Why Can't I Shoot a Semi-Auto???

[1911Fanatic]

Well, if OP is having good hits with his revolvers, I would imagine that it was the same problem I mentioned that I have had in the past with the guns that he mentioned.

Also, I just got a first year issue of a Smith and Wesson SW 40F (Sigma). I had problems with that because of the grip and the way I was contacting the trigger. That is why I sold mine back in the day. Now that zi know better, I can shoot it well. The Sigma was my first double stack Semi Auto that I ever purchased when I was in college in my early 20's.

With the gen 4 and 5 Glocks, I can place my finger the same way as I do on a revolver and have great success.

 

[roseburger]

I will mention that it sometimes takes me a few hundred rounds to reacquaint myself with a gun.

 

[1911Fanatic]

I don't know what I am doing wrong. I have a Glock 19 (9mm) and a 1911 (Full size, .45) and I can't shoot either one worth a darn. I'd guess about 70% of my shots end up going significantly to the left. I can't tell what I am doing differently with the ones that do land on target other than shooting "more carefully", though I still miss when I think I am being careful. With the 9mm it is directly left, with the .45 is is more down-left. Never off to the right. I shoot rifles and revolvers pretty well, I even shoot my little snubby 442 significantly better than either one of my automatics that are so popular with target shooters and the tactical crowd.

With both autos I hold them in two hands, thumbs forward grip, pressing the trigger with the pad of my finger like you would on a rifle. I shoot revolvers with the finger joint but that feels very odd on anything else. I have tried dry firing both guns with a laser and my dry fire trigger pull is fine, but something is happening out there on the range with live fire. I have seen that pistol correction chart and it makes sense for the .45 because I do notice myself squeezing the gun as it goes off but I have no idea what I am doing wrong with the Glock.

Here is the chart for those who are not familiar:

View attachment 2225447

What Generation is your Glock and does your 1911 have a short trigger? Also, is the mainspring housing on the 1911 flat or arched? Do you have good center hits with revolvers or other handguns?

 

[roseburger]

Thinking about it, my guess is that you're squeezing and anticipating at the same time, making your shots go left.

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

Alright I'll try to answer as many of these follow up questions as I can:

One of the automatics in question is a "G19" built on a Grit Grips frame. A couple of you mentioned grip angle, the GG frame has the same grip angle as a 1911 (18 degrees) vs the OEM Glock 22 degrees. When I close my eyes and point my 1911, the sights naturally end up correctly aligned when I open my eyes again. I like the 1911 angle and this is one of the reasons why I chose the GG frame over an OEM Glock. It uses Gen 3 parts aside from the bigger mag release button. The 1911 is a S&W E-Series 1911, a modern style 1911 with all the bells and whistles.




The revolvers in question are a S&W 442 (.38 snubby) and S&W 617 (6" .22lr). I can shoot the 617 best of all my handguns, but that's no real surprise since it's a long barreled 22lr. However, I shoot the 442 way better than the autos, all my shots on center in a reasonable sized group for a pocket gun. I can shoot pretty much any revolver I have ever owned or borrowed better than I can shoot my autos. I have no issue with other guns either. I can make the holes touch with my .270 on paper at 100yds, and this season I got three birds with three shells out of my 12 gauge.

I routinely mix in a fired case or two in the cylinder when I practice with my .38 to keep the flinch away. I catch myself occasionally when I am trying to shoot fast or carelessly but for the most part my form is good, even with a gun that a lot of people consider to be an unruly little gremlin. I KNOW that I flinch with the .45, I can feel it happening even without snap caps but for some reason I have not yet been able to force myself to stop. It has been in the back of the safe for a year or two because of this. I was really hoping that the 9mm would be a happy medium between a .22 and .45 and that I would be able to shoot it OK.

 

[Koda]

Between your revolvers, your G19 build, and your 1911 you have 3 completely different trigger systems...
Your G19 clone and your 1911 are both good pistols you just need to spend some time behind them.

 

[DirectDrive]

OP, I'll reiterate this one more time because I think it may have gotten lost in the word salad.

Take your unloaded G19 and balance a dime or penny on the front site.
Now practice your dry fires while keeping the coin balanced.
Find a light colored background so you can watch movement (if any) at the muzzle.

Doing this exercise will show you why you are hitting left.

 

[1911Fanatic]

Well, at this point, I would have to shoot your guns to be able to tell if it;s the gun or you.

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

OP, I'll reiterate this one more time because I think it may have gotten lost in the word salad.

