Shots go low and left...

[Al Morgan]

I need some help, I'm shooting low and left just off the bullseye target most all of the time. :( When I shoot from a sandbag rest, the sights seem to be pretty much on target. Should I try another gun? Would a trigger job help? :confused:

PS- This my first handgun.

[Brad VanHorn]

Assuming you are a right handed shooter, this is a common problem and here is most likely what's happening. You are anticipating recoil, so you to flinch or "whack" the trigger, which causes your shots to go low. And, you are using too much trigger finger - likely due to overgripping, which torques the weapon and causes your shots to go to the left. Combined you get low and left :) .

Without knowing more about your current gun, I must say I doubt a different gun is a worthwhile solution. A trigger job might be very beneficial, but is not ultimately the cure to your woes.

The FIST-FIRE book and DVDs go a long way to explaining proper grip and mitigating flinch. Do you happen to have either or both? If not, then I highly recommend you get one or both as soon as practical, as I believe this would be very beneficial information for you.

[John Badertscher]

You should consider getting in for some training and coaching. There is no substitute for class time. Sometimes it just takes a trained eye to really see what you're doing right or wrong.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

This is a classic case of both "Whack" and "Torque"...

Both of which can be corrected. This is all explained in the Fist-Fire Book and on the DVD's. :cool:

[Al Morgan]

Huh? What is whack and what is torque? :confused:

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

There is a thing I call "Trigger Whack" and another I call "Trigger Torque" which is all explained in the book and DVD's... :cool:

[Al Morgan]

I saw some bullseye grip charts and was trying to figure it all out. Can I go by those? Or not? Money is tight...

[Rodney Robbins]

Dear Al,

You are at the FIST-FIRE bulletin board. Sell something on eBay and buy the video (http://www.tacticalshooting.com/merchandise.html). It's only $45.00. That being said, I also like Mike Plaxco's explanation of trigger prep in his book "Shooting from Within (http://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Within-Guide-Maximum-Performance/dp/0962692514)":


Take up the slack
Put on some initial pressure
Increase the pressure gradually
Follow through


I put it this way in my head: Prep, Set, Squeeze, Freeze.

According to Plaxco, the trigger prep phase is the step most people don't understand. I don't use this sequence for a revolver, but it works great with a single action 1911 and very well with a Glock or XD type of mushy "single" action. I know it sounds long and complicated, but these four steps can take place so fast that they become like one. Also, time goes much more slowly than you might think. Maybe D. R. will comment, but I believe when he's hammering down steel target (even without sites), he's still SEEING the entire time. You have time to prep the trigger.

If you decide to get the video, let us know what you think. If you try Plaxco's trigger trick, I'd like to know if it worked for you.