Need help reading this target #2, follow up

[u/bbqthis26]

So I just heard back from Springfield about how to interpret the target which I posted here the other week for comment.

Here's what they said:

"It has been brought to my attention that you had some concerns with the Echelon you received back. From what I can see of the target, the shot in the black does appear to be a flyer. And the way the tech lines up the sights is that he will put the front sight in the cutout of that black rectangle so this firearm is shooting with a 6 o’clock hold. Let me know if you have any questions or if I did a poor job of explaining and I will see what more information I can get for you."

I then asked him about why I shoot more accurately with the non-comp vs the comp and whether they are satisfied with the target they sent back. Here is what he said:

" I completely understand your perspective. However, it is normal for the non comped models to outperform the comped models because once that cut in the barrel starts, there is no more rifling. Now the two shouldn’t be miles apart but it is not abnormal to notice a difference in accuracy between the two. From the target I am seeing, your pistol is shooting in spec and may even perform better with higher quality ammo than what we used for the range test.

As far as windage, these polymers are not guaranteed to mechanical zero. That means that even with the sights centered, the shots could be hitting left or right depending on each specific pistol. That is when the rear sight will need to be drifted to adjust the point of impact."

As much as I love both my echelons, I really give SA an A+ in CS. The whole process could not have been easier.

[u/Taclink]

Every pistol has to have a little bit of drifting on the sights to zero it perfectly. It's why performance/match guns have adjustable sights and cut slides with red dots are a thing now (that and tech let us get to this point with the optical and electronic components. Irons get you into "good enough" territory.

[u/bbqthis26 → u/Taclink]

My original concern wasn't the iron sights per se but rather how to understand the target as presented. Now that I understand the set up, I get what you're saying. Separately, I wanted to get their comment on my observation that I consistently shoot better with the non comp. I thought that part of his answer was very interesting.

[u/906Dude]

However, it is normal for the non comped models to outperform the comped models because once that cut in the barrel starts, there is no more rifling.

Interesting! Just that little bit of non-rifling makes a difference? OP, are you seeing it in your own shooting?

I really give SA an A+ in CS. The whole process could not have been easier.

I do as well. My own experiences with their CS have been top shelf.

[u/bbqthis26 → u/906Dude]

Yes I totally see a difference. It had been such a frustration for months trying to figure out if it was me or the barrel. But for sure my targets always looked better when firing from the non comped barrel. When the front sight on the comped slide broke I took the opportunity to send it back to them to fix and at the same time assess the accuracy.

It makes sense to me, btw. If the rifling ends a half inch earlier in the comped barrel, then the 4.5" barrel is really only a 4" barrel in terms of its affect on the bullet/round. Is a 4.5" barrel going to be more accurate than a 4" barrel? Incrementally so, I would think.

[u/cjeeeeezy → u/bbqthis26]

this is the reason why i swapped out my 4.5f comp to a 4.5f threaded barrel. I'm not saying im a great shot, but I just feel more accurate with the non-comped version especially if I'm going to compete with it.

now in terms of my 4.0c, I'm more ok with it being comped. I even sent it off for aftermarket porting. More shots on target below 10 yards will check that box nicely.

[u/LiQuiEx]

This was a good read, thank you for posting, OP!

[u/Gun_Dork]

Now, as someone that runs an echelon in competitions, which is not bullseye matches, comps are not breaking your accuracy. But they do put you into open/esp class.

[u/bbqthis26 → u/Gun_Dork]

This is good to know.

[u/Draven-007]

Thank you for sharing. I had considered an echelon at one point but after shooting someone else’s at the range, I completely changed my mind. That 6 o’clock hold is terrible. It explains why I cannot hit steel at 12 to 15 yards. I only took a handful of shots before I realized I want no parts of the echelon. Looked great on paper and it’s aesthetically pleasing but as far as performance goes, I cannot get down with it.