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  #1  
Old 12-07-2023, 06:00 PM
Markmontana Markmontana is offline
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Default Can’t hit anything with the CSX

Ok, it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say I can’t hit anything. I did place shots on the paper but they were all over with a group like 5-6 inches at 7 yards with CSX. What am I doing wrong?

I like the size, ergonomics, and SA of the CSX. Had a chance to shoot one at the range today.. I’m an experienced shooter including time with other SA subcompacts, like Kimber Micro 9 and Sig P938. And I do well with them. But I must be doing something wrong with the CSX.

Anyone else have this problem. Suggestions???
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Old 12-07-2023, 06:06 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
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Did you snap in a bit before firing? What were your sights doing?
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Old 12-07-2023, 06:31 PM
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Mark, while at the range, get a buddy to give it a try. Cant hurt.
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Old 12-07-2023, 07:04 PM
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Mine groups similar to other guns that size with me.
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Old 12-07-2023, 09:08 PM
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Years and years ago I had an AMT long slide (how I wish I never sold it) that I couldn't group. At the 50' indoor range one day with a buddy I complained about it and handed it to him.
He then fired 5 rounds and blew out the center black on a bullseye target.
Hmmmm....
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Old 12-07-2023, 10:06 PM
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Slow fire off a solid rest, and bring a friend to try it out the same way. And perhaps more than one brand of ammo.
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Old 12-07-2023, 10:29 PM
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I know that feeling!
Got the same problem with my Ruger LCP Max.
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Old 12-07-2023, 11:22 PM
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When that happens......Come back another day.......Been there done that.
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Old 12-08-2023, 01:19 AM
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Sometimes, guns just don't feel right. I had that with a 645, and a friend who spent 30 years as a police officer, complained when the department switched to Glocks. He swore he could not hit with that pistol, once missing an injured deer several times at 20 feet, but was a good shot with his revolver.
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Old 12-08-2023, 03:31 AM
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I have three possible answers:

1) You need more time to learn the gun.

2) You need to try a different backstrap, because it did not fit you as tested. If that doesn't work, the gun isn't for your hand type. It happens.

3) Switch to decaf on days you are hitting the range.

So long as the group isn't heavily biased in one direction (low left, anyone?) I would not worry.
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Old 12-08-2023, 11:55 AM
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All good suggestions. Thanks.
More to follow
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Old 12-08-2023, 12:26 PM
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I am/was a dedicated 1911 shooter and carried a Micro 1911 daily for the last 17 years. I bought the CSX because of its feature package but it took me a while shooting it before I felt comfortable using it to replace my beloved 1911.
First I learned that the heavier trigger pull required a much tighter grip of the pistol to control the increased trigger stroke pull weight. The CSX is extremely small, light and with a short sight radius, you really have to hold on tight and bear down with the little pistol. (Kind of like a J frame revolver.)
Also, like others, I struggled with shooting low left until I figured out that I could not use my normal last finger pad placement on the trigger face, I had to move in deeper to the first finger joint on the face of the trigger and that brought my groups back into the center of my targets.
I put 1200-1500 practice rounds through my CSX's, (yes I now have 2, long story) starting out with very slow deliberate fire and gradually increasing speed and number of shots fired and distance until I felt comfortable and competent using it for daily carry.

Last edited by mckenney99; 12-08-2023 at 12:28 PM.
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Old 12-08-2023, 12:26 PM
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I found the CSX to be very accurate when I have shot it. May want to check the sights just to make sure they ate centered properly.
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Old 12-08-2023, 12:37 PM
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I am a dedicated and very long time 1911 shooter. That actually applies to all of My handguns. With My CSX I sometimes hit, but always bounce clay targets on the 50 yard berm. I would have someone else shoot that CSX, or try several different types of ammo.
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Old 12-09-2023, 01:07 AM
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While not a fan of my CSX, it shoots where I aim. If I do my part.
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Old 12-09-2023, 10:42 AM
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LVSteve in post #10 makes some good points. I had similar issues a few years back. I finally narrowed the problem down to hypoglycemia.

I needed to eat something about a half-hour before I stepped up to the firing line.

I tried eating a small 6 piece package of cookies from a convenience store a half mile from the outdoor range, but that sugar dump didn't work as well as the slower, longer lasting release from Junior Cheeseburger Deluxe from Wendy's.

It worked for me. Now, a quick drive-thru at Wendy's is part of my range routine.

