Gun Directory

OK so I purchase a new pistol and I take it to the range for the first time. Naturally it feels different in my hand since it is a different size, or whatever.

My question is what is the best way to determine with a new gun if the sights are set properly from the factory or if they need to be adjusted?

How can I tell if it is a sight problem or the way i am holding/shooting the pistol?

What distance should I be shooting the pistol for the first time to determine accuracy?

That's a very tough question! Unless you can lock it down or use some sort of internal Laser Sight there could be many different answers to your question. Personally I have found that most Weapons I have tried over many Yrs. were pretty much right on out of the Box. Any slight variation I just blamed on myself, and corrected it just by aiming slightly off 1 way or another. But I'm not a Competitive Target Shooter, I mainly Carry what I purchase and all I have tried would have ended up Center Mass even if no correction was made.

Sorry, but I wouldn't even attempt to give you any other answer here.

Thank you. I agree and that is pretty much what I did, which was adjust my aim point. I did try bracing my arm against the side of the lane divide, but I'm not sure that is the best way to do things with a new/different pistol that you are just not familiar with yet. I am sure that there are some people here that have shot several different guns, of all sizes, that may be able to give their own perspective on what they do when they purchase a new gun to insure that the sights are set correctly or that they are handling the gun correctly during the shooting process.

Sure, as I said there are many answers to your question. I just mentioned the way I go about doing things when playing around with either friends or new Guns I have purchased etc. I also agree bracing your Arm isn't the best way to do things, especially if you are going to Carry it. You never want to depend on any stance other than just free standing.

Are you new to Guns, or just talking about your newest?

Actually I have several pistols. My main gun is a Sig 226 9mm that I love to shoot on a regular basis and the weapon that I carry beside me in our motor home when we travel. I recently purchased a Kahr CW9 for concealed carry, which is a lot smaller and obviously feels different in my hand. It seems to consistently shoot a little to the left, compared to my Sig. I have now put about 400 rounds through the Kahr and have learned to adjust my aim, but I'm not sure if it is the sights or my own mishandling of the weapon. I was thinking that there is something that an experienced shooter does when he gets a new or different gun and he takes it to the range for the first time. I hate to adjust the sights for a problem that could be corrected by proper shooting techniques. I also hoped to get a little insight as to what an experienced shooter does with any new to him weapon.

I do go to the range every week or so and usually go through several hundred rounds each session. That in no way means that what I am doing is correct when it comes to a new weapon.

Oh OK, I just didn't know how to try to explain it if you were new to Guns, so I tried to keep it basic. I have Carried for over 30 Yrs and I now see you know all I do as far as self correction goes and the many things that can effect different Weapons. I wouldn't have said anything but I just felt by Posting under "Training" that maybe you were new to Guns in gen.

I always tend to blame myself personally! I have never picked up a Gun that was any more than just very slightly off, and I have no special technique.

Nevermind! lol

I understand. Maybe the correct answer is that an experienced shooter just accepts what he is doing differently with a different weapon and he just goes ahead and adjusts the sights, rather than to correct/change the way he handles the weapon, or he corrects by using a different aiming point. I guess what I am saying is that MAYBE the way the sights are set at the factory is NOT the same as the way the sights would be set for a specific shooter.

I am sure that each individule is slightly different as far as what they see when they look down each weapon. My biggest problem is I am Right Handed but Left Eye Dominant. You may know what I mean, but many people don't. It does not always mean it's your clearest Eye, but if you understand it, most people that are Left Eye dom. are also Left Handed. That's probably why I always blame myself and just correct it by Aiming slightly off. I also don't pay too much attention to being perfect on a Target at the Range. I just want a close Grouping Center Mass or Head, If I can do that I am happy. I don't particularly love Target Shooting, I'd rather go out into the Woods and plink around. I just bought a Ruger LCR to Carry if I need a small Gun, but it's the 1st Gun I have bought in a long time and it has Fixed Sights. But with a 2" Barrel you can't be too perfect anyway! lol I have had a 1911 forever, and a G-19 now for many Yrs, and I mainly Carry the G-19. The only Rifle I own is an AR which I love, but it's expensive to shoot, especially F/A! But that's another story, for some reason I shoot a Rifle Lefty! I don't know why, I guess I just picked up my 1st BB Gun Lefty and just got used to it. I can't even hit a Target Right Handed! So for me to have formed any type of Technique has been quite hard. I just know that if I ever needed to use a Gun, I'd probably (Hopefully!) hit what I'm looking at. After so many Yrs shooting I feel you just react to the situation. I hope so anyway, luckilly I have never had to take it out.

gloc9mm:

My eldest Son is right handed but left eye dominant. He shoots a lot of trap and does it left handed. He also shoots hand guns, but uses his right hand and left eye. In an isoceles stance, it is not hard to use either eye. Since in a stressful combat situation you will most likely square up to the threat, a strong hand, dominant eye isoceles stance is what you should use for practice. Just my personal preference.

RVDriver:



Most gun sights from the factory are right on. Since you have purchased a smaller frame gun which from what I remember has a pretty hard trigger pull, that is probably why you are shooting left. Those two things can make you shoot low and left.



Personally I want to be able to shoot accurately, fast and while under stress. You might want to consider a trigger job to get it down in pressure and remove the over travel. I would never recommend going below 4 pounds though.



After you fire the gun, wait until you see a hole in the target before you release the trigger. If you are releasing the trigger the instant it goes bang, you could be moving the gun before the bullet is out of the barrel.



Dry fire practice with a laser to see if you are pulling the gun off target when squeezing the trigger. You can just use a cheap laser pointer strapped to the side of your barrel.



Also make sure you are using the pad of your finger and do not have your finger to far into the trigger (up to the first joint is way to far).



Best of luck.