I shoot left

[1Carguy]

I'm a newbie senior guy that just bought a new 9 mm Sig SP2022. I haven't shot in decades but after 2 times to the range and about 250 rounds, I'm really having fun....except I'm a lousy shot. I went with a friend that is very good and he had me shooting at 25 yds, and the first couple of mags I may as well just grabbed a handful of bullets and threw it at the target. After about 40 rounds, I was at least hitting paper but most of the shots were to the left of black and a little high. After about 100 rounds, I tried to aim to the right of the black but still was shooting high to the left. My buddy shot a dozen through it and he had a close pattern and nearly on center. It was clearly me, not the gun. I tried shooting his 45 1911 and shot to the left again. I'm doing something wrong but I don't know what to do to correct it. I'm trying to concentrate on a smooth trigger pull along with everything else I've been told but I don't want to continue practicing the wrong techniques. Any suggestions?

[CSACANNONEER]

You probably need more trigger finger. I'm assuming that you're right handed, correct? If so, do you know which eye is dominate?

[1Carguy]

Right handed, right eye dominate.

[SonofWWIIDI]

[unclerandy]

Shooting left is often a result of squeezing the left hand while pulling the trigger.

[bigmike82]

First, have a friend mix in a snap cap in your mag at an unknown location. It's an amazing way to catch the big flaws in a really obvious way.

https://www.amazon.com/Diagnostic-Training-Shooting-Visibility-Correction/dp/B00KJQF4U6

These are awesome.

[1Carguy]

OK, at risk of sounding stupid...what is meant by "too little trigger finger"?

[bigmike82]

Play around with your finger placement on the trigger.

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=218651

I have my further to the left, so the crease in my index finger is very close to the trigger. I do have very meaty paws and tend to shoot slowly, so it's never been a problem.

Especially at first, make sure you're slowly squeezing the trigger, and make it as smooth as possible.

Take a deep breath before the shot. Make sure you're not gripping the weapon too tightly. Have a bend in both arms. Settle onto your feet and bend your knees a bit. Fundamentals are key to getting those rounds in the middle.

Edit: Stance is super important. I see a lot of people with their legs locked straight at an awkward angle. Make sure they're in a comfortable and stable position. I really like the modified weaver stance but with a slightly bent arm (not locked in place).

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/shooting-stance-grip/

An interesting exercise you can do with your friend is to have them give you a little shove while trying the various stances. The one most suitable to your specific physique, IMO, is the one that feels the best when you're getting shoved.

[mansysinatra]

"John Lovell is a credentialed full-time tactics, firearms, and NRA instructor. He teaches over 20 different classes including night vision, low light tactics, room clearing, defensive pistol courses, defensive carbine/rifle courses, home defense, NRA classes, and more. John is a war veteran and a former member of Special Operations, having served in the 2nd Ranger Battalion with numerous combat tours to both Iraq and Afghanistan."

https://www.valorridge.com/pages/reid-henrichs-biography

[L84CABO]

OK, at risk of sounding stupid...what is meant by "too little trigger finger"?

Some good videos that have been posted and are worth your time.

Too Little Trigger Finger = Try shoving your finger further into/onto the trigger. Like if you are using the pad of your finger to press the trigger, try moving your finger in up to the joint and see if that has any affect on where you're hitting.

Also...and I can't stress this enough...dry fire. There is no such thing as too much dry fire. And even just five or ten minutes a day a few times a week might help.

[OCEquestrian]

Shooting left is often a result of squeezing the left hand while pulling the trigger.

RH shooter squeezing left hand will move muzzle to the RIGHT. Too much finger on trigger will move the muzzle LEFT.

[Mayor McRifle]

OP, try this: if you’re right handed, grip the gun very firmly with your right hand and as hard as you can with your left hand. Then concentrate on pressing the trigger straight back without disturbing the sights.

[Spyder]

Move the target closer. Learn what the fundamentals need to be. Work on them. Move the target back out.

[Preston-CLB]

Grip Tip:

I was out with a friend who gave me some excellent advice...

***Right hand up tight against the beaver tail; thumb pointed toward target.
***Left hand snugged up against right thumb and palm, eliminating any gap between left palm and right thumb.
***Left thumb snugged up under right thumb with left thumb pointed toward target.
***Both wrists locked.
***Elbows bent slightly
***Exert pressure with your left hand. (This may correct your tendency to shoot left)

Assuming the gun fits your hand well, this grip tip should place your trigger finger between the tip of your finger and the first knuckle.

Carguy, I was having a similar problem, and with my friend's advice, my groups showed marked improvement.

As others have said, do lots of dry fire practice (I use snap caps) The other tip mentioned was to have a friend put a snap in the mag with live rounds.

One more tip: When doing dry fire, place a quarter on top the slide near the front sight. Pull the trigger. If the quarter stays on the slide and does not move, your trigger pull is pretty good.

As mentioned above: Move your target closer in. Five or seven yards is a good distance to start.

Let us know how all the tips here work for you.
--P

[gaberaynes]

Shoot straighter best advice my dad gave me.