How to adjust handgun elevation without adjustable sights?

[solv3nt]

Use a 12 o'clock hold to increase impact.

 

[HiFi Magnetics]

Use a 12 o'clock hold to increase impact.

One of "my" most accurate or controlled shots is holding the trigger guard. I'm just trying to mess with different ways in holding the firearm thou I don't even know if it's the right way.

 

[solv3nt]

One of "my" most accurate or controlled shots is holding the trigger guard. I'm just trying to mess with different ways in holding the firearm thou I don't even know if it's the right way.

It sounds like it may be the shooter as opposed to the gun. If you don't shoot a lot, I'm guessing you're dropping the barrel in anticipation of the recoil. There was a gal Saturday doing that. She was splashing the steel below the target. I asked her if she wanted pointers, she did. So I told her to load one, shoot, then dry fire five. Rinse, repeat.

 

[HiFi Magnetics]

It sounds like it may be the shooter as opposed to the gun. If you don't shoot a lot, I'm guessing you're dropping the barrel in anticipation of the recoil. There was a gal Saturday doing that. She was splashing the steel below the target. I asked her if she wanted pointers, she did. So I told her to load one, shoot, then dry fire five. Rinse, repeat.

 

[JuglansRegia]

File the front sight or shoot heavier boolits

 

[Stomper]

File down the front site.

Or add some JB-Weld on top of the rear sights!

 

[Stomper]

View attachment 1850435

That looks like an alien hand straight out of, Close Encounters of the Third Kind!


That boy got an opposable second index finger!

 

[HiFi Magnetics]

That looks like an alien hand straight out of, Close Encounters of the Third Kind!

Nobody's perfect...

 

[Stomper]

Nobody's perfect...

You could carry two six-packs by the plastic rings with that paddle!

 

[HiFi Magnetics]

Going to the range and will try these. Later

 

[Catfishmoon]

So to adjust the up and down, I have to physically lift or lower including cutting the rear sight if no space or needed?

If I were doing it on a gun that I cared about, I would replace the front sight with a shorter one. Dawson Precision has the sights (multiple types) and the detailed information of how to determine the exact height of sight you should order and offers a guarantee if the sight is still not correct...
I have also done as a previous poster mentioned by raising the "notch" of my rear sight with JB Weld and then file and paint it black; Ruger LCP Max aftermarket fiber optic sights...
As always it depends on the priorities of the individual. Different ammunition is going to have a different point of impact (that is the advantage of adjustable sights, but they have other disadvantages when used on a defensive gun). In defensive or target shooting the variable of different ammo is probably not enough to matter.

 

[hongkong2]

Have someone else shoot the gun and see where it prints before you do anything else.

 

[spookshack]

Have Dremel, will travel…..

 

[ditchtiger]

Use a little White out to make horizontal lines lower down on your front site. use the top of your rear site even with each line. the farther down you line up the higher you will shoot. Read somewhere Elmer Kieth used this method.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

View attachment 1850435

Glock's do that to my hand as well, the curve of the backstrap leaves a gap letting the gun get a running head start at my hand

 

[Howard1955]

Before you start filing, or changing the sights:

Rest the barrel of the pistol on something solid while you're shooting.

The gun resting on something solid will keep any downward flinch from happening.

If the gun is still shooting low even when on a rest, it's time to adjust or replace sights.

You might also have a friend shoot the gun, and see if it shoots low for them. If it doesn't, then you might be aiming incorrectly.

 

[solv3nt]

You might also have a friend shoot the gun, and see if it shoots low for them. If it doesn't, then you might be aiming incorrectly.

Or anticipating.

 

[Howard1955]

Or anticipating.

I used to do that. Then I decided that I owned the little explosion that was about to happen. It isn't something happening to me - I'm making it happen. That helped me a lot.

 

[64MercurysRule]

The order of variables I have found are the person then the ammo then the firearm . YMMV .

 

[salmon creek gary]

Howdy... I was gonna ask you in the Dagger, what is the right way to adjust the height "up"?
Thanks. H

View attachment 1850306

So far I've seen no mention of the effect sight picture can have on point of impact. Your firearm is set up by the factory for combat hold or a target hold. Simply put, if you're using a different sight picture than the factory set up, then your point of impact will not be where you expect it to be.

I'll extract some portions from this site to explain the difference (the whole article is worth reading if you have the time & inclination).

• Combat Hold (or Frame Hold) – The center of the front sight post completely covers the bullseye. If the sight is equipped with a dot, the center of the dot will cover the center of the bullseye.

• Center Hold – The top of the front sight post perfectly bisects the bullseye horizontally.

• Six o'clock hold – The top of the front sight post sits directly underneath the bottom of the bullseye. For obvious reasons, this hold can also be referred to as a "lollipop hold" or "pumpkin on a stick".

O