is it me or the gun?

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Brutz

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Hey guys, I've been shooting a bit more lately and have been going between my xd in .40 and my cz in 9mm. I have noticed with the cz I have been shooting way lower than with the .40.
I have had others try and they get the same results. The xd was my first gun and so I have shot it quite a bit more, am I just use to the trigger of the xd and not the cz? any help would be great guys. I have tried the snap cap trick and it doesn't seem like I flinch, but I may have to have my wife load a magazine with one in there, so I don't sub-consciously know about when it will happen. Again thanks for any help you can offer.
 
You need to shoot it off of a rest. Bench shooting it will tell you pretty quickly if you or the gun is the problem. The sights may need to be adjusted, which could involve shimming or filing if they are fixed.
 
How much did the gun cost? If it cost a lot, it's your fault and you need more practice. If you got a good deal on it then the gun is a piece of crap. :neener:
 
I'll agree with dusty. You need a benchmark of where the gun is shooting off a rest, then you can decide if it's the sights or something else.
 
I have a Glock 35 and a CZ75 SB-o1 Tactical that give me fits at times. Aiming at a 3" bullseye with the glock, I have to aim the top of the front post at 1" below bottom of bullseye to hit dead center...consistantly. I could fire 20 shots at that position and hit bullseye. The CZ shoots consistantly to the left. It's not a shooting problem...it may be me... or it could be the sights. I drifted the rear sight on the CZ...perfect. I bought a out of date Bomar adjustable rear sight for the Glock...perfect now. Shooters all have their quirks...I just choose to compensate for mine! As long as they goes dead center..99% of the time..I'm a happy camper.
 
One possibility is that the XD supports a 6 o'clock hold while the CZ wants to be dead-on.
 
I would think a polymer .40 would make you flinch before a steel 9mm would. As mentioned above, it is probably that the pistols have different holds. Try a bench rest and let us know.
 
I'd say most of the time it's the shooter, not the gun, that's causing a group to drift off to the mark. And a lot of the time, I think people prematurely start adjusting their sights, rather than trying to figure out what about their technique could be causing shots to drift off. It sounds like you're doing the right way though. I'd try using a bench rest and let other people shoot it from the bench too. If after that everyone confirms it's shooting low for them too, it shouldn't be too difficult to change out the sights to achieve the sight picture you prefer.

The front sight on the CZ just slides on from the front and there's pin holding it in place. You'll need to drill, file, or otherwise cut a groove any replacement front sight for that pin to fit into but that's pretty easily done. The rear sight slides in and out from the side. If you use a punch to get it out of there, just be careful so that you don't mess up the slide. You may well be able to modify the existing sights to achieve the sight picture you're after. It's a simple enough job to do yourself, but if you know a good gunsmith nearby, it's also a cheap job to have someone else do too :)
 
Tfyidgv.

X

Edit: My 4 yr old daughter snuck this post in.
 
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How far low are you talking about with the 9mm? If it's only a little low, it's probably zeroed for something a bit heavier than you're shooting. Say you're using 115gr WWB and the pistol comes from the factory regulated for 124gr NATO ammo. That would do it. (For reference, with light 115gr ball ammo my Glock 17 shoots just to the tip of the front sight at 25 yards. 124s hit above.)

If it's a lot low, it could be possible you're anticipating recoil or slapping the trigger. I know you said it seems okay with the snap caps, but you'd be surprised at how much steadier you feel when you KNOW that gun isn't going to go bang. (BTDT myself, shooting a rifle match, nice and steady in dry-fire prep, line goes hot and BAM! Yank the first shot low. Oops... :banghead: )

The only thing that makes me wonder about the flinching/anticipating, do you shoot low with the .40 at any time or only the 9mm? If it's only with the 9mm, I'd return to the first suggestion of maybe it's zeroed for a different bullet weight/velocity than you're using.
 
One possibility is that the XD supports a 6 o'clock hold while the CZ wants to be dead-on.
Click to expand...

This. I had an XD, couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I've had my CZ ever since.

The two triggers are completely different in feel. The XD is quite mushy (striker fired) while the CZ has a hammer, plus I suspect you're starting from the DA pull, right?
 
thanks for the input thus far, guys. I will have to try a bench test and go from there. I haven't been able to make it to the range lately, but will definitely let you know. I have not been shooting this in DA it has always been in SA. I did notice today though that the front sight seemed to be machined improperly, had a slope going up and to the right. I think a bench test will help me narrow this down. Thanks again guys.
 
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