Aiming with my P229

[SanDiego619]

Hello, I have a P229 and a Glock 22. I and others shooting my guns notice that we are way more accurate with the Glock. This weekend I took the Sig out to the desert to try to see what is going on and I am wondering if something is off with the sights. I bought it used online and when I have all three dots lined up right below the center of my target at 10 yards, the bullets always go way low, like 6-10 inches low.

The only way I can get it to hit the bullseye is if I have the sights aligned like the picture below, and have the center dot on the center of the bullseye. I don't think this is the correct sight picture and I don't know if I am doing something wrong or if the sights are configured differently.

Shouldn't the dots all be lined up in a row and the top of the center post be right below my target? What can I do to find out if I am doing something wrong or if the sights are set up differently?

Thanks very much

[Sigsour7]

ha comedy. i went thru the same thing. glock and sig sights are different for sure. the glock to me seems like they need to be lined up as usual. but ya, with the sig, i aim it like the diagram you posted

[anonymouscuban]

Couple things...

The Sig is probably sighted for a "Combat" sight picture. Which means that you place the dots directly over what you want to hit. So Point of Aim = Point of Impact. This is different than a 6-oclock Hold where you place the sights right below the point of impact. See the pic below.

Additionally, the gun may be sighted with a heavier grain, subsonic bullet, like 124gr. If so, when shooting 115gr projectile with a fast load, point of impact may be a tad low.

I would try using a Combat Sight picture first. That is probably the issue. If still low, then try a round with a 124gr or heavier projectile.

PS... many people don't understand that not all pistol sights are sighted for the same sight picture. There are 3 distinct sight pictures and it's important to learn which your pistol and sights are configured to use.



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[slayer61]

Everything you wanted to know about Sig Sauer sites but were afraid to ask...

https://www.realgunreviews.com/sig-sauer-sight-heights-sight-numbers/

[SkyHawk]

Sigs have Combat sights - you are supposed to put the front dot directly over the bullseye.

[fawndog]

Sigs have Combat sights - you are supposed put the front dot directly over the bullseye.

Yes, clearly stated RTFM.

[SanDiego619]

Sigs have Combat sights - you are supposed put the front dot directly over the bullseye.

I'm going to look at my sight numbers tonight, now that I know how thanks to that article posted.

The only way I can aim consistently is if I put the front dot over my target AND have the front dot about half a dot higher than the two side dots, like in my picture. That seems wrong to me. I haven't seen sights where the dots weren't supposed to be lined up in a row.

[SkyHawk]

I'm going to look at my sight numbers tonight, now that I know how thanks to that article posted.

The only way I can aim consistently is if I put the front dot over my target AND have the front dot about half a dot higher than the two side dots, like in my picture. That seems wrong to me. I haven't seen sights where the dots weren't supposed to be lined up in a row.

Before you do anything at all, try shooting off sandbags from a stable seated position. And shoot groups at 10, 15 and 20 yards, using fresh targets for each distance. You may find that at 20yd it is dead on and decide you do not want to change a thing.

Use a combat sight picture, put the front sight on the bullseye with all dots lined up, and fire 5 or 7 shot groups very carefully and deliberately from single action. Once you see where the group is printing at different distances, then input the results into a sight calculator for the distance you want to zero to see how much the sights would need to be adjusted.

Only then can you start contemplating a sight change.


After shooting this test group I changed out the rear sight on my P229 DAK 40 for a #10 to bring it up to the bullseye. But honestly it would have been fine to leave alone. Combat sights are not made for shooting bullseyes, especially on a DAO gun like the DAK

[OlderThanDirt]

It always helps to use a laser bore sight to see how your sights are configured so you can focus on sight adjustment versus user or ammo issues. The P229 is also sensitive to ammo type and quality. After modifying my P229 I took it to the range and the groupings with some cheap ammo versus my self defense ammo were so different that it was like I had used two different firearms.

[SanDiego619]

It always helps to use a laser bore sight to see how your sights are configured so you can focus on sight adjustment versus user or ammo issues. The P229 is also sensitive to ammo type and quality. After modifying my P229 I took it to the range and the groupings with some cheap ammo versus my self defense ammo were so different that it was like I had used two different firearms.

That's crazy about the ammo. I thought from 10 yards it wouldn't make that much of a difference. I don't have a laser bore sight, I am going to try bench resting and aiming at the exact same spot for a few shots and see exactly what the gun is doing. I might be pointing down or flinching or something, I haven't shot pistols much.

I just looked at the sights and the front has a 6 on the side but I can't find any markings on the rear. Is this the factory sight? This is an older gun it has no rail.

[SkyHawk]

Those do look like old school Sig contrast sights.

[geedavell]

Tagged

[Barang]

Those do look like old school Sig contrast sights.

i had them when i bought couple of used p229. changed them to regular 2 dots sight.

get the x-ray sight if you have extra cash laying around. I put them on my mk25 & our (wife and i) home defense and it was fantastic! you're eyes will be drawn to the front sight immediately.

[SanDiego619]

i had them when i bought couple of used p229. changed them to regular 2 dots sight.

get the x-ray sight if you have extra cash laying around. I put them on my mk25 & our (wife and i) home defense and it was fantastic! you're eyes will be drawn to the front sight immediately.

I will look at getting new sights. I'd like tritium ones anyway. Is it worth it to buy a tool to do it myself (and will the result be good), or just have a shop do it?

[ar15barrels]

That's crazy about the ammo.
I thought from 10 yards it wouldn't make that much of a difference.

It does.
Heavier bullets move slower and cause more recoil before the bullet leaves the barrel so the gun will print them higher on target.
Lighter bullets move faster and recoil less before the bullet leaves the barrel so they will print lower on a target.

Without knowing what specific ammo and what distance the sights are set for, it's not possible to determine where the bullets should be landing on target with different conditions.
Your needing to hold high could simply be because the sights were set for 7yds and you are shooting at 10yds.
Or the gun could be setup for heavier bullets.
Or it could be the way you drip the gun or your stance.
Or Venus might not be properly aligned with Saturn.