Sighting in new sights advice needed.

[texanron]

I recently had some new sights added to my handgun and everything seems to be right on line. I would however like to stabalize the pistol to verify that the sights are indeed right on target and its not just me manipulating the sight picture one way or the other. I would like to be able to do it by using the bench at the range and resting and my elbows or forearms on something. I'm thinking about grabbing some sandbags from the rifle range area or just taking a large towel to use for comfort. I'll be sighting it in at the 7 yard distance. If you have any advice or proven methods you're willing to share I would appreciate it.

[gwtrikenut]

I have done this same thing in the past. Be sure to not only stabilize the pistol, but your forearm and elbow. Make as much of your body stabile as possible. Be sure to pay attention to squeeze the trigger. Only fire one round at a time, and see where each round hits before your next shot.

[Excaliber]

I recently had some new sights added to my handgun and everything seems to be right on line. I would however like to stabalize the pistol to verify that the sights are indeed right on target and its not just me manipulating the sight picture one way or the other. I would like to be able to do it by using the bench at the range and resting and my elbows or forearms on something. I'm thinking about grabbing some sandbags from the rifle range area or just taking a large towel to use for comfort. I'll be sighting it in at the 7 yard distance. If you have any advice or proven methods you're willing to share I would appreciate it.

A bench and sandbags help to greatly reduce a lot of potential variables. They're the way to go if you don't have a pricey Ransom Rest.

[WildBill]

I recently had some new sights added to my handgun and everything seems to be right on line. I would however like to stabalize the pistol to verify that the sights are indeed right on target and its not just me manipulating the sight picture one way or the other. I would like to be able to do it by using the bench at the range and resting and my elbows or forearms on something. I'm thinking about grabbing some sandbags from the rifle range area or just taking a large towel to use for comfort. I'll be sighting it in at the 7 yard distance. If you have any advice or proven methods you're willing to share I would appreciate it.

A bench and sandbags help to greatly reduce a lot of potential variables. They're the way to go if you don't have a pricey Ransom Rest.

You don't really need anything fancy.

[gringop]

Get your body as comfortable as possible. If the bench is low enough, use a chair. Set the sandbag height so that you can keep your head upright, not looking out the top of the glasses.

Shoot with the hands in a normal grip and rest your hands on the bags, not the grip, trigger guard or barrel. You just want your hands to not move, you don't want the gun resting on anything.

Take your time firing the shots, if your eyes get tired, look away and rest your eyes for a while. Shoot at least 5 shots for a group, firing one shot and then declaring your sights need to go left is a bad idea.

Make sure each shot is a surprise trigger break. If you knowingly flinch and shoot a flier, disregard that shot and keep going.

From 7 yards, I would shoot at nothing larger than a 3" dot, a 2 inch dot would be better. Once you confirm that the sights are on at 7 yards, move out to 10 and then 15 yards with 3" dots. Slight misalignment that is hidden at 7 yards will show up at 15.

Shoot at black dot targets, the red diamond, yellow triangle, gray box, etc. targets don't give you the same good high contrast sight picture that black dots do.

Gringop

[WildBill]

It appears that Gringop knows what he is talking about.

[texanron]

Thanks for the advice y'all! I'll give it a try next week and see what happens.

[Vecco]

If you or someone you know has a laser bore sight ($35) you can use that. Put the laser in the bore... step back 7 yards and see is the sights line up with the laser dot. Good tool to have for sighting in rifles and checking handgun, again 29-35 dollars.

[rl168]

Gringop,

Thanks for the write up. I have a pistol that the rear sight has came loose and I need to sight it in. This information is perfect timing!