Pistol shooting extremely low

Laser boresighters frequently fail to account for muzzle flip and perceived recoil, things the firearms manufacturers do take into consideration when they set up their sights.

Did the gun shoot low from day one of ownership? What bullet weight are you using (have you changed weights)? Perhaps the sights are/were adjusted for a heavier load.

If you're shooting 115-grain stuff, try a 124-grain or heavier load. The heavier bullet will flip the muzzle up higher as it leaves, producing a higher POI.

As far as group sizes go, that shouldn't change; it should just be lower until you get the gun to hit back "on sights."

Adjust the rear sight in the same direction you want your point of impact to be. Move the rear sight up to raise your POI move it down to lower your PIO. If your rear sight is bottomed out your going to be shooting very low.

And throw the laser bore sighter away!

They simply do not work with handgun sights because the line of sight is well above the direction the bore points due to having to make up for recoil while the bullet is still in the barrel.

rc

rcmodel said:

And throw the laser bore sighter away!

They simply do not work with handgun sights because the line of sight is well above the direction the bore points due to having to make up for recoil while the bullet is still in the barrel.

rc

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This. Bore sighting devices get you "on the paper". After that, adjust the sights to more precisely place the shot. For me their utility is limited to rifles where "on the paper" is a 25 yard solid rest proposition.

You already stated the gun shot fine the first time out. I'd reset everything as it was that first time and go from there.

Sounds like you might be adjusting them the wrong direction? Move your rear sight in the direction you want the point of impact to move....ie..crank it up to raise your point of impact.

I've adjusted the rear sight to be as low as it will go, but I'm still off.

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As pointed out...

Adjust the sight the other direction...

kcmarine said:

I was under the impression that the rear sight should be adjusted the opposite direction for elevation that you wanted the projectile to go. I assume this is incorrect based on your responses?

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You're thinking of the front sight there. To adjust sights, use the "FORS". Front opposite, rear same.

I missed in your opening post that you were lowering the rear sight. As pointed out, that will worsen (or create) the issue you're having.

1390 posts since 2007 and you don't understand how to adjust your elevation?
Where have you been?

Not to be rude, but have you never fired an adjustable-sighted handgun before, or read an instruction manual?

Even if not, use some analytical thought.
If it was shooting to one elevation new, and it was going lower after you fiddled with your bore sighter & made adjustments, try reversing whatever you did that caused the gun to shoot lower.
Put it back the way it came, if you can, and then adjust further if needed.

After that, shoot 5 rounds, see where they go, adjust your sight as necessary to put the holes where you want them. Shoot, adjust, shoot, adjust.

As mentioned above, reserve the bore sighter for rifles.
Denis

No need to be rude. The rule is, with the front sight chase the bullet, with the rear sight chase the target.

If you're shooting LOW, RAISE the rear sight.

No rude intended, just surprised somebody who's been on a gun forum that long with that much interaction doesn't know how to adjust sights. Or read the manual.
Denis

Wonder how many folks think moving the sights has a direct effect on the barrel.

DPris writes:

1390 posts since 2007 and you don't understand how to adjust your elevation?
Where have you been?

Not to be rude, but have you never fired an adjustable-sighted handgun before, or read an instruction manual?

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Not to be rude?
The question was answered before your contribution was posted. To go ahead with the above portion of yours shows no purpose other than to be exactly that.

Wonder how many folks think moving the sights has a direct effect on the barrel.

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Reminds me of the Matabele War in South Africa. The Matabele knew that elevating the rear sight was for long range shooting, and from that they deduced that elevating the rear sight made the gun shoot harder -- so they always kept the rear sight in it's highest position, and shot over the English.

I would move the target to the bullet for a bullseye every time

rcmodel said:

And throw the laser bore sighter away!

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A-MEN !! I wasted my money on a couple of them. Might be OK to get you on a Greyhound bus at 100 yards, but all around, I do way better without one.

kcmarine said:

I have a Ruger SR9c that I got not too long ago. I took it out after buying it, and it was pretty decent for the first time shooting it. I adjusted the sights using a laser boresighter, thinking I could do better. Wrong-o. Now it's as much as foot off at 15 yards, which is a problem for a pistol that would most likely be used within that distance. It's low, really low. I have to aim at the top of a 1-foot target to hit the bottom at 15 yards. I've adjusted the rear sight to be as low as it will go, but I'm still off. I was getting 3-6 inch groups before. What do I need to do to figure this problem out?

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Well, the first problem is you are moving the sight the wrong direction. Move the rear sight in the direction you want the bullet to move.