A pistol doesn’t have to be expensive to work, but it should at least hold its accuracy after a couple of range trips. Unfortunately, some handguns start to drift long before they should. Whether it’s poor barrel fit, subpar manufacturing, or parts that wear faster than expected, these pistols make you feel like you’re chasing your sights after only a few boxes of ammo. If you’ve ever wondered why your groups keep spreading out, these are the culprits shooters talk about most.
Taurus G2C
The Taurus G2C is affordable and widely available, but its accuracy doesn’t hold up for long. After a few boxes of ammunition, groups tend to widen noticeably. This is often tied to barrel lockup issues and looser tolerances that only get worse with steady use.
While it works fine for casual shooting, you’ll notice drift on the target the more you put it through range sessions. For those who prioritize consistency, the G2C struggles to keep up beyond light, occasional use.
Kel-Tec PF-9
The Kel-Tec PF-9 was built as a budget-friendly, lightweight carry pistol, but accuracy isn’t its strong suit. After running a few boxes of ammo, the barrel fit and slide wear start to affect consistency. You’ll see shots wander, even if your fundamentals are solid.
The PF-9’s thin frame and snappy recoil don’t help, making it harder to get back on target quickly. It’s fine for close-range self-defense but disappointing if you’re expecting reliable accuracy over multiple range trips.
SCCY CPX-2
The SCCY CPX-2 promises affordability and a simple design, but accuracy takes a hit sooner than it should. After several boxes of ammo, the barrel-to-slide fit shows wear, and your shot groups start to spread.
The long, heavy trigger pull doesn’t make things easier, especially when fatigue sets in during longer shooting sessions. While it’s a serviceable budget option, keeping accuracy consistent past the first couple of outings is a challenge with this pistol.
Hi-Point C9
Hi-Point’s C9 is known for being inexpensive and functional, but accuracy isn’t something it hangs onto for long. After a few hundred rounds, the looser tolerances and heavy slide design show their limits. Groups open up, and consistency takes a dip.
The bulky ergonomics and heavy trigger also add to the challenge. While the C9 will keep firing, don’t expect it to maintain tight accuracy once it’s seen steady use. It’s more about reliability than precision.
Jimenez JA Nine
The Jimenez JA Nine struggles with accuracy retention almost from the start. After only a few boxes of ammunition, you’ll notice significant shot dispersion, often caused by cheap materials and questionable barrel fit.
These pistols wear fast, and once the tolerances loosen further, groups only get worse. While it might work as a budget stopgap, the JA Nine isn’t built for shooters who expect their pistol to stay consistent through repeated range sessions.
Cobra CA-380
The Cobra CA-380 is a small, low-cost pistol, but accuracy isn’t its strong suit. After a few boxes of rounds, you’ll notice significant variation in your groupings. The barrel and slide lockup simply don’t hold up under repeated use.
Combined with a heavy trigger and short sight radius, it becomes tough to keep shots where you want them after more than light use. While it’s cheap, this pistol’s accuracy fades quicker than most are willing to tolerate.
Raven Arms MP-25
The Raven Arms MP-25 is an older pocket pistol that was always designed with cost in mind. Accuracy begins to fall apart after a modest amount of use, with wear on the barrel and slide rails showing quickly.
This pistol wasn’t built for high-volume shooting, and it shows. Even if you’re steady on the trigger, you’ll see groups open up after a few boxes. It’s a gun made for close-range emergencies, not repeatable accuracy.
Jennings J-22
The Jennings J-22 is another budget pistol with accuracy issues that appear early. After only a couple of boxes of ammo, groupings spread noticeably as the gun starts showing wear in key areas like the barrel fit.
Add in frequent feeding and cycling problems, and it’s hard to get consistency beyond the first range session. For those looking for a practice pistol, the J-22 falls short quickly, losing its accuracy almost as soon as you start putting it to use.
Jimenez J.A. 380
The Jimenez J.A. 380 is infamous for its poor accuracy retention. After a short break-in, groups begin to open up significantly, usually due to sloppy tolerances and weak materials that can’t handle steady shooting.
The pistol’s small frame and awkward ergonomics make it even harder to maintain control as rounds stack up. If you plan on firing more than a few boxes, you’ll notice a steady decline in how well this pistol tracks to your sights.
Bryco Arms Model 38
The Bryco Arms Model 38 rounds out the list as another handgun that struggles to hold accuracy. After a handful of range trips, you’ll see significant shot drift, with mechanical wear compounding the issue.
While inexpensive, the Model 38 isn’t built for sustained shooting. Its barrel and slide fit deteriorate quickly, making it a pistol you can’t depend on for consistent accuracy past minimal use. For serious shooters, it’s a clear miss.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
