uses 2 hands grip without support and a free stance. That is 6” group at 25 yards is a good goal for a regular shooter. A skilled pistol shooter can do better.

I collected some examples of practical handgun accuracy of some civilian handgun owners to estimate their results. I based only on their claims and indications that they used no modified sights. One guy writes that he regularly hits 5 shots on target inside 4” at 25 yards, using slow fire, standing position and two hands grip. Some shooters claim that they can hit target center inside 1” (1/2”-3/4”) at 7 yards. Others believe that the majority of civilian handgun owners cannot get grouping inside 3” at 25 yards and that 4-6” group is a good result. Also, it is common accepted that 2-3” grouping at 15 yards is a good result for many civilians who cannot regularly attend a shooting range. The top result, which I found, is 2.5” group at 35 yards; however, I think that it is so good to be truth. The majority people agree that 5-7”group is the top result at this shooting distance for the majority of civilian handgun owners. I am not a good shooter, and, in general, I practice at distances 10-15 yards. My best result is consistent shooting (5 shots) inside 2.0” ring at 15 yards, using Weaver stance.