When you first get a new Glock handgun, or replace the Glock sights, or install an optic, you need to sight the thing in.
That process is easy enough, and it will be detailed here from a high level. We will also look into some common bad handgun habits that can complicate accuracy.
Glock Sight Adjustment
To get your Glock roughly sighted in, without a boresighter, set up your target at a predetermined range (somewhere between 7 and 25 yards), aim deliberately, and fire three shots at the target.
Then, what you want to do is see where the group clustered. Move your rear sight (the adjustable one) in the opposite direction from which the group landed.
For instance, if your group landed slightly high and right, move your rear Glock sight to the left and lower it. Fire another three rounds and see if the group improved.
Continue making adjustments to your Glock sights in this manner as described until you are satisfied with the accuracy of your groups at the range desired.
Adjusting Glock sights is a topic we have more thoroughly covered in our blog in the past. For a more detailed, step by step protocol, please see our previous post, “Adjusting Your Glock Sights: A Quick Guide.”
Still Having Problems? Consult This Pistol Correction Checklist
It also sometimes happens that an accurate handgun that is already sighted in seems to produce erratic groups. If you’re certain the issue is not with the handgun, and that the sights are properly adjusted at the given range, then you have one of two issues: the ammo or the shooter.
If you think it’s the ammo, try a few different loads and see if the issue redresses itself. This factor should be fairly easy to isolate.
And, if it isn’t the ammo, that leaves just one other possibility – the shooter.
So, here are some common habits among handgunners that result in poor accuracy, as well as how to identify them and what to do about it (note: for reference, this is for a right-handed shooter):
- Shots grouping high: If your shots are grouping high, it could be that you’re breaking your wrist up. Get a firmer grip on the gun so that muzzle jump doesn’t impact your quick follow up shots. Lock your elbows and lean into the shot more.
- Shots grouping low: If your shots are all grouping low consistently, it could be that you’re breaking your wrist down or that you’re actively pushing the gun forward. Anticipating recoil too sharply can also cause you to push the gun forward which can result in this issue.
- Shots grouping left: Too little trigger finger can cause the barrel to drift over to the non-dominant side. If just the tip of your finger is on the trigger – and not the full pad of your finger – it could cause your shots to skew off left.
- Shots grouping right: Conversely, way too much trigger finger can torque the barrel over to the strong side, pulling your groupings off and to the right. Adjust your trigger finger so that the pad of your fingertip is squarely on the blade of the trigger when shooting. This could also be caused by “thumbing” which refers to the process of applying too much pressure to the grip with the dominant thumb.
- Shots grouping high and right: If your groups are clustering high and right, you might be heeling, which refers to the practice of pressing the heel of your hand into the grip. Also, it could be caused by flinching or anticipating recoil.
- Shots grouping high and left: For shots that are grouping high and on the non-dominant side, that could be caused by anticipating recoil, but not following through. Hold the gun steady and don’t jerk, lower or otherwise move it until you’ve completed firing.
- Shots grouping low and right: For shots that cluster low and right, the problem could be tightening the grip just as the trigger breaks, which can torque the barrel over to the strong side. The gun should be in a secure grip, but not a death grip, and it should be steady – don’t squeeze the whole grip as you pull the trigger.
- Shots grouping low and left: Lastly, shots that cluster low and left may be caused by jerking the trigger. Practice a smooth, clean break and don’t anticipate recoil, flinch or jerk the trigger and you should see accuracy improve.
While this is only a cursory exploration of some of the habits that can complicate accuracy, it is a good place to start nonetheless.
Put in the Range Time to Make the Difference
All in all, whether you just need to get to the range so you can sight in your Glock with some live-fire, or you want to rectify one of these common issues that you may have identified in your own shooting habits, it takes time.
Nothing corrects itself on its own without an active effort. The most important thing you can do after identifying the error is to correct it, and that takes time at the range. So be safe and get out there.
