I can't shoot a 9MM!

[rckendall]

Although speaking about rifles, my shooting buddy and I often refer to our rifles as dancing partners. We treat each one of them differently and learn to treat them in a manner they like. That's when we have good days!

I'm sure it's about the same with handguns!

Richard

 

[DirtySteve]

9mm 1911's are the cat's a$$. Those and S&W M&P's... I have, well, I have some of both... lol..

 

[centershot]

I have a problem with my S & W EZ in 9mm. Nice gun, but accuracy is not there. I think that I may but a Ronin. No, I will not sell my EZ.

 

[rr2030]

I hear your cry for help. I will give you $60.00 for that BHP.

 

[mousegunner]

I hear your cry for help. I will give you $60.00 for that BHP.

O.k but shipping will be $940.00.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

STEP 1,..
Buy, a Glock 19
Step 2,.. Put, a GOOD, Zev Tech Trigger in it.
Step 3,.. SHOOT the "Chit",.. outta it ( AKA,.. Practice !! ).
The Glock 19,. is One of THREE Pistols that, I ever,.. shot "well" !
The other 2 are, a Colt Gold Cup in .45 ACP
and a Smith Wesson 14, 17, 19 etc., in .38 spl.,.. in Single Action Mode .

 

[mousegunner]

STEP 1,..
Buy, a Glock 19
Step 2,.. Put, a GOOD, Zev Tech Trigger in it.
Step 3,.. SHOOT the "Chit",.. outta it ( AKA,.. Practice !! ).
The Glock 19,. is One of THREE Pistols that, I ever,.. shot "well" !
The other 2 are, a Colt Gold Cup in .45 ACP
and a Smith Wesson 14, 17, 19 etc., in .38 spl.,.. in Single Action Mode .

Step 4, go to step one and don't buy a Glock. Not a Fan.

Seriously for as long as I've had this pistol I wanted to do some upgrades. A wider trigger/trigger job, Barstow barrel, and better sights. I should do it before I get too much older. Sights will be first. They're not centered and it shoots slightly left. Tried to drift them but Browning really forced them into the dovetails.

Next would be a Barstow barrel, could be I just got a barrel that don't shoot. I don't have a real problem with the trigger, it's not great but it's not terrible. I had a C&S wide trigger in the one I sold and that one was a good shooter. Maybe I'll do it piecemeal or just have it all done in one shop at one time, we'll see.​

 

[rr2030]

O.k but shipping will be $940.00.

PM sent

 

[acloco]

@mousegunner Does the BHP fit you? Or not? If not, more than likely, will not perform well for you.

You mentioned replacing sights, before.....

As I am near sighted, and use bi or tri focal lensed glasses, I have to pick what I see - either a CLEAR set of front and rear sights or the target.....while moving my head to decide which lense to use.

In the end, I pick the target and let natural point of aim/instinct/point shooting take over. But, I still have to practice.....this does not come easy.

 

[Forum Boss]

Can't shoot 9mm? Get a different pistol that works better for you.

Many moons ago, before starting this site, I did local IDPA competition and taught some basic pistol classes at my shooting club-- just intro stuff. But I had my Glock 34 and My Sig P226. I intro'd maybe 40 shooters over the couple of years… I gave pistol orientation lessons. Only two shot better with the Glock. Everybody else shot better with the SIG P226. And most observed how much better the SIG grip fit. It was almost universal that the Glock did not point naturally because of the bulge at the bottom of the backstrap and the grip shape/width. I've owned four Glocks. One, a .40 SW Glock 23, had a very consistent, pleasing trigger. The others had disappointing triggers. I ended up selling them all and they have not been missed.

 

[CT10ring]

Keep shooting it , shooting pistol is nothing like rifle or shotgun... Dry fire and real fire and it will come around... You can't expect to pick up a new pistol or one you don't shoot alot and expect great thing's... Ammo is hard to find but at least three times a week for awhile will help tremendously.... More is better.... Only load five rounds and shoot controlled slow shots focus on the front sight and SQUEEZE the trigger... That way you're arms don't get tired , reload , mark off target and repeat.... Don't be afraid to stop for awhile when you get tired.... Remember like all sports some days just suck...

Great observation and helpful. Pistol shooting is unforgiving.

 

[Oso]

Do yourself a favor and get a gun that you like in 9mm. There are two criteria Cost and Action Type.

Direct - Hammer and Firing Pin - Budget ($$$ - $$$$$)
Dan Wesson - Pointman9, Specialist, TCP, VBob (all of these are fantastic and worth the money)
CZ - Shadow 2, 75-SP01, TS 2, 75 B
Springfield - Loaded, Ronin,TRP, EMP (midsize compact),

Striker Fired - Budget ($$ - $$$)
Sig Sauer (there are a number of options worth considering P320 or P365... numerous options)
Walther PPQ
Springfield XDM
S&W M&P
CZ P10
Glock

My Thoughts:
I am sure there are a few other quality guns...

If you are a 1911 fan then the Dan Wesson is as good as a Les Baer with modern features and 35% price break. Once you try a CZ Shadow 2 variant or CZ 75 Tactical then you'll want 2 new pistols.

Glock is a fine pistol with proven reliability and minimal change since its introduction in mid-80's. There are newer designed striker fired pistols that offering comparable performance with significant improvement in ergonomics and design over a Glock. Buy what you like and fits your hand best... Glocks are unnecessarily chunky and not ergonomic.

