Self Defense Ammo shooting high, recommendations?

[Ralph III]

Hello All,
I've been using Federal HST 124g as my self defense ammo in my Kahr S9 but it shoots high. Whereas all of the practice ammo that I've shot is typically spot on, no matter the brand or grain. It's just the 124g HST that I find difficult to be highly precise with.

Has anyone else had similar issues and what did you do to correct this? I'm considering switching to a different self defense ammo otherwise trying a different grain of HST. Should I go heavier or lighter? I already shoot 6 o'clock for precision shooting, so there is no adjusting to be made with aiming. Your input is appreciated.

God Bless
Ralph

 

[sgt127]

How high is it?

A 6:00 hold drives me insane anyway. I want the hole to appear on top of the front sight.

Does Kahr offer different sights? Or, Dawson Precision?

If you like the load, I’d change the sights.

 

[Smaug]

Lighter bullet load.

Heavier bullet means more time in the barrel, so recoil brings the point of impact higher.

 

[Rock185]

I don't have a Kahr, but have run into fixed sight pistols shooting high or low with whatever ammo I was using at the time. I have several times fitted a higher or lower front sight to achieve the POI I want. Pain in the backside, but that is how I have handled the problem.

 

[wcwhitey]

Hello All,
I've been using Federal HST 124g as my self defense ammo in my Kahr S9 but it shoots high. Whereas all of the practice ammo that I've shot it typically spot on, no matter the brand or grain. It's just the 124g HST that I find difficult to be highly precise with.

Has anyone else had similar issues and what did you do to correct this? I'm considering switching to a different self defense ammo otherwise trying a different grain of HST. Should I go heavier or lighter? I already shoot 6 o'clock for precision shooting, so there is no adjusting to be made with aiming. Your input is appreciated.

God Bless
Ralph

How committed to that ammo are you? If other brands shoot to the sights they are a better choice in my opinion. Part of picking a Self Defense load is accuracy. So many quality 9mm loads out there to chose from. Find a good bullet design that shoots to POA/POI. Regards, Bill

 

[Pat Riot]

Taller front sight would help but then your practice ammo would be hitting low.

 

[Stevel]

What distance are you shooting and how high? Different pistols shoot diffent ammo to different points of impact.

If you are not locked in to having this ammo, and it sounds like you aren't, just find another load that shoots well for you.

 

[buck460XVR]

If you are not locked in to having this ammo, and it sounds like you aren't, just find another load that shoots well for you.

^^^ This. Having ammo that is accurate and shoots to POA, is more important than hype about the bullet.

 

[Slamfire]

As mentioned by several, taller front sight will bring the group down. This is an issue with fixed sight pistols, they don't shoot all bullet weights to the same point of impact, and it has to do with the recoil impulse. The heavier bullets actually move the pistol more before the bullet leaves. I tried to find a you tube video on this, and something I found interesting, is the high speed camera images of Jerry Miculek firing a revolver. Around 6 minutes in, you can see how much Jerry pushes the muzzle down, before the hammer releases. He has to adjust the sights, and maintain this constant "flinch" for the bullet to hit point of aim.




What I have learned with fixed sight pistols, find a bullet weight that shoots to point of aim, and live with it. Or make an easy change, and then live with it.

This Remington 1911 shot low.






it is my recollection I was using the X as the aim point and everything was shooting low

Luckily I had a Colt rear sight in my parts bin, and it was taller






and that brought the group up. Pretty much if I want to shoot to point of aim, it is 230 grain bullets for this 1911.

I can live with this.



something to pay attention, is just how hard you grip the pistol. When I use a monster grip on a 1911, it prints about six inches low at 25 yards. I have to be cognizant of this in Bullseye Pistol as that will put the group in the white.

 

[entropy]

Follow Yes' advice; "shoot high, aim low."

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Taller front sight would help but then your practice ammo would be hitting low.

Then adjust your handloads until the practice ammo hits POA.

 

[Ralph III]

Hello and thanks for the input!

I just need input in regards to bullets. It's not a technique issue nor an option of changing sights. I'm accustomed to being highly accurate and this includes consistent 8in grouping from 90ft freehand with my Kahr 9mm. It's just the Federal HST that shoots high (3/4 inch/every 10 feet) and my groupings don't seem quite as consistent. Otherwise, I can typically drive nails with the gun.

I think I am going to purchase some HST in 115g and a few other brands such as Fiocchi or Precision One. I've used both the latter quite a bit in .380acp. Paul Harrell did a video specifically on this topic, so it's a matter of selecting the right ammo/grain.

Thanks,
Ralph