Sighting in Handguns?

[Styx]

How do you all go about sighting in your handgun after installing new sights? I ask because I recently purchased a sight pusher, so I was able to install night sights on a 3 of my handguns. I'm wondering what techniques do people use while sighting their pistol in to help insure that it's sighted in correctly, and that it isn't influenced by shooter error?

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Shoot from a bench and bags. Shooter error is always a factor but can be a bigger one with handguns. After the gun is sighted in shooting a few groups weak handed is a good way to check for shooter error.

 

[drband]

The only sure fire way is to use a Ransom rest. Since most folks don’t have access to that accessory, the next best thing is to shoot off a solid rest at a bench. You still have to be able to use good technique or you will not get accurate results.

Why not just accurately center your front and rear sights (measure with caliper) since you have a sight pusher? I bet it will be just fine!

 

[Styx]

The only sure fire way is to use a Ransom rest. Since most folks don’t have access to that accessory, the next best thing is to shoot off a solid rest at a bench. You still have to be able to use good technique or you will not get accurate results.

Why not just accurately center your front and rear sights (measure with caliper) since you have a sight pusher? I bet it will be just fine!

Does that usually work? If I use a caliper to center my front and my rear sights in the center of the slide, should that generally get the pistol sighted in accurately?

 

[Styx]

dbl post

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Does that usually work? If I use a caliper to center my front and my rear sights in the center of the slide, should that generally get the pistol sighted in accurately?

Think of it like bore sighting a rifle, a good starting point.

 

[drband]

Think of it like bore sighting a rifle, a good starting point.

Yep!
And you may find it is perfectly good. A handgun is not a precision long range rifle!

 

[bassjam]

It might not be the "right" way, but I typically sight in at around 7 yards off-hand, and then verify on sandbags.

 

[bullseye308]

And that would be why I have adjustable sights on everything I can. If they made Tru-Glo TFO’s adjustable everything I own would have them. I like being able to find a good load I like and move the sights to POI.

 

[TomJ]

I install my own sights, and also use a caliper to make sure the sights are centered. I don't remember having to adjust them further once they're centered.

 

[drband]

This^^^^

 

[LiveLife]

what techniques do people use while sighting their pistol in to help insure that it's sighted in correctly, and that it isn't influenced by shooter error?

For left to right adjustment; as others posted, first center the rear sight on slide.

NOTE: Dry fire the pistol while watching the front sight. If the front sight jumps/moves when the hammer/striker is released, practice until the front sight doesn't move. Only then conduct range test.

• Put a dot on target and shoot 5 rounds.
• If the holes group consistently small but either to the left or right of dot, drift the rear sight in the opposite direction.
• If the holes/flyers do not group consistently, it's the shooter input on trigger/grip.

For up and down adjustment with fixed sights

• If holes group consistently below the dot, you need shorter front sight
• If holes group consistently above the dot, you need taller front sight

Here's a video that demonstrates sight adjustments

 

[AK103K]

I have a number of Glocks and I always seem to be getting another or replacing the night sights on one I have. With the Glocks for some reason, the rear sight isnt centered in the dovetail, and Ive come to understand that, and now just put the sight where I think its going to be close, in my case, the edge of the rear sight just about at the right edge of the notch.

I dont have this issue with any of the other guns Ive put sights on, and with things like my SIG's and 1911's, the rear sights are all pretty much centered in the dovetails.

Ive done this enough now with the Glocks that Im usually pretty close when I first shoot it. I normally do that at 10 yards or so, and from how I normally shoot, not from a rest. Im not a fan of "benching" handguns (or rifles for that matter). I believe you should sight the gun in as you intend to shoot it. There is usually a bit of difference between benching and field zeros. Sometimes its slight, sometimes its not.

"Shooter error" or idiosyncrasies are always going to be a part of shooting, and thats just how YOU shoot, so why not adjust the sights to that?

After Im on at 10, I move back to 25 yards and make sure things are still good. And so far, out of a bunch of guns, Ive only had to make one or two minor adjustments.

If I need to make minor adjustments, the MGW tool I use, makes it easy, and I dont have to disassemble the gun to do so. Just lock the slide back and pop on the tool. The sight tools make things SO much easier, especially when you can quickly and easily make minute adjustments with them, right where you stand.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

"Shooter error" or idiosyncrasies are always going to be a part of shooting, and thats just how YOU shoot, so why not adjust the sights to that?

