Fundamentals as noted by the previous poster are the key. One thing I'll add to this. It's not a bad idea to set up a rest at the range when you first shoot / break in your pistol, so you know exactly where it is hitting without your flaws in the equation. Then dry practice, to get a feel for the pistol, and do this very consciously, be very aware of all the little details, how much movement you are getting etc. Then go to live fire, with deliberate care and focus, do not try to rush, focus on the fundamentals.
Handgun shooting low and to the left
- Thread starter Botswana
- Start date
Frank Ettin
Administrator
That is usually handled as a trigger control issue. A smooth press on the trigger with only the trigger finger moving to a surprise break avoids anticipating recoil.lilgunz83 said:
And these days we use "trigger press" rather than "squeeze." We've found that when people hear the word "squeeze" they think of squeezing the whole hand and often do so unconsciously. The use of "press" helps guide their thinking in lines of only the trigger finger moving.
serf 'rett
New member
It may be the pistol!
I wonder if any of the previous posters and advice givers own a Baby Eagle? I have one in 40S&W and it shot slightly left and not so slightly low straight out of the box and hasn't changed in four years. Offhand, two hands, one hand, standing, kneeling, prone, bench rest and sandbags the Baby is low left. Factory ammo, reloads with 165 grain bullets, 180 grain bullets, Unique powder, Power Pistol powder, W-231 powder, V-N340 powder and the Baby is shooting low and left.
You should try the recommendations posted above. Let a couple of other people shoot the pistol and see where it groups for them. However, in the final analysis, you may find the sights are off - low and left - like my Baby Eagle.
I wonder if any of the previous posters and advice givers own a Baby Eagle? I have one in 40S&W and it shot slightly left and not so slightly low straight out of the box and hasn't changed in four years. Offhand, two hands, one hand, standing, kneeling, prone, bench rest and sandbags the Baby is low left. Factory ammo, reloads with 165 grain bullets, 180 grain bullets, Unique powder, Power Pistol powder, W-231 powder, V-N340 powder and the Baby is shooting low and left.
You should try the recommendations posted above. Let a couple of other people shoot the pistol and see where it groups for them. However, in the final analysis, you may find the sights are off - low and left - like my Baby Eagle.
When I had this problem awhile back, my instructor fired my gun and then said, "Kathy, I have good news and bad news. The good news is, it's not the gun. The bad news is, it's not the gun."
The fact that I was consistently hitting low and left, regardless of how I stood or whether I was firing with both hands or only one, just meant that I had a very consistent problem with trigger press. For me, it took having someone stand along side me and "exemplar" the ideal trigger press before the light went on. You can read about it all day long, even watch videos or whatever, but until you have the kinesthetic sensation of pressing the trigger properly all the words won't necessarily do you any good. Get thee to a class!
pax
The fact that I was consistently hitting low and left, regardless of how I stood or whether I was firing with both hands or only one, just meant that I had a very consistent problem with trigger press. For me, it took having someone stand along side me and "exemplar" the ideal trigger press before the light went on. You can read about it all day long, even watch videos or whatever, but until you have the kinesthetic sensation of pressing the trigger properly all the words won't necessarily do you any good. Get thee to a class!
pax
serf 'rett
New member
Code:
When I had this problem awhile back, my instructor fired my gunHence my suggestion to have someone else shoot the pistol.
The idea about a rest is a good suggestion. Only after you have corrected your problems should you attempt to address a gun issue.
On the other hand I had a Colt Trooper which shot "off" for me. Others who tried the pistol had no problem holding in the 10 ring. After years of work with the weapon I sold it and got a DW Pistol pack in 1980. No problems with the DW and am still shooting it.
Some weapons are not right for a particular shooter. In those cases no corrections can be made and a different weapon should be acquired.
On the other hand I had a Colt Trooper which shot "off" for me. Others who tried the pistol had no problem holding in the 10 ring. After years of work with the weapon I sold it and got a DW Pistol pack in 1980. No problems with the DW and am still shooting it.
Some weapons are not right for a particular shooter. In those cases no corrections can be made and a different weapon should be acquired.
TheRaskalKing
New member
If you're shooting left you may be using too little trigger finger. When I started I always heard guys talk about just using the tip of your finger, so I literally used just the very very tip of my finger, to the point where it was pushing the gun left as I pulled the trigger. My buddy at the LGS corrected me on this one. Make sure you're using the pad of your finger, as Todd Jarrett recommends. I don't shoot left any more. 
YMMV.
As far as shooting low, $10.00 says you're flinching/anticipating the recoil at least in some measure. That's probably what I struggle most with when I shoot. I have to consciously think slow, steady, straight back trigger pull as I shoot. This helps me get the "surprise" that people often talk about. Get some snap caps and spend time practicing dry firing. Somebody mentioned this earlier I think, but IT WORKS: put a quarter on the front sight or the slide and pull the trigger. The coin shouldn't fall off.
Again, YMMV. I used to shoot low and left like it was my job, and these have really helped me.
YMMV.As far as shooting low, $10.00 says you're flinching/anticipating the recoil at least in some measure. That's probably what I struggle most with when I shoot. I have to consciously think slow, steady, straight back trigger pull as I shoot. This helps me get the "surprise" that people often talk about. Get some snap caps and spend time practicing dry firing. Somebody mentioned this earlier I think, but IT WORKS: put a quarter on the front sight or the slide and pull the trigger. The coin shouldn't fall off.
Again, YMMV. I used to shoot low and left like it was my job, and these have really helped me.
When I get bad results from a pistol and I know it's me. I just shoot one of my older guns. It seems like when I pick up the problem child again everything goes better.
With centerfire rifles my problem is always flinching. I just shoot my 10/22 for about a month. Then I go back the rifle I was trying to get used to - things always go better.
Once I lose confidence in a gun there is no need to keep shooting it. I go to my old favorites. There are guns I can't shoot to save my life. I just sell/trade em for something I will shoot and enjoy.
With centerfire rifles my problem is always flinching. I just shoot my 10/22 for about a month. Then I go back the rifle I was trying to get used to - things always go better.
Once I lose confidence in a gun there is no need to keep shooting it. I go to my old favorites. There are guns I can't shoot to save my life. I just sell/trade em for something I will shoot and enjoy.