Last edited by URIT; 12-09-2023 at 10:43 AM.
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Old 12-09-2023, 01:38 PM
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Probably need to adjust grip and/or trigger finger placement. Took me a while to learn how to shoot my Shield. Some hands naturally fit some guns, some don’t. Experiment a bit. A dry fire laser can be very helpful telling you what grip/finger placement works, and what doesn’t.
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Old 12-09-2023, 02:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mckenney99 View Post
First I learned that the heavier trigger pull required a much tighter grip of the pistol to control the increased trigger stroke pull weight. The CSX is extremely small, light and with a short sight radius, you really have to hold on tight and bear down with the little pistol. (Kind of like a J frame revolver.)
Also, like others, I struggled with shooting low left until I figured out that I could not use my normal last finger pad placement on the trigger face, I had to move in deeper to the first finger joint on the face of the trigger and that brought my groups back into the center of my targets.
That sounds like me with many guns. I have skinny hands with looong fingers (think Nosferatu) and trying to use the pad does not work on many guns.
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Old 12-09-2023, 02:25 PM
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Default My son has a Springfield XD...

It's a fine gun, very well made. I see no problems with it that I 'blame'. But I can't hit anything with it. I'm sure if I spent time with it I could 'work out' how to shoot it, but probably at the expense of shooting my own guns well.
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Old 12-10-2023, 12:15 AM
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Mckenney99's post is spot-on for what worked for me and a couple other friends - advice given to us by a big-name trainer. (And I also now have two! )
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Old 12-10-2023, 10:38 AM
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99 out of 100 times, there is a loose nut behind the trigger! Trigger control doesn't come naturally, but requires a lot of time (including dry fire) to master.
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Old 08-05-2024, 08:52 PM
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I agree. I rank all my pistols(over70)
Just bought this gun and I can’t hit anything consistently
I aim at the bullseye and the bullet doesn’t even hit the target
I shoot my Staccato cs and it hits 15 out of 15 times
Maybe I will put a big piece of cardboard behind the target to see where the bullet is going. I’ll try putting the pistol into a vise to see if it is accurate and consistent
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Old 08-05-2024, 11:53 PM
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As much as I love potent, itty-bitty guns, I am the first to admit they can be buggers to shoot accurately. What is particularly insidious is that their rambunctious nature can easily influence a shooter into bad habits -- maybe a flinch, maybe poor trigger-finger placement, maybe half a dozen things -- and any little inconsistency seems magnified by the small size.

Sounds too easy, but take the time to do some careful dry firing. Observe every feature of your grip and trigger work, and spend a lot of time aiming precisely, tripping the trigger, and watching where the front sight goes. Concentrate entirely on keeping that sight centered and motionless. Make whatever grip/trigger pull adjustments that aid you to reach that goal.

No joke, here -- this exercise will work with any handgun, but is almost required for the l'il kickers. After doing this drill for a week, you will be gratified at the results the next time you go to the range.
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Old 08-07-2024, 10:12 PM
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I carry my CSX every day and practice with it regularly. I had to drift my rear sight when I first got it. Accuracy at 25 feet is more then adequate.

From 15 feet firing quickly

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Old 08-09-2024, 07:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Furrball View Post
I had to drift my rear sight when I first got it.
Me too. Out of the box it printed to the left at 10yds. Drifting the rear sight a tad fixed that for the next test.

Later on I added XS DXT2 Big Dot Night Sights to it. They lowered the POI a bit but now I just cover the bullseye with the Big Dot instead of using a 6 o'clock hold with the factory sights.

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.
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Old 08-09-2024, 11:16 PM
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I cannot help wondering if this "sight correction" for shooting left is correcting an actual sight misalignment or is a "fix" that only works for the owner's grip. I would not be shocked to find those guns would now shoot to the right for another shooter.
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Old 08-10-2024, 10:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LVSteve View Post
I cannot help wondering if this "sight correction" for shooting left is correcting an actual sight misalignment or is a "fix" that only works for the owner's grip. I would not be shocked to find those guns would now shoot to the right for another shooter.
Well, I'm sitting here grinning, drinking my coffee. I bought two used CSXs. The first came with a rear sight that had been drifted waaaaaaayyy over - and shot to the right. (A quick application of the Wyoming Sight Drifter - Google it if you don't have one - and it is correct now.) The second, owned briefly by a retired LEO friend who's serious about guns, came with its rear sight sitting just as it did when it left the factory - and it shot dead-on.

Edited: headed out your way again next week, Steve - looking forward to some great food!
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Last edited by Erich; 08-10-2024 at 10:45 AM.
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Old 08-10-2024, 10:39 AM
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I had a Buckmark that shot a tight group but it was about 5 inches to the left with the rear sight cranked all the way over to the right . I dumped it quick .
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Old 08-10-2024, 04:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LVSteve View Post
I cannot help wondering if this "sight correction" for shooting left is correcting an actual sight misalignment or is a "fix" that only works for the owne
r's grip. I would not be shocked to find those guns would now shoot to the right for another shooter.
Everyone needs to adjust the sights to thier own personal shooting style.
Whether it be grip or eye alignment, everyone is going to be a bit different.
I pretty much adjust sights on everything I have until it hits where I want it to, consistently.
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Last edited by Furrball; 08-10-2024 at 04:59 PM.
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