Bullets from all weapons in this game don't travel in a straight line. They move in a "RNG" or "probability cone" where the bullet can deviate off target based on firing conditions. Range and firing before the weapon recovers from a previous shot WIDEN the base of the cone, and increase the odds of missing. This effect is most noticeable with hand cannons. So if you pace your shots (i.e. let the gun recover completely from the recoil) AND you stay within close-to-medium range with a hand cannon, you will reliably hit your shots. But if you spam the trigger or try to engage beyond mid-range, that cone will widen to the point----and the bullet will travel in a random enough path ALONG that cone----that you have a high likelihood of missing your target. Even if the reticle was "aimed" at your target when you pulled the trigger. This is what a lot of people like to call "ghost bullets". They are not "hits that failed to register'. THEY ARE MISSES. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKpW8XW6Xq0 This is video of Top 1% player and streamer True Vanguard playing with a Eyasluna/Longbow load out. Although he is super-quick, he generally does the three things at all times. 1. Let the hand cannon completely recover from the previous shot before pulling the trigger agains. 2. He's always moving. Either to throw off his opponents aim or cut off their firing angle. BOTH of these are crucial for hand cannon play in PVP. 3. Once he's beyond mid-range....out comes the sniper. He's seldom trying to push the hand cannon to long range (even though you can get some really stupid rolls with Eyasluna that can let you try to do that) But since this a range-related phenomenon, you can minimize its impact with certain perks 1. Range boosting perks will lengthen the cone, and allow the bullet to travel farther before veering off course. 2. Aim-Assist. The stickier your reticle, the more likely the bullet is to hit your target even if it veers off-center. Which is why the drop of Finala's Peril that I got last Iron Banner is an absolute beast of a hand cannon. It rolled Sureshot IS (boost aim-assist) , Hammer Forged (boosts range) and Hidden Hand (again boosts aim-assist). So, as long as I don't spam the trigger or try to enage out to long range, it is an EXTREMELY accurate weapon.

Hand canons are trash. There are only a couple worth using and you will be owned by every other primary.

Hand cannons need to be 100% accurate. (Last word should register at scout rifle range). No reason bullets shouldn't go where I'm shooting them This would be compensated by damage drop off. Think Year 1 handcannons with damage dropoff.

YES THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH HAND CANNONS.... the Eyasluna never -blam!-ing drops 😂

One word [spoiler]BLOOM[/spoiler]

This is what I know, might not be entirely accurate bit I think it's pretty close: All primary weapons (and probably most others) in destiny have a hidden stat called accuracy which is tied to range. Think if it as a cone with the pointy end at the end of your barrel, protruding out in the direction you shoot. This cone is the area in which your bullets can register. The lower the range stat the wider the cone and there for the larger the area bullets can register in, leading to inaccuracy. On top of that, the cone widens with repeated shooting and takes time to settle back to the tighter, initial accuracy cone (this phenomenon is often referred to as bloom). Most classes of gun are basically unaffected by this mechanic but you'll notice it with the bullet grouping of an auto rifle and you'll notice it [b]a lot[/b] with hand cannons right now. The reason being bungie not only decreased their accuracy but also increased the time it takes for initial accuracy to return, making slowly timing shots and increasing range a major factor of getting results with hand cannons. So that about sums up why hand cannons feel off to you... They have horrible accuracy right now and this results in bullets missing their target a lot, often referred to as 'ghost bullets'.

Handcannons are fine. The only people who complain have very little range or very little stability on their rolls and are either firing them too quickly or over estimating their range. Watch any youtube video and you can clearly see people firing follow up shots before the barrel is anywhere near the target all the while blaming phantom bullets for their lack of skill. You openly admit you dont use hand cannons often. Practice and you'll find their unbeatable in certain circumstances. Almost all hc's two tap when litc procs.

Firing the weapon at its full ROF is where the phantom bullets come from. Let the gun come to a rest before firing again and no more phantom bullets

Bungo doesn't want any primary to be able to compete with scouts. So they nerfed handcannons range and gave them houdni bullets.