Professional help needed?

[config_T]

First a little history…

I saw the XD40 Service while drooling up and down the aisles of the local Gander Mountain about 4 days ago(Thur.). I started my internet searching and loved what I was reading. This site was especially helpful in making a decision, or rather confirming my decision to buy this as my first handgun. I proceeded to rent an XD40 Service at the local range and put 50 rounds through it. I loved it. My crap aim didn’t do anything to dissuade me. When I did manage a descent stance and some trigger control for more than a couple shots in a row the groups were impressive, by my standards. Having not shot anything since getting out of the USMC over 2 yrs ago, this really got my blood flowing. The decision was made to make the buy, but I told myself to give it one more day of thought. That was Saturday. Sunday I took my Mom and Wife to the range for their first ever experiences with a firearm. I spent the first of 2 hours working with the ladies to get them comfortable and safe with the .22 revolver I had rented for them. Then I turned my attention back to the XD40 which I had rented again. This time with 150 rounds to play with. Again, the excellent balance and controllability told me she was a winner. I took the plunge after watching the ladies burn up the 200 rounds of .22lr. Wisconsin sucks, so I couldn’t take anything home yesterday other than a $478.00 receipt. There is a 48hr cool down period. So I head home with a head full ideas to research, lights, lasers, springs, cheaper ammo, more mags, still need a case, have no cleaning gear other than the stuff for my 12ga, plenty of things to look at to keep my mind off the 48hr waiting period. Or so I thought.

Present Day…

It’s Monday. I should be at work but I’m on my way to the range with 300 rounds of .40 S&W WWB. Please someone tell me that this is normal! The shop said they would have no problem letting me test it out, hell, it’s paid for. Long story short, I have a major problem and have no idea where to begin to fix it. My groups, when they exist, are ALWAYS 3-4” low and to the right. This was the case for the rental and my new XD40. Hell, I think I had the same problem with the 50 slugs I put through the Mossberg 500 Saturday morning. I may need professional help. I am left handed in everything I do, except for firing my rifle/shotgun. Form day one I have fired a pistol with my left hand but using my right eye. Is this even remotely practical? For the last 40 rounds today I tried switching eyes out of pure frustration with my embarrassing performance thus far. Doing so seemed to center my shots over my POA, but not entirely. It will require more range time to know if I have answered that riddle. I even thought of getting a damn eye patch, you know, pirate style. I thought this might help me to get used to using the left eye. Anybody have any thoughts on that idea?

As far as the low groups are concerned, I don’t know what the hell to do. I’m shooting at 7 damn yards with the FST completely covering the target. The front dot is literally above the inside ring just to keep the round inside, at the bottom of the center ring. I was going to post some pics but I forgot to bring the crap targets home. I’m pretty familiar with the basic regarding good shooting stance, bone support, breath and trigger control. But I have never applied any of that to a pistol, only my M-16A2, and I always qual'd "expert" with that. Does anyone have any ideas on how an amature can raise their groups without shooting at the damn ceiling? What are common causes for low groups, other than someone that doesn’t know how basic iron sights work? Bad grip? I’m open to any suggestions.

I just took a look at the stickie by Old School with the training aid, can someone expand upon this for me?

If anyone has actually read this entire post, congrats. Your attention span is impressive!

[KyXD40]

Not sure I totally understand your problem, but I think perhaps you may be anticipating the recoil and therefore jerking your trigger pull, which would tend to pull your gun low and to the left if you are shooting right handed. Shooting a little to the left could alsp be caused from too much finger on the trigger I believe.

We have more experts than I, so we'll just have to watch to see what they say...

[config_T]

KyXD40,

Thanks for the quick reply. Ya, upon further review I see that my post was a bit of a rant. The short story is that I am shooting horribly low and to the right. That's shooting left handed. I may have already solved the windage issue by switching eyes, only more range time will tell. The elevation is where I need some help.

Thanks Again

[config_T]

And I found this...
http://www.hs2000talk.com/viewtopic....ght=low+groups
eerily familiar

Looks like ideas are:
Laser/Snap caps, dry fire practice
3rd party observer
let someone else shoot it
factory rework

I have no reason to believe there is anything wrong with this weapon so I will likely pick up some caps and research a good dry fire routine for beginners.

Damn I love this site!

[R Dub]

Here is a correction target you can print and use from one of our members "dave_in_delaware".
http://home.comcast.net/~dave_in_del...red-circle.pdf

And an info chart:
http://www.bullseyepistol.com/training.htm

[config_T]

So as a leftie I should read this thing backwards, correct?

What exactly is menat by breaking the wrist? Simply allowing forward/downward bend?

[JesterXD40]

just letting you know, it can be the pistol, I own 2 40 services and a subcompact, the subcompact shot low, so I sent it in, and SA put a new rear sight in, no problems after that...

I was a PMI at lejune from 98-02, arty(radar) was my primary mos. what about you?

[jednp]

Either your sights are off, or you are flinching and/or have your finger on the trigger wrong. I'm having the same problem, and I know I have a flinch problem because every time I load a few dummy rounds in with live rounds I flinch on them. I tried tightening my grip the other day and I did notice that I didn't flinch as bad, and my shots were a lot more centered. I'm willing to be anything that you are flinching and most likely squeezing your grip when you pull the trigger, causing everything to move. It's much easier for a trained bystander to point out your faults as they can see them.. it's harder to tell when you are the one shooting what you are doing wrong. I took a shooting class and it helped me, but I am still having to work out the kinks in my technique. When I don't flinch, and my trigger pull is perfect... my shots are dead center. If your problem was only low shots, it could be more just the pistol being off, but being low and right.. if your sights are aligned perfectly before the shot.. it's most likely a flinch. I would highly recommend getting some sort of professional help.. it can't hurt, and I'm sure you will learn more about shooting than just how to cure your problem.. it never hurts to learn more.

[config_T]

'98-'03 (1345) Construction Equipment Operator

Spent most of my time on MSG duty at the embassy in Berlin and the consulate in StPetersburg Russia. First 18 months were in 29Palms and last 10 were in Quantico.

[config_T]

Thanks for all the posts.

I have a few different ideas on how to approach this now.