I went on the range recently, haven’t shot within a year. I have a Glock 43 which I’ve had and carried ever since I got my CHL, and my Glock 17 I just picked up back in May.
I always hear the benefits of the Glock 17 is a more accurate shot but oddly enough I didn’t shoot that well with it. My shots were all over the place.
Picked up the 43, shot 3 times I have 3 bullet holes almost touching each other.
Maybe it’s because I can see the front sight clearer on the 43 vs the 17? They both have stock Glock sights.
@Forensic_Wow,
Normally when you shoot a gun with a longer site radius, Glock 17, you should be more accurate. What distance was the target at? Were you limp wristing or jerking the trigger? Were you rushing your shots? Were the factory sights off center?Things to consider. Take your time and adjust your grip and breathe normally. Make sure your targets are at self defense range when you start and move them back. It could be you are over gripping the gun. I’m sure if you go back to the basics you will get tight groupings. Hope this helps brother.
Good suggestions to check out above. Another possibility - do you have smallish hands? Even if you don’t you may be having issues adjusting to the larger grip on the 17. The grip feel is very different between the two and might be affecting your trigger reach and pull. May just be that you need to get used to the 17 with some dry fire practice.
It’s possible the 43 just fits your hand much better. But I have an old 19 that doesn’t fit my hand very well but I have learned to shoot it better than any of my other handguns.
I wish that I could zoom into the video @Forensic_Wow
However, I think I am seeing a little “daylight” near the top of the back-strap. Are you getting a good, high enough grip on the back strap of your handguns? Make sure that the web of your hand is high and centered on the back strap. I catch myself forgetting that sometimes.
Just wondering, because I’m seeing some “flipping” going on there.
If your hands seem to “fit just right” on the 43, when you transition to the larger/longer grip in the 17, you may be trying to “cover the entire grip” of the 17 with your shooting hand. Thus, sub-consciously allowing your hand to move down slightly on the 17 and allowing that small gap at the top of the back strap. Without being there with you, I am simply “guessing” from afar in an attempt to help you.
I have small palms and long fingers. I tried gripping the gun with my palms and not my fingers. I believe it might be a combination of the front sight being farther away and it could be I’m not gripping it right.
What do you see when you dry fire the two pistols with a laser or MantisX or some other comparison — same issue? Aimed slow fire same as “urgent”?
If you haven’t shot for a year, then “more used to” might be a weak rationale, unless the larger gun is more challenging for your hands to grapple with. Glock G43 vs G17 Gen4 size comparison
You mention that your 17 is relatively new (absolutely new?) while the 43 has been with you for a while. I shoot M&P9, but I shoot my 3.6" compact noticeably better than my partner’s 4.25" full size. I didn’t notice a particular difference when sighting both guns new, but since then the 9c has had thousands more rounds through it and the trigger has become much smoother (and more familiar). Better trigger is my theory for why I perform better with an inch less sight radius, at least until I get past 15yd. The grips on the two M&Ps are only different in length, not reach or circumference.
Only you can say if a couple inches farther away is making your front sight harder to see. It will muddle your stance a bit, but you might try pulling the 17 in a couple inches and see if that tells you anything about focus.
Like everybody else says, it could also be technique — but don’t rule out the guns as a possible factor. FWIW, I can’t shoot off a rest worth a darn.
Shooting is a perishable skill, so the time away from the range definitely makes it harder for any of us when we have long gaps in training.
Glocks are great, I carry one everyday, but the grip angle is definitely challenging at times for some. In my experience, the slimline models “hump” on the back strap isn’t as pronounced, whereas the full size it is significant. Without seeing your grip in person, I’d be hard pressed to make an assessment on the grip. I will say though, it is imperative to get the hands as high on the gun as possible, thumbs high (many disagree and want thumbs flat), lock the wrist and make sure the muzzle is aligned with the forearm bone of the hand you’re shooting with.
Also, with the bigger gun it could be possible the trigger finger is making contact with the frame causing a push?? Not sure, couldn’t see that well, but I did see some shifting in the grip. If you’re adjusting the grip any while firing (loosening/tightening) as you press the trigger that will also affect accuracy.
When shooting one handed, if possible, get the dominate side leg out front with the weight out front on the knee/ball of the foot and lean in. This aids in recoil control. I firmly believe in flagging the thumb, as if in a two handed thumbs high grip. This aids in control of the gun. Canting the pistol slightly, may or may not help with accuracy by producing better sight alignment/picture.
Where were the shots missing? High, low, etc?
*There is already alot of great advice/feedback on here, I tried not to be too repetitive
I think you’ve got what you need from posters above.
The difference between shooting a G17 and G43 is, IMO, substantial. The grip width difference affects your entire grip with both the shooting hand and support hand putting your fingers/palms in different places. You have to adjust your trigger finger pad placement, for sure. Where your hands/palms are sitting will affect your recoil management. With your hands at slightly different positions, your presentation may be just slightly off angle.
Likely you just need to get used to it. Most people shoot the G17 better (myself included), but everyone is different and I’ve seen folks say they shoot the G43 better. So you may just end up shooting the G43 better always ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
As mentioned, you may have some focus issues, but if your eyesight is bad enough where that extra couple inches affects your focus on the sight I think you would see symptoms of that elsewhere in life.
The beaver tail insert pictured appears to give you that higher grip in the web of your hand and thus more “purchase” of grip on your handgun. Equipped this way, during your next range visit you should be able to concentrate more on your grip with regard to paying more attention to a balanced "push- pull’ tension between the support and strong hands on the handgun.
Best of luck, keep up the great work of self-evaluation and practice.
