New Model 10 - 14 hitting left?

[JWil]

So I have a new Model 10 - 14, and with most ammo it hits left, aside from 125 grain +P from Buffalo Bore which is fairly centered, and confusingly 130 grain 38 super plus P (I had them in my range bag, and dumb is as dumb as) hit centered.



Is it possible the sights are off? If so, can I contact SW and ask them to align them properly?

 

[gmarshall99]

Right handed shooters typically pull to the left when they shoot. Left handed shooters pull to the right.
Model 10 has fixed rear sights.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Has anyone else shot it with the same results?

 

[JWil]

No, I think I'm the only one who has ever shot it. Its brand new from the factory.

I am not totally sure it is from a bad trigger pull, as when I practice dry firing I use a laser bore sighter to see if I am moving it from left to right at all, but i might be. I'll put it on a gun rest and see if it hits square or not.

What worries me is that it was consistently left with all the ammo I shot, aside from some Buffalo Bore, 38 super, and Hornady Critical defense which are all within 5 grains of each other. I'll take some pics next time I'm at the range.

 

[JWil]

Right handed shooters typically pull to the left when they shoot. Left handed shooters pull to the right.
Model 10 has fixed rear sights.

Yeah, I had an old US Revolver applied frame which shot to the right and I remedied it by putting the barrel in a vice (not naked, it was supported and bares to markings) and rotating the frame until the sights were lined up. I assume that's similar in nature to how it would be done with a modern piece but I don't want to screw it up lol.

 

[6518John]

You have to shoot it from a stable rest to remove any human error from the equation. My son had the same problem this weekend until he stopped breaking his wrist downward and fingering the trigger incorrectly. This chart is extremely helpful.

Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol

 

[JWil]

You have to shoot it from a stable rest to remove any human error from the equation. My son had the same problem this weekend until he stopped breaking his wrist downward and fingering the trigger incorrectly. This chart is extremely helpful.

Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol

That is a helpful chart, apparantly I am thumbing, which would make sense as I come from fencing as a sport (though I shot all my life) where the thumb is really important in keeping pressure on whatever you're holding.

 

[mscampbell2734]

No, I think I'm the only one who has ever shot it. Its brand new from the factory.

I am not totally sure it is from a bad trigger pull, as when I practice dry firing I use a laser bore sighter to see if I am moving it from left to right at all, but i might be. I'll put it on a gun rest and see if it hits square or not.

What worries me is that it was consistently left with all the ammo I shot, aside from some Buffalo Bore, 38 super, and Hornady Critical defense which are all within 5 grains of each other. I'll take some pics next time I'm at the range.

That is possibly the WORST way to dry fire practice.

Using a laser boresight that way encourages the shooter to look at the TARGET. A shooters focus is suppose to be on the FRONT SIGHT throughout the trigger press and AFTER, which is what's called follow through.

 

[JWil]

Alright, had some time to kill so I went to the range, shot off hand (didn't have time to set up a rest) and made absolute sure I wasn't thumbing the grip, flinching etc. I even shot a cylinder from a ruger bearcat, elevation is off but shooting it the same way I shot the model 10 I consistently hit the center line.

Here's the first group I shot at 7 yards.
38 Special +P - Image on Pasteboard

The second group I backed up and with the same ammo, from 11 yards back the effect was magnified.

Pasteboard - Uploaded Image

This explains why at 100 yards I cannot hit an ISPCA silhouette target, when with a 442 or Glock 17 I can make those shots much easier.

Next I tried out some 38 long colt, to test a radically different pressure load and bullet shape.
I shot these from 11 yards. The first shot was a direct bullseye, however the next shot immediately after went into the far right corner. The following shots trailed in.
Pasteboard - Uploaded Image

After this I shot some from a ruger bearcat, which has similar sized but differently shaped grips. As you can see, the grouping is low, but not pulled to either side.
Pasteboard - Uploaded Image

So, I am not sure this issue is just my grip.

 

[BigBill]

Why shoot so close of a distance? At the range I only shoot at 25 yds to begin with. the Bullet is spinning as it leaves the barrel and drops, the spinning causes it to climb. Now factor in a six o’clock aim or aim dead on the x ring. Things vary. If we aim at the x ring and let the gun rise we can shoot to the right and higher than the poa. That can be the difference in pulling the trigger and squeezing it?

I say relax take your time. I only shoot one gun at the range. Before I found myself trying to shoot too many guns at the sametime. I don’t rush to shoot anymore.

 

[JWil]

Why shoot so close of a distance? At the range I only shoot at 25 yds to begin with. the Bullet is spinning as it leaves the barrel and drops, the spinning causes it to climb. Now factor in a six o’clock aim or aim dead on the x ring. Things vary. If we aim at the x ring and let the gun rise we can shoot to the right and higher than the poa. That can be the difference in pulling the trigger and squeezing it?

I say relax take your time. I only shoot one gun at the range. Before I found myself trying to shoot too many guns at the sametime. I don’t rush to shoot anymore.

Well, at 25 yards I don't even get on the paper. I know most times a gun isnt accurate it's the shooter, but every other hand gun I shoot shoots straight. This one doesn't. It's funny because the entire reason I bought this model 10 is because I shot an older model 10 at a shooting range and it is the only handgun I shot consistently on the bullseye. My 442, my Hammerli, Ruger, they at the least shoot center. I can't afford much ammo, so I mostly shoot SA and take a second between each shot.

 

[JWil]

So, will SW correct the sights?

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! As suggested above, try shooting it from a steady rest, and bring an experienced friend to do likewise. The fact that some loads shoot to the sights and others don't 'suggests' an issue with technique.

A brand new gun has a warranty but you will have to demonstrate that it is the gun that is causing the problem; documenting this with images, etc. would help them if it comes to a repair. There are various ways to adjust a fixed sight gun if needed. Please let us know how things turn out?

 

[stansdds]

You really need to test your revolver from a steady rest position. You might also enlist someone who is experienced with revolvers to test it before calling S&W.

 

[Vilkus]

Welcome! As suggested above, try shooting it from a steady rest, and bring an experienced friend to do likewise. The fact that some loads shoot to the sights and others don't 'suggests' an issue with technique.

I agree and would add:
Fixed sight pistols used to be regulated to the ammunition that was "standard" at the time. 158g lead standard velocity was the "standard "38 load for years. Using heavier or lighter bullets would change elevation, but I expect windage should remain the same.

 

[Drm50]

I always check handguns out on a large target with a vertical line down center. I don’t concern myself with elevation. Put it on bags and shoot single action. This will show exactly what gun is doing. If you have doubts in results have another shooter give it a try.
I do 22s in basement at 36’ in the dark with a 15w bulb behind the target.
The light coming thru target is only thing you can see. Perfect target definition.

 

[gwpercle]

Call S&W and ask them for what ammo and at what distance the model you have is regulated for . Fix sighted guns can only be sighted in for one given load at one given distance . Sometimes you get lucky and can find two or three loads that hit to POA but with fixed sights you will need to practice and using Kentucky Windage for the up close or farter away targets or heavier or lighter loads ...but first you need to know what those fixed sights are regulated for and at what distance.
Gary