shooting low with sp2022

[calisigpro]

i'm consistently shooting low with my sigpro using the standard contrast sights (bar-dot). when i had the gun serviced, i mentioned that i was shooting low and had sig check to make sure the sights are up to spec and was provided the results of a target test performed with 124gr speer lawman. the grouping was tight at 7 yards. second time to the range after service and i'm still shooting low about 4-6 inches. if i put the front sight above the rear to the point where i can see the top of the slide, i'm able to hit bullseye. if i hover the front just to where it's dot over bar and same level as the rear, i'm shooting low. i shot a box 124gr just to see if it'll help but it didn't make a noticeable difference compared to 115gr. i'm shooting at about 7 yards with #8 front and rear sights. i'm also using combat sight - front dot covering target.

how do i know if it's my technique? i could be pointing it low when i squeeze the trigger. would a different sight system like a 3 dot provide different results?

[Tom Slick]

Do you have other handguns that shoot straight for you? Have you had someone else shoot your 2022? Have you tried shooting it from a rest?

My guess is your trigger pull technique.

[PandaLuv]

^^^^^ agreed.

Try shooting from the rest, since you had it serviced, it's highly unlikely it's the gun.

People usually shoot low in anticipation of recoil, I did it all the time, I recently just stopped. Get 5 snap caps and load them with 5 rounds without looking in what order they are. That way you will see if you jerk the trigger.

[calisigpro]

TS, this is my only handgun but I will bring a friend along next time to see others shoot the gun.

PL, i've practiced dry firing with just snapcaps at home and my aim looks steady when the trigger breaks. it's different at the range. perhaps its the noise of all the handguns going off and knowing that my gun will actually recoil that's throwing off my shots.

i'll need to practice more. also, i'll try to nail down the vertical spacing of the bar-dot. i think the gun is level when i see the top of the slide but the front sight hovers above the rear sight horizon instead of being at the same level. i might be getting stuck on keeping it level with the rear which results in shots going low.

[PandaLuv]

don't concentrate as much on sight picture, concentrate more on the trigger pull and your grip. Try that drill that I've told you about.
When you expect that there is live round there but it's a snap cap, you will be able to see that your jerk the gun. Plus, it's a nice drill to clear jams, ftf, fte etc.

[Slicendice]

I have the same gun, and the same problem! But I blame technique. Picked up my first handgun a week ago(yay!) and when I took it to the range, I was shooting it low. My friend shot a clip through it and was much more accurate. My dry firing at home is great, but when I get to the range, the blood starts pumping, and i'm sure that I push my shots low from expecting the recoil.

I'm also taking the NRA First Steps pistol class in a few weeks. I figure it's better to get that guidance early on before I get stuck with bad habits. Can't wait to get back to the range and just practice practice practice.

[tbc]

try this

'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKCFBngJ8v4'

[sleepercar]

I had one that shot low for my liking. I changed the sites.
You can purchase factory replacement sites for fairly cheap.
It was like $4 and some change at CDNN for three rears and two fronts.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

how do i know if it's my technique? i could be pointing it low when i squeeze the trigger. would a different sight system like a 3 dot provide different results?

This image might help a little.

[AJamesoo7]

i was doing the same thing with my pro but after having my friend record me at the range i clearly saw my arm was striaght but my wrist was aming down once i corrected it I was shooting right on target

[calisigpro]

just a quick update - first, thanks for all the suggestions. i was at the range today and found that i was dropping my head too low. loosewreck, the diagram was very helpful in troubleshooting. it seems there are many videos out there where people shoot with the head tilted low and forward. i guess i imitated them and it seemed comfortable and instinctive to do it this way. however, my shots were low using this technique. i now have my head upright and i'm shooting much better. still a lot of room for improvement though so i think a shooting lesson is in order.

[9mmepiphany]

It must be something about either how the 2022 feels in the hand or how the trigger stroke provides feedback. There was a Bay Area member on Sigforum who was having the same problem with a .40 2022...he was also having a problem keeping his groups inside of 7" at 7 yards. It was so bad that he was ready to give up on both the .40 and the 2022 and wanted to sell the gun and buy another

I met him in Milpitas and had him shooting into < 3" (at his POA) in a couple of hours...he thought it was money well spent. He even decided to keep the gun, but he is also buying a 220 w/.22lr conversion kit.

The problem is almost certainly technique. It is usually some combination of trigger control and grip pressure...it is seldom a matter of sight alignment, unless you are really bad. It is easy to fix, if the person observing you understands the dynamics involved

[calisigpro]

just one final update - i changed the grip from small to medium and this totally changed how i shoot. although the small grip feels very natural and comfortable, i cannot get a firm enough grip with my weak hand (left). now with the medium grip, i'm able to increase weak hand pressure resulting in tighter groups. i am now consistent grouping into < 4" on average. on some targets the holes were actually touching. this is a huge improvement for me. the downside with the medium grip is da pull seems heavier. i can't wait to go back to the range

9mmepiphany, your advice was spot on. i still need a lot of practice because there's still some jerkiness with some of my trigger pulls. thank you all again.

[PsychGuy274]

i'm consistently shooting low with my sigpro using the standard contrast sights (bar-dot). when i had the gun serviced, i mentioned that i was shooting low and had sig check to make sure the sights are up to spec and was provided the results of a target test performed with 124gr speer lawman. the grouping was tight at 7 yards. second time to the range after service and i'm still shooting low about 4-6 inches. if i put the front sight above the rear to the point where i can see the top of the slide, i'm able to hit bullseye. if i hover the front just to where it's dot over bar and same level as the rear, i'm shooting low. i shot a box 124gr just to see if it'll help but it didn't make a noticeable difference compared to 115gr. i'm shooting at about 7 yards with #8 front and rear sights. i'm also using combat sight - front dot covering target.

how do i know if it's my technique? i could be pointing it low when i squeeze the trigger. would a different sight system like a 3 dot provide different results?

I can nearly guarantee that you're anticipating the shot and flinching. Have a buddy load a mag with a dummy round somewhere in there. When it comes up you'll see if you flinch or not.

[ryan1911]

Don't jerk the gun forward to fight the recoil. Let the gun recoil naturally. You need a firm grip not a dead grip. Hope this helps.