Sighting-in

Ambidextrous · 11-12-2009, 01:36 AM

Hello. First time handgun owner here.

I finally set-up some targets the other day for my recently purchased Sigma 9VE (which I now believe I over-paid for - but that's another story/problem).

I was pretty shocked upon my first few shots from about 10-15 yards (30-40 feet?) when I hit the target...not once.

Moving the target closer (approximately 5 yards/12-15 feet) I continued to "miss" (not hit inside the black - much less the orange/red-bullseye) for a couple more shots.

When I finally saw "a hit" (on the board), it was a good 12"-18" down-and-to-the-left of center-target. I then simply aimed 12"-18" up-and-to-the-right, and was finally able to get inside the black.

How on earth do I "fix" this please? I believe this pistols site adjusts for "windage" (only?), but I have no clue how to do that.

Thanks in advance,
Glenn...

samuel · 11-12-2009, 09:55 AM

Leave the d--- sight alone and dryfire and see how much you are pulling the sights off when you pull the trigger.Adjust yourself before adjusting things that were probably close to right to start with.Find someone that you know can shoot good and get them to shoot your gun. ,,,sam.

Ambidextrous · 11-12-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

Leave the d--- sight alone and dryfire and see how much you are pulling the sights off when you pull the trigger.Adjust yourself before adjusting things that were probably close to right to start with.Find someone that you know can shoot good and get them to shoot your gun. ,,,sam.

Well I appreciate the reply, but I squeeze rather than pull...and though this is my first handgun, I've never had any problem (in many years) aiming/hitting targets with shotguns or rifles...?

I suppose it still "could" be me though?

R5CYA · 11-12-2009, 11:16 AM

that was my first thought as well. try shooting off a rest till you know wether it's the gun or you. that'll narrow it down.

Ambidextrous · 11-12-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R5CYA

that was my first thought as well. try shooting off a rest till you know wether it's the gun or you. that'll narrow it down.

Sounds like a good, reasonable, process-of-elimination type thing to me - thanks!

Purdy · 11-12-2009, 02:05 PM

Shooting a handgun takes lots of concentration and practice.

Ambidextrous · 11-12-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purdy

Shooting a handgun takes lots of concentration and practice.

Yes sir, so I am now finding-out. I hope I didn't imply otherwise - I certainly did not mean to.

And now that I've thought more about it, it makes sense that it would (take more concentration and patience), especially compared to what I am used to, which is being able to "balance" longer firearms with both hands/arms.

Thanks again to all - I'll report back with results/progress...IMPROVEMENT!

Best,
Glenn...

G. Green · 11-12-2009, 06:00 PM

Good byproduct of being proficient with a handgun is if you apply the same level of focus and touch to a long gun you can REALLY make one of them perform. 90% mental, 10% physical.

PS: I really like the expression "press the trigger" with a handgun. As Big Shrek would probably say "squeeze is so 90's". (squeeze is the last thing a feller wants to be thinking when he manipulates a handgun trigger)

rwt101 · 11-12-2009, 07:24 PM

Try this video on youtube. Everyone is different, but this works for me.
Bob T

YouTube - How to grip a pistol

LefthandShooter · 11-14-2009, 07:03 AM

At the range Thursday there was 2 young guys in the lane beside us. They had one of these and was shooting a 12-20" group. I heard one say they needed to adjust the sites. I told them no, that it was most likely in their trigger pull. I let them shoot my 617 revolver double action to show them how much a trigger can pull, and then gave a few pointers in to how to shoot better. The top three was practice and shoot slower (take time between shots to make sure your aim, breathing, sight alignment, etc. are correct), and again practice. They then shot some more and their groups got smaller a little, but they didget smaller. They thanked me and said they would do what I said. Hopefully....

Personally, if I was at the range and ended up helping a new or beginner the entire time instead of shooting, it would be a good day. With all the new gun owners out there, us "old timers" responsible shooters need to take it upon ourselves to help the next generation of shooters to the next level, thus insuring that the "gun-take-aways" can not use them as a "bad example of a gun owner/shooter" in their efforts to end the 2nd ammendment.

(I must say here that I am not an expert, just experienced.)

