Shooting Low

[Joeywhat]

Had a chance to rent an XD9 service today. Overall a great gun, certainly made me want an XD even more...although I did get to hold a PPS...and DAMN is that small!

But to get to my point, I was shooting VERY low with the XD. I also took my P22 out, and although I was shooting an inch low at most, the XD was hitting the target below what I was aiming at. I put about 50 rounds through it aiming the same exact way, and for the most part they were all low. The next 50 rounds I changed it up. I started with a 6 O'clock, went to point of aim, and ended up with the bottom of the front sight directly even with the top of the rear...which yielded good results. I was getting better groupings with the XD then my P22 after I did that.

Now that can't be normal, right? The rental did seem to be in good condition, and although I'm no expert in handgun technique, I don't think I'm that bad. I'm sure some of it can be passed along to bad form, but what else am I doing wrong?

Also, I have a hard time being accurate under slow, yet sustained fire. When firing 1 round/second, I get reasonably good groupings, certainly all withing the 5" target. But once I slow it down and take my time I'll get 4-5 REALLY good shots, and the rest are all over the place. Do I need to take some anxiety pills or something

[Jameson]

When I first got my XDs, I shot low left. With some practice I now hit dead on. I think what throws people off is the way that you are supposed to use the sights. You have to line up the three dots and then line up the top of the front sight where you want to shoot.

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I tried to draw the sights but that didn't come out very well. Hope it makes sense.

[Joeywhat]

Originally Posted by Jameson

When I first got my XDs, I shot low left. With some practice I now hit dead on. I think what throws people off is the way that you are supposed to use the sights. You have to line up the three dots and then line up the top of the front sight where you want to shoot.

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I tried to draw the sights but that didn't come out very well. Hope it makes sense.

The problem is that I was doing just that. I tried all the "normal" ways to aim and was still rediculously low. Using your example, this is how I was aiming:

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It felt akward to shoot that way, but it seemed to work. In my "illustration" I put the target just barely above the front sight, it was almost covering it.

Note, I had to pu "+" and "-" in my illustration as the spaces were being edited out.

[Cumminalong]

For me, 2 of mine with standard sights shot low out of the box. The 2 I ordered with Trijicon's were perfect though.

I had to do exactly what you show above....hold the front sight high (basically lined the top of the front dot, with the top of the rear sight, then front sight center mass on the target)

My 9mm and my .45 were both low from the get go. My 2 .40's had Tijicon's from the factory and they were spot on.

I've had very good luck with the Trijicon's, the TFO's were good as well, the Dawson's I have now are friggin amazing.

I want a POA hit, not that 6 o'clock crap. I want the bullet to go where I want it, not try to guess where it's gonna go.

[Joeywhat]

OK...it's good to see others with the same problem. I was hoping is wasn't entirely my fault.

I am planning on getting the Trijicon sights, although I'll probably have to wait awhile. No one carries them already on the weapon in stock, and the shortest wait time is 2.5 months...too long for me. I was going to order the sights seperately and have a reputable smith throw them on.

[USMC-8154TL/DM]

You might be limp wristing it. Maybe stiffen you wrist a little. Or you can be pushing forward to hard with your dom. hand. Or not pulling enough with your weak hand.

Since this is not your pistol I would not be to concerned with it. But if you buy one, put it on a rest and see what happens then you will know for sure it is not you when you shoot it.

[azppmd]

I could not wait to clean/lube weapon when first acquired (new) 4/29/2005. I put three magazines of 40 cal range ammo through it. It was shooting a bit high out-of-the-box. I adjusted my point of aim, and it has improved a bit since initial acquisition.

This was not shot using a bench rest or any rest (other than my hands). Weapon is accurate. It's the shooter (me) in this case that's making it drift to left and up.

[Jameson]

Originally Posted by Joeywhat

The problem is that I was doing just that. I tried all the "normal" ways to aim and was still rediculously low. Using your example, this is how I was aiming:

++|o|
|o|--|o|

It felt akward to shoot that way, but it seemed to work. In my "illustration" I put the target just barely above the front sight, it was almost covering it.

Note, I had to pu "+" and "-" in my illustration as the spaces were being edited out.

Thats odd. Are you sure that you are not looking down the sights from a weird angle and not straight on..because I also had that problem when I was younger?

[Joeywhat]

There is a chance I could be looking incorrectly, but I'm 99% sure I'm not limp wristed. I have a VERY firm grip on the weapon, including the wrist. The only problem I believe I have with holding it is I get "shaky" sometimes, where I either get small muscle spasms or drift a lot.

I'll get a chance to put it on some sandbags when i shoot at the outdoor range near my parents. The indoor range I shoot at now really isn't setup for that.

[gsx1138]

Out of the box mine shoots low and to the left. But I also think it's a practice thing. Plus, the stock sights blow. Everything turns into a blur for me. And yes, I need new glasses.