My Glock G45 Shoots Low

CptCurl

CptCurl

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Last year I got the notion to have a Glock.

The final push came from a thread on this forum in which several users discussed the merits of the relatively new G45 model - a short slide and barrel mounted on a full-size grip frame.

So I bought one, brand new.

20200505_063340_1024.jpg




Now, I'm not expecting match-grade accuracy from this thing, but I do expect it to shoot to the sights. So far, it doesn't. With three different brands of factory ammo it consistently shoots about 6 inches low at 25 yards, from a bench.

The ammo I have tried:
  • Fiocchi 124 gr. FMJ;
  • Sellier & Bellot 124 gr. FMJ; and
  • MagTech Guardian Gold 124 gr. JHP

They all shoot consistently low, as stated.

For me, that means the front sight is too high. Trouble is, I got the "glow-in-the-dark" night sights on this pistol. Therefore, I can't file a little off the front sight. A higher rear sight would work.

Does anybody have a suggestion based on more than speculation? I really think it should shoot to the sights.

Curl

P.S. The triggers on Glocks really suck. Sorry, I had to say that.
 
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What's your sight picture? Current trend I have noticed is combat pistols regulated to center hold as defined by the dots, not the top of the sights. 6" low at 25 yds sounds about right for that way if are are holding top of sights.

As far as the trigger goes, striker actions are not to everyone's taste. I can say Glock triggers break consistently so if you can adapt to that it doesn't deter practical accuracy.

Edit: now that I've had my coffee.. I remember shooting a 43X and 48 with 115 gr ball ammo and they both shot POI = top of sights. Tritiums different? Agree with post below that the first thing to do is contact Glock.
 
Last edited:
You need to answer the question of sight pic. Are using 6 o'clock or dead center hold for example.
My H&K's use center hold for example as outlined is the owners manual.
Many handguns do not necessarily specify.
 
Thanks for all the helpful responses!

Sight picture: I am doing top of the sights, front sight level with rear sight. The point of impact seems to be six to eight inches lower. Using a round bullseye and a 6 o'clock hold, I expect my group to be right at the bottom tangent of the bullseye.

Maybe you have a point that the tritium dots define the sight picture. But if that's true, I'm not wild about the idea. The tritium dots are irrelevant in daylight conditions, and in darkness the range will be so short as not to matter.

Trigger: I know the design of this weapon can only result in the spongy trigger. It's just not something I'm used to. I can deal with that (while reserving the right to gripe).

Try 147 grain ammo: Yes, that is one thing I have meant to try. I have a stock of 147 grain ammo on hand. If it shoots to the sights with heavier ammo I'm ok. Normally, a slower and heavier projectile will impact higher.

Kentucky windage (holdover): Yeah, I hear you. But this is a brand new, modern pistol. It should shoot to the sights. All I really need is a higher rear sight.

Contact Glock: Now that's a pretty good idea! In fact, right after I posted this thread it dawned on me to do just that. I sent an email to their customer service just after posting this thread. Haven't had a reply yet, but I will report on how it goes.

Again, thanks for the attentive replies. I still will welcome any other suggestions or comments.

Curl
 
ahhhhhhhhh willy willy I wonder if OP knows what he started?

If it is the G45 shooting low and not a shooters grip or sight picture issue, you could purchase a taller rear sight.
 
CptCurl said:
Sight picture: Using a round bullseye and a 6 o'clock hold, I expect my group to be right at the bottom tangent of the bullseye.
Curl
Click to expand...
So would I, until I experienced shooting low on certain makes and models (what's wrong with this pistol?) and with a little internet research read about the "combat hold". Have to retrain the brain but it can be done.
 
I have one also and it shoots fine if you know how to properly hold for the sight picture. Most say that if you are utilizing the stock Glock, ball in the bucket sights, you must cut the front sight in half with the rear sight white line rather than placing the ball on top of the rear sight. With many of the after market sights, you must use a center combat hold, placing the center of the front sight covering what you wish to hit rather than a 6 o'clock hold. XS Big Dots are set up that way.
 
Problem is Solved.

As I mentioned above, I did contact Glock with my problem. I got a quick reply, and after giving an explanation of my sighting problem, the service representative said he would send a higher rear sight.

The rear sight originally in my pistol is 6.1mm high. Glock sent a 6.9mm rear sight as a replacement. The sight arrived Monday. I popped it into the slide without any problem. Today I had the Glock at the range, and everything is perfect. I am now hitting just above the front sight, just where I want them to be.

Kudos to Glock's prompt customer service. Now I will develop a fondness for this pistol.

Curl
 
growr said:
Not one suggestion that he shoot from a rest using a center of mass sight picture??

I would venture to say that his Glock does not shoot low, rather HE shoots low..........a number of things that cause this....

Randy
Click to expand...

I ahve a number of fixed sight pistols, revolvers and semi auto's, none of which came from the factory with the sights regulated to my loads. It is a bit of a gamble so the 147's may be a good option.

I usually shoot a 1911 or 686 revolver. WHen I qualify with my duty G17 I have to remember that in my hnads the Glock points naturaly low. I need to remember to alter the angle of my wrist to compensate. If I forget my wrist relaxes to the angle it is used to just as the trigge breaks.

Also the sights on my G17 seem regulated for a high thoracic hold on our qualification targets, not centre of mass. This helps keep the sight picture similar to that of the M4 fitted with red dot sight, which tends to shoot low out to aorund 50 meters too.

I have seen some pretty impressive groups from Glocks however they have all been customised. If the OP's gun is a Zgen 4/5 with replaceable backstraps I would try the highest one supplied, this feels much better in my hand.

Now the kicker. Is this a self defence pistol or a range toy?

For self defence 6-8" low at 25 yards should still be on target, not in the COM but a bit below it. Typical self defence distances the difference will be much less.

if it is a range toy then try a higher hold on the target.

Otherwise a new rear sight and a custom trigger.
 
I have a couple FNS-9's that both shot a few inches low with 115gr WWB and 124gr defensive ammo of a couple different brands. With 147gr it shoots POA so I assume that the department that had these wanted the sights regulated to 147gr.
 
CptCurl said:
As I mentioned above, I did contact Glock with my problem. I got a quick reply, and after giving an explanation of my sighting problem, the service representative said he would send a higher rear sight.

The rear sight originally in my pistol is 6.1mm high. Glock sent a 6.9mm rear sight as a replacement. The sight arrived Monday. I popped it into the slide without any problem. Today I had the Glock at the range, and everything is perfect. I am now hitting just above the front sight, just where I want them to be.

Kudos to Glock's prompt customer service. Now I will develop a fondness for this pistol.

Curl
Click to expand...

Great to hear. I expected them to take care of you. You'll love that pistol once you get some time behind it. Enjoy.
 
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