Advice from handgun shooters

[40bill]

Guys, got an odd problem. At qualifying range, I'm hitting the X pretty consistent (10 of 12.) As long as I'm using a revolver...either 38, 357 or 45. When I shoot a 9mm pistol though I have a fairly decent drop. Grouping is good. Fixed steel sights. Anyone got any ideas? The 9s are about the cheapest target round I can find outside 22.

[Spiritof96]

Guys, got an odd problem. At qualifying range, I'm hitting the X pretty consistent (10 of 12.) As long as I'm using a revolver...either 38, 357 or 45. When I shoot a 9mm pistol though I have a fairly decent drop. Grouping is good. Fixed steel sights. Anyone got any ideas? The 9s are about the cheapest target round I can find outside 22.

When you say drop, is it just low or low and left? Is your 9mm double-action or striker-fired "safe action"?

[40bill]

Just low, not left. Semiautomatic . Wondering if I am actually using whole hand instead of just trigger finger and causing the drop.

[Spiritof96]

Just low, not left. Semiautomatic . Wondering if I am actually using whole hand instead of just trigger finger and causing the drop.

Semi-automatic doesn't clarify what trigger system. A revolver with the hammer back is a short, relatively light single action trigger. A semi-auto anything is probable some version of a double-action trigger with a longer, slightly heavier trigger pull.

Those triggers tend to induce errors or rather highlight existing errors. That's why I asked.

So... shooting low.

If you are only shooting low, the first thing to check is the point of aim of the sights. Many revolver sights are built such that a 6 o'clock hold or "lollipop" sight picture is required to make hits. Modern defensive pistols come sighted from the factory as either:

1. a "center mass hold" where the top blade of the front sight should cut in half where the bullet will hit.

or

2. A "combat hold" where the blade covers the point of impact and the bullet will impact where the dot on the front sight is.


If you have a correct grip and proper trigger control BUT are using a 6 o'clock hold on a gun with a "combat hold" zero, you will get hits a few inches low that where you expect. Any time the group is stable and centered, but high or low, point of aim vs point of impact is the first thing to check.

If you think your sight picture is correct for your where your sights zero, then the most common error would be tightening or milking with the shooting hand when you pull the trigger pushing the muzzle down OR tightening/rotating with your support hand such that the muzzle dips.

Some people call that flinching or recoil anticipation, but really it can be any change in grip pressure.

Try dry firing toward a bullet safe bacground and just watch what the front sight does as you opperate the trigger. Does it dip when the trigger breaks? Does dip as you take up slack on the trigger? etc.

Good luck,

Glocks, in particular, get accused of "shooting low" by those new to that platform. They don't. They just have a different feeling trigger and the grip angle is a little different from a 1911. It requires some troubleshooting and practice.

[40bill]

Thanks....good stuff. I was working on my grip last night. Seems .... seems ....Like I'm milking the shot on the 9mm...grip is so different from the wheel guns as well as the 45 it seems to cause issues with that. Will try some variations this afternoon . All else fails I will have to use Kentucky windage shooting the 9.

[DA#23]

Bill, when you are shooting a revolver well, are you using single or double action? Just curious.

Regardless, you will become accustomed to various grip angles and how you have to pull a particular gun's trigger to keep from moving the gun. Other things can come into play of course, but basic things are basic. Our goal is to drop the hammer without moving off of the target.

I say "front sight, push". Easy to say, much more difficult to do.

[40bill]

Matt, using single action. Part of what leads me to wrong grip thought. More practice, more muscle memory.

[Blue Heaven]

I can never get a comfortable revolver grip compared to my semi autos. Plus my 48 year old eyes have a hard time seeing the sights. I aquired a S&W 642 in .38 special but had a very hard time sighting. Permanent marker on the sides of the sight channel did not help one bit. It has a heavy trigger but that wasn't the least of my worries. I got rid of it and that was too bad because it was the perfect carry gun in regards to size and weight. Looking to upgrade to a M&P Sheild in 9mm. Slender and light and JUST powerful enough. My Springfield .40 sc is just too bulky to carry. Man I need to go shooting more. Have aquired a few rifles over the years but have nowhere to shoot them. Knob Creek is out of the question. Years ago it was a great place to shoot. Not so much anymore. The range officers are like the gestapo.

[Dwight Schrute]

. Knob Creek is out of the question. Years ago it was a great place to shoot. Not so much anymore. The range officers are like the gestapo.

I went to Knob Creek several years ago to clay shoot and almost had my ear drums blown out by a guy shooting a .50 caliber - I was wearing ear plugs too. This thing set off a car alarm in the parking lot. Those things were $6 a round at the time.

We'd go buy a bunch of the cheapest 2 liters Kroger sold and shake them up and take them out into that field a ways and light 'em up and watch them explode.

Good times, but haven't been back since.

[40bill]

Got a buddy that swears by the Shield 9, but all I could afford at the time was a Taurus. For some reason just just doesn't fit my hand. Got a 45 high point auto...ugly, bulky...best shooting gun. Love my Judge...62 year old eyes and 410 shells are a sweet mix, when I have time the 45 cowboy rounds are a gas. Just bought a 357 on a full frame with a 4 inch barrel...shoots like a dream, and using 38s keeps the expense down.
I do fair to good at qualifying range with most ..the 9 is what gives me fits. Had to trade a 40 Desert Eagle in on the 357, may have to do the same with the 9.

[Spiritof96]

I have an M&P Shield. It’s fine. I think it should be smaller. Had the glock 43 or Sig 365 existed at the time I would have gone that way.

For small I have a Ruger lcp 2, it’s fine. For not small a Glock 19. I’m not inclined to like glock, but over time using it... it’s hard to argue that it isn’t great.

[Blue Heaven]

I have an M&P Shield. It’s fine. I think it should be smaller. Had the glock 43 or Sig 365 existed at the time I would have gone that way.

For small I have a Ruger lcp 2, it’s fine. For not small a Glock 19. I’m not inclined to like glock, but over time using it... it’s hard to argue that it isn’t great.

There just isn't enough Glock safety features for me. Not that it bothers me, but I leave my pistol laying on the kitchen chair a lot. I take it to work with me and it is just instinctive to put my work stuff by the back door and my pistol on the unused kitchen table chair. My Wife moves it a lot from the chair to my dresser. It's why I got a Springfield. Grip safety and trigger safety. I also like the loaded chamber indicator on the slide and the firing pin extruded when loaded. I love Springfield pistols.

[DA#23]

I think that currently we are inundated with options. Too many options, if there is such a thing. The good news is that it helps folks of all different sizes and shapes.

You have anything from Glocks to target pistols to concealable pistols to full frame magnums . When you factor in prices these days, crazy.