Henry Rifle Forums

markiver54 wrote:... was not real happy with 5 to 6 inch groups.

Ojaileveraction wrote:I think your being more than a little hard on yourself. 6 inch group with a 3 inch barrel a 45 feet.

markiver54 wrote:Went to the local indoor range today to practice with my CCW pistol. ( SA XDS 9mm )…. Was rather disappointed with results.

...target at about 15 yards firing Federal 115 gr fmj rn. Although all would have been acceptable in a self defense situation, was not real happy with 5 to 6 inch groups.

Also interesting, to my surprise, is that I did better off-hand than using the bench...go figure...

PT7 wrote:

markiver54 wrote:Went to the local indoor range today to practice with my CCW pistol. ( SA XDS 9mm )…. Was rather disappointed with results.

...target at about 15 yards firing Federal 115 gr fmj rn. Although all would have been acceptable in a self defense situation, was not real happy with 5 to 6 inch groups.

Also interesting, to my surprise, is that I did better off-hand than using the bench...go figure...

Mark,

I'd agree with Ojaileveraction and Mags on your group size. Good shooting. I had a four-inch SA XD Service Model in 9mm, and had about the same results at same distance. My sight radius may have even helped a little more being that longer barrel.

And to me, not a surprise on your shooting better off hand. That's also how I always shot mine. From my perspective, that's the best way to shoot a semi-auto.

Here is a pic of my SA XD, which I took about 6 years ago. The SA pistols are pretty darn accurate and reliable, even as mine was the base model at that time. Does this one look pretty close to your XDS?

Thanks for your Range Report
PT7
SA_XD 9MM_4-inch Service Model_0322.jpg

fortyshooter wrote:Shoot it the way you will use it...which is what you did!

Next time try it at 10 ft. and point shoot 3 shots rapid fire. In a real situation you most likely won't have much time to line up the rear sight.

Ojaileveraction wrote:I think your being more than a little hard on yourself.
6 inch group with a 3 inch barrel a 45 feet.
I'd take take any day of the week.
That one ragged hole at real self defense distances.

North Country Gal wrote:Definitely give the green a try, especially on those targets. I think you'll like it. Have a couple red dots that have a green option I can switch to and I really like it.

Interesting tidbit: the human eye is more sensitive different shades of color with green than any other color.

North Country Gal wrote:Definitely give the green a try, especially on those targets. I think you'll like it. Have a couple red dots that have a green option I can switch to and I really like it.

Interesting tidbit: the human eye is more sensitive different shades of color with green than any other color.

markiver54 wrote:... got my green fiber optic installed today....

Have not been to the range again yet, but looking at it around the house, at things I cannot shoot..

Point shooting — also known as target- or threat-focused shooting, instinctive aiming, instinctive firing, and instinctive shooting — is a method of shooting a firearm quickly and accurately that does not rely on the use of the sights in close quarters.

markiver54 wrote:Thanks for the suggestions Evan.

PT7 wrote:Mark,

Been thinking about some of the SD training that my son-in-law took me through when I first started shooting. He owns a security guard business, trains his guards and helps them to qualify the KCMO LEO tests, and also does a lot of the guard duty himself. So he taught me things he knows well, and I learned to shoot at point-blank or point-shooting distance.

Two of the responses you've gotten (Fortyshooter and ESquared) suggested you shorten your distance. 15 yards is really a plinking distance, and not as much an SD position. If for instance, you faced a home invasion incident, that person will be heading your way pretty fast if a mind to. So the distance between rapidly decreases.

Wikipedia has a clear definition of point-shooting:

Point shooting — also known as target- or threat-focused shooting, instinctive aiming, instinctive firing, and instinctive shooting — is a method of shooting a firearm quickly and accurately that does not rely on the use of the sights in close quarters.

When I was a newbie shooter, I was always focused on the revolver's sights. One S&W I had was the perfect tool to practice point-shooting. I had an S&W 637 Performance Center snubby revolver; 1.875" barrel; 5-rnd; .38 SPL + P caliber. Two photos -- original wood grips, and replacement Hogue Tamer I added:

S_W PC 637 .38 Special + P.jpg

S_W 637 .38 Special plus P, Performance Center_solo.jpg

With a less than 2" barrel length, it was very challenging with that sight radius to shoot at farther distances; but would be good for close up shooting. My son-in-law set up a silhouette for me at about 4 feet, and the target looked huge from where I stood! I had a right side OWB holster, carried with a slight forward cant. First, I had to quick draw the revolver, and protect it from being grabbed at. Held it as close to my left pocket area as possible with shooting hand. Yeah, no sights to look through. I learned that the first shot is the "guide-on" round. Seeing that #1 POI, you concentrate on moving the handgun to put the next POI more on target, if needed. If you practiced, practiced, practiced, and your first POI was on target, the follow up shots would be easy.

There were a lot of new things to learn with this type of SD shooting/practice. Also had to ramp up on rapid-fire handling of the snubby without loosing the needed POI. It was challenging, and I felt some pressure doing it as if I were going through a qual exam myself! I practiced with a snubby revolver; I'd think shooting with a semi-auto would be similar to some extent; never tried it with my XD9.

Whatever it's worth, another option to consider in SD training.
PT7

markiver54 wrote:Thanks for the suggestions Evan.