Grouping shots

[Jamesmb]

Hi

I could have this question in the wrong category, but I have shot two S & W model 19s and seem to be hitting mainly to the lower right of the bullseye target. What am I doing wrong? Others have shot one of the 19s with no problem, they put on a new sight and adjusted but same problem. I usually shoot 357 magnum loads 158 gr JHP bullets when target shoot. I think I am little better shooting 38 Specials out of these guns but still at 15 yards not doing too hot. Yesterday outside at 15 I had shot 50 rounds while only 28 of them even hit on the paper at all. The rest or most were almost always lower right. I have shot probably all total maybe 1000 rounds and am not getting any better. Should I give up and take up tiddlywinks?

Thanks,

James

 

[Bearhands]

use this target... http://www.reloadbench.com/pdf/files/TargetRightHanded.pdf

if you're left handed, they have one for that too.


it's not always dead on correct, but you might be doing something on the order of what it says..

are you using a rest? offhand?..... start w/ a rest.

Shoot the 38's until you are satisfied with the results... THEN move up to the 357's. By that time you'll be a little more used to the recoil..... just my $.02

 

[tipoc]

James,

A few questions: What other types of guns do you shoot and do you shoot them well? Or are you new to handgunning?

Are you shooting from a Weaver, an isosceles, or one handed?

What brand of ammo?

When you do shoot low and to the right are the shots grouped well together or all spread out?

Others have shot one of the 19s with no problem, they put on a new sight and adjusted but same problem.

I'm unclear what you mean here. Are you saying that someone else shot the gun and the gun shot well? Did someone else replace the sights or just adjust them to alter the point of impact?

As you are in Knoxville you may want to go by a local gun range and ask if the NRA sponsers classes there. If they do you can sign up. You can learn a good deal about your guns and shooting from them.

tipoc

 

[Jamesmb]

Hi, and thanks for the answers. I usually shoot sitting at a bench, had tried resting my forearms on the table but somebody had told me to keep the gun up, either way still getting lower right, which must be tightening grip while pulling trigger according to
http://www.reloadbench.com/pdf/files...ightHanded.pdf


Would it be the recoil or the anticipation of the recoil? Seems like when you shoot the bullet would come out so fast out of the barrel that it would not have time to be affected but I have no idea. I am pretty new to handgunning.

The trigger on this 19 seems rather hard to pull, I have shot a few semi-autos which had much easier pull of trigger to them. Wonder if the extra tension is jerking my hand and or wrist when I pull the trigger? I have shot a S & W 44 magnum and also to me the least accurate of the guns I have shot, must be my fear of the recoil?

Oh, yes a few other people had shot the first 19 and seemed fine. The first guns sight had torn up threads inside where the windage screw goes into so I had the gunsmith just put on another rear sight and after that he adjusted. But he was grouping shots within a few inches it seems at maybe 10 yards. Mine are scattered all over but again mostly way lower right of bullseye mostly outside the largest circle. I would hate to defend myself if somebody was 15 or even 7 yards away. I guess they would win.

 

[tipoc]

The best advice is to get into a hand gun safety class and a new shooters class. These will be offered at the local range. Ask about them. They are well worth the little bit of money you will have to spend for them. While you can get some good advice here this is all long distance, there it will be hands on, which is best. Learning to shoot is like learning to drive, hands on is best.


tipoc

 

[MrBorland]

Would it be the recoil or the anticipation of the recoil? Seems like when you shoot the bullet would come out so fast out of the barrel that it would not have time to be affected but I have no idea. I am pretty new to handgunning.

The trigger on this 19 seems rather hard to pull, I have shot a few semi-autos which had much easier pull of trigger to them. Wonder if the extra tension is jerking my hand and or wrist when I pull the trigger? I have shot a S & W 44 magnum and also to me the least accurate of the guns I have shot, must be my fear of the recoil?

My $0.02:

Sounds to me like you're either 1) flinching and/or pulling your trigger finger in towards your palm as you pull the trigger. Either way, sounds like you're disturbing the sight picture just before the gun fires. You may also 2) not be seeing the sight picture correctly. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Rather than 15 yds, shoot at 7yds. Once you start getting decent groupings at your point of aim, start placing the target further out.

2. When loading live cartridges, load one chamber with an empty casing and give the cylinder a little spin before closing so you don't know where the empty is. If you're flinching, you'll definitely see it when the gun "clicks" on the empty case and your hand & gun jerk. If you are flinching, forget the .357magnums and shoot mild .38spls for now (in fact, I'd recommend that anyway for general target practice). If you can find some, try some target wadcutters, which are generally pretty mild loads.

3. Using empty case or snaps caps, dry fire practice at home. Lots and lots of dry fire practice! Focus on maintaining a good sight picture while smoothly pulling the trigger without disturbing the sight picture. Even experienced and accurate shooters do lots of dry fire practice! It'll help your trigger finger strength as well, which alone may help your shooting if you're struggling with the pull weight of the trigger. Yes, assuming you're referring to the double action trigger, the pull weight will be considerable harder than a semi-auto, which is one reason shooting a DA revolver well takes lots of practice!

4. Experiment with grip and trigger finger placement on the trigger. Your grip should be as high on the backstrap as you can get it. As far as trigger finger placement, many revolver shooters place the 1st joint over the trigger and feel this gives them more control with less strain while pulling. Pulling the trigger with the pad of your trigger finger over the trigger (like a semi-auto) seems to take a lot more effort, and you may be straining and jerking the gun quite a bit when pulling the trigger. Again, experiment and dry fire, dry fire, dry fire!

5. If you can swing it, invest in a S&W K-frame .22LR revolver, such as a model 617, 17 or K-22. One of these, in the same platform (i.e. k-frame) as your Model 19 would be an excellent "understudy". Much easier on the wallet and will pay for themselves in the long run, and lets you shoot much more, and very little recoil so you're not reinforcing a flinch. New 617s are pretty pricey, but used 17 and K-22s shooters (i.e. non-original grips/no box/some bluing wear) in decent shape can be found for less. Like your Model 19, they'll hold their value as well and are darned good guns to boot.