Most folks expect a gun to improve with use—smoother trigger, better feel, tighter groups. But every now and then, the opposite happens. Some firearms shoot tighter out of the box and gradually open up as parts wear, barrels shift, or tolerances change. It’s frustrating when a range favorite starts disappointing after a few hundred rounds. These ten guns have earned a reputation for doing just that—starting strong, but fading fast.
KelTec Sub-2000
Out of the box, it’s surprisingly accurate for a folding 9mm carbine. But as the hinge loosens and the plastic flexes, that accuracy fades. Groups start to spread, especially beyond 25 yards.
It’s still handy and compact, but if you’re expecting repeatable precision after a few hundred rounds, it might leave you disappointed.
Remington 597
This .22 started with promise, but after extended use, many shooters saw accuracy decline. The rail loosens, the action wears oddly, and it starts having reliability hiccups too.
Even with upgraded mags and a better trigger, the barrel and receiver fit seems to degrade just enough to throw groups off.
Taurus G3C
It’s a solid budget gun for the price, and many folks are impressed early on. But after a few hundred rounds, you’ll notice the barrel fit and slide lockup aren’t what they used to be.
That tight shooting in the first few sessions can start to drift, and the accuracy can become inconsistent with bulk ammo.
M1 Carbine (Commercial Clones)
The original GI carbines had tighter specs, but many commercial clones—especially cheaper post-war builds—start grouping worse with age. Loose gas blocks and worn operating rods don’t help.
It’s one of those rifles that feels great in-hand but can frustrate you on paper after a few dozen range trips.
SIG Mosquito
You might get a good group early on if you’re lucky and using the right ammo. But it doesn’t take much for the slide fit and recoil system to get sloppy.
Add in the fact that it’s already finicky with ammo, and you’ve got a .22 that shoots worse over time—not better.
Century Arms C308
Based on the G3, this rifle comes with a stamped receiver and inconsistent fitment. Some shoot OK at first, but wear in the trunnion or bolt gap quickly leads to degrading accuracy.
You can feel the shift in groups as the round count climbs, especially if you’re not shooting quality ammo.
Ruger P95
It’s tough and reliable, but accuracy often goes downhill with round count. The polymer frame rails and chunky slide don’t wear evenly, which can affect lockup.
You won’t notice much difference at close range, but try stretching it out to 25 yards or more after a thousand rounds, and it starts to show.
WASR-10
Early batches of these AKs were rough but shot fairly well out of the gate. The problem is, parts wear unevenly, and barrels weren’t always the best to begin with.
With enough use, accuracy starts to fade—especially with steel-cased surplus—and groups can go from acceptable to sloppy.
S&W Sigma Series
This budget striker-fired pistol shoots okay early on, but after a few hundred rounds, the gritty trigger and polymer wear can hurt group sizes.
It’s not a gun most people train heavily with anyway, but for those who do, the long-term accuracy just isn’t there.
Mossberg 464
This lever-action .30-30 looks good and feels solid at first, but over time, barrel band movement and action slop can impact group consistency.
If you use it hard during deer season or plink a lot, don’t be surprised if your three-shot group at 100 turns into five inches instead of two.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
