How to shoot a S&W 5906 accurately?

[Silversmok3]

As background,I've been dry firing my 5904 daily.I'm at the point where I can place a 9mm casing on the front sight and dry fire in Double Action 6-10 times without it falling off.

I hit the range and found that every DA shot I took went right 4" of center.Slow and consistent stroking of the trigger produced a consistent hit to the right.Just for kicks I aimed 4" left of the bulls eye,focused on the fundamentals....and hit dead center.

Am I just not compatible ergonomically with these guns?In SA I can put the rounds where I want-I hit the center at 75 feet twice with this gun today-but in DA I'm a disaster.Went home,dry fired,and the casing stayed put shooting the same way in DA!Once again,all I do is stroke the trigger by keeping the hammer moving at a set pace.

I've shot a Beretta and Sig TDA and gotten dead center hits with those guns decocked,so something about the Smith seems to be awry.Any tips on how to shoot these guns well from the pros and old-timers who've carried these workhorses?I carry my 3rd gens for CCW,so a timely reply is appreciated!

 

[18DAI]

Are you left handed? If so, you may have too much finger on the trigger. Although it could be your rear sight is off just a bit.

What grips are on the 5906? I find using the curved backstrap factory Delrin grips, with a Glock sock grip sleeve over them, gives me the firmest most comfortable grip.

What weight ammo were you using? All of my S&W 3rd gen pistols are most accurate using 147 grain 9mm.

I would also give the barrel a good scrub. A good bore cleaner can work wonders. A clean bright bore is the first step to improved accuracy in my experience. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

 

[Silversmok3]

Are you left handed? If so, you may have too much finger on the trigger. Although it could be your rear sight is off just a bit.

What grips are on the 5906? I find using the curved backstrap factory Delrin grips, with a Glock sock grip sleeve over them, gives me the firmest most comfortable grip.

What weight ammo were you using? All of my S&W 3rd gen pistols are most accurate using 147 grain 9mm.

I would also give the barrel a good scrub. A good bore cleaner can work wonders. A clean bright bore is the first step to improved accuracy in my experience. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

Right handed, using the original curved grips. Ammo used was 115 grain WWB. Gun was definitely not dirty at the time of the shoot, and in any case in Single Action the piece shot true.

 

[Doug M.]

DA/SA is a hard mode to use well, and your difficulty sounds typical. It was a solution in search of a problem.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Have you tried shooting DA-only (decock after every shot)? Have you tried shooting ball-and-dummy drills DA-only? That might help you see if there's anything going on you're not aware of when shooting DA.

I used to own a Beretta 92FS (great gun, btw) and one thing I did every range session was a dedicated DA-to-SA transition exercise, shooting controlled pairs (1st shot DA, 2nd shot SA, decock, start over) until my rounds were going in the same place. Start slow then pick up the pace. That might help, too, especially when done as a ball-and-dummy drill.

One other thing...how are you placing your finger on the trigger? Pad? Distal joint? Other? Trying different placements may help. Whatever placement you choose, though, I'd suggest using the same placement whether shooting DA or SA. Just my opinion based on my experience with the Beretta. I'd also concentrate on pulling the trigger straight back if you're not doing this already; I find gripping the gun with more of a front-to-back pressure in the shooting hand to help with pulling a long DA trigger straight back.

 

[Silversmok3]

Have you tried shooting DA-only (decock after every shot)? Have you tried shooting ball-and-dummy drills DA-only? That might help you see if there's anything going on you're not aware of when shooting DA.

I used to own a Beretta 92FS (great gun, btw) and one thing I did every range session was a dedicated DA-to-SA transition exercise, shooting controlled pairs (1st shot DA, 2nd shot SA, decock, start over) until my rounds were going in the same place. Start slow then pick up the pace. That might help, too, especially when done as a ball-and-dummy drill.

With the Beretta 92 I was able to keep the trigger moving and get the same accuracy as I could in Single Action. Pad of the trigger, although I could shoot it with the "power crease" and still make decent groups.

One other thing...how are you placing your finger on the trigger? Pad? Distal joint? Other? Trying different placements may help. Whatever placement you choose, though, I'd suggest using the same placement whether shooting DA or SA. Just my opinion based on my experience with the Beretta. I'd also concentrate on pulling the trigger straight back if you're not doing this already; I find gripping the gun with more of a front-to-back pressure in the shooting hand to help with pulling a long DA trigger straight back.

The placement never helps. My Smith always drifts right. Even in dry fire ive noticed it now. If I use the pad of the trigger finger, the gun drifts right and in three pulls the spent casing falls off the front sight. Using the power crease causes the right side drift to happen quicker and the spent case all but sails off the slide.

My theory at this point is that the DA trigger pull weight is too much. Its the heaviest pull of any gun ive ever fired, including a 686 revolver and every TDA auto ive shot. Beretta, Sig, those DA pulls I can manage with the same general accuracy as Single Action. With my Smiths, right hand drift every time. IMO, it seems like im using so much force to hustle the heavy trigger that im basically pushing the entire gun by the trigger. The Beretta and Sig have heavy DA pulls, but those models are light enough that my grip isn't affected during the trigger stroke, ,nor do I feel like im pushing the entire gun during the trigger stroke.

Ive ordered some hammer springs from Wolff , the 16/17/18/ lb kit, and intend on seeing if that adresses things. Will using the 16lb or 17lb hammer spring cause reliability issues?

 

[Road Rat]

Run a test using single action (if that is an option with your pistol) from a rest.

This is to check out the sights. They could very well be aligned to hit to the right!!

 

[Silversmok3]

Run a test using single action (if that is an option with your pistol) from a rest.

This is to check out the sights. They could very well be aligned to hit to the right!!

Then all my single action shots would be hitting right also. They do not.

 

[RandomMan]

You're using too much trigger finger. It's that simple.

I've shot and carried TDA semi-autos for years now as well as DA revolvers. If you consistently hit right, and you're right handed, you're using too much trigger finger.

You want to use the mid-point of the finger pad. If the trigger pull is too much for you, try working on hand strength exercises to build your strength. You want to feel like you can crush the gun in your hand and I bet you'll straighten right up, I'd bet your single action and double action shooting in all guns improves as well.

Good luck,

-Rob

 

[Silversmok3]

You're using too much trigger finger. It's that simple.

I've shot and carried TDA semi-autos for years now as well as DA revolvers. If you consistently hit right, and you're right handed, you're using too much trigger finger.

You want to use the mid-point of the finger pad. If the trigger pull is too much for you, try working on hand strength exercises to build your strength. You want to feel like you can crush the gun in your hand and I bet you'll straighten right up, I'd bet your single action and double action shooting in all guns improves as well.

Good luck,

-Rob

Thanks for the tips Rob and 18DAI. I hit the range this morning and discovered immediately what the problem was. I use the thumbs forward grip, and during my last session I was shooting with my support hand thumb resting underneath the slide lock instead of over it, so as to prevent the slide from not locking back on empty.

It seems I underestimated the durability of the S&W 3rd Gen,as today I shot with my thumb parked right on top of the lever and the gun didn't mind it one bit. Its the only pistol ive shot which functioned 100% with my thumb over the slide lock-my old Beretta 92F closed on an empty mag ,as did my Sig 2022. Not this old Smith though!

Back to the range, the pistol did great. DA, SA, it didnt matter as now I can put the shots exactly where I need them to. Amazing what a proper grip can do for your groups, so consider the problem solved.Thanks for the advice gentlemen, and chalk up another point for these reliable handguns!