Sights

[ivanwi11iams]

I'm sort of still new, and thus learning about guns.

I'm curious, I've seen videos of people installing/changing sights on guns, and straightening them. But, what on earth would make them go off alignment in the first place?

Thanks in advance

Ivan

 

[Don 73]

Sometimes they are off from the factory.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

But the main thing is to make sure when I look through them I see the one above the mussel dead center, right?

 

[dullh]

But the main thing is to make sure when I look through them I see the one above the mussel dead center, right?

Yes, but that only works if the rear sight is centered too.

Sights don't usually get knocked out of alignment - as response above states, they're usually off from the factory. If the guys that run your local range have a sight pusher tool (ours around here do) you're all set - just go shoot, tell them which way it's shooting if not dead on POA (point of aim) and they will drift your FRONT sight until it's on. It can be a bit of a process, but taking the slide off to put it in a sight pusher tool is preferable to beating on the front sight with a punch and hammer...

 

[M&PmikeC]

yea, hitting the sites with a punch, brass or steel or any other metal is quite stupid if you ask me.. that of course unless your going to replace them and throw them away afterwards... or you don't mind scratches and dents all over your pistol... the pusher is the way to do it

 

[Kanewpadle]

If you ever think your sights are off, bench rest the gun to make sure.

And gunsmiths have been using a hammer and punch for many years. Well before any sight pusher was invented. The difference is whether or not you know what your doing.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Maybe the next time I visit the range, I'll ask them to double check it. I've heard a few say that from factory sometimes the sights are off.

On the last range visit, I hit a few in the bulls eye area, and still had an issue trying to hit directly above them. I couldn't hit it for love or money! (see image attached)

 

[OKFC05]

Ivan, until you can shoot a group, leave the sights alone.
Once you can shoot a group, then you can tell if the sights need adjusting.

From your target, you have a serious trigger control problem.
Suggest lessons from a qualified instructor. Lessons first, then practice.

 

[emory]

Looks like a lefty.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

"... serious trigger control problem"; interesting. I try to pay attention to my breathing, and to my control on taking a shot.

Any tips you or anyone else could provide, would be welcomed. Thanks

Ivan, until you can shoot a group, leave the sights alone.
Once you can shoot a group, then you can tell if the sights need adjusting.

From your target, you have a serious trigger control problem.
Suggest lessons from a qualified instructor. Lessons first, then practice.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

That terrible? I'm a right handed individual.

Looks like a lefty.

 

[agksimon]

yea, hitting the sites with a punch, brass or steel or any other metal is quite stupid if you ask me.. that of course unless your going to replace them and throw them away afterwards... or you don't mind scratches and dents all over your pistol... the pusher is the way to do it

If you do it properly, you won't scratch, dent or mark them. I use electrical tape on both surfaces and oil in between. I've replaced a couple of dozen sight sets so far and none of them have any marks on them. Also, make sure the new sights are fit properly, not too loose and not too tight, before installation.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

This is weird. But, I feel really down now. And here I was thinking, "at least I can hit a barn door." Now, not so sure...

 

[mkbruce]

This is weird. But, I feel really down now. And here I was thinking, "at least I can hit a barn door." Now, not so sure...

The vertical spread of your impacts indicates a trigger control issue - sight misalignment can not cause this problem.

Generally shooting low indicates a tendency to anticipate the 'bang', which causes you to flinch and push the muzzle down. One way to figure out if you are doing this is to have someone else load your magazine and randomly include a snap cap which won't fire. Watch how you react when you try to fire the snap cap.

One cure for this behavior is 'follow through' - keep your eyes focused on the front sight through out the shot and keep them there even after the bang.

 

[AGoyette]

"... serious trigger control problem"; interesting. I try to pay attention to my breathing, and to my control on taking a shot.

Any tips you or anyone else could provide, would be welcomed. Thanks

navi, How is your trigger, stock? Are you used to a lighter trigger? I too developed a wicked flinch years ago. I have learned two things.. Shooting at 25 yards helps me, it makes me slow down and concentrate on the sight picture more. And 2, I usually have a death grip on the gun. If I relax my grip a little bit, I do better. My groups are good, now I just need to work on not dropping shots. I am a lot better than I used to be, so I am improving..

 

[ivanwi11iams]

My trigger is stock.

Maybe I simply fear/respect the gun and thus my heart skips a beat when the bang goes off. Hence my shots are not on point.

But, I will try harder, and watch videos of how to shoot better. Thanks to all.