shooting error ... maybe grip position?

[axeman]

all,
I all of a sudden developed a bad habit. Maybe you can help. I am a lefty and all shots are hitting 4 inches low and 4 inches right of poa. Actually it is prob where muzzle is pointed, sights are poa. Now, you righties ... when you shoot low and left what are you doing wrong???
Thoughts ... my left hand grip is to high? My support hand (right) is to strong?  

I am at a lost. Any help.

Axeman

[Cricket67]

I think you are anticipating the recoil; and as well, putting too much finger on the trigger.

[Cricket67]

I think you are anticipating the recoil; and as well, putting too much finger on the trigger.  With your right (weak) hand grip the gun more than with your strong (left) hand, about 70% to 30%.

[Cricket67]

Has it all backwards.  Try this site www.sportshooter.com/impr..._chart.gif

[raro]

Quote:   I all of a sudden developed a bad habit. Maybe you can help. I am a lefty and all shots are hitting 4 inches low and 4 inches right of poa.

Shooting LOW is an indication that you might be flinching, or anticipating the recoil of the firearm.  In trying to compensate for the recoil, you might be forcing the muzzle downward by not keeping your wrist rigid.  The result are shots low on the target.  When you are shooting live ammo it is impossible to see this bad habit.  

When a "lefty" shoots to the right of POA, it is an indication of too much finger on the trigger, jerking the trigger or tightening your grip on the weapon when you are pulling the trigger.  Call it whacking the trigger.

I have not seen you shoot.  I don't know how you grip your pistol when you shoot. I can't really analyze the mechanics of what you are doing.  However, if your strong hand is high on the grip, that is a good thing.  The closer you get your hand to the bore axis, the more likely you will see less muzzle rise.  That means you should get on target for a follow up shots quicker.

Too correct your problems, I would encourage you to have a experienced shooting instructor help you.  If you are a member of a club, they should have pistol instructors, or knowlegeable shooters that could give you a firsthand analysis.  I recently participated in training at The Tactical Shooting Academy in Surry, VA.  You might want to visit their Tactical Shooting Forum to ask your questions concerning your "bad habits".  I hope you find something useful in what I wrote.  Shoot safe, and have fun!

Ralph

[axeman]

Thank you all for your help. I will try these suggestion and hopefully fix the issue. I think I may have been anticipating the recoil to much, mainly from trying to get chores done, run errands and then rush to the range. Must have been a little tense. Thank you all.

[Glockguy-23]

Axeman,

Try this the next time you go to the range...

When gripping the gun, place your trigger finger on the trigger so that the blade centers on the pad on the finger, not the joint.  This will create a small opening between your finger and the grip.  Now, concentrate on pulling your finger straight back, as if you were trying to touch your nose.  Slow and steady.  The trigger break will be a surprise.  To tell if you have it right, get a snap cap, so you can dry fire.  You have it right when you can pull the trigger without disturbing the sight picture...

[tocold6]

I went through all of this only I'm right handed and I was hitting to the left.  I couldn't figure out what "I" was doing wrong for the life of me.  When I shot from a sandbag rest I figured it out - my rear sight was off about 1/4 of a dot.  Elevation is correct at all ranges now.