This first shot from a semi goes into the blue?

[Glenn E. Meyer]

So I get my copy of Shooting Illustrated in the mail and they have an article on the new Ruger Security-9 pistol. The author is discussing how you can't expect Mercedes-Benz levels of accuracy from an inexpensive gun but it is probably good enough for the archetypal close in self-defense shooting.

However, I found a comment interesting - Beyond 10 yards the groups open up. As often happens with semis , the first manually chambered round often ends up in a different zip code from the rest of the group.

Have folks noticed this. I have to say, I haven't - I manually chamber a round all the time and fire 10 more. If they fly off - it's me.

Thoughts on this or is the some writer hint about the gun? I've read that you have to read subtle hints, at times, in reviews.

[Sherman A. House DDS]

I’ve heard people say that the, “manually,” loaded round’s projectile impacts on a different trajectory than the rounds that are, “machine,” loaded.

However, I think it falls into the, “Preoccupation with inconsequential increments,” category. Most folks’ 9 MOA flinch is a bigger issue.


civiliandefender.com

[ralph]

So I get my copy of Shooting Illustrated in the mail and they have an article on the new Ruger Security-9 pistol. The author is discussing how you can't expect Mercedes-Benz levels of accuracy from an inexpensive gun but it is probably good enough for the archetypal close in self-defense shooting.

However, I found a comment interesting - Beyond 10 yards the groups open up. As often happens with semis , the first manually chambered round often ends up in a different zip code from the rest of the group.

Have folks noticed this. I have to say, I haven't - I manually chamber a round all the time and fire 10 more. If they fly off - it's me.

Thoughts on this or is the some writer hint about the gun? I've read that you have to read subtle hints, at times, in reviews.

I have noticed this with a M1 Garand, first round manually loaded on my M1 will usually go to about 11 0 clock, when aimed at bullseye, the rest go into bull, never noticed this with a pistol, however, but I suppose it's possible.. Might be interesting to test out with a ransom rest..

[littlejerry]

Yes, I've seen this with auto loading rifles. Never observed with pistols, but that's probably due to a good group being 2-3 inches at 25 vs measureing a 0.5 inch group at 100

[Peally]

Rifles with cold barrels it makes sense. In a handgun not so much.

[littlejerry]

Rifles with cold barrels it makes sense. In a handgun not so much.

My observation hasn't been necessarily limited to cold bores. I've seen it on "warm" barrels. First shot from a magazine has a different POI

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Any idea why? Barrel temperature might make sense. How big a deviation?

[CCT125US]

I have heard this as well. However, it does not seem to hold true for me, as I can't measure a difference.

[littlejerry]

My observation hasn't been necessarily limited to cold bores. I've seen it on "warm" barrels. First shot from a magazine has a different POI

This was 2 6 round groups fired back to back from different mags. The 2 "flyers" were the first round from each mag/group

[okie john]

I have noticed this with a M1 Garand, first round manually loaded on my M1 will usually go to about 11 0 clock, when aimed at bullseye, the rest go into bull, never noticed this with a pistol, however, but I suppose it's possible.. Might be interesting to test out with a ransom rest..

I shot with the Oklahoma National Guard pistol team back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. I remember hearing older shooters (guys with multiple trips to Camp Perry under their belts) talk about this with match-tuned 1911 softball guns. I never experienced it personally, but I wasn't a good enough shot to tell.

Given the mad skillz of most gun writers, I'd guess that he/she is riding the slide forward and leaving the piece slightly out of battery, which will cause problems. Tooling marks on a new pistol and improper lube could make things worse.


Okie John