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4 Posts
Hi All,
First post here so please be nice
. I bought a 226 MK25 new this past August, and have shot around 1500 rounds with it in an effort to improve. While I am consistent with the left/right aiming (~1.5" shot group width at 18 yards across 30+ rounds), I've noticed a pattern in my shooting style that I'm not able to improve upon: vertical precision. Specifically, the shots are always higher than I expect them to be, causing me to compensate by aiming low to hit a bullseye. After compensating by aiming low the accuracy improves and I can get +/- 2" to the bullseye @ 18 yards, but I don't like that I have to aim so low to compensate. In my mind, my vertical aiming should be consistent from 5->25 yards.
Here's the data from my most recent shooting trip this morning. the target is a 6" diameter target with a 1" bullseye:
Distance (Yards) | POA below target center to hit bullseye | POA deviation in MOA
......5...............|..........1.5".............|.......29 MOA
......7.5............|..........2.25"............|........29 MOA
......10.............|...........3"...............|.......29 MOA
......18.............|...........5"...............|.......27 MOA
As you can see in the 'table' above, the amount of compensation I need to do is very consistent in terms of MOA. I suspect the 2 MOA fewer drop @ 18 yards is due to bullet drop partially negating the need to aim lower to compensate.
I've tried all 3 of the common aiming techniques in the below image, with results consistent with what the above table shows:
I've also tried the same 3 sight pictures centering on the tritium dots vs. the top of the metal sights, with the same results.
At 10 yards, I use sight picture #1 to hit a bullseye (3" lower on a 6" diameter target).
So here's my question: I assume there's a problem with my technique and not with the pistol, but I'm not able to determine what is wrong. Give the above data, can someone help diagnose my shooting issues? has anyone had a factory fresh firearm with incorrectly installed sights?
thanks!
EDIT: here's a video link demonstrating the behavior with a clamp + a laser: Video Link
P.S. here's a photo of a earlier range trip after ~700 total rounds fired @ 18 yards. 40 rounds total in the photo. you can see the vertical grouping is significantly worse than the horizontal grouping. partially because I'm less consistent vertically, but also because I have to fire, see where the round landed, then adjust my sight picture:
First post here so please be nice
Here's the data from my most recent shooting trip this morning. the target is a 6" diameter target with a 1" bullseye:
Distance (Yards) | POA below target center to hit bullseye | POA deviation in MOA
......5...............|..........1.5".............|.......29 MOA
......7.5............|..........2.25"............|........29 MOA
......10.............|...........3"...............|.......29 MOA
......18.............|...........5"...............|.......27 MOA
As you can see in the 'table' above, the amount of compensation I need to do is very consistent in terms of MOA. I suspect the 2 MOA fewer drop @ 18 yards is due to bullet drop partially negating the need to aim lower to compensate.
I've tried all 3 of the common aiming techniques in the below image, with results consistent with what the above table shows:

I've also tried the same 3 sight pictures centering on the tritium dots vs. the top of the metal sights, with the same results.
At 10 yards, I use sight picture #1 to hit a bullseye (3" lower on a 6" diameter target).
So here's my question: I assume there's a problem with my technique and not with the pistol, but I'm not able to determine what is wrong. Give the above data, can someone help diagnose my shooting issues? has anyone had a factory fresh firearm with incorrectly installed sights?
thanks!
EDIT: here's a video link demonstrating the behavior with a clamp + a laser: Video Link
P.S. here's a photo of a earlier range trip after ~700 total rounds fired @ 18 yards. 40 rounds total in the photo. you can see the vertical grouping is significantly worse than the horizontal grouping. partially because I'm less consistent vertically, but also because I have to fire, see where the round landed, then adjust my sight picture:
