Question about my sights

[Joey101]

I have attached a pic. I hope you all can help me out. I'll tell you what is going on. Maybe it's me, maybe it's my gun, I don't know as of yet. I have as listed in my signature a S.A. XD in .45 GAP 4" service model. If I aim to bullseye I hit high and to the the left. I have to aim low and to the right to hit bullseye. I have attached a pic, not an actual target but a direct representation. I can't figure out if I need to move my rear sight over a little or buy another gun. Ihope that it's the sights.

Thanks for any info you guys have.


Joey

P.S.

I shoot all this at 15yrds. As long as I compensate for this I can make 1 1/2" groups all day long.

 

[mattw]

with the very little information you have provided it is either you or your sights. you won't have to buy a new gun. you are either going to have to adjust the sights if they got bumped out of alignment or something like that, get new sights if they are damaged, or learn to shoot better. just because POA isn't POI doesn't mean anything is wrong.. if you can hit what you want does it really matter where you aim?

 

[Joey101]

I see what you are saying and I agree with you. But I who wants a gun only "you" can shoot. Kinda like you first car that you had to bang in a certain spot to get to start. But yeah I am at a crossroads. I want something cheaper. I am not having availability problems. But when I don't have a "wolf" brand option for the cheapies it does kinda erk me! I knew it when I bought it so please no, "I told you so!" comments, I have already heard that. But thanks I will try to get it aiming right. Sorry for the lack of info. I thought I provided enough!

 

[ChristopherG]

Joey, I assume from your comments that your sights are not adjustable for elevation. To take care of that issue, your simplest remedy is to use a lighter bullet (to achieve a lower POI with the same POA; this assumes that you're shooting tight and consistent groups, as you indicate). If you wanted to continue shooting the same weight bullet, and wanted POA and POI to be right on where you're at, you'd need to get a taller front sight.

For the horizontal adjustment, bump your rear sight (assuming it's dovetailed) in the direction you want the POI to go--i.e., right.

When working out sight alignment, I like to work at a little greater distance, since it magnifies what's happening. If you have the range to do it, try shooting your groups at 25 or 30 yards, making your adjustments, and shooting again. It can be a project to get a fixed-sight gun shooting straight.

 

[shooter1]

Shoot the gun from the bench! If it is shooting high/left drift the rear sight in the direction you want the POI to move. As for the elevation, you can raise the point of impact by filing down the front sight till it hits POA. You don't need a new gun!
str1

 

[Joey101]

Thanks guys, I will try it. Maybe this weekend, I hope! :banghead: Man, how I wish stores would stock more than just 185gr. TMJ from Federal. (The Cheap Ammo). I finally got Cabela's to start stocking more of it. Well, I don't how much of it was me, but for the first 3 weeks they were open the didn't have any. Now they always seem to have some in stock.

 

[ChristopherG]

So wait; you're shooting high with 185 grain bullets and factory fixed sights? If that's right, there's a problem. If that's right, I'd do two things. First, have someone else shoot the gun for groups; someone you know can shoot. Then, assuming they get the same results as you, call Springfield.

 

[Double Maduro]

Joey,

Go to this sight and down load this target. It will help you diagnose your problems, if they are caused by you.

http://www.tackdriver.com/pix0703/correction.jpg

DM

 

[Joey101]

So wait; you're shooting high with 185 grain bullets and factory fixed sights? If that's right, there's a problem. If that's right, I'd do two things. First, have someone else shoot the gun for groups; someone you know can shoot. Then, assuming they get the same results as you, call Springfield.

I was thinking the same, after thinking about it! But yeah I wonder if it isn't the gun. I know it ain't me. While this is my first handgun. I can shoot these consistently. I will use the target and see what it tells me. After looking at it, it says I am Pushing, or not following through. Huh? Don't see how, but then again one cannot diagnose his own shooting problems. I don't feel the recoil bothers me, in fact others say it is too much but I don't think so. I have heard I should let the recoil surprise me? Is this right? Anyway I will keep you all posted but i am not able to get to the range until next weekend. Car Problems!! :banghead: :banghead:

Thanks you all!

 

[Double Maduro]

Joey101,

The reason I suggested the target is that the gun is accurate. It will hold nice groups for you, the problem is that they don't go where you want them to.

So the problem is either that you are doing something you aren't aware of or the sights are off.

When I took my Ruger P90 to the range for the first time I consistently shot low and left, blew big chunks out of the target at 15 yards, low and left.

When I moved the target out to 25 yards and concentrated on what I was doing I blew the center out of the target, every round in the 9 or 10 ring.

I was showing my targets to one of the RO's and he said I should put more finger on the trigger. He had me pull the trigger slooooooowly and watch what the sights were doing. Darned if they weren't moving down and left. I put more finger on the trigger and everything came together. Now I amaze my grand daughter by making cans dance all over the place with the big .45.

I had been shooting handguns for about 45-50 years at that time, mostly revolvers and 1911's, heck I was even a range instructor on the 1911, and I couldn't see what I was doing wrong. It took someone else to point it out to me.

Good luck to you and let us know what you find out.

DM

 

[Majic]

But I who wants a gun only "you" can shoot.

Generally everyone. Don't worry about how someone else may shoot your gun. It's your gun and all that matters is that you shoot it accurately.
I have a friend who is a pretty good handgun shooter. He can consistently shoot good groups, but if someone else shoots his handguns they will group low and right. He also shoots high and left when sights are set for someone else. It's in his eyes and how he sees the sights. We tried him on several shooter's handguns (different actions, calibers, barrel lengths, and weights) and always the same result. It doesn't bother him as he adjusts his sights to his likings and happily shoots as well as everyone else. He do remember to make corrections when shooting other folk's guns.
Just set your sights to how you shoot as long as you are consistent and be happy with it. So what if others have trouble shooting your guns. That's what adjustable sights are for.

I know it ain't me.

You don't know how many times that have been said only to find out they were wrong.

 

[only1asterisk]

Joey,

You don't have a problem. If that is all you're off, I'd drift the sights to correct for the windage and leave the elevation alone. You can shift POI with your grip. Try firming it up a bit, and see if you're shots don't hit lower.

David

 

[treeprof]

"Looking over the sights" can lead to this prob for rt handers. Are you looking for holes on the target or at the target after each shot? Make sure you focus on front sight until gun has finished recoiling and settled back down, and ignore target til last shot.

It is quite possible to shoot consistently and incorrectly.