Why can't I shoot my Glock 17 well?

Teapot

Teapot

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The sights on the G17 cover the target or should I say obscure it. With my Tokarev I get really good groupings. When switching to the Glock I sometimes can't even see where the rounds are going. I suppose I'll need to get closer as in five feet!
Others shoot my Glock well, even those new to the pistol. Say one I just could not get used to the, IMO, ####ty sights. I like to actually see the bloody target when I shoot and not just black plastic and a white dot.
Are there any thinner sights out there for the Glock or is my approach to using the sights incorrect? There is little space between the front and rear sights therefore no way for me to determine whether my front sight is centered.
I've had the pistol for six or seven years and stopped shooting it a long time ago. I do take it out occasionally to let friends or relatives shoot it but that's it.
 
Just curious, have you tried blackening the white dot? I personally hate the white dots, if it does nothing for you wipe it off. Good luck
 
I recently struggled with my glock. Only thing that helped me was really concentrating on the trigger pull.

For each and every shot I make a concious effort to make sure I feel that safe action blade on the very middle of the pad of my finger and that I am pulling straight back. If I make sure I'm there for the first shot or three I can put a magazine on target no problem.

As for the sights. I don't even look at my target. I just focus on the sights aligning properly.

Solved it for me.

The Glock definately is a different beast than other pistols. Especially if switching between them.
 
Teapot said:
The sights on the G17 cover the target or should I say obscure it. With my Tokarev I get really good groupings. When switching to the Glock I sometimes can't even see where the rounds are going. I suppose I'll need to get closer as in five feet!
Others shoot my Glock well, even those new to the pistol. Say one I just could not get used to the, IMO, s**tty sights. I like to actually see the bloody target when I shoot and not just black plastic and a white dot.
Are there any thinner sights out there for the Glock or is my approach to using the sights incorrect? There is little space between the front and rear sights therefore no way for me to determine whether my front sight is centered.
I've had the pistol for six or seven years and stopped shooting it a long time ago. I do take it out occasionally to let friends or relatives shoot it but that's it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm I can still see white around mine. That being said, are you sure it's the sights? It took me a while and a bit of practice for me to be able to shoot my Glock well, as the trigger took me a bit to get used to. Now I shoot it as good or better than any handgun I have fired. That being said there are a multitude of sight options out there, you should be able to find a set that suit you.
 
How is your grip on the gun? Are you encompassing as much of it as possible with your weak hand, thumbs pointing forward and as high up as you can get em? Support the gun with your weak hand and allow your strong hand to only control the trigger.
 
My shots are all to the left of target at about six to nine. Perhaps it is the trigger but I really cannot do shoot well at all with those thick sights. I'll try greater trigger control.
It is odd that I can shoot the Glock-26 without any problems whatsoever. Groupings are small and I am right on target.
 
I would focus on trigger pull as well. I found that if I only released the trigger until it resets(you will feel it) and continue shooting all shots from that position you should get a better group. Also focus on the front sight once it is properly aligned to the target. You will find that the Glock naturally aims at a much different place than a Tok. Practice bringing the pistol into your line of sight with your eyes closed then open your eyes to see where your pistol is aiming. Adjust your position until the pistol aligns to the centre of the target everytime you do this. The position your body is in should be the position your shoot the pistol and after a while it will feel natural and right and you will have an easier time concentrating on trigger pull and the front sight.
 
Teapot said:
My shots are all to the left of target at about six to nine. Perhaps it is the trigger but I really cannot do shoot well at all with those thick sights. I'll try greater trigger control.
It is odd that I can shoot the Glock-26 without any problems whatsoever. Groupings are small and I am right on target.
Click to expand...

There are 3 possibilities to produce shot pattern you indicate:
1. Too little trigger finger
2. Tightening fingers
3. Jerking or slapping the trigger.
How is the grip size compared to Glock 26?
 
Are you using any diagnostics to see if you are consistently doing something in your groups. Eg always high and right??? I know a few instructors that would start the answer with "Your front site wasn't in the right place..." ;)
 
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It took a while for me to shoot the 17 accurate also... until I got a laser :D

..this chart, from GlockParts, helped a bit
317779.jpg
 
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it's funny,
my G17 is actually the only semi that i shoot well :)

now that i think of it i shoot my tokarev quite alright..
but the glock is quite nice.
i think its the 'squishy' trigger, and the forward canted angle of the thing..
right now I have some tritium sights on it, so, similar to white dots, especially in the day.

i have a 2.5lb connector on it..
i must say i shoot the heavier triggers not quite as well.. i've shot some 17s with 3.5's and heavier,
i don't much like them.

whats your trigger pull out of curiosity?
 
If the sights are aligned properly it really does not matter how large they are, you will group. If you hold them in the same place the group will be small. If you are looking at the target you are not using your sights correctly. Your point of focus should be the front sight. Having said all this, if you want your point of impact to be above the front sight, use a lower front sight. This should raise your point of impact and you will once again see where you are hitting. However re read the above if you want to group small.
 
Ok, I have to be the first one to say this because nobody else has yet...

Your pistol is obviously defective and you should get rid of it ASAP. Please send it to me and I will gladly send you a "Thank you" card.

:D
 
novan3 said:
It took a while for me to shoot the 17 accurate also... until I got a laser :D

..this chart, from GlockParts, helped a bit
317779.jpg
Click to expand...

There should be something in here about stance too. Equal stance, equal shoulders, etc modified slightly for proper grip. eg 1-2 inches forward for one foot. Examine the foundation to see why your house is leaning...
 
I have a glock 21 (45ACP) that i coulndt shoot very well out of the box. I bought some trijicon sights and they helped enormously. I also purchased a variety of other products that have made the gun just a dream to shoot. IF anyone is interested in my project let me know and I can provide a review with links to prodict sites. Just PM me incase I dont check this in the near future.
 
If others shoot your Glock well, it means not the sight problem. Learn to deal with the damm trigger or replace a 3.5 lb connector and do a 2 cents trigger job. Details can found at the Glock talk. Mine trigger pull is almost seven pounds.

Trigun
 
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