Relearning handguns - help me out

[goon]

I have kind of been away from shooting handguns lately and I am working on getting somewhat proficient with one again.
I have already seen improvement with my shooting but I have something I'd like to ask about.
I seem to be getting three different "groups".
Most of my shots are hitting somewhere near the center but high. I figure that this can be attributed to ammunition or sights. It's only a few inches so I'm OK with it. No worries there.
The other groups are off to the left side.
One is about three inches high and about three inches left of where I am aiming - at about 10-11 oclock. It actually looks like a group (I would be proud had I shot it on purpose) and seems to be about 5 shots out of 50.
The second is also three inches or so to the left but three inches low at about 7 oclock. Maybe 4 or 5 out of 50 rounds.
Any idea what I am doing to cause these "groups".
Bear in mind that I am using the same target for all my shots so they sort of overlapping. Still, it seems that I am doing something wrong for one out of every 5 shots and I'd like to figure it out and fix it.
Thanks.

 

[jwr_747]

the hi shots may be sights need adjusting,but it could also mean your wrist is breaking up. the 10 or 11 oclock shots may be "pushing" (anticipating recoil or no follow thru) the 7 oclock shots indicate jerking or slapping the trigger.if it slips into the 8 oclock position,that indicatec tightening your fingers on the grip. jwr

 

[News Shooter]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=268836&highlight=SHOOTING+CHART

 

[Majic]

You could be tiring and starting to pull your shots. Since you are just starting after an extended time period those muscles may need conditioning. Try taking some breaks during your shooting strings.

 

[Lurper]

What type of pistol at what distance? Also, shooting consitently high can be caused by a couple of different things. Shoot the gun off of a rest and see where it shoots before deciding that shooting high is caused by the sights or ammo.

 

[Rexster]

Consistent grip is an issue, and with some handguns more than others. Single action revolvers are susceptible to elevation changes when held with different amounts of force. Thumb placement and pressure can cause horizontal changes, because the thumb tends to counteract any tendency of the trigger finger to shove the gun toward the thumb's side of the weapon. Also, make sure the trigger finger touches only the trigger, and not the frame also. When pressing the trigger, isolate that movement; do not squeeze with the whole hand. Having to re-learn is not unusual; I started with 1911 pistols, but when I entered police work, I had to carry DA sixguns for a time period. I then had to re-learn how to shoot the 1911 later, because learning to shoot DA sixguns had been a "total immersion" experience.