Day 2, 300 shots later...update, another 400 shots later

[Teach]

I got my Subcompact XD 9mm (lookin' great in the bi-tone) Saturday, and after a couple of trips to the range I'm more than pleased. Sunday was spent shooting American Eagle rounds with less than great results. Consistently low and to the right was the name of the game. Spent the entire time shooting strong hand (I'm left-handed). Today I stopped by Wal-Mart and bought a couple of "value" bricks of Winchester and things are looking up. More consistent bulls-eyes, more smiles per round. Probably had more to do with me being more comfortable with the gun (not my first time shooting a handgun, but my first time owning one). Spent some time shooting off-hand with surprising results. No less accurate with my right hand than my left. Slower target acquisition due to the unnatural feel, but that can be learned with practice.

I even got a compliment on my piece by the guy in the next lane. He said, "What kind of nine 'dat is?" I pointed to the "Springfield" and the "XD" on the slide. He said, "Word".

[Teach]

Oh yeah, no misfeeds or any other kind of trouble yet...with either type of ammo.

[021411]

Get to a thousand and give us another update.

[mr0w1]

Originally Posted by Teach

I even got a compliment on my piece by the guy in the next lane. He said, "What kind of nine 'dat is?" I pointed to the "Springfield" and the "XD" on the slide. He said, "Word".

Hah! "Word." That's great.

[germanshepherd]

Hi Teach...I recently got an XD9 service model...and very frustrated in my accuracy. I never had problems with accuracy with any gun..I can pick up any gun and shoot close to point of aim most every time..Not an expert but a decent shot... I was shooting consistently low and to the right..I saw that target guide and being lefthanded..I would reverse things..and based on that it says "too little trigger finger"..What does that mean anyone?? I thought I may be anticipating recoil but based on that target...that does not seem to be it but could be. I got a little better the 2nd time out but no where near as accurate w/other guns. WHen I shot from a rest it was pretty accurate so it's me..not the gun. I am frustrated that all my techniques that work with other pistols is not working with this XD..Diff ammo made no difference..any suggestions as a lefty? (next time I will try those blanks to see if I am flinching..)

[Teach]

germanshepherd: I'm willing to bet that you have much more experience shooting than I do, so I'm not gonna try and give out any ignorant misinformation. I will, however, tell you what my theory is now that I've had some time to think about what was going on: I think that due to the long trigger pull and MY lack of experience, I was pulling the muzzle down while pushing it to the right with the trigger. When I slowed things down and took my time I started hitting the target. That said, I'm really not sure, so I'm just gonna keep practicing

[germanshepherd]

I think you are correct.....I think its just this particular trigger I need to get used too.. I'm not used to not hitting where I want to so getting more frustrated than I should be..Practice makes perfect... I called a local gun shop and said I would only get about $250 for my gun with only 200 through it so I am def keeping it...That's almost a 50% depreciation so that is my incentive to practice often and just get the hang of this particular gun, It's staying with me..Happy shooting..

[Frashier]

I recently purchased the XD 45 acp and had a similar occurrence. I'm right handed and the first day out I fired 150 rounds. The first 30 to 40 rounds hit low to the left. I adjusted by aiming high and right and had resolved that my sites were off when I began to land them in the 10 ring. The next time out I took along a friend to share in my new joy. Much to my surprize he placed the first 4 to 5 rounds right on at about 30 feet and commented on the sites being perfect. All along it was my trigger pull. Over and over from rifles to hand guns (more so with hand guns) trigger pull is the root of my inconsistency.
Almost adjusted my rear site to the right.

[germanshepherd]

I wonder the % of guns that come from the factory way out of whack as far as sights being accurate..Probably not many...I agree..seems to be trigger control to be the big problem. I am anxious to get back to the range and practice some new techniques..

[Teach]

I went to the range today and put 300 more rounds through my trusty XD-9 SC. My groups are getting smaller, and much more accurate. The initial low and to the right shot groups are gone. I've worked on my trigger finger; instead of using the pad of my finger I'm now using the first knuckle. Seems that my large hands (I'm 6'4") and the smallish gun are happier that way. I had one failure to feed on the next to last round of one mag, but I'm chalking that up to a combination of a dirty gun (it was approximately round 280 of 300), and a loose grip. I'm trying to find a happy medium between too firm a grip (which in my case causes jerking and flinching) and too loose (which obvioulsy may cause other problems).

I took my wife out to the back of the property day before yesterday and we shot 100 rounds together so she could get used to the gun. She's doing great, and now wants one of her own

I'll post some pics in a while.