Anyone solve the first shot low and left phenomenon?

[Darryle]

I got this 10 times. Though I am impressed with the Sigma and it's accuracy at 20yds even shooting the cheap aluminum Blazer 165gr ammo.

Sent from my Tesla coil

 

[JPriest]

I've had the same thing happen with my M&P45. I can only think I am anticipating recoil too much, or haven't mastered the trigger yet. I am really impressed with the gun and on my best day put the next 5 shots through a hole the size of a quarter, so it definitely is not the gun. Funny thing is, it doesn't happen to me with my revolvers (I always shoot double action), even with the big .44mag.

I'd be interested to hear what others think the cause might be so I can correct it.

 

[wewaslim]

Too much finger on the trigger. Just use the pad of the first joint of the trigger finger. You'll be amazed at how well you can shoot.

 

[GKC]

Aim high and right...

Seriously, as others have said, it's the pull you are making. There's a chart that has been posted on the forum here that breaks it down by where the shot is hitting the target, as to the likely cause (grip, trigger pull, etc.) If I can find it again, I'll post it here.

 

[Darryle]

It did every time. I also only use the last half of the tip of the finger. It was only the Sigma that did it, both M&P compacts were inside the x-ring with all 15rds. I started chambering the first round by dropping it in, didn't matter whether I stripped it from the mag or loaded it manually.

While the trigger isn't as smooth as the M&P, it is close in weight. I tried it off of a rest and it still does it with the first round only.

It could be me, but I would think it would do it with all 3 pistols.

Sent from my Tesla coil

 

[wyccad915]

I got that last time too. nice grouping on the rest though, if I may say so.

 

[27 Man]

Low left usually indicates a jerk on the trigger.

 

[ditto1958]

Aim high and right...
/QUOTE]

LOL. Or... Shoot left handed. Then your first shot will be low and to the right.

 

[checkmyswag]

Slow down. Only speed up when they are all where you want them to be. Overall good shooting.

 

[Fishinfool]

Could very well be the trigger pull, BUT, it is not unknown for some semi-auto's to throw their first shot out of the group of subsequent shots. This first round "flyer" phenomenon has been well documented in a variety of semi handguns and rifles.

Larry

 

[rwsmith]

Maybe....

Maybe after your first shot your grip tightens into a more correct position. Just a guess that would explain why the first shot is the low one.

 

[Darryle]

For the $300 I have invested in it, it will make a fine boat/truck gun.

I just cant explain why it did this all 10 times I shot a full magazine(150rds) and I never saw it once with the 800+rds I put thru the M&P 40c's.

I even tightened my grip anticipating the low and left and it still did it. I shot it off of a rest and it still did it. It ha me scratching my head.

Thanks so far for the suggestions. I will head back out to the farm tomorrow and run another 3-400rds thru it and see what it does.

 

[a62rambler]

Try loading one round less in the mag and see if you still get the first round flyer. I have an idea but I don't want to risk a placebo effect.

 

[Rpg]

Try loading one round less in the mag and see if you still get the first round flyer. I have an idea but I don't want to risk a placebo effect.

I think you've solved the problem a62rambler! I agree with your hypotheses! Very astute.

 

[wmk6341]

Just a thought. All but the first are being shot from reset. Could that be the difference?

Limiting magazine capacities is about as effective as limiting the size of beer bottles.

 

[Darryle]

I think I know where he is going with this, I plan to fire the first round without the magazine to fully eliminate the chance of it actually being the cause.

I didn't have a chance to go to the farm yesterday, but after work this morning I will be heading out there to put 50 thru it to see.

Sent from my Tesla coil

 

[ralph7]

Try shooting one round in the ground and then start a group with the remaining rounds.
I bet you get no fliers.
Think it might have something to do with the speed of the slide slamming the cartridge in after firing, that doesn't happen when you manually close the slide on that first round.

 

[JPriest]

Try loading one round less in the mag and see if you still get the first round flyer. I have an idea but I don't want to risk a placebo effect.

I tired this today with my M&P45 and it didn't make a difference. Mind you, we're limited to 10 round mags up here anyways, so 9 instead of 10 probably wouldn't make a difference.

Funny thing I did notice is that it wasn't the first shot with each mag that went low and left, but just the first shot with the gun. Mags 2-5 did not demonstrate the phenomenon.

 

[gdauth]

Low left usually indicates a jerk on the trigger.

That was not very nice!

 

[jpendergrass1]

I've had the same thing happen. When I first start shooting, I hit low left. Then, I remove the magazine and do a dry fire and I am amazed at what I do. Due to the long trigger pull, once I have it pulled back about 3/4 of the way, I start anticipating the recoil of the gun and begin putting more pressure on my grip. When I do this, I "push" the back of the gun up and with my left hand pushing as well, it goes to the right slightly. This results in the barrel going low left. This is purely because of the trigger pull, for me. I am used to the short pull of a Glock and an older S&W 9mm, since that is what I have shot before, that I have developed this set sense of the exact pressure to apply to have a shot fire. Then going to a trigger that is 9# or 8# or what-have-you, that muscle memory that I developed ends up hindering my shot of a different gun. I've tried to correct myself but those first couple shots are always way off. Instead of trying to relearn to how shoot, essentially, I have decided to just buy the Apex Tech spring kit and make the trigger pull be about the same as my previous firearms.

Another thing to keep in mind is you have a cold barrel when you first fire. The most difficult shot a sniper has at any range is the first bullet to leave his rifle because it is the least accurate. A warm barrel causes the rifling to act more efficiently. With a barrel as short as a pistol, the shot is already less accurate than a rifle, so one would assume that "shooting cold" would have much more of an effect on the trajectory of a round than it would on a rifle. Just something to keep in mind. There is a reason people "warm up" before doing any type of competitive sport.