Shooting high

[Pileatus]

No, this isn't a question about holding a pistol in one hand and reefer in the other. I bought my first target pistol the other day, a Smith and Wesson 22A-1 with a green glow-dot front sight and fluted bull barrel. When I took it to the 25-yd range and ran a few clips through it, I saw it was shooting at least six inches higher. So I moved up to 15 yards...not as high, but still way off. After I cranked the rear sight all the way down, I still had to aim low in order to get my shots on target, albeit not as much.

I have very little experience with pistol shooting, so I know it's something that I'm doing wrong (especially since I tried a friend's 9mm and shot it way high as well) and it's not the gun. Is there a reason that shots would fly high? I've read about breaking the wrist to anticipate recoil, but doesn't that give you low groups as opposed to high ones? I'm not flying left or right, the shots are all plumbline with the center of the bullseye, just a few inches high. I have the rear sight lined up, front sight right in the middle and the top level with the top of the rear sight...and I still have to aim low to get the shots on center. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you supposed to put your intended impact point just above the front sight? Something in my technique is definitely screwy.

Thanks very much for your help!

Jake

 

[kev74]

Take a look at the book that came with your new gun. If it didn't come with the manual, Smith & Wesson has it available online. It will tell you all the basics like what the sight picture is supposed to look like and how to adjust the sights.

When you're aiming, are you keeping the back sights lined up when you shoot? They should be even with the front sight.

Also, it might help to try shooting the gun off a rest. It will help you with keeping the sights aligned while you're squeezing the trigger.

 

[BCRider]

From your description you're using the sights correctly. The only thing I can suggest is check your method of gripping and make sure you're actually lowering the sights and not raising them. On my revolver sights I always have to remember to turn them backwards from what I think they should turn to move them the way I want.

But since you say you're shooting your buddy's 9mm high as well I'm thinking it's your gripping method.

Here's by far the two best resources I've found.

http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/combatg_100306/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

Other than this all I can add is work on isolating the pull of your trigger finger from the grip of the rest of your fingers. Pulling the trigger should not produce any movement in any other finger. Try holding your hand out in a grip like position and moving only your index finger. Granted I'm grasping at a solution for you but since it seems like you're doing everything right it's all I can think of.

 

[Pileatus]

Thanks very much...I agree that it has to be something with my holding technique. The video was very helpful.

 

[BCRider]

Re-read the linked article a few times as well. Preferably with your unloaded pistol in hand. It really helped me a lot. The idea of the strong hand squeezing front and back while the support hand squeezes side to side really works. I'm not that consistent in this yet but when I stop and ensure I'm following the style described in the article and have my hands properly meshed together so they cuddle the pistol as close as possible the results are magical...... Then I goof up and I'm back to normal.... As time marches on and the round count climbs I'm working on ensuring I've got that magical grip happening more and more and my shooting is showing it. Slowly but it's getting better. In my case it doesn't help that I enjoy shooting about 10 different handguns. If I were to get serious and concentrate on just one or two I'm sure the process would speed up immensely.

 

[pbearperry]

The fastest way to see if it's the gun and not you is to have someone who is skilled in shooting try it.If it is still shooting too high,you either need a higher front sight or a lower rear sight.