16 rounds close, but.....

[Steak]

Was at the range the other weekend shooting my 9mm Shield and the 3.8 XDm. This picture is from the XDm extended mag with 16 rounds. When I pulled the target back in I felt kind of good and kind of frustrated. Every damn time I shoot it seems everything is left, low or somewhat left.

By looking at this, would you say the group is good? Im thinking maybe some anticipation and maybe not enough trigger finger? *EDIT* It was from 7 yards.

[Steak]

um....anyone?

[Bucc5207]

I think the group is OK, depending on how fast you were shooting. If you get similar results with two different pistols, it is definitely a technique issue. I agree, maybe too little trigger finger, assuming you shoot right-handed. BG is pretty dead, anyway.

[Gildere_XD]

I consistently shoot low and to the left, and am consistently told it's my trigger technique. I find that it gets worse on smaller guns as it is harder to get just the pad of my finger on the trigger. But when I do slow down and work the trigger better, and use a better technique, it find my aim does improve.

Also, if you're just always shooting left, and not just low and left, and it's just one gun. Have your sights adjusted. They might be off.

[Steak]

Yeah, Ill have to shoot it some more. I guess it could be the sights but my money is on me. The last time I shot it I remember most shots being low left. These were almost all center but left.

I don't have too many rounds through the XDm really, just about 350 which is nothing. I thought some of the shots were good as far as being close together. I had 2 sets that were 3 shots basically in the same hole and a few 2 shots in the same hole.

I would prefer to shoot outdoors but only have an indoor range. Kind of getting over the "jumpyness" with other shooters right next to me while trying to concentrate and also my own anticipation. I guess time will tell but I wanted to see what some more experienced shooters on the site thought.

[Montourage]

Mine/I was low left and I adjusted the sight. After the trigger kit it brought me up a bit. My avatar is slow controlled at 7 yards and you can see I generally start shooting lower over the course of a magazine.

[scooter123]

First off, AT WHAT DISTANCE? Yean, it does matter. If you shot that at 25 or 50 yards I would say that you don't need to worry a bit and ask for a few pointers. IT that was at 20 feet, I would suggest that you spend a bit of time doing dry fire practice with snap caps and also try shooting from a bench rest to see where the sights are hitting.

Because a result like that indicates a need for better release skills that can be improved with dry fire practice. BTW, the finest platform for improving trigger skills is an old fashioned revolver. Nothing will train you to pull smooth and straight better than learning how to master a long trigger stroke in the 9-10 lbs. range. I'll also point out that revolvers are ideal for dry fire practice because all you have to do is pull the trigger, no need to rack the slide after every stroke.

It's also possible your sights may need a bit of tweaking, however 1 to 2 inches at 20 feet is usually beyond the mis-adjustment seen in most handguns today.

[TSiWRX]

Originally Posted by Gildere_XD

Also, if you're just always shooting left, and not just low and left, and it's just one gun. Have your sights adjusted. They might be off.

A little amendment to that

If you've benched the gun and it still shoots left, only then adjust the sights.

Otherwise, it's all you.

[bigmoguls]

Steak,

I have 4.5", 9mm, XDm. In the stock configuration, I would shoot just like you, decent groupings, but left, not low-left, just left.

Last week I installed a PRP Drop-in Trigger kit. The reduced force and more consistent break of the trigger helped me shoot a 19rd, 2" group @5yds yesterday - DEAD CENTER.

So while it may be you, an improved trigger may help.

See the lower right target.

XDTalk :: VID_20120704_103103.mp4 video by bigmoguls - Photobucket

[rufireproof]

Also, try the next bigger backstrap. I switched from the smallest to the medium and it adjusted my hand better and moved my booger hook to where it more naturally fit where it was supposed to.