Sighting a handgun

Jan 2009
1,318
1
Kirkland, WA
I've sighted in rifles with scopes, sure. But I've never had to adjust anything with iron sights. I have this Sig P250 that shoots well -- nice and consistent -- but it's "off", at least for me.

Now maybe it's off because I don't know how to shoot a DOA very well. But regardless, it's consistently off in exactly the same way, every time I shoot it.

I can conceive how to adjust the sights left or right (although I don't know the technique), but how the heck do you adjust for elevation on a fixed sight like that?
 
Nov 2009
16
0
Arlington, Wa
As far as the left and right (windage) adjustments go, basically you just need to move the front and/or rear sights left and/or right. There are sight adjustment tools you can get that make this easier.

When it comes to elevation adjustments, there aren't any. You will need to order replacements. They make sights with different heights to accommodate for elevations.
 
Nov 2009
16
0
Arlington, Wa
From Sigs FAQ...
My SigSauer pistol is not accurate. Why? What should I do?

All SigSauer production duty/combat pistols are set up to use a "combat" sight picture. This is where the front sight completely covers the bulls eye of the target. Using a six o'clock ("pumpkin on a post") or center mass ("half'n'half") sight picture will result in low impact. SigSauer, Inc sights in all non-sporting and non-target pistols for 2.5 inch groupings @ 15 yards.
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
Dick, which way is it off exactly? There's a chart somewhere on the Interwebs that shows common shooter error and where it pulls the shot off. This may help you figure out if it's your or the gun. But best way is a rest, or if you're at a range see if you can get one of the employees that shoots well to give it a try. Many times I've seen people complain they're gun is inaccurate or the sights are off, only to give it to an experienced shooter and watch them shoot ragged holes right on the bull with it.

My SA Loaded MC Operator shot high when I got it. The shop of course wanted to verify, so they shot it themselves and agreed, yes it does shoot high. SA in turn wanted to see the gun vs just sending a new front sight to the shop. You see the lack of trust in "my sights are off"? LOL So SA put a new front sight on it, and now it's dead on.

FWIW, I've read that the P250 does not have the same accuracy other SIGs are known for. A little sacrifice for the modular design, I imagine.
 
Jan 2009
1,318
1
Kirkland, WA
From Sigs FAQ...
I didn't know about the combat sight picture. That might solve the height problem right there. Next time I shoot I'll see if I'll see how that works out.

Dick, which way is it off exactly? There's a chart somewhere on the Interwebs that shows common shooter error and where it pulls the shot off. This may help you figure out if it's your or the gun. But best way is a rest, or if you're at a range see if you can get one of the employees that shoots well to give it a try. Many times I've seen people complain they're gun is inaccurate or the sights are off, only to give it to an experienced shooter and watch them shoot ragged holes right on the bull with it.

My SA Loaded MC Operator shot high when I got it. The shop of course wanted to verify, so they shot it themselves and agreed, yes it does shoot high. SA in turn wanted to see the gun vs just sending a new front sight to the shop. You see the lack of trust in "my sights are off"? LOL So SA put a new front sight on it, and now it's dead on.

FWIW, I've read that the P250 does not have the same accuracy other SIGs are known for. A little sacrifice for the modular design, I imagine.
It's low and to the right.

Yeah, I'm totally fine with it being me. Not trying to infer it's the gun, actually. But if I consistently shoot "off", I was figuring why not just adjust the sights so I shoot "on"...
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
I didn't know about the combat sight picture. That might solve the height problem right there. Next time I shoot I'll see if I'll see how that works out.


It's low and to the right.

Yeah, I'm totally fine with it being me. Not trying to infer it's the gun, actually. But if I consistently shoot "off", I was figuring why not just adjust the sights so I shoot "on"...



I shot it, and agree.. low and to the right.
 
Jan 2009
845
0
Renton, WA
I didn't know about the combat sight picture. That might solve the height problem right there. Next time I shoot I'll see if I'll see how that works out.

Yeah the 6:00 vs 12:00 hold can vary from gun to gun, typically the manual will state (and show via pic) which it is. That would explain a little elevation error, but not windage.


It's low and to the right.

Yeah, I'm totally fine with it being me. Not trying to infer it's the gun, actually. But if I consistently shoot "off", I was figuring why not just adjust the sights so I shoot "on"...

Well if it is indeed the gun, then drifting the rear sight to correct would be the proper thing to do. But if it is just you, adjusting the sight to compensate for something you're doing wrong is not going to help you in the long run, dig?
 
Jan 2009
1,318
1
Kirkland, WA
Read the manual? Pft...

And I hear you about it being on me. But I don't have this problem with any other gun, so don't know if I want to change much. Again, it could be my DOA technique.

And it's good to hear that Joshie found it the same way for him. But I don't know his level of usage with DOA guns either. I shoot great with revolvers though, so I don't think I should be that far off.
 
Sep 2011
38
0
Houston, TX
You'd be surprised what great stuff is in the manual. In my case, I was having the same problem with low shooting, but I was a new shooter so I thought it was just me. I was flipping through the manual looking for something else and found a couple pages about combat sight picture. Next trip to the range, I adjust and lo and behold, THE BULLSEYE WAS MINE! It was a very fulfilling experience.
 
Jul 2011
124
0
Seattle
So windage is easyish. Sight pusher tool will allow you to drift the sights in their dovetails (rear sight is move right to adjust POI right, front sight is opposite).

For elevation, you can order different height front sights. You can calculate the difference you need. I'm too lazy to do the math right now.

If you're brave, you can do it old-school, take out a file and do it yourself. You're in luck that you're hitting low, and removing material from the front sight will raise the POI. To keep it level, I've heard that using the rear site as a guide, and placing a bit of plastic between it and the file, works well. A bit of sight-black, and there you go. One stroke at a time.....

Also: take it to Renton or somewhere you can bag the crap out of it and shoot it at 25 yards.
 
Jul 2011
124
0
Seattle
Before you start dicking with hard parts, you might just try some different ammo. I've had POI migrate around (left and right, NOT just up and down) when developing loads.
 
Dec 2012
266
1
Vancouver, WA
cool little chart!

FWIW on the topic at hand, we had a similar experience on the range with my dads new lc9 it was one of 5 pistols we shot that day and the only one that shot like the sights were it shot about 6" to the left at 9:00 at about 15-20 yards. The Built in laser was off about 6" the other direction. So if there is anyone that knows anything about adjusting laser sights that would be helpful too.
 
Jan 2013
14
1
LaPine, OR
Before you start dicking with hard parts, you might just try some different ammo.
Excellent advice. I am glad I read all the posts so I did not become redundant. I had a similar issue with my 'new' CZ 75. It was shooting low and to the left so I loaded up a few lots of trial ammo in different bullet weights and charges. Interestingly it shot ALL the ammo in the same place - low and to the left - with 100 gr HP grouping the tightest. Anyway that confirmed a slight rear sight drift was in order and I filed the front down to bring POI up to where it need to be. However it is not unusual to find a different load may bring it in for you. Trying different loads is a good first place to start.
 
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