Improper Factory Sighting.

[doctorhumbert]

Way too often factory sights are improperly adjusted or simply wrong heights on my auto handguns. My last two handguns, HK P7M8 (3" high at 25 yard), Walther P5C (6"! high at 25 yard), so both 'needed' to have rear sights replaced at considerable expense and effort. Strangely they came with test targests with shots on the bullseye. I am not a bad shot and I KNOW when sights are off. It is too difficult to outfit them with adjusted sights?
The one prior to these guns, LesBaer TRS (custom manufactorer), was properly adjusted with bulls eye shots out of box. So this is not always the case.
For $$$ I paid on these guns I expect better.
Does this happen often to you guys also?

 

[Walt Sherrill]

It happens.

But your choice of ammo (load and bullet weight) can make a 2" or 3" difference at the distances you're talking about.

Maybe the guns aren't as much to blame as you think.

 

[larryw]

As Walt said, ammo will have that effect on many guns. My P7 shot a few inches left with S&B FMJ and WinClean but was dead-center with the +P JHPs. Also, many use a bullseye-shooter's 6:00 hold for 25+ yards, so if you're holding center you'd hit higher than shown on the test target.

However, any 1911 that shoots way off with 230gr factory ball ammo is inexcusable (you listening SA?)

 

[10-Ring]

It happens. I shot a buddy's brand new 92 Elite and it was VERY low. He ended up changing out the front sight...now it's fine & now he has the front night sight he wanted to begin w/.

 

[B27]

There is also the issue of how these sights are meant to be used.
Most of us who have been shooting for a few decades expect that bullet to land wherever the top edge of that front sight is.
Well, surprise! Sights on some foreign made pistols aren't meant to be used that way.
SIG's are what I'm most familiar with.
The front sight dot on a SIG pistol is supposed to cover the point on the target you want to hit. Use those sights in the way so many of us are used to and you may well be consistently shooting low.
I don't like it and it is my only serious gripe with SIG.

 

[Al Thompson]

The ammo, as so many have noted, can make a huge difference. FWIW, I've had several instances of ball or JHP in the same weight hit different POI.