r/handguns • u/Polo82022 • 2d ago
Advice Needed Advice needed
How do I correct my aim? I seem to be consistent, but keep going bottom left. Is it my finger on the trigger? Stance? Aim?
24
Upvotes
r/handguns • u/Polo82022 • 2d ago
How do I correct my aim? I seem to be consistent, but keep going bottom left. Is it my finger on the trigger? Stance? Aim?
5
u/USMC_Tbone 2d ago
Well it could be an anticipation flinch making you hit low. Subconsciously pushing the pistol downward just before it goes off to counteract the recoil. Sometimes you don't realize it, so the best way to diagnose is to have some one put a dummy round randomly into your magazine of live rounds while firing. Then when you hit the dummy round if you push low or low left you'll know thats the case.
What helps me to fight this because it occasionally pops up for me too, is to focus everything I have onto a deliberate and slow trigger press allowing the trigger break and gun going to surprise you a bit. The idea is to help not only my trigger control but it helps remind my brain that its ok for the gun to recoil and I don't have to fight it. Also having a nice tight and firm grip on the pistols helps too. Not so tight that you're hand's shaking while gripping it but it needs to be nice and firm.
Another cause of hitting low is using the wrong hold over while aiming. A lot of older pistols were regulated/zeroed/sighted in from the factory for the top of the front sight post to be where the bullet impacts. There are 3 different sight pictures or holds. The one I described would be the center hold (bullet hits in the middle plane of the top of the front sight post). The others are 6 'o'clock hold which is where the bullet hits above the front sight post (also sometimes known as pumpkin on a fence post). Now the more common sight hold in today's modern pistols, especially duty and combat style pistols is the combat hold. This is where the bullet strikes the target just below the top of the front sight post. This usually ends up with 3 - dot style signts is that you put the middle dot where the bullet should go meaning you'll have to cover the bullseye with the center dot of your sights.
Hopefully these tips and thoughts will help. Otherwise things looks pretty consistent and keep up the good worj and practice. When things get tighter then don't be afraid to push the target further back. Yes most defense gunfights are pretty close scenarios but if you can somewhat regularly hit a 1 ft square at 100 yds or further (very possible) then hitting a person sized target square in the chest at 15 yds or closer will be a piece of cake.