??? about stock sights

[ArmyBrat]

My Tac.45 came with stock sights (white dot) and when I took her for the first range run she was shooting (at 15 yds) low and to the left.....about 6 inches low and 4 left when aiming at the center. I know I can adjust both front and rear for windage but what about elevation? It's not in the budget this month for new sights so what can I do to the stock ones? Do I have to file/grind the front post down? She also was finicky about the hollow points I was using...Magtec...but ate all the FMJ I fed her. Your advise is appreciated.

[XD9Sub]

Put several hundred more FMJ through it, concentrating on your finger placement and trigger pull. 6" low and 4" left is about the normal placement for right handers getting comfortable with the XD trigger. I wouldn't do anything to the sights just yet.

There's lots of threads on this, some with targets showing you what may cause the problem you describe. I'm sure someone will post it or you can run a forum search.

[Tally XD]

Break off about two inches from a #2 pencil and place it between the gun slide and your trigger finger (vertically). If that isnt picture enough, place your trigger finger in the trigger guard (gun unloaded) as if you are about to fire it, then with your left hand, slide the pencil downward between the meat of your trigger finger and the right side of the gun slide. This will space your finger away from the gun a little. This should place the correct part of the "pad" of your trigger finger on the trigger face. It will also cause you to PULL the trigger correctly and evenly instead of jerking it.

Do some dry fire drills this way and it will get you a better idea of correct trigger pull.

Find a point, or several points, on a wall and practice aiming and pulling the trigger at this point while watching to make sure your muzzle doesnt move as you squeeze the trigger.

MAKE CERTAIN THE GUN IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED WHEN DOING DRY FIRE PRACTICE!!!!!!!!!!!

[chuckels59h]

Lot's of folks shoot low left at first, it's the way the grip is. don't clinch the inside hand, just use the index finger on it to pull trigger, let the outside hand hold the weapon, wrapped sutley over the inside hand with both thumbs paralel to the slide just below the joint. Squeeze without flinching or anticipating. That tip cost me a 140.00 dollar markmanship class. You'res for free!!

Todd Jerrett, much more clear.
YouTube - Todd Jarrett on pistol shooting.

[WilliamWallace]

I do the exact same thing. It isn't the gun boss. Fix your shooting by doing what the others have described. Most of the time when I'm just throwing some lead downrange, I shoot like you shoot. When I concentrate and do everything right, I can hit dead center. You're placing too much finger on the trigger and probably jerking it a little, too.

[F117AGuy]

I thought my stock sights were off too. Until I handed my pistol to a friend who shoot's several different 1911's in local competitions. He was able to put up a group at 15 yds that wasn't too far off what he is able to do with his very custom 1911's. After that I decided the pistol is able to shoot a lot better than I am capable of making it!

[ArmyBrat]

Thank you all gentlemen! I'll have to concentrate on my trigger work/finger placement...didn't know how sensitive the gun was. Makes me appreciate my 1911s all the more.Now if you will excuse me I have some exercises to do............

[F117AGuy]

One thing I learned after my experience with the XD trigger is that comparing it to a 1911 trigger is like comparing a Ford Taurus to Royals Royce. Both work , but one is just way way way more comfortable to ride in!

[tdyoung58]

Originally Posted by ArmyBrat

My Tac.45 came with stock sights (white dot) and when I took her for the first range run she was shooting (at 15 yds) low and to the left.....about 6 inches low and 4 left when aiming at the center. I know I can adjust both front and rear for windage but what about elevation? It's not in the budget this month for new sights so what can I do to the stock ones? Do I have to file/grind the front post down? She also was finicky about the hollow points I was using...Magtec...but ate all the FMJ I fed her. Your advise is appreciated.

If you go to www.guntalk.tv and watch the video under trigger pull it wil help

A lot of people have "low and left" problems when they first start shooting auto's, usually caused by having to much finger on the trigger

I blackened my rear sights out and painted the front with flourecesnt enamel paint, (old person with bifocals thing)

[WilliamWallace]

i was reading some stuff by Bruce Gray about "prepping" the trigger. i was just upstairs dry firing and cleaning my XD40 that does not have a CC trigger job and it certainly feels like it is a trigger that can be "prepped" before the shot.

while dry firing, i found that i jerked far less when i prepped it first, i.e. take the slack (and there is a lot of it) out of the trigger before beginning my actual "squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, let it surprise you..."

this may help you as well, at least with making it feel more like a 1911 trigger like you are used to ... not that it will ever be that good, but it can at least head that way. actually my CC trigger is just as good as my Kimber trigger (damn Kimber won't fire though... but that is another rant)