How well can small optic-equipped pistols shoot?

Thinking of getting one to try. Probably a Hellcat with a 3 moa optic.

Does an optic on these little guns really allow more precise shooting at 25+yards?

On a side note I wish they made them in .380 to reduce recoil allowing for faster, more accurate follow-ups.

I’m at a point where I avoid “middle” calibers (and guns) like 9mm. If it’s going to be small I want very mild recoil and if it’s going to big it should be a hot .45, 10mm, or
.357 (auto or mag)

What I’m trying to gain is more precision without sacrificing speed, unless the speed is traded for a substantially more powerful round. (More expansion & penetration)

I’ve hit a 1:1 scale human torso @100 yards with a buddies P365XL & holosun, not under stress. He was able to make multiple relatively fast hits. 9MM trajectory with that short of a barrel is effectively a rainbow. It’s more about how well you shoot than the mechanical accuracy which is greater than 95+% of shooters, the RDS just gives you a finer point to aim with vs irons.

How well can you see a B8 at 25 yds with irons? 50? 100?

Recoil management isn’t a .380 vs 9mm problem. Recoil management is a YOU problem. It’s 2021. Stop with the 1980s caliber war non sense. Hit what you need to hit. .45 doesn’t do anything different than 9mm.

Red dots help you see better which helps you shoot better. Take a class from a reputable teacher if you feel it’s slower using a dot. The bottom line is they aren’t unless you’re doing it wrong.

They have the capability to shoot really well. I have 507Ks on a 43X MOS and a P365. They are easily capable of a 90+ 25 yard B8. They are, however, still little guns, so the dot is not going to cut recoil of course.

Thanks.

I think its something I need to try. (Little gun with optic)

I disagree.

Given the same gun and good technique a locked breech .380 will have more easily controlled recoil for faster, more accurate follow-up shots than a 9x19 the same way a 9x19 will vs. .45 acp.

My point is that you can manage the difference. No kidding there’s a recoil difference between .380 and 9mm. Hold the gun like it needs to be held.

Treat it like a rented mule!

Every 380 I’ve ever shot had more felt recoil than the micro 9s. And I’m not going out of my way to find the one full size, steel, none blowback 380 to compare to.

That along with the thickness and weight is overthinking

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The Shields RMR on my Hellcat is pretty accurate

I think that’s overselling 9mm a bit. Doesn’t mean it’s not the best all-around pistol cartridge, but there are things it does differently.

Only as well as you can shoot.

Glock 42 recoil is soft.

Well, perhaps “as well as one of these small auto’s can be fired.”

And that’s the big question. A video would be nice but I guess I’ll have to buy one and find out for myself.

I agree. Pistol ammo might have a narrow spectrum but there is a spectrum and there are some differences.

That’s because it’s a locked beech gun, like most 9mm pistols. The PPK and P230/232 are soft shooting, too, but they’re relatively heavy. There is no free lunch… something has got to give, and in most micro .380s, their blowback operating systems mean harsher recoil.

Subjective. I say a micro 9 shoots softer

They can be fired very well. No shortage of videos on YT

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That’s always a biggy. I had an Springfield XDS .45 for awhile and(to me) it was like .44 Magnum recoil while getting the mini barrel length drop in .45 velocity while another guy I know really like them and I have known a few people prior to mini size guns that disliked shooting a 9×19 vs. a .45 ACP out of the same size pistol due to the perception of faster 9×19 recoil aggravating bad wrists.

Ive shot a friends P365XL with the Sig red dot out to 100 yards on my 2/3 steel silhouette. Any misses were definitely me.

Once I get a red dot on my own P365XL Ill take it out to 150-300 yards.