Sidearms & Scatterguns Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

[Intrepid4576]

Ive all ways used sight pic #3 - i have NO formal training at all

I started off with a glock 21 (full size .45acp)

i bought it used so im guessing the sights were adjusted properly when i bought it

I could shoot that at 25yards and be able to put 8/13 rounds easily at rapid fire into a 8in grouping - obviously better if i took my time

I was happy with that as I do not compete and its mainly for self defense

well I bought a glock 19 (mid size) 9mm for my woman - went to the range and she wasnt even hitting paper at 12 yards..... So I took it and was able to get on paper but the grouping was WAY WAY low and to the left a little bit - (all at 12 yards)- this seemed strange to me cause i see no way to adjust elevation with the stock sights that came with her g19...

so i did a little holdover type thing while at the range and ended up finding that if the TOP of the rear sight was alined with the far end of the ejection port it would be hitting pretty close to the proper elevation in regards to where the far sight was placed on.....

i know its a silly ass way to go about it but i just kinda went with what i had while at the range

when i dry fire the sights stay in proper alignment and like i said i was a much better shot with the .45 at 25 yards than i am with a 9mm at 12yards.....dosnt make sense to me cause the 9 has ALOT less kick but its the same pistol essentially

anyway this seems weird to me

any idea's what i am doing wrong? i doubt it would be the gun cause i know error is most likely all ways human ..... just confused really

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

That is a classic case of shooter error:

So much so, they have a target detailing it.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That is a classic case of shooter error:

So much so, they have a target detailing it.

</div></div>
We have used the same target at matches to help people learn to shoot better. In most cases this will work if its not the gun. Do it at about 15 yards depending on how large you print it. Ten yards will tell you the same thing then finish it up with some more distance once you start hitting where it needs to be.

 

[doc76251]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

You might be screwing the pooch on the trigger but something tells me it is the gun/sights. If you can roll a .45 to good effect then conceptually you should be able to drive a 9mm similarly. The fact that you are cognizant enough to hold the EJECTION PORT as a front sight tells me you might be OK and the stick is screwed.

Take it to the range again and look for a shooter running a Glock to good effect and hand them a mag and your stick and say "I'm having a problem hitting my point of aim, would you mind running a magazine through my pistol to see if you have the same problem?"

If they dump them low and left I would bet there is a gun issue.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

I sort of like the inverted "T" to check the sights.

I shoot with my left eye, right handed so I use the inverted "T" to make sure my sights are correct.

Get a bit closer, like 7 yards, line the front sight post on the long vertical line and then group, after, you can align the sights correctly horizontally on the bottom of the inverted "T" and check that for elevation. If you really feel it is the pistol, and not a jerk reaction, having a precise aiming point in both planes a bit closer will probably tell the tale. Nice and slow...

 

[Intrepid4576]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

Thanks a bunch guys, this definitely gives me tools to work with.

I agree doc76251 that if I was able to use a .45 in an ok manner why not a 9mm? My ego wants it to be the gun that is wrong not myself....but I know my ego is F'in worthless! =D

I will print up a couple of those targets and report back in the next couple of days

thank you

 

[Intrepid4576]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

finally had a chance to get out to the range today....everyone's been getting sick in our household latly....anyway it seems it was operator error as suspected

thanks a ton for helping me clear it up - love those targets

my best guess is that the difference in the frame size positions my hands in a different way than i was used to (coming from a full size .45acp to a 9mm with the smallest handle size available)

thanks!

 

[Wintermute]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

I thought you knew...you don't aim glocks...you just hold them sideways out the car window

--Wintermute

 

[Turk]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

Sight pic 3 maybe part of your problem.

 

[Intrepid4576]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Turk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sight pic 3 maybe part of your problem. </div></div>

why do you say that?

 

[Jim_D303]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Intrepid4576</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Turk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sight pic 3 maybe part of your problem. </div></div>

why do you say that? </div></div>

Glocks don't shoot that way. You typically should be using the top edge of the sights (image#2) for most guns and most sights.

Some guns are setup for the 6 o'clock hold (image#1), but only a few sights use a hold like image #3 where they shoot where the dot is (the HK P30 comes to mind).

I've never seen or shot a Glock that shot below the top edge of the front sight.

 

[sgtkeebler]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

I agree that you should use Image #2 for using the sights. Its what is listed by glock and how I use it as well and it hits where it is supposed to.

As for the aiming out gun windows i prefer these sights

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

I can shoot my G21 and my G26 very well.. but the G19 is not as natural for me just based on how it fits my hand. If I don't use my pinky on the G19 I shoot it much better. Something to do with the pressure of the pinky on the grip for that frame size. I have to work more to squeeze the gun between both hands than with the other two to get equal pressure. So I practice more often to compensate for my flawed form. The G19 is low/left for me too.

 

[Gildoom]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

What lowlight said, and shoot a 22 right after you shoot your Glock. You will see it right away.

 

[Intrepid4576]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hawk45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can shoot my G21 and my G26 very well.. but the G19 is not as natural for me just based on how it fits my hand. If I don't use my pinky on the G19 I shoot it much better. Something to do with the pressure of the pinky on the grip for that frame size. I have to work more to squeeze the gun between both hands than with the other two to get equal pressure. So I practice more often to compensate for my flawed form. The G19 is low/left for me too. </div></div>

I think we have the same problem - i can shoot a g21 or g17 pretty darn well - but the g19 is not so easy

thanks for all the info guys - i will try using sight picture #2 and report back

I had no idea guns were designed with different sight pictures in mind

thanks

 

[Veer_G]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

I keep on thinking that there's a punch line involving a trash can somewhere ...

The OP mentioned dry-firing at home and maintaining level sights. Typically, there are less distractions when practicing at home, you're doing it under brighter conditions than what is typical at a range, and it's easier to concentrate on the front sight without everything else going on as it does when you have ears and eyes on and it's a live exercise.

 

[DCR]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

Have you shot it off a bench with sand bags for support?

 

[ppd215]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

Does the G19 have a standard trigger spring? They make the NY1 and NY2 that are much heavier and might cause your problem.

 

[gathert]

Re: Im having trouble aiming with my new glock......

G19 is no different on the inside from any other Glock in the 9mm caliber. I have a problem with breaking my wrist down when shooting a glock, and its only when shooting a glock. All other pistols are just fine. When I start running drills and competing in IDPA I tend to shoot more "on target" rather than breaking shots low because I'm focusing less and shooting more. Once my brain takes over and I stop thinking bout it the problem fixes itself.