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Shooting to the left and down a little bit

18K views 15 replies 11 participants last post by  WillsG22 
#1 ·
Today I took some personal time and hit the gun club and rented a G19. I'm looking for my first handgun and haven't shot in probably 20 years, so I'm treating this like it's all brand new to me, because it pretty much is new.

I rented a Gen 3 G19 and put 50 rounds through it. I noticed two things straight away. My shots are always to the left and down slightly. I tried to resolve that by the way I held the gun and switched eyes for sighting. After I was done, the sales person, who I had talked to before, told me it was likely do to how much trigger finger I am using. He suggested just having the tip and a tiny bit more on the trigger. I had my entire finger, up to nearly the first knuckle on the trigger. He thought that was putting extra pressure on the gun sideways.

I also tried correcting it (prior to speaking with the sales person) by changing my grip. I had my left hand around my right for support with the left index finger on the front of the trigger guard. I then tried changing my left hand position and moving it below the trigger guard. Finally I tried my original hand placement but with a stronger grip on the weapon. THat seemed to work well as I was able to put some tight groupings tighter at the 18 foot point.

Any thoughts from the people on here as to how much finger on the trigger I should have and what else might be causing the down and left direction?

I know part of it was first time shooting jitters, not quite sure how the gun works, etc. Over time, I'll get better.

Thanks
Rodeman
 
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#2 ·
Low left shots like that tend to be due to "jerking" the trigger rather than a smooth pull through the break or a "flinch". If you haven't shot much lately, you are likely anticipating the recoil and it cause you to shoot low left. The best solution is dry firing practice over and over until your sight picture doesn't move as you pull the trigger, then going to the range and shooting and shooting until it goes away. During live firing practice, if you concentrate on pulling the trigger EXTREMELY slowly until the gun fires, you can break yourself of the anticipating the shot.
 
#4 ·
In most cases, impacts to the 9:00 o'clock position indicates too little of the trigger finger is on the trigger. Lower, in about the 7:00 to 8:00 o'clock position many times indicate that the fingers of the shooting hand are being tightened (or squeezing) just prior to firing.

Good luck.

Google (or whatever) for diagnostic targets. Print a few out, give them a try.
 
#5 ·
Squeezing too tightly as others have said is around 8' Oclock area and jerking the trigger is around the 7' Oclock area. After reading about your knuckles turning red and white in another post you made today, my guess is you are squeezing too much. This is assuming you are RIGHT handed.
 
#6 ·
Thanks everyone. I am right handed and I know for sure I'm squeezing too hard as it's the first time shooting in 20 years and I'm nervous, anxious, embarrassed because I'm not quite sure what I'm doing, you know the drill for a first time shooter. I felt like everyone could tell I had no experience and was self conscious of the too.

I'll get better, I know that. Just don't want to buy the wrong gun and hate what I have and wish I had made a different choice.
 
#7 ·
AS a refresher, here is a pretty good video on proper grip of a firearm. I don't personally agree with the way he presses out but he is a Top Level shooter so I won't argue that his methods work for him.

 
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#8 ·
Most likely jerking the trigger as stated above. Also just make sure you have a proper grip on the pistol. Once you get used to shooting and having a smooth trigger pull you will start to get comfortable and start placing your shots where you want them. It just takes practice and more practice.
 
#10 ·


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

There's a target that shows how to compensate when your point of impact does not match your point of aim... You can either look at the target and see where your shots would impact based on your current target... or, you can use the link below the image and print out a full size image from the .pdf and shoot it.
 
#11 ·
Texanron and JB, this chart is great. Have any others had success using a chart like this to try and correct any issues? I used a target today that had five bullseye targets on it in a dice #5 configuration (top left, top right, center, bottom left, bottom right). I brought an ink pen and fired five at a distance of 15 feet and marked it with the pen to make notes. Then went to ten feet, the 12 and then 18. I stayed pretty much in that area the entire time. Got a little distracted by the other shooting going on around me and the concussion waves from the guys directly to my left. Then had a guy who came in and started firing something massive and they quickly stopped him telling him he couldn't fire that type of a weapon in there. No idea what it was, but it sounded like the building was coming down.

All those things I'm sure contributed to my first set of shots not being great. But it wasn't horrible either. I know I can get better and start hitting accurately and consistently. I really appreciate the input from everyone here.
 
#12 ·
that chart was developed for one handed bullseye shooting and has little reference to defenseive shooting.

to much to little trigger finger is BS. every ones finger placement is different depending on size of hands. and it doesnt matter anyways

Tighteness of grip is BS- i crush grip when i shoot doesnt effect accuaracy any.

to be accuarate 2 things matter. sights are on target properly and the trigger is pressed smooth to the rear. If these two things are done nothing else matters. you can hold the gun upside down and pull the triger with your pinky. you can use a bic pen. as long as the trigger is pressed to the rear properly, you'll get your hits.
 
#13 ·
Did you drive a car as well when you started driving as you do now? Any activity the requires muscle memory, fine motor skills and coordination takes time to become proficient. If not, I've wasted a ton of money practicing my shooting, I should have just bought the "right" gun!

Buy a pistol that fits your hand and that you are comfortable with. Then, learn how to shoot it.
 
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