Glock shooting left...Move sights?

[jfrey]

I bought a new G19 and it shoots to the left and high. I fired different loads and shot it from a rest with the same results. It is now back at the mothership to get checked out. Everyone always wants to blame the shooter but I know for a fact "IT AIN'T ME".

If it were me, I would adjust the sights myself and tell no one. In a stressful, defensive situation, Kentucky windage could get you hurt or even killed if you're not careful.

 

[BlackCoffee]

I agree that the leftwards shot placement is, ME. However, since its ME that is carrying the weapon and it is I that will pull the trigger what matters the most is constent shot placement.

Yes, If I was a better shot then perhaps with better technique I could shoot the low budget Glock better. Though I still shoot in the top 3% of my agency.

The issue is, IMO, weapons fit everybody differently. It is why sniper rifles have adjustbale stocks. Its why a skeet gun is fitted to the marksman. Its why they make adjustable sights. Make the weapon work for you and not work around the weapon.. Of course provided you have the proper fundamentals.

Give me a polished 3.5lb Glock trigger with less overtravel and my shots center up. With the heavy 6lb unpolished trigger and sloppy overtravel the round placement ends up a bit to the left.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yes, If I was a better shot then perhaps with better technique I could shoot the low budget Glock better. Though I still shoot in the top 3% of my agency.

With better technique, you'd be a better shot and be able to shoot any gun better. I was one of the better shots with my agency too, using a less then optimal technique. I just wasn't satisfied when I stopped improving, so I sought out better techniques. I guess it depends on your desire to improve or get left behind...nothing is static in handgunning except the very basic targets

The issue is, IMO, weapons fit everybody differently. It is why sniper rifles have adjustbale stocks. Its why a skeet gun is fitted to the marksman. Its why they make adjustable sights. Make the weapon work for you and not work around the weapon.. Of course provided you have the proper fundamentals.

It sounds like you are confusing platforms and how they are used. Whereas long arms have adjustable/adjusted stocks to fit them to allow you to utilize them more efficiently...the corresponding adjustments on a handgun is the grip/technique...your hands and arms are the stock on a handgun. They are what you adjust to allow you to press the trigger correctly

Give me a polished 3.5lb Glock trigger with less overtravel and my shots center up. With the heavy 6lb unpolished trigger and sloppy overtravel the round placement ends up a bit to the left.

The things that a nicer trigger allows is the ability to shoot faster or the ability to disguise less than optimal technique

 

[918v]

Try one of the new Pach slip on grips. It will make the grip bigger, alter your finger placement, and change POI.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Try one of the new Pach slip on grips. It will make the grip bigger, alter your finger placement, and change POI.

Good point...Then you have to wonder if the person is right or left handed

Try shooting it one shot at a time, regrip, laydown pistol, etc...

All have some problems with the Glock it seems, not me

 

[BlackCoffee]

Thanks again for the solid advice. One big issue is my hourly rate of pay is less than what a single box of ammo cost. My agency doesn't provide any training ammo.

I know that when I really want to make those 25yd shots I do work on a "better" grip. On the range these shots are from the ready position and not from the holster. But on the short ranges when it's draw and fire shots under time the level III holster doesn't allow for the best grip.

So all those $$$ adjustable sights and sight adjustment tools are a waste. All pistols should just be solid fixed sights? Really?

I did have a slip on grip on my gen1 but also had the sights tweaked just a wee bit. I don't know if our "experts" will allow me to add the extra grip. I will try it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Thanks again for the solid advice. One big issue is my hourly rate of pay is less than what a single box of ammo cost. My agency doesn't provide any training ammo. (1)

I know that when I really want to make those 25yd shots I do work on a "better" grip. On the range these shots are from the ready position and not from the holster. But on the short ranges when it's draw and fire shots under time the level III holster doesn't allow for the best grip. (2)

So all those $$$ adjustable sights and sight adjustment tools are a waste. All pistols should just be solid fixed sights? Really? (3)

(1) Consider the purchase of a .22lr upper. You'll be able to shoot a lot more for less money, while maintaining the same control locations and trigger feel.

(2) Which holster are you issued/using? Any well designed holster (Safariland SLS/ALS) should allow a Master Grip, in the holster, before you start the upward movement of your presentation. Not establishing the correct grip in the holster really compromises the whole process of placing the first shot accurately

(3) Sight adjustment tools, for the current crop of auto pistols, were originally intended for armourers to install and remove sights...that is why they are so expensive, they never intended to sell that many. Most (non-make specific) smiths I know still make sight correction, when a gun had been dropped or bumped, with a hammer and a punch. Most semi-auto pistols, except those used for competition, are better served with fixed sights

 

[BlackCoffee]

Safariland raptor holster. The design fit limits the thumb positon and the method to push button in and rock back causes a slight angle. But I do like the holster. Very quick and natural.

 

[W.E.G.]

Just figure out a way to shoot the scores you want on the qualification course - usually a cakewalk - and realize that any shooting you are likely to be involved in during the course of your employment will have 100 times more to do with who gets off the first shot, than anything that has to do with careful sight alignment, grip minutiae, or group size.

You have 100 times greater chance of being struck by lightning, than ever having to take the "sniper shot" with a handgun in the course of police duty.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Safariland raptor holster. The design fit limits the thumb positon and the method to push button in and rock back causes a slight angle. But I do like the holster. Very quick and natural.

I'm not sure how the release of the hood or rocking back the gun would affect having a grip on the gun. as my experience with the SLS (Sig 226R) has been that it it leaves the thumb in a normal position

I'm getting a hint, from your description, that you're not shooting from a thumbs forward grip. If you are locking you strong thumb down, I can see why you'd be shooting left and also why you'd be tightening your grip as you press the trigger

 

[GLOOB]

I've never adjusted the sights on any pistol. Almost universally, I tend to shoot my semiautos a hair to the left. Even my MKIII, when I shoot rapidly. Since I know it's me, I leave the sights alone.

 

[W.E.G.]

For self-defense purposes, the thumb "locked-down" on the strong hand makes a lot of sense.

So does the "weaver stance."

 

[9mmepiphany]

While it may make more sense, it isn't optimal for accurate rapid repeat shots as it is based on the outdated belief of being able to hold a gun down during recoil.

This was proven in testing in the 80s and is the reason that all leading shooting schools and real life military and LE operator are trained in it's use. While there is still a place for the Weaver, it isn't taught as a primary stance when the shooters are interested in putting accurate hits on a target at speed

 

[BlackCoffee]

My thumbs line up properly. The lock down thumb method just felt unnatural.

The last part of my thumb does not contact the grip while it's holstered. It touch the holster. I have to adjust the grip during the draw. If I use my index finger to push the ALS I have to cant my finger down- I need to refocus on my draw using my index finger.

- accurate shots beyond 20yds are very rare in LE, I'd agree. But backup is probably 5-10min away if my portable radio even transmits to ask for help. So id like to know my weapon will work for me at what ever range is needed.

 

[918v]

Have you tried shooting it off a bench rest to eliminate shooter error? That way you will be able to see if the sights are off.

 

[duns]

"experts" told me the opposite that the shooting hand was too strong.

I think too tight a grip with the strong hand (if you are right handed) could cause the shots to go left. Have you tried using more clamping pressure with the weak hand?