3913 Shooters-Is this me, or the gun?

[Packman]

When I shoot my SW 3913, I have a devil of a time being very accurate with it. It consistently shoots low in my hands. I mean, we're talking 6-8 inches at 7 yards, with pretty much every load.

Now, if I slow waaaay down, and really make a real fine point of careful aim, careful trigger squeeze, I can get it down to being about 1-2 inches low, and every once in a blue moon, I can take a a bullseye with it.

With my XD .45 though, I shoot right to point of aim, and I'm putting five shots through the bullseye, with like 2 inch groups at 7 yards. Ergonomically, I know the XD feels better in my hand, but this is crazy. Am I doing something strange that's messing with me? I know the bore axis on the 3913 is a lot higher than the XD, I wonder if that's part of it?

Do I just need more practice? Would adding some of those Hogue slip-ons help out, do you think? I know I sometimes have a bad habit of anticipating the shot, but still, this is driving me nuts!

Thanks for any insight, THR.

Packman

 

[MICHAEL T]

I would say it you . my 3913 was very accurate . Their a graph around that shows what your doing wrong I don't have a link handy .
I do have in FAQ at my board if you want to look their http://bersachat.com

 

[9mmepiphany]

Every S&W single stack I've ever shot has been very accurate...with the most accurate being a M39-2 and a M52. I found the 3913 much more accurate than it wider cousin the 496.

Have you shot it from a rest?
You could also have a more experienced shoot (rangemaster?) give it a try to see where it shoots for them.

 

[Ed from Maine]

Gotta be you...

The 3913 is amazingly accurate for a short barrel pistol.

 

[Packman]

Huh. Well, you guys all seem to agree it's me, which I kinda figured. Like I said in the original post, my XD puts holes right where I want them. Other people have shot the gun, but not enough that I've gotten any real useful data out of it.

My brother has had a 3913 for almost 10 years now, and I've shot that a decent amount in the past, and I don't recall having this effect with his. He has a set of Hogue slip-on grips though. I'm wondering if that might help me out a smidgeon here.

Hmmm. I guess something just isn't working between my hand and the grip. I'll have to play with it a bit more at the range next week.

 

[Packman]

With regards to 9mmepiphany's point, no, I haven't tried shooting it from a rest. I'll have to give that a try and see what happens there.

 

[scbackpacker]

Call S&W service department. They covered a front sight replacement on my 3913 and it didn't cost me a penny. I told the Representative that I was the 3rd owner and he said it didn't matter. Now it is the most accurate pistol I have.

 

[camsdaddy]

I agree I have had one since 1998. I consistantly shot low for years. I called S&W and told them my predicament and they sent me another front site. Still no dice. I then ordered yet another site. Eventually I realized that I had began with a 6 o clock hold and I was anticipating recoil. When I hold it dead on and don't flinch with the original sites its on of the most accurate dead on guns I own.