I have struggled for some time with shooting low and left with my semi-auto pistols. We have all read articles and watched videos on the subject if we struggle with it. I have smaller hands and suspect this may have something to do with it. I am very careful with my grip and trigger technique but still grapple with the problem.
As a newer member, I want to ask my fellow members for advice. I am continually impressed with the quality and knowledge of our members. I thank you in advance for your help. I suspect others may benefit as well.
Usually, that is a good indicator of a trigger issue if you are right handed. Try taking a video.of your shooting and play it back frame by frame. Another way to diagnose is stand coin on barrel and dry fire.
I’ve had to help a few shooters that have small hands be able to deal with the M-9 Beretta (92F series) when it was mandatory. Most of the time the solution was to shift the "handshake " grip to the right (A$$uMEing right handed). It put more wear and tear on the shooting hand as the thumb took the abuse.
You said semi auto’s as in more than one platform.
Are you shooting double stack mags?
Mini’s?
Micro’s?
or Full/Mid Size?
I have “paws” they are size 46DD my fingers are slightly shorter than my palms but on a good day I can palm a basketball. In shooting small (er) guns I shoot low and right as I have half a finger in the trigger guard or I can actually squeeze the trigger guard itself (I can do that on a full size 1911 frame).
If you are consistently shooting left with your given grip consider moving your front sight. The low part may be your trigger pull but I would be more inclined to think it is your ballistics. Boolets will cross the line of sight TWICE, once on the way up and once on the way down. If you are low your target is too close, if you are high your target is too far away (A$$uMEing 5 - 15 yards ish) My 3.4" Colt Officer’s Model 1911 will rip the X ring out at 7.5 yards and also be dead on at 100 yards with 230gr Match Ball ammo. My brandy new RIA blows the center out at 15 paces (~13.5 yards) and I haven’t figured out where the long line is yet I figure about 75 ish yards.
There are a few things you need to think about and I’d be happy to help you sleuth them out.
I did the same thing - low and to the left. I found out from reading and watching a video (I think it was Beth Alcazar, maybe a “Tactical Tuesday”… not sure) that shooting low, left is caused by tightening all your fingers of your right hand when squeezing the trigger. When you squeeze all your fingers, the gun rotates slightly in your palm causing your shots to hit low and left. She had a drill where you practice (without a gun) squeezing your trigger finger while training your other fingers to not tighten your grip. I’ll try to find the video, or maybe someone else can remember what I am talking about.
Try loading some random snap caps into your mags next time you go to the range. You may be surprised at what you are doing live fire that you dont do when dry firing.
Thank you all so much. I am shooting my full size Sig P320-M17 and my very small P365. I had a flat trigger put on my M17 and it negated 75% of the issue on that pistol. This may help diagnose my issue.
I knew I could count on you folks. Such awesome people here.
Isolating your trigger finger is one of the most difficult yet rewarding tools you can train to either in rifle or pistol. That “press” is paramount.
I posted in another thread how I was shooting low and trigger finger placement corrected it for me. It was low and left on one firearm during DA pull. What helped me was moving my finger further out so that the trigger was more on the pad of my finger instead of being too close to the joint. YMMV.
To reference my grip so I know how to grab it while practicing, I make sure the web of my hand is high on the backstrap, I twist my palm clockwise onto the grip below the web (pistol in line with my wrist), and usually end up moving my middle finger a tad to the right (right handed shooting). This might not work for everyone.
Great advice here. Two things I’d focus on were where on your trigger finger you’re contacting the trigger (move distal to the last knuckle) and if you have some spare $, get a mantis system. It will really help you diagnose the issue.
I posted this 11 hours ago and have learned things I have not seen anywhere else. You folks are the best. Thanks so much and keep em’ coming. I am soaking it up.
In the Army, if you hit the silloutte, it was a point. As such, you received little feedback as to where your rounds were hitting. Is was not till I retired that I discovered this issue.
I love this shooting business. We all share that here don’t we?
All of these tips are great and I hope you find them useful. One thing I’ve come to understand through USCCA Instructor Training is that there is a difference between precision target shooting and self defense Handgun shooting. Even though all shooting involves speed and precision, in defensive shooting you need to be accurate enough to quickly and efficiently deliver the shots to the High Center Chest area, and end the threat.
Thank you all very much. I read your comments in the stall at the range, shot a bit, etc. I am doing better and really appreciate the coaching. Be safe out there.
I take most of what I see on YouTube with a grain of salt, but ran across a former Navy Seal teaching GRIP. Using what he suggests, my groups have gotten smaller and more centered - especially twisting the support wrist forward until the support thumb is extended opposite the trigger finger when it’s indexed along the side of the frame.
(Not sure whether posting this here is kosher, but his advice HAS helped me. )
my fingers are slightly shorter than my palms but on a good day I can palm a basketball. In shooting small (er) guns I shoot low and right as I have half a finger in the trigger guard or I can actually squeeze the trigger guard itself (I can do that on a full size 1911 frame).
