YAGunT: Shooting low and to the right

[JEDI]

So i got my concealed carry, and decided to rent guns at the range to see which ones i like.

i rented a Glock 26 and Springfield XD. Both are 9mm subcompacts.

I didnt like the glock 26. it's short magazine means my pinky had no place to rest on the handle. (lousy for target practice, but a necessary trade off for small concealed gun?)

The XD came with extended magazine, so my pinky had a place to rest.

(hmm.. i figure i could get an extended magazine for the Glock to do the same thing. thus use extended mag for range, and normal mag for concealed carry.)

went thru 1box of ammo for each gun.

I'm righty and shooting low and to the right @ 25ft for both guns. i had to compensate by aiming upper left.

i'm using an Isosceles stance. firing hand pushing forward on gun and support hand pulling back.

why am i shooting lower right?

THX

 

[JD50]

You're probably not using your left hand enough. It's been a while, but I had the same problem when I was at the academy about 7 years ago. I just needed to pull a little bit harder with my left hand to secure my grip.

 

[spidey07]

Anticipating the recoil.

 

[JEDI]

Anticipating the recoil.

how do i stop that?

gain experience and fire more rounds?

 

[JDMnAR1]

Check finger placement on the trigger, and ensure that it is travelling straight back when firing. Even the slightest bit of twist on the trigger could cause shot placement to drift towards your dominant hand (in this case, right) and the low impact could be recoil anticipation as spidey mentioned or limp-wristing it and allowing the muzzle to drop as you fire.

 

[spidey07]

how do i stop that?

gain experience and fire more rounds?

A lot of it is grip. And stop squezzing so hard.

Do you have big hands?

 

[misle]

According to this Shot Analysis Target, it means you are tightening your grip when firing.

It's pretty common when you're getting used to shooting handguns. A buddy of mine who is a marine still has anticipation problems when shooting handguns.

It will take a while to work out, but when you get a gun you like, buy some snap caps and practice dry firing in your living room. You'll be able to see how the sights/gun moves when you press the trigger.

You can also have someone else load your magazine and put snap caps in it. So, every couple shots will be a snap cap, and you'll be able to see how you're anticipating the recoil (typically by pressing the gun forward/down and squeezing the grip).

When you get comfortable with the gun, you should be relaxed and holding the gun firmly, but not a death grip. It will take a while, but you'll find the balance between grip and keeping the gun still when the trigger breaks.

As far as the short grips on Glocks/XD's/other sub-compacts, it's all determined by your body and comfort. I carry 1911's or a HK P30, and I can comfortably carry them with a light button front shirt for cover. I am considering picking up a Sig P238 (sub-compact .380) for summer T-shirt/pocket carry, because I can't carry my other stuff with just a t-shirt.

 

[JEDI]

snap caps are fake bullets to allow the gun mechanics to work (ie: pull trigger)?

so all i need is just 1 snap cap in an empty mag and pull the trigger a dozen times?

or do they eject like a spent shell? if so, how do they eject since it's a dummy bullet?

 

[Kelvrick]

Snap caps are pieces of aluminum/plastic shaped like a bullet so you can practice the trigger pull without potentially hurting the firing pin.

Yes, all you need is one.

They do not eject since there is no explosion.

 

[biggestmuff]

FYI; there are grip extensions for the G26. Don't buy one and only use it at the range and not on your carry gun. Use the same equipment.

 

[BoomerD]

According to this Shot Analysis Target, it means you are tightening your grip when firing.

It's pretty common when you're getting used to shooting handguns. A buddy of mine who is a marine still has anticipation problems when shooting handguns.

<snip>

When you get comfortable with the gun, you should be relaxed and holding the gun firmly, but not a death grip. It will take a while, but you'll find the balance between grip and keeping the gun still when the trigger breaks.

As far as the short grips on Glocks/XD's/other sub-compacts, it's all determined by your body and comfort. I carry 1911's or a HK P30, and I can comfortably carry them with a light button front shirt for cover. I am considering picking up a Sig P238 (sub-compact .380) for summer T-shirt/pocket carry, because I can't carry my other stuff with just a t-shirt.

Also to consider, does the grip on the handgun fit your hand properly and comfortably?

If the pistol doesn't fit your hand right, (too big or too small) everytime you squeeze the trigger, you'll end up pulling it slightly off target.

 

[edro]

Low means you are anticipating the shot, right means you have your trigger finger too far into the trigger area which causes you to pull the muzzle to the right as you squeeze.

Make sure the trigger is centered on your index finger's top pad.
Visualize pulling the trigger back parallel to your face.

 

[JEDI]

Also to consider, does the grip on the handgun fit your hand properly and comfortably?

If the pistol doesn't fit your hand right, (too big or too small) everytime you squeeze the trigger, you'll end up pulling it slightly off target.

that was one of the things i was going to check for when i went to the range. but when my pinky had no place to rest on the Glock, that went out the window

when my pinky had a place to rest on the XD's extended clip, i never noticed anything else about the grip.

will check next time

Low means you are anticipating the shot, right means you have your trigger finger too far into the trigger area which causes you to pull the muzzle to the right as you squeeze.

Make sure the trigger is centered on your index finger's top pad.
Visualize pulling the trigger back parallel to your face.

thx. will buy some snap caps to practice anticipation and trigger pull

 

[nick1985]

Buy a bunch of snap caps and load up a magazine. You only can fire once, then you have to pull the slide and eject the snap cap and insert another to fire again. Its painfully annoying.

for your XD anyway...

 

[jlee]

I know you're trying to "correct" your shooting by compensating with aim, but don't do that. Fix your grip and you'll be surprised how accurate the sights really are. When I was in the academy, I could've sworn my sights were off just a little...but after my grip was fixed, they were right on. Imagine that.

Buy a bunch of snap caps and load up a magazine. You only can fire once, then you have to pull the slide and eject the snap cap and insert another to fire again. Its painfully annoying.

for your XD anyway...

There's not much point in that, other than getting used to a predictable recoilless trigger pull. You're much better off to have someone else load a magazine for you and ask them to use an undisclosed number of snap caps. IMHO it'll work better to help break the habit. It will also get you in the habit of clearing a failure to fire - tap/rack, assess target & bang.

 

[nick1985]

There's not much point in that, other than getting used to a predictable recoilless trigger pull. You're much better off to have someone else load a magazine for you and ask them to use an undisclosed number of snap caps. IMHO it'll work better to help break the habit.

I meant that as, when he is just sitting on the couch or something and wants to practice pulling the trigger. Its annoying when I do it and I have to keep picking up snap caps every time I eject it.

 

[TheVrolok]

Anticipating the recoil.

Usually anticipating the recoil puts your shots high and to the right. For low, to the right shots I'd say it could be too much thumbing, too much trigger finger, or tightening grip while firing. As far as improvement, you just need to work on your grip and smooth trigger pull.

 

[jlee]

I meant that as, when he is just sitting on the couch or something and wants to practice pulling the trigger. Its annoying when I do it and I have to keep picking up snap caps every time I eject it.

I see.

We did a lot of dry fire exercises as well..., no snap caps for them, though (there's some dispute about it, but according to Glock there's no problem with dry firing - I'm not sure about Springfield).

I agree - dry fire exercises (with or without snap caps..functionally it's the same) to improve trigger control, then mix with live ammo to help break the anticipation habit.