What is the intended distance

[.357 mag]

I don't know much about your abilities or techniques but,
if at 25 yrds I was hitting 5 ft in front of the target I might look into a problem with the sights.
Make sure they are flush to the slide.
There have been cases where the melted plastic disturbs the sight line.

At a shorter distance it would still give a problem if it were the sights.
Can you put a nice group on target at 12yrds?

As far as aiming above POI at 25yrds?
Not quite! If there is any drop at 25yrds (with factory loads), it is fractions of an inch that is not noticeable in this situation.

JJ, your right. Bullet drop doesn't play a factor that much. What pistol shooters have trouble with is the bullet rise. At 7-10 yards, the bullet is still rising. At 25-30 yards the bullet is falling back down to POA.

 

[diego-ted]

I am a novice shooter with little handgun experience. However with my buddy's gold cup I was grouping 4" @ maybe 25 feet. With my sigma I was grouping about the same at 12'. I do have an artificial right shoulder and cannot hold my arm out straight for very long. I use my left arm/hand to steady the gun hand and my right arm. I might have to retract my arms "bend at the elbow" to gain some control. This was my first time out shooting at 25yards.

Thx for all the tips!
Diego

 

[KyWstJoe]

5, 7, and 10 yards with most shooting done at 7. I only shoot these distances because my interest is purely self defense and center mass or a head shot. I can't see getting in a gun fight at 50 yards but may be I should increase my practice out to 15 or 20 yards. Can't hurt.

 

[ChrisKalan]

Curious...for all of you former military. What kind of distances did you all train for?

 

["JJ"]

I agree with you .357 mag, the rise and fall is not know to a lot of shooters. Depending on the round & distance this could be up to a few inches! But I think this is something all together different.

I was shooting real low
maybe 5 foot in front of the target

The OP stated later the you had a bad or weak shoulder. Try this distance at the begining of a shooting session to eliminate fatigue. If the problem returns, try another gun to rule out the "human" factor. If it happens with just this gun all the time I would contact S&W. Just my opinion! If is just your technique, then you can address it as well. Best of luck! Keep us updated!

 

[blastfact]

POA from point blank to 25 yards is good on my sights, barrel and ammo. While my Sigma 9VE had grit and a awful over all trigger. The magic is in the chamber and barrel. Of which both of mine are great! The trigger can be improved. The barrel was and is near perfect! I wish I could get a good picture. My Sigma barrel is better than my M&P .45, FS. Per dollar spent the Sigma is the best pistol I have ever purchased. It has impressed everybody that has shot it!

To the OP I raise less than you do at 75 yard balloon popping. I have found it is sensitive to bullet weight. 124gr. bullet weight is its domain. Shoots on the high side with 115's, dead on with 124's and on the low side with 147's. All involve on slight sighting adjustment's in elevaton.

A Sigma will shoot!!!!

 

[diego-ted]

This particular range would not allow me to rest on the bench to minimize shake. I think this would tell me if the problem is with my technique. In the near future, I will go to a different range that will allow this. As I said, once I adjusted my aim to 15" or so above center of target I was hitting the board just did not have consistent grouping.

thx Diego

 

[blastfact]

Well ,,,,, a range that won't let you bench shoot is a range that does not need you money!!!!! Dump them and move on. With the said. Bench shooting is not the began to end all.

If you are shooting straight and elevation is the issue over all. Then S&W should fix it within reason,,, Period!!!!

I have owned three each Sigmas and sold two of the three. Fact is they all shot POA. And if it was not POA it was the shooter and not the firearm, truth be told.

Lets put it this way. My Sigma 9VE is my FS 9mm of choice.. Not a SD or M&P. It does as it told!

 

[jimmyj]

Former Military Shooting Distances

.38 Revolver and M1911A1: 15, 25, and 50 yards
M1903, M1903A3, and M1 Garand: 100, 200, 300, and 500 yards
M1 Carbine: 50 and 100 yards
M3A1 .45acp SMG: 15, 25, and 50 yards
12 gauge Pump Shotgun: 15 and 25 yards
BAR M1918: 50, 100, and 300 - slow auto fire / fast auto fire
Browning .30 and .50 cal MG: Aerial Targets at difference ranges
20mm and 40mm: same as .30 & .50 cal MG
5"X38 Deck Gun: crew served firing (ranges don't recall)

Curious...for all of you former military. What kind of distances did you all train for?