Cannot hit the broad side of a Barn!!

[wackman69]

So I now have now put approx 200 rounds through my XD40. I have shot it, my wife has shot it, my dad has shot it, my cousin has shot it and my brother in law has shot it. None of us can hit anything with it. I am traditionally a very good shot.

I do not want to start banging around on my sights, mainly as I do not have the proper tools and I do not want to mar it up. How much shooting do I need to do to "Break it In" before I can take it to a smith and let him have his way with it?

Thanks in advance!!

[Tripledigitride]

You should/could have taken it to a smith long ago. There is no need to break it in. It shoot shoot well striaght out of the box.

[gsx1138]

I feel ya man. True, it's been 12+ years since I've been shooting but my grouping is horrid with my XD45. Now, I've only put 100 rounds through mine but I'm hoping it gets better soon. I am going to put some Truglo sights on it since the stock sights are difficult to see even in daylight.

[Escotch]

Shoot from a rest and see where it does hit. It "should" group but maybe just not point of aim etc. Sight it in just like a rifle. Bench from 10 yards

[wackman69]

Thanks for the tips guys. I love this gun and so does everyone else. I just want to hit something with it!!

[TacoMalo]

Throw it at the paper!

j/k.... I second what others have suggested shoot from a rest and at close range and see what's going on with it.

[Neener Neener]

I agree with those who say to start close. When I first start sighting in a pistol, I will start at 10 feet or so. I would doubt you'll need to start closer than that, but if you do, just move the target up a little. Figure out your point of impact and adjust, slowly moving your target back the more comfortable you get with the correct aiming point. You definitely need a rest of some type to shoot off of to take your movements out of the equation.

[khellandros66]

Is this the SC, C, Service, Tactical XD40?

Just remember as you go down in barrel length the less accurate you will be. All about being able to control the firearm, make optimal use of the sites, and trigger pull. Once you have that all down correct its a matter of making it habit.

This is why you should NEVER practice with one gun. you alienate the habits and knowledge of other firearms you use.

With my XD9sc I practice at 2 distances. 1st at 12ft for about 50-75rds, then at 30ft for 75-100 rounds. The I will shoot a .45 1911 at 30ft then go back the my XD9sc and start over at 12ft then bump to 30ft.

What this does is it causes me to adjust to "interrupt" or use another firearm, then going back makes remember to correct myself and make sure i am properly staged for the XD9sc. I practice shooting by drawing from a concealed position, draw, 2 hip shots and the remaining 4 are from a squared stance. Yes I practice hip shots from 30ft, lets face it those two shots will be fired faster then someone can react. I may not get center mass, but that target is going to unable retaliate accurately at that distance injured.

[Raptor1956]

Agree with Neener -- start close, see where the bullets are going relative to where you aimed, then move the target further away. Also use a larger target. Aim for the bullseye for 5-10 shots then see where the bullets are going. If they are all over the place at close range, say 15 feet or less, then either your control is bad or there is something wrong with the XD or ammo. To rule out ammo make sure you're not using anything that's questionable. Don't just throw a lot of lead, shoot 5-10 rounds then check and make at least a mental note of where they're going and writing things down is not a bad idea either...

One more thng -- don't drink a lot of coffee before shooting...


Brian

[Don]

Pretty much center the pad of the trigger finger on the trigger, this will leave about a pencil-width between your finger and the frame when viewed from above. It is common to wrap too much finger on the XD and this screws with the shot. See if that helps you and family.