G. Green · 11-14-2009, 07:51 AM

Good job LHS! I agree. I love those teaching moments when you see the light come on.

texnmidwest · 11-14-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LefthandShooter

At the range Thursday there was 2 young guys in the lane beside us. They had one of these and was shooting a 12-20" group. I heard one say they needed to adjust the sites. I told them no, that it was most likely in their trigger pull. I let them shoot my 617 revolver double action to show them how much a trigger can pull, and then gave a few pointers in to how to shoot better. The top three was practice and shoot slower (take time between shots to make sure your aim, breathing, sight alignment, etc. are correct), and again practice. They then shot some more and their groups got smaller a little, but they didget smaller. They thanked me and said they would do what I said. Hopefully....

Personally, if I was at the range and ended up helping a new or beginner the entire time instead of shooting, it would be a good day. With all the new gun owners out there, us "old timers" responsible shooters need to take it upon ourselves to help the next generation of shooters to the next level, thus insuring that the "gun-take-aways" can not use them as a "bad example of a gun owner/shooter" in their efforts to end the 2nd ammendment.

(I must say here that I am not an expert, just experienced.)

+1 LHS! It shows a lot about yourself to be so willing to help! It also shows a lot about them to be willing to accept your help.

11-12-2009, 01:36 AM	#1
Ambidextrous Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 25	Sighting-in Hello. First time handgun owner here. I finally set-up some targets the other day for my recently purchased Sigma 9VE (which I now believe I over-paid for - but that's another story/problem). I was pretty shocked upon my first few shots from about 10-15 yards (30-40 feet?) when I hit the target...not once. Moving the target closer (approximately 5 yards/12-15 feet) I continued to "miss" (not hit inside the black - much less the orange/red-bullseye) for a couple more shots. When I finally saw "a hit" (on the board), it was a good 12"-18" down-and-to-the-left of center-target. I then simply aimed 12"-18" up-and-to-the-right, and was finally able to get inside the black. How on earth do I "fix" this please? I believe this pistols site adjusts for "windage" (only?), but I have no clue how to do that. Thanks in advance, Glenn... Last edited by Ambidextrous; 11-12-2009 at 01:41 AM.

11-12-2009, 09:55 AM	#2
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 11,723	Leave the d--- sight alone and dryfire and see how much you are pulling the sights off when you pull the trigger.Adjust yourself before adjusting things that were probably close to right to start with.Find someone that you know can shoot good and get them to shoot your gun. ,,,sam.
	1 members found this post helpful.

11-12-2009, 11:16 AM	#4
R5CYA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Bruno, Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 2,640	that was my first thought as well. try shooting off a rest till you know wether it's the gun or you. that'll narrow it down. __________________ Badges? We got no badges! i aint gotta show you no stinking badges!

11-14-2009, 07:03 AM	#10
LefthandShooter Tex's little Brother Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio Posts: 5,188 Blog Entries: 2	At the range Thursday there was 2 young guys in the lane beside us. They had one of these and was shooting a 12-20" group. I heard one say they needed to adjust the sites. I told them no, that it was most likely in their trigger pull. I let them shoot my 617 revolver double action to show them how much a trigger can pull, and then gave a few pointers in to how to shoot better. The top three was practice and shoot slower (take time between shots to make sure your aim, breathing, sight alignment, etc. are correct), and again practice. They then shot some more and their groups got smaller a little, but they didget smaller. They thanked me and said they would do what I said. Hopefully.... Personally, if I was at the range and ended up helping a new or beginner the entire time instead of shooting, it would be a good day. With all the new gun owners out there, us "old timers" responsible shooters need to take it upon ourselves to help the next generation of shooters to the next level, thus insuring that the "gun-take-aways" can not use them as a "bad example of a gun owner/shooter" in their efforts to end the 2nd ammendment. (I must say here that I am not an expert, just experienced.) __________________ How can Tex be considered sane when he gave me his Girlfriend's e-mail address?.

11-12-2009, 02:05 PM	#6
Purdy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 571	Shooting a handgun takes lots of concentration and practice.

11-12-2009, 06:00 PM	#8
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 1,023	Good byproduct of being proficient with a handgun is if you apply the same level of focus and touch to a long gun you can REALLY make one of them perform. 90% mental, 10% physical. PS: I really like the expression "press the trigger" with a handgun. As Big Shrek would probably say "squeeze is so 90's". (squeeze is the last thing a feller wants to be thinking when he manipulates a handgun trigger)

11-14-2009, 07:51 AM	#11
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 1,023	Good job LHS! I agree. I love those teaching moments when you see the light come on.