Why am I shooting low?

[40c]

Well , just shot my 40c for the first time
today which is the first pistol I've owned. Set a target at 25 yards and started shooting...not pretty. Can't seem to hit a broadside of a barn. I recently had TFO sights put on. Had all dots lined up on bulls but it looks like it's shooting real low. I read somewhere that the TFO sights caused some people's gun to shoot low. Anybody experienced this before?

 

[Kanewpadle]

Well , just shot my 40c for the first time
today which is the first pistol I've owned. Set a target at 25 yards and started shooting...not pretty. Can't seem to hit a broadside of a barn. I recently had TFO sights put on. Had all dots lined up on bulls but it looks like it's shooting real low. I read somewhere that the TFO sights caused some people's gun to shoot low. Anybody experienced this before?

Twenty five yards is a LONG way to sight in a handgun. Especially a compact. Move the target to 7 yards and see what happens. I highly recommend using a pistol rest. That way you will know if it's you or the gun.

 

[Moonman]

Too many variables with given info.

Left Right eye to hand dominance.

Jerking the Trigger.

Anticipating Recoil and trying to compensate.

Not sighting correctly.

Front sight the wrong height.

Ammo Variables.

 

[Hillbilly77]

I'm going to use my personal experience here. It is probably NOT the gun. It is probably YOU. Especially if this is your first pistol. You need practice.
It sounds like you are doing the same thing I did when I first got my M&P40 FS. I was anticipating the recoil and I was subconsciously pushing down on the gun to brace myself against the recoil.
It takes practice and time to get over it. Don't get discouraged.

If you have somebody to shoot with, have them load it for you. Have them randomly give it to you with an empty chamber, then loaded, etc. Without looking to see if it is chambered, fire the gun. A few minutes of this will show you if you are flinching.
After that, it's just practice to get over it. It took me at least a few hundred rounds.

Good luck.

 

[rraisley]

While this usually is caused by the shooter, the fact that you've just put NEW sights on it may mean they're just not right, or adjusted right. What was wrong with the original sights? Did the gun shoot low with /them/? If not, I'd say it's the sights. Whoops - just re-read your post. So, you put new sights on before firing the weapon? Did the gunsmith doing the work sight it in afterwards, or insure they were the right height and such (as the factory would have with the original sights)?

 

[40c]

I did not shoot it with the original sights. I wanted night sights so that's why I had them replaced. I don't know if the gunsmith shot it afterwards.

 

[rwsmith]

Same thing

Twenty five yards is a LONG way to sight in a handgun. Especially a compact. Move the target to 7 yards and see what happens. I highly recommend using a pistol rest. That way you will know if it's you or the gun.

I have a 6" 686 and I'm going to have to do the same thing. When I first took it to the range the near area was water and mud (the target I did manage to set up fell in the water)so I was relegated to shooting downrange. I hope the next time I go out I will be able to determine point of aim.

 

[k22fan]

Well, I admit I’m old fashioned, but contrary to what’s been previously posted, I do think 25 yards is the best distance to start at. If nothing else, firing at 25 yards forces you to learn to shoot without flinching.

We can not evaluate your sight height without you posting the group size you obtained. If you couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn means your shots didn’t stay together, then you just about have to assume the sights are within reason and work on your marksmanship. If using a larger target or shorter distance demonstrates you can produce a decent group that only doesn’t coincide with your point of aim, then we can talk about sights.

In case you haven’t been told, the 3 dot Novak sights on S&W’s 3rd generation (metal frame) pistols were designed so the front sight’s dot is centered on the spot you want to hit. The result is that if you use them as sights are traditionally used the impact will be low. I don’t know if S&W’s polymer pistols’ sights are set up the same way. I put lower front sights on 3rd generation pistols so their sight picture can be what older shooters are used to.

 

[40c]

Finished up the class portion of the concealed permit today and we're taking the shooting portion tomorrow so I'm sure my instructor will be able to see what I'm doing wrong.

 

[OneJzsupra]

You could always record some video to see what you are doing as well, we shoot @ 25 yards all the time while training and I will say that everything Moon said in the third post is right. At that distance (For this weapon) the slightest mistakes can effect things down range. Now if you had a Five SeveN you'd be fine for 100+ yards haha.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

This is how I learned to shoot. If you will study this and put what you have learned to use at the range it will make you a better a shooter. Don

Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol

 

[2hawk]

Good advice given, and take a look at this...

Low is usually the sign of anticipating the recoil and dipping the muzzle. Stance, body alignment and grip are are critical to consistency and accuracy. If you can get some instruction it would probably help, but just reading up on handgun shooting and practicing the fundamentals will get you where you need to be.
hth

 

[MKT]

For starters, ignore the dots. Line the sights up where the front sight is even (level) with the rear sight and evenly spaced side to side in the rear notch (even light bars). Then, see if it is still shooting low.

The dots, while lined up with one another may not be aligned to have the front sight aligned with the rear. Seen this many times once we transitioned to night sights on duty guns. Remember, the glowing night sights are only for reference, not accuracy. You still have to use the sights in the traditional way.

Once that is done, if you are still hitting low you can work on your trigger control.

 

[7shooter]

Google " How to shoot a Handgun Accurately " by Massad Ayoob. I read it years ago and still reread it . It has been helpful to me and to the students in the carry class I help teach. Ayoob also has some articles on the Ayoob wedge which corrects pulling low and can also be found on the internet.

 

[MKT]

40c,

I just picked up my MP from my local shop this evening. Much to my surprise it came with night sights (I didn't notice when I knocked out the paperwork). Anyway, as I mentioned earlier don't use the dots for alignment. I double checked when I got home and if I align the dots the front sight is way low. If I align the sights properly the front dot sits low in the notch. Check it out.

 

[rsrocket1]

I'm almost sure you're flinching in anticipation of the recoil. The best exercise it to have someone load it with a mix of live rounds and snap caps. You'll notice your flinch when you pull the trigger and the gun doesn't fire but you jerk it downward in reaction to the recoil that doesn't come.

 

[casey521]

Just aim higher...geeeezzzz guys so simple

 

[ric_in_or]

I shoot IDPA - and a frequent effect of shooting longer range targets - 25 yds - is shooting low. Frequent cause - looking over the top.

It is necessary to practice focusing on the front sight, especially when further targets are very blurred.


I agree with other posts, there are too many variables to diagnose on the internet.