Shooting low

[Jeff XD]

Went to the range this weekend and just got frustrated with myself. I was unable to go to the range for about 2 months. So I also took my 22 for warmup/practice. 50 rounds later at 10 yards I had a very nice group, 40 out of 50 in a 2 inch diameter circle. The other 10 in a 5 inch diameter circle. But when I switched to my XD, my groupings disappeared. I was shooting consistently low. Very few of my shots the entire day were above the bullseye. I am no longer pushing the trigger so now I am just shooting low. The part that annoys me is that before I had to take the break I was keeping nice groups in the center. From reading other posts it sounds like I am flinching. Guess I just need more range time and dry fires.

[Pugs]

Originally Posted by Jeff XD

Went to the range this weekend and just got frustrated with myself. I was unable to go to the range for about 2 months. So I also took my 22 for warmup/practice. 50 rounds later at 10 yards I had a very nice group, 40 out of 50 in a 2 inch diameter circle. The other 10 in a 5 inch diameter circle. But when I switched to my XD, my groupings disappeared. I was shooting consistently low. Very few of my shots the entire day were above the bullseye. I am no longer pushing the trigger so now I am just shooting low. The part that annoys me is that before I had to take the break I was keeping nice groups in the center. From reading other posts it sounds like I am flinching. Guess I just need more range time and dry fires.

Yep,

It sounds like you've correctly identified your problem and the solution. Low is generally the result of flinching and dry-fire exercises are a good way to address them.

Try this next time you're at the range. Have someone else load your magazines and have them load one snap cap mixed in randomly with the live rounds. When you hit the snap cap, the gun won't fire and you'll be able to see if you're pushing the muzzle down in anticipation of the recoil.

I read an article on a website once about a good dry-fire exercise to help reduce flinch. Try dry-firing with a penny balanced flat on the front site. Squeeze the trigger and hold the trigger all the way back for a count of two after it breaks.

The penny will force you to keep the muzzle level or else it will fall off.

Holding the trigger back for a two-count will force you practice good follow-through while holding the muzzle level.

[medicstimpy]

Did you let someone else try it? I know mine shot low and left. It was hard aiming at the very top of an 8.5x11 potocopy target at 20m just to get an impact at 6:00 low.

My buddy and another shot mine and confirmed it was low/left and they are experienced shooters.

Springfield sent a higher sight and now it's good.

[Pugs]

Originally Posted by medicstimpy

Did you let someone else try it? I know mine shot low and left. It was hard aiming at the very top of an 8.5x11 potocopy target at 20m just to get an impact at 6:00 low.

My buddy and another shot mine and confirmed it was low/left and they are experienced shooters.

Springfield sent a higher sight and now it's good.

Uh,

Did you try firing it from a bench rest? Take the human element out of it altogether?

If not, it may not be the weapon. The weapon itself can be the problem, but if the higher front sight is masking a human error, you're not doing yourself a favor at all. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, I'll blame the user. Though, confirmation from two other experienced shoters, it definitely could be the weapon.

[KnightHawk]

Originally Posted by medicstimpy

It was hard aiming at the very top of an 8.5x11 potocopy target at 20m just to get an impact at 6:00 low

That's pretty impressive shooting and may be hard to improve on!

I was shooting my .40 yesterday and was pleased to be able to keep 50 rounds in the 4" diamond of a Redfield sighting target and my target was just inside the 15 yard line. That's a measured and marked 15 yards at an indoor range but, let's call it 14 yards, and that is only 42 feet and not the 20 meters (about 65 feet) that you shoot at.

I wouldn't complain if I could shoot like that at 20 meters.

[XD45inAZ]

Originally Posted by Pugs

Yep,

It sounds like you've correctly identified your problem and the solution. Low is generally the result of flinching and dry-fire exercises are a good way to address them.

Try this next time you're at the range. Have someone else load your magazines and have them load one snap cap mixed in randomly with the live rounds. When you hit the snap cap, the gun won't fire and you'll be able to see if you're pushing the muzzle down in anticipation of the recoil.

I read an article on a website once about a good dry-fire exercise to help reduce flinch. Try dry-firing with a penny balanced flat on the front site. Squeeze the trigger and hold the trigger all the way back for a count of two after it breaks.

The penny will force you to keep the muzzle level or else it will fall off.

Holding the trigger back for a two-count will force you practice good follow-through while holding the muzzle level.

I realize you were talking to that other guy but I am going to try those drills. Thanks.