Originally Posted By: 2015_PSD
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Barrel length is the smallest factor in how accurately a gun is able to be shot. As Bill said, sight radius is probably the biggest factor in how accurately a gun may be fired.
They are, by design, inherently connected, are they not? All things being equal, I have yet to see anyone shoot a subcompact as accurately as a compact or full sized pistol. So in many ways, it is expected for a subcompact to be "less accurate" despite the reasons.
If you want to see someone shoot a sub compact as well as a full size pistol, watch Hickock45 shoot a glock 26 or 27. He shoots them just as well if not better than the larger compact or full size offerings from glock.
The ultimate way to test accuracy of a pistol is to lock it into a ransom rest and shoot it at 25 yards. Most service pistols such as glock, sig, s&w, H&K, CZ, Beretta, ETC will shoot groups ranging from 2-4" at 25 yards regardless of the size of the gun or the model. The guns with the smallest groups will have tightly fitted parts (mostly frame, slide and barrel fit) precisely finished rifling and muzzle crowns in the barrels and THEN, all else being equal; longer sight radiuses (radi?). Barrel length isn't all that important and in the case of rifles, a shorter barrel is inherently more accurate due to less barrel flex and barrel whipping during the firing process. Barrel whipping is exactly why you see thicker, heavier, larger diameter barrels on target / high accuracy demand rifles.
As for the shield vs glock 43 debate, the shield is bigger in every dimension, heavier and most examples have a worse trigger than the 43. The strengths of the shield are good felt recoil despite the size of the gun and very effective and attractive slide serrations. The Glock 43 is lighter, smaller, has less sharp edges and a slightly better trigger than the shield. The glock is also slightly easier to work on and normally priced lower than the shield as well. Everything else about the guns such as take down, looks, grip angle and brand loyalty is all personal preference.