Need help with Sig P226 accuracy

[ugly old guns]

Hi, everyone. In September I started in the police academy in Columbia, MO. To get ready for the classes, and the firearms training, I traded in my Steyr M40-A1 for a police trade-in Sig P226 in .40 S & w, because retention holsters don't exist for the Steyr, and, frankly, I've lusted after the Sig for a very long time.

Here's my problem. I have very large hands, with long fingers. And, I seem to shoot low left with every pistol I use. Unless I shoot very slowly, making sure my trigger finger does not go too deep, the rounds all go low left.

Here's what I've done. I fully cleaned the Sig, and blew out the fire control components with compressed air, then lubed them with a light oil. I then switched the lubrication on the rails to a synthetic grease, and the whole thing moves like oil on water, and the trigger pull is a lot smoother and takes less effort.

I've switched my trigger finger to where I lock the finger at the innermost knuckle, and only move the two outer joints, pretty much as a single unit.

I also switched out the grips to Hogue finger grooved rubber grips. These made the grip much bigger, and easier to control.

I've shot low left with pretty much every handgun I've shot, with the exception of 1911's, so I know the problem is pretty much me. But, I've also noticed that this full size Sig also leaves 3/4 inch of hand(palm heel) at the bottom of the gun.

I want to love this gun. But I also want to shoot better, no matter what gun I'm issued when I'm hired.

Any thought you have on gun or shooter will help. The only gun that feels better in my hand has been the Springfield XD with a 5 inch barrel in .45.

Thanks.

 

[harmon rabb]

You're flinching, and you're pulling the gun itself as you pull the trigger. Try making sure you're holding the grip very tight, and only use the pad of your trigger finger on the trigger. I used to have the same problem; took me quite a while to get over it.

Although I have to ask... if this issue happens with every gun but a 1911... why didn't you trade for a 1911?

 

[fedlaw]

My P226 was 100% reliable, but was not very accurate. I assumed it was me until I had my good buddy ChuckB give it a go. I now carry a XDm. 100% and, while not a bullseye gun, it is significantly more accurate than either my P226 or P220.

 

[rellascout]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

My gut feeling is you have too much finger on the trigger. Watch the video check your grip and your extension. If you correct these along with the amount of finger on the trigger you should be able to correct your pull to the left.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

I'm thinking, with your big hands, that the left may be "you're tightening your grip" at the exact time you're taking each shot, especially "your support hand fingers.."

You can see how just a tad of extra squeeze with your support hand fingers can move the gun left, again, at the same time as you take each shot..

Good grip, but relaxed, comfy tight and let the gun run, it will always come right back, on target..

Owning 2 P229n/r 40's, and having shot a LEO's P226 DAO 40cal which I thought it was a 45cal.. They're that soft, recoil wise, and you just need to put in the time/rounds until the_light comes on - and stays on.


Ls

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've also noticed that this full size Sig also leaves 3/4 inch of hand(palm heel) at the bottom of the gun.

If you are talking about your strong hand extending .75" below the bottom of the grip of a 226, you must have huge hands...mine doesn't even extend to the bottom of the grip frame.

The video clip rellascout posted is a good start. It is very important that you move your trigger finger independently of the other fingers of your strong hand and not tighten your grip as you run the trigger

 

[Jed Carter]

All good accurate advice, if you are shooting with both hands, go to You Tube and search for "pistol grip". I had a tendency to shoot low left too but I have small hands and did not get enough finger on the trigger, hence I pushed the pistol to the left and down, I am right handed. The "Thumbs forward grip" has made a better shooter, it should help you too. And as always welcome to The High Road.

 

[Radjxf]

Hopefully your Sig isn't a CPO gun with the short trigger.
Next, I generally apply at least 60+% of the gripping force with the weak (support) hand.
Practice with ear plugs AND earmuffs. This helps with flinch IMO.

Read this also: http://www.craigcentral.com/fearnot.htm
This guy knows a thing or two about running a Sig

I lived in CoMo for 16 years. With their constant increase in crime, they can certainly use more good cops.

Good luck.

 

[gun addict]

well im also in Columbia, MO. Let me know if you wanna do some kinda trade for the SIG if you dont want it?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Read this also: http://www.craigcentral.com/fearnot.htm
This guy knows a thing or two about running a Sig

Ernie's article is a great read, but I'd be remiss not to point out that he wrote this when he was shooting for Beretta and took his first IDPA Championship (SSP) with the gun that became the Elite II...which was a very accurate factory version of his winning gun.

He did later win the IDPA Championship again shooting for Sig, using his tweaked Sig 220 in CDP, defeating the tricked out 1911s so badly that the rulebook was re-written to basically exclude the Sig 220ST from the class

 

[mandrakesan]

I'm right there with you man. I'm a decent shot and have been struggling with my new P226 .40. I've put about 250 rounds through it so far, and can't find any consistency at all. When I pick up anything else I'm in the black. I thought it was me until I let my brother in law, who is a better shot than me, have a go at it, and he was struggling to hit the paper consistently. He seems to feel that the barrel may be a little squishy in the chamber and reseating itself ever so minutely after firing. I was thinking it was just not the right grip for me, until he had issues too. I think I may just trade it in for a S&W or a Beretta. By all accounts the 226 is supposed to be a great gun, I'm just not having a good experience with it and have no confidence in my accuracy with it at all.

 

[AJChenMPH]

The only thing I'd add to everything that's already been discussed here -- get snap caps (dummy rounds) and do a lot of dry-fire to see if you're flinching (as someone else suggested) as well as having someone else mix in dummy rounds as they load your mags.

 

[1SOW]

This is a good video and agrees with what two Grandmaster USPSA shooters have told me. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4584332856867071363#

I'm not particularly a Todd Jarret fan, but this works for many good shooters.

Snap Caps are a good tool. I put one in a mag/or two and shuffle my mags behind my back.

 

[Rinspeed]

You just need more practice with it that's all. Don't be afraid to dry fire the crap out of that Sig. It will help you become more accurate and help smooth the trigger up.