When Zeroing???

[willyjixx]

when Zeroing a new pistol.

Do you Bench shoot it supported, unsupported or just pop rounds while standing up?

id like to know the proper way to zero a pistol.

 

[hillbilly]

When I zero a pistol, I shoot it in the position I am most likely to fire the most from. In my case, that's a right-handed modified Weaver stance (old Marine taught me to shoot handguns, so I use the modified Weaver stance, not the Isoceles).

The key, at least for me, is to use all the fundamentals of marksmanship---trigger squeeze, breath control, sight picture, and follow-through---and to make no sight corrections until I have fired at least a group of three, more likely a group of five or six or seven, and established a "group."

In my experience, the biggest mistake shooters make when zeroing a handgun, or any sort of firearm, is to make sight adjustments after only single shots.

Always put at least three rounds downrange before each sight adjustment. And if in doubt, fire a couple of more.

And call all of your shots. Say, out loud, where you think the shot should hit, and compare that to where it actually hits.

hillbilly

 

[willyjixx]

thanks hillbilly!

i dont know the difference between the iso an modified weaver! although i do usually shoot 3-5 rounds an do 1 string to see where im at. 2nd one to confirm an adjust off of and then the 3rd and up strings are adjustments.

when i shoot pistol im right handed but left eye dominant. so i put my left foot foward facing the target. right foot is in the rear usually at a 45 degree angle an off to the right off my left leg. i get a slight crouch.

my right hand holds the pistol from the butt an trigger group (firing hand)
with my left curling around my right and my index finger on the trigger guard. i push out with my right arm and pull back with my left. lay my head a little to the right side an line up my sights.

breathe in breathe out pause verify site picture squeeze trigger. boom

reset an wait to shoot again

sound right? please correct or help with any flaws you see.

 

[TarpleyG]

Keep in mind also that a lot of guns (esp. 1911s) will usually throw flyer on the first round out of a new mag because it doesn't go fully into battery when loading. Not much off but some, thus multiple rounds to verify.

GT

 

[Standing Wolf]

I occasionally bench-rest a new pistol to verify its accuracy potential; when it comes time to sight it in, however, it's always from my standard bullseye-style hold. Zero as you shoot, since that's the way you're going to shoot.

I was at the range this afternoon with my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 41, and not one, but two people strolled over to mention they'd never seen anyone hold a gun in one hand. Times seem to have changed.