Because perfecting shooting technique is much better than compensating for and thus reinforcing errors.
Where is the POI of your Glocks when you shoot weak hand?

 

[drband]

I have a number of Glocks and I always seem to be getting another or replacing the night sights on one I have. With the Glocks for some reason, the rear sight isnt centered in the dovetail, and Ive come to understand that, and now just put the sight where I think its going to be close, in my case, the edge of the rear sight just about at the right edge of the notch.

I dont have this issue with any of the other guns Ive put sights on, and with things like my SIG's and 1911's, the rear sights are all pretty much centered in the dovetails.

Ive done this enough now with the Glocks that Im usually pretty close when I first shoot it. I normally do that at 10 yards or so, and from how I normally shoot, not from a rest. Im not a fan of "benching" handguns (or rifles for that matter). I believe you should sight the gun in as you intend to shoot it. There is usually a bit of difference between benching and field zeros. Sometimes its slight, sometimes its not.

"Shooter error" or idiosyncrasies are always going to be a part of shooting, and thats just how YOU shoot, so why not adjust the sights to that?

After Im on at 10, I move back to 25 yards and make sure things are still good. And so far, out of a bunch of guns, Ive only had to make one or two minor adjustments.

If I need to make minor adjustments, the MGW tool I use, makes it easy, and I dont have to disassemble the gun to do so. Just lock the slide back and pop on the tool. The sight tools make things SO much easier, especially when you can quickly and easily make minute adjustments with them, right where you stand.

I agree, mostly. Centering the sights on any handgun (even a Glock) will sometimes show you if you are having a technique issue.
Also, bench resting a handgun helps to eliminate shooter error. If you are confident your technique is good enough and it is CONSISTENT, then I have no problem setting sights to fit you.

 

[AK103K]

Because perfecting shooting technique is much better than compensating for and thus reinforcing errors.
Where is the POI of your Glocks when you shoot weak hand?

Same place. Glocks are the only pistols I seem to have the issue with. Doesnt matter how I try to change my grip, trigger finger placement, whatever. I shoot them well with the sights, and they hit where I point, when I "point" shoot without the sights. I just have to adjust the rear sights to the right, if I want POI to match POA when I aim.

I agree, mostly. Centering the sights on any handgun (even a Glock) will sometimes show you if you are having a technique issue.
Also, bench resting a handgun helps to eliminate shooter error. If you are confident your technique is good enough and it is CONSISTENT, then I have no problem setting sights to fit you.

It makes no sense to me, not to set the sights for how you intend to shoot the gun. If you intend to only shoot off a bench or rest, by all means, zero the gun that way. Thats not how I normally shoot though, and why I do it like I do.

All my rifles are zeroed from a "rested" prone position, and then the zeros confirmed/noted, unsupported prone, cross-legged sitting, and offhand. I zero my handguns from offhand, as mentioned above. I need/want to know that the guns shoot where Im aiming/pointing when I shoot them in the manner I intend to use them.

Zeroing from a bench is a sort of mechanical zero, but not really, or necessarily, a "shooting" zero.


This was shot zeroing one of my Glock 42's when I first got them. All were shot offhand at 10 yards. Each "group" has multiple mags in them. The stragglers to the groups were towards the end, when I was getting antsy and started running faster and moving between groups. Rear sight is the same as all my other Glocks, right at the right edge of the dovetail.

First group I just put the sight in the dovetail where I thought it would be close, and was shot at the left eye. Moved sight a bit right. Next group was on the lips, moved it a tad left. The nose and ear were next and POA/POI.



This was about 10 yards, gun was presented from SUL, flash sight picture (no suppressor sights, three dot night sights) and fired. Rear sight, just like the rest.



This was from 10 yards and in. Some of it was while moving while shooting and some point shooting too. Laser wasnt used. I hate the damn things. Came with the gun and I had just bought it and was trying it out. Still have the gun, the laser got traded off when I got something else. Three dot Meprolights replaced the sight on there in the pic.



