Accuracy issues with new pistol

Just curious: what targets are you shooting, and from what distance?

Sometimes it's helpful to use a larger target , and at a closer range, when adjusting to a new weapon. Once you see where your rounds are hitting, you can make the necessary adjustments to grip & aim in order to be accurate at longer distances & with smaller targets.
 
I shot about 100rds through the PPQ yesterday, did not bring along the 1911 to the indoor range this time. I have been shooting a mixture of targets, from silloutes with a bullseye in the center chest to roughly 3-4" bullseyes paper targets. I put the small backstrap back on my gun, and this time was focusing on fundamentals (grip, trigger control, arms outstretched completely and Locke solid)

I am sssslowly getting better with my Walther .40
I noticed working on my technique I could control recoil and muzzle flip much better, but still, 5 shot groups at 10yds where never under 4", getting as small as 3" at 5yds

I think the Talon grips should be here today or tomorrow and I will install them on the pistol whenever I get em. I have not had the chance to benchrest the pistol, haven't ever fired it outside, or past 15yds. The trigger pull is a little long but nice, the sights I don't really like but will deal with them for now. I really do love this Walther, and right now am sufficient enough with it for self defense, but my goal is to become good enough with it to hit a deer in the heart or brain at 25/30 yds (so 3-4" groups at 25yds). I can EASILY do this with my 1911
 
If it seems difficult adjusting to two different types of pistols, try it with four.
I once used a .22, a 1911, a CZ clone and a striker type pistol for four different type matches, all action pistol matches on alternate weekends.
Talk about mass confusion....
With regular practice on all of them, it became no more difficult than driving different cars and trucks.
Keep at it and sooner or later, just picking up one will automatically cause your brain to conform to it, without any more thought than getting into a different car.
 
I took my FNS-40 and FNX-40 to the range yesterday and shot 3 mags through each and they felt quite different even though they are very similar pistols. I shoot more accurate with the fNS.
 
I got my Talon grips in the mail yesterday. Installed them and love them. These are the rubber type, since I am going to carry this Walther. I can already tell they give me better purchase on the gun and may result in better shooting. I am always no matter what shooting to the right with this pistol. 2-3" right of point of aim at 10yds. I could see that the adjustable rear sight from the factory was off center of the slide by a little, maybe 3 or 4mm. So I adjustes adjusted the sight left to bring my groups left. Haven't been able to shoot again yet, but I am glad I can drift the sight with a small screwdriver instead of a hammer and punch. Will keep this thread updated as I shoot the gun more. I will first master grip and stance, then trigger control and follow through
 
I tend to think that this is just a trigger control issue that is brought on by a greater degree of familiarity with other trigger types.

The 14-yard target below was done with my PPQ 5" model right after doing some custom work to it. The work done did not make it more or less accurate, but done to fit me as a shooter. the pick below also coincides with the kind of groups that I usually produce with a number of my full size pistols, which includes 1911's, M&P's, XDm's and so on.



The target that shipped with my PPQ shows exactly the kind of accuracy that my PPQ has delivered. (Even before the mods)


Work on the trigger mechanics of the PPQ's style of trigger and you will bring those groups down to a proper size. I have yet to see a mechanically inaccurate PPQ. Post a pic of the target that shipped with your PPQ. That should tell you what the gun is capable of doing.
 
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Update

I fired about 100rds today through the PPQ, first time shooting it with Talon grip installed. I shot from 5 yds and 10 yds at the indoor range, with a variety of paper targets. I first shot 40 rds of fiochi 180gr JHP, then about 60rds of Winchester 165gr fmj target rounds

Things I noticed

The fiocchi 180gr loads had noticeably more recoil, but I think I had better accuracy, especially at 5 yds. At five yards shooting 5 shot groups, I had several rounds in the 5shot groups (2-4rds) all in one hole, but I usually would have a flyer or two about 2 or 3 inches from the cloverleaf groups. When I finished off my 180gr loads and switched to the Winchester 165gr, they had noticeably less recoil (going about the same speed but weighed much less) but I think I had less accuracym. My groups where larger.

The gun is extremely accurate and I shoot it decent to very well, but I think I may have a slight flinch due to recoil and also need to work on trigger control and follow through.

So far i love it and can't wait to get my CHL in the mail. I will practice as much as I can. I have been shooting about once a week since I have owned it
 
I shot about 100rds through the PPQ yesterday, did not bring along the 1911 to the indoor range this time. I have been shooting a mixture of targets, from silloutes with a bullseye in the center chest to roughly 3-4" bullseyes paper targets.
Click to expand...
I am not a pro shooter, just a guy who likes to collect a few guns, so take this with a grain of salt.

But I've found out that when I am learning to shoot a new-to-me pistol, aiming small at fairly close range really kick-starts the process. Re the silhouettes, leave them alone for now. Get something with a lot of small, fist-sized targets, and set it up around 7 yds, and put 5 rds in each small target. Once you can get a consistent group you like, move the target back a couple of yards, not big increments. What's the saying, aim small, miss small? It takes a little time, but the satisfaction from improvement is rewarding.
 
Here are some of my most recent groups, as you can see, at about 5 yards I can get 2-4rds in the same hole but get a a flyer. I measured each group and marked the range at which they were fired.
 

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P71,

Before agonizing too much, see if you can get a bench rest, something like a Ransom Rest, or sandbags so you can lock the gun down and get an idea of what it is optimally capable of. Then shoot as you normally do, and this gives you some metrics to work with.

Start at 5 yards, get a feel for the gun's point of aim and point of impact. Master that range then move out.

Have fun!!! Don't stress about not getting desired results first time out!
 
I fired about 100rds today through the PPQ
Click to expand...
I'd suggest some dry firing, concentrating on sight picture, and trigger control. Both can be combined in a dry fire drill in which you balance a dime on the front sight, or slide if the sight is rounded, then practice your trigger control without dumping the dime.

Also a session with someone else loading the pistol for you; either leaving the chamber empty or loading a live round. This will tell you pretty quickly whether your anticipating the shot and flinching. Just dumping a hundred rounds during every range session does nothing to improve your shooting. Ya gotta walk before you can run. Forget about speed and concentrate on the fundamentals. Rod
 
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