XD45 Service - accuracy.

[CTrider XD]

I need some opinions. The target below is 24" x 28". As you can see most shots are low left. My XD45 has the 4.0" barrel. The target was set at 75ft. away. My XD trigger has approx. a 3.5 lb pull. I payed special attention to grip and trigger control. I have put over a 1000 rgd through it so far. Do you think I am asking to much of the XD to get a tighter group at 75 ft? I fully realize that the XD is a service/combat pistol and not a target pistol. I my be the reason why I can't punch out the orange dot but that is why I want some opinons from the group. Some of you may shoot the service model at this distance so I would like to know your findings. Thanks for your help.

[ElJimmyStrappo]

I don't have a .45, but may I suggest a few things.

1. Focus on your front sight as you aim at the dot. You should see the front sight in focus.

2. Slowly squeeze the trigger, it should almost surprise you when it fires.

3. Slowly release the trigger to notice when it resets, that will help trigger control.

4. Take all the time in the world to shoot.

These a a few things that help me shoot better. Just my 2 pennies. Good luck!

[XD9Sub]

So that means that each quad is 12" x 14" which is where most of your hits landed. At 25yds I think that's darn good. I've never shot over 15yrds with the XD45, but you're not going to shoot out the 3" center at that distance, even with a tactical XD45, maybe at 10yds but not 25yds (unless you're like Dirty Harry).

And yes, trigger control will help raise your hits up and over to the center.

[CTrider XD]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll give it a try next time at the range.

Originally Posted by ElJimmyStrappo

I don't have a .45, but may I suggest a few things.

1. Focus on your front sight as you aim at the dot. You should see the front sight in focus.

2. Slowly squeeze the trigger, it should almost surprise you when it fires.

3. Slowly release the trigger to notice when it resets, that will help trigger control.

4. Take all the time in the world to shoot.

These a a few things that help me shoot better. Just my 2 pennies. Good luck!

[CTrider XD]

Close in at 25 ft. This was before the trigger job .This was also at an indoor range. some times that helps me. From what you say it sounds like I am in the ball park. This forum is great. I don't belong to a club yet so th only advice I get is here on the forum. Thanks for helping.

Originally Posted by XD9Sub

So that means that each quad is 12" x 14" which is where most of your hits landed. At 25yds I think that's darn good. I've never shot over 15yrds with the XD45, but you're not going to shoot out the 3" center at that distance, even with a tactical XD45, maybe at 10yds but not 25yds (unless you're like Dirty Harry).

And yes, trigger control will help raise your hits up and over to the center.

[D_Fence]

Try this instead:

- Focus on the dot.
- Cover the dot with the (out of focus) front sight.
- Switch your focus from the front sight.
- Hold steady while you squeeze the trigger straight back. The only increase in tension should be in your trigger finger...not your whole hand.
- Keep the trigger squeezed until front sight start coming back into allignment.
- Reset trigger while you switch your focus to the dot, and repeat.

But, your main problem isn't aim as much as it is pushing the muzzle low left as you pull the trigger. This could either be a mechnical problem in the way you squeeze the trigger (i.e., you push it instead of pull it straight back), or you could be pushing down and left in anticipation of the recoil, or a combination of both.

Also, take the distances some people claim with a grain of salt. Some folks have a serious problem estimating distance and/or understanding the difference between a foot and a yard. I've spent A LOT of time on a 50 foot range and I VERY rarely see shooters who can cleanly shoot out a 3 inch bullseye even from 50 feet.

So, if those holes were shifted up and to the right around the bullseye, I'd say "very good" and that the group will tighten up with more experience. But, the fact that they are almost all low/left is definitely a sign that you are repeating the same mistake again and again.

[Bycyclist]

May I humbly suggest shooting from a bag/bench as a "benchmark." That helps to quantify exactly what the issue is - I find that helps me to reduce "milking" the gun if your objective is to reduce group. Also benching helps relax the forearms/firing hand grip and lets you put all your attention on your trigger finger and front sight focus. Then you can start sorting out whats really going on.

[fm tim]

Look at the target at the attached link. It is designed to halp diagnose shooting problems based on group location on a target

http://www.reloadbench.com/pdf/files...ightHanded.pdf

I agree with Bycyclist. Shoot from a sand bag rest to try to improve trigger pull. The rest removes the temptation to jerk the trigger when the sights appear to be on target.

[Margana]

Did you use a trigger scale ? Most out of the box XDs have a trigger pull of around 7 pounds these days. You will only get 3.5 pounds after getting a trigger job. It is very difficult for me to get a decent group at 25 yards with a trigger pull of more than 4 pounds.

For an experienced, but not expert shooter a 9 inch group at 25 yards is very good, with an out of the box service gun, off hand.

A 12 inch group is reasonable; It looks like you are anticipating the shot. Have someone mix a snap cap randomly in the mag and have them hand the gun to you for firing. You will be amazed how the gun may jump when you fire the dummy round. Right handers will almost always shoot left and low due to anticipation. It takes years of practice to eliminate this tendency. Each shooter will find a certain gun that he/she can shoot better than any other. Often times, this has nothing to due with the cost of the gun....

[CTrider XD]

D Fence,

I have had some problems with overcoming the antipication of the recoil. I was doing some dry fire at home, I put a snap cap in the tube & aimed the XD and when I squeezed the trigger I found myself pushing fwd to overcome the recoil, bad habbit.

The day I took the picture of the first target I was trying very hard to make sure this didn't happen but the picture doesint lie.

By the way, the distance of 75 ft was a measured distance established by the gun range. I was wondering how far it was so I asked the range officer. Again thanks for the help. I'll post any inprovement so as to maybe help others who have the same issues.

Originally Posted by D_Fence

Try this instead:

- Focus on the dot.
- Cover the dot with the (out of focus) front sight.
- Switch your focus from the front sight.
- Hold steady while you squeeze the trigger straight back. The only increase in tension should be in your trigger finger...not your whole hand.
- Keep the trigger squeezed until front sight start coming back into allignment.
- Reset trigger while you switch your focus to the dot, and repeat.

But, your main problem isn't aim as much as it is pushing the muzzle low left as you pull the trigger. This could either be a mechnical problem in the way you squeeze the trigger (i.e., you push it instead of pull it straight back), or you could be pushing down and left in anticipation of the recoil, or a combination of both.

Also, take the distances some people claim with a grain of salt. Some folks have a serious problem estimating distance and/or understanding the difference between a foot and a yard. I've spent A LOT of time on a 50 foot range and I VERY rarely see shooters who can cleanly shoot out a 3 inch bullseye even from 50 feet.

So, if those holes were shifted up and to the right around the bullseye, I'd say "very good" and that the group will tighten up with more experience. But, the fact that they are almost all low/left is definitely a sign that you are repeating the same mistake again and again.