What is the difficulty when shooting with a handgun compared to a rifle?

When comparing the difficulty of shooting with a handgun to that of a rifle, one of the primary challenges lies in the accuracy of shots. Handguns generally have shorter barrels than rifles, which can lead to less stability and a shorter sight radius. The shorter sight radius makes it harder to line up the sights accurately, resulting in a potential increase in difficulty when trying to achieve precision shots. Additionally, handguns are typically held with one hand or in a less stable firing position than rifles, which are often shouldered against the body. This difference in support and stability further contributes to the challenge of maintaining accuracy with a handgun compared to a rifle.

In contrast, rifles have longer barrels, which not only offers a longer sight radius but also provides better control over performance and stability during shooting. The heavier weight of rifles and their design for shoulder shooting allows for a steadier aim compared to the more portable and lighter handguns. Recoil can also be a factor, but handguns and rifles can have varying recoil characteristics depending on the caliber; therefore, while higher recoil can affect control, it does not directly pertain to the inherent accuracy challenges when considering handguns versus rifles.