Final Thought:
Rent before owning. Most indoor gun ranges now provide you the option to rent any variety of pistols. Go rent some guns and test them with live rounds. For the higher end pistols you either need to know somebody who owns one or head out to a IDA or USPSA match in your area. Watch the match and see what pistols are being used and how they respond. After the match most participants are more than willing to talk to you about their gear, and where possible they may offer to take you into a side bay to try out the pistol.

 

[AckleymanII]

How a semi auto fits the web of your hand is critical.

 

[mousegunner]

Great replies all around as expected. The BHP is my favorite pistol for the looks and way it feels in hand. It points naturally for me, my hands aren't too small or too big for the grip. I had a HK P2000 .40 that I shot really well with the small backstrap, DAO but the LEM trigger made a big difference. I know that one would be great in 9mm but kind of pricey. I'd forgotten about the HK maybe between that and a 1911 it might fit the bill for range use and carry. Might have to dip into my retirement scrap brass and aluminum if the prices are good.

 

[Oso]

I ran a Dan Wesson Pointman9 (5" govt) in IDPA for several years and it was the best. I was so impressed with 9mm in 1911 that I had a 9mm Commander built. 1911 Commander (9mm) with set of Trijicon HD Night Sights is now my first choice.

The older single stack by STI International are also fantastic guns, such as the Lawman, or even their double stack 2011 models.
STI 1911 (9mm) - Gunbroker

 

[Rsadams]

STEP 1,..
Buy, a Glock 19
Step 2,.. Put, a GOOD, Zev Tech Trigger in it.
Step 3,.. SHOOT the "Chit",.. outta it ( AKA,.. Practice !! ).
The Glock 19,. is One of THREE Pistols that, I ever,.. shot "well" !
The other 2 are, a Colt Gold Cup in .45 ACP
and a Smith Wesson 14, 17, 19 etc., in .38 spl.,.. in Single Action Mode .

Love my Glocks , especially my 19s... Tens of thousands of rounds and zero problems.... I just went to the gen5 and that gun wants to shoot.... Carry a 19 daily and trust my life to it.... I have a friend that's a professional trainer for a state prison and state police , his loaner gen 2 19 has a documented 200,000+ rounds down it and it's still going.... As he says Glock may not be the prettiest , slickest etc but I can't find anything that does the job as good.... Some things just work for the person that owns them.... Plus when you're shooting thousand round courses all the time you find out which guns go down and which ones stay running.... To each their own but I have sold off anything that's not 9mm and didn't say Glock on the side at this point...

 

[riflewoman]

So I shoot my BHP 9MM today with some handloads and I shot like crap! Whether its loads with TG, BE, or HP 38 I can't shoot a good group to save my life...well not really. Even factory 115gr ammo doesn't help. Off a sand bag or 2 hands unsupported, still nothing to write home about.

I can shoot my 1911 .45, .40 Sig DAO, and my S&W model 19 into nice groups at 15 yards. I've shot my brothers and son in laws 9mms and I do not like my groups. Sight alinement, trigger control, etc all good but can not seem to shot 9 very well. I've shoot good groups with a .50 Desert Eagle but not with a 9mm. Yes, Yes, I need more practice but maybe 9mm just doesn't like me.

Maybe a 1911 in 9mm. Glock? I'd rather not. Anyhoo just venting from a not so good day at the range which is still a good day compared to other things. Thanks for looking.

If BHP is a Browning High Power, then the following applies.
I've found Browning High Power pistols to be a bit of a crapshoot in the accuracy department. Most are OK (just), some are barely adequate for defensive use, and a very few are accurate for match use in USPSA shooting. Most of these pistols were made using “classic” techniques of production lines and old-school machines and fixtures. Designed in clearances and tolerances were selected for producibility and parts interchangeability. Combine that with the trigger mechanism and the pistols are difficult to shoot well. But that’s ok. They weren’t designed with pinpoint accuracy in mind. They were first, last and always a military pistol of the mid 20th Century. They fit that role very well. You might try 124 grain ammo, as these guns were designed around it, but it might prove futile.

A CZ75 is a “product improved” High Power. Their accuracy is much better

 

[fatelvis]

From a pure accuracy standpoint, I’ve always shot 1911s and revolvers single action more accurately than striker fired 9mms, or any caliber striker fired auto for that matter. I think it’s just because that’s what I learned on, and shot for almost 25 yrs, before my Glock came around.

 

[Terry]

My pistol coach had me dry fire my pistol with a fired case sitting on the barrel. When I could do that I shot better.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

Focusing on your grip will usually help improve accuracy. 9mm is a fairly fast round compared to others and the additional recoil energy and muzzle flip may be why the OP is having issues. Striker fired pistols tend to require a better grip, IMO. Trigger pull is usually a little heavier and longer than hammer fired pistols.

I suggest a two handed, thumbs forward grip, as high as possible for best results.

It helped me to make significant improvements over a reasonably short period of time. With my poor eyesight and shaky hands, I will not be winning any marksmanship awards, but I am confident of my ability to hit a man sized target in the vital area within 25 yards. This is repeatable with any of my handguns, including the 9mms. Single handed, my accuracy is not as good, but still on target.

Like any perishable skill, practice is important for developing the muscle memory you will need to perform well under stress. When defending yourself, your brain will not be processing information in the same way. Muscle memory will be needed because the brain will send most available resources to the portion that controls movement and physical response. The thought center will be much less active. Depending upon it will usually cause one to "freeze" and be unable to react appropriately.

As improvement is achieved, work some single handed shooting into your routine and do not forget your weak hand.

Repetition is the only thing that will develop muscle memory.

With ammunition being less available and more expensive, I have also picked up a few pellet pistols that allow me to practice shooting at home. The same fundamentals apply, and help to keep my skills sharp between range trips.