Take your unloaded G19 and balance a dime or penny on the front site.
Now practice your dry fires while keeping the coin balanced.
Find a light colored background so you can watch movement (if any) at the muzzle.

Doing this exercise will show you why you are hitting left.

I have a bore laser that I have been doing this with and my dry fire seems pretty good. Same with the 1911. I seem to be doing something under live fire that is changing it.

Dry fire is an ongoing process though, and I'll try it with a coin next time.

 

[1911Fanatic]

OP, I'll reiterate this one more time because I think it may have gotten lost in the word salad.

Take your unloaded G19 and balance a dime or penny on the front site.
Now practice your dry fires while keeping the coin balanced.
Find a light colored background so you can watch movement (if any) at the muzzle.

Doing this exercise will show you why you are hitting left.

Yes OP, try this, with both guns. Mid you can make it go click without your sights moving, then you are probably flinching in anticipation of the shot.

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

Well, at this point, I would have to shoot your guns to be able to tell if it;s the gun or you.

Oh I have no doubt that it is me, I just can't figure out why I am doing this with autos and not revolvers.

 

[Cerberus Group]

Eastern Washington...where you located?

Can solve that problem in 10 minutes or less.

 

[Cerberus Group]

...and pleeeeez, people stop using that wheel of
stupidity...here's the correct specimen...

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

Eastern Washington...where you located?

Can solve that problem in 10 minutes or less.

Tri Cities, about 2 hours drive from you according to Google. Classes aren't in the budget for me right now, I'm doing a masters degree entirely out of pocket, but when I'm done I do want to seek out some kind of professional training and more range time in general.

 

[Cerberus Group]

Tri Cities, about 2 hours drive from you according to Google. Classes aren't in the budget for me right now, I'm doing a masters degree entirely out of pocket, but when I'm done I do want to seek out some kind of professional training and more range time in general.

I'll do it for free if you get out this way.

http://cerberus-training.com

 

[Spitpatch]

Apologies if the obvious has already been mentioned.

Shelve every handgun except an accurate, reliable .22 automatic.

You'll have a precise and instant diagnosis, learn again with a clean slate, and when you're an Ace with it, you're cured for the rest.

 

[Mikej]

I don't know what I am doing wrong. I have a Glock 19 (9mm) and a 1911 (Full size, .45) and I can't shoot either one worth a darn. I'd guess about 70% of my shots end up going significantly to the left. I can't tell what I am doing differently with the ones that do land on target other than shooting "more carefully", though I still miss when I think I am being careful. With the 9mm it is directly left, with the .45 is is more down-left. Never off to the right. I shoot rifles and revolvers pretty well, I even shoot my little snubby 442 significantly better than either one of my automatics that are so popular with target shooters and the tactical crowd.

With both autos I hold them in two hands, thumbs forward grip, pressing the trigger with the pad of my finger like you would on a rifle. I shoot revolvers with the finger joint but that feels very odd on anything else. I have tried dry firing both guns with a laser and my dry fire trigger pull is fine, but something is happening out there on the range with live fire. I have seen that pistol correction chart and it makes sense for the .45 because I do notice myself squeezing the gun as it goes off but I have no idea what I am doing wrong with the Glock.

Here is the chart for those who are not familiar:

View attachment 2225447

Your not the only one brother! I have fought this since the beginning back in 2010. I had taken that "Wheel of Misfortune" serious. One thing I felt helped me is strengthening my grip a little and trying to isolate my trigger finger from the my grip. I would set my grip, not strangling the gun grip, but firming it. And keep the trigger finger loose. I aim, this sounds so silly, trigger finger in safe position, place finger on trigger, and return trigger finger to safe position several times. I do this while keeping sight on target and emphasis one staying steady on target. If a can follow through with that I can get in the 1" inch black center at 35'. I know it sounds goofy as hell. I started doing this with a CZsp01 in .40. And can do a little better with a 9mm 1911.

Okay, "Ridicule"!

 

[sobo]

Say that 3 times in front of the mirror at 3:20 pm and all your guns turn into sigs!!!

"Couldn't even hit the floor if I dropped my pistol"

 

[sobo]

Sounds like you need an Sig P320 if you wanna be dropping and hitting the floor....

 

[sobo]

OP, I'll reiterate this one more time because I think it may have gotten lost in the word salad.

Take your unloaded G19 and balance a dime or penny on the front site.
Now practice your dry fires while keeping the coin balanced.
Find a light colored background so you can watch movement (if any) at the muzzle.

Doing this exercise will show you why you are hitting left.

This is exactly how my trainer cured me of the dreaded flinch. And it really works.