As Ive said, all the rear sights are at the right side of the slide on the Glocks. If I shoot the same targets with my 1911's, the sights are centered, and the impacts are POA/POI, just like the Glocks. Same with my old SIG's, and same with my fixed and adjustable sighted revolvers. With one exception. Of the three Colt revolvers Ive owned, all shot high left of POA. Never could figure that out. SA, DA (how I normally shoot), doesnt matter. My S&W's, dead on.

I swear to Todd!, it must be a Glock thing.

 

[doubleh]

I sight it in off a sturdy bench and bags, then I shoot it freehand to see what's what. Bags take out a lot of shooter error and a Ransom rest is even better but I certainly can't duplicate either freehand. I much prefer adjustable sights and, at my age and stare of eyesight, red dots even more.

 

[Chuck R.]

I bought a universal sight pusher a few years ago.

1st step, center using calipers
2nd, Shoot off rest (Have an old Outers Pistol Perch) using favorite load, adjust using pusher
Confirm off-hand

 

[wally]

I install my own sights, and also use a caliper to make sure the sights are centered. I don't remember having to adjust them further once they're centered.

If replacing factory sights I measure the originals (assuming they were right) and make the replacements match.

Think of it like bore sighting a rifle, a good starting point.

Generally good enough for handguns unless you are shooting "bullseye" matches in which case you'd want adjustable sights.

 

[Styx]

I bought a universal sight pusher a few years ago.

1st step, center using calipers
2nd, Shoot off rest (Have an old Outers Pistol Perch) using favorite load, adjust using pusher
Confirm off-hand

What do you mean confirm off-hand? Could you explain how that works?

 

[Chuck R.]

What do you mean confirm off-hand? Could you explain how that works?

Just shoot and verify POI is good.

 

[rskent]

Because perfecting shooting technique is much better than compensating for and thus reinforcing errors.
Where is the POI of your Glocks when you shoot weak hand?

I know you weren’t asking me, but …... The POI of my Glocks (and most everything else excepting 1911’s) weak hand is about four inches diagonally up and right. Strong hand is about four inches up and left. I know, poor technique. I really need to hang on tighter. Two handed is centered nicely. My rear sights are not generally centered. Some more centered than others. My double stack guns are the most offset to the right. Not hanging off the side of the gun, but offset to some degree. I feel if it helps me hit what I am aiming at then it’s all good.

To the OP. When I get a new gun, I go to the range and try to shoot as well aimed a group as possible, two handed. Then I measure POA vs POI. When I am at home cleaning the gun I move the rear sight appropriately. Next time at the range, same thing, shoot as good of a group as I can. Measure POA vs POI. Its just that simple.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

For anyone that hasn't seen this already. Reverse it for lefty's.


And the one I use

 

[AK103K]

Because perfecting shooting technique is much better than compensating for and thus reinforcing errors.
Where is the POI of your Glocks when you shoot weak hand?

To touch on this again, I just picked up a SIG P228 last week and installed a new set of night sights on it the other day. With the sights zeroed to POA, the rear sight is centered in the dovetail. Front sight is also centered in the dovetail.

A couple of weeks back, I picked up another Glock 17 and did the same thing. The right edge of the rear sight on the Glock, as with all my other Glocks, is to the right edge of the dovetail to have it shoot POA.

My grip is the same for both guns. The triggers are slightly different, but the results are the same with the SIG, DA or SA.

I also reconfirmed shooting weak hand with the Glock, and POI was just a skosh bit right of POA, shooting with my dominant (right) eye.

 

[LiveLife]

When I get a new gun, I go to the range and try to shoot as well aimed a group as possible, two handed. Then I measure POA vs POI. When I am at home cleaning the gun I move the rear sight appropriately.

With a new pistol, I usually recommend allowing the pistol to "break in" first before moving sights. As metal-to-metal surfaces of trigger parts smooth out, POI tends to move closer to POA, often not requiring any adjustment to the sights after the "break in".

perfecting shooting technique is much better than compensating for and thus reinforcing errors.

I agree.

As to shooter input on trigger and grip moving POI away from POA, proper grip and trigger control so front sight does not move when the hammer/striker is released is key to keeping POI on POA for match shooting as illustrated and demonstrated on this thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-help-me-speed-up.824618/page-4#post-10902444