[Guest]

I know that one of the big things about the M9 is the novel sight picture. I can see that there is potential. While I've only had mine for 3 days now, 4 trips to the range has me thinking that I might not be able to train myself to these sights.

Granted I know I'm impaitent. Also, I'm not doing THAT bad (I can keep all shots in 8" at 21 feet but I can do a lot better with my G17). Doing some more reading here has given me insight that might help (wont know till try again on Thursday).

I am trying to prepare myself for the possiblity that I might have to go to a standard 3 dot sight.

1) Does anybody make them for the M9? If so could anybody tell me who.

2) what about 3 dot night sights?

Any information either on 3 dot or tips for aiming this novel pistol would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hihoslva]

3-dot night sights are available for the M & S pistols. I cannot remember who makes them, but some Googling oughtta bring back some info for you.

As far as aiming the tri/trap sights, here's the picture I attain:

Line up the tip of the triangle front sight with the tops of the rear sight. Very similar to any standard post/notch sighting.

Cover the target with the sight. For example, if you are trying to hit a bullseye at 21 feet, you should not be able to SEE the bullseye. Possibly just a portion of it, but the front sight should cover your target.

Squeeze trigger slowly, using proper technique, and be surprised when the gun fires.

If you can use a rest to steady the gun, you can spend some time figuring out the exact sight picture you need, then replicate it free-hand shooting.

I've been able to put 8 of 10 rounds in one ragged hole at 25 feet with my S9, and my consistency gets better every time I shoot it. The M9 should be as accurate if not moreso.

Keep practicing.

 

[Guest]

shoot it from a benchrest/sandbags to get your own idea of poa/poi.

I use tip for slow deliberate aiming (bullseyte shooting) and then i cover the target (effectively aiming high to counter dumping) for practical/defensive shooting (afer all in idpa down 0 is much bigger than a nra bullseye and i shoot it a lot faster).

for that kind of rapid fire idpa/ipsc/defensive type of shooting the advantage becomes much clearer as the eye gets sight picture master (no referencing vertical and then horizontal).

XS makes big dot and 24/7 sights to fit. There are also the factory option night sights (which some complain have too small of dots), as well as one other nightsight (can't remember trijicon or mepro). I don't know about Hi-Viz.

 

[madecov]

USA Steyr is still showing them in stock
They have the same profile as the trap sights, but have 3 dot so you maintain the profile of the weapon.

In any event, I suggest more practice first. Once you get it figured out the sights are great. I tend to shoot just a bit high with the gun. If I go slower it's right on the money

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for the input...

Funny you all should mention the faster acquisition. If I'm not precision shooting and just shooting at an IDPA I can get 14 out of 14 in the down 0 ring (at 21 feet).

It is when I try to get precise that I go astray.

Thanks for the encouragement to not give up yet. I really don't have any intention yet of giving up. I came across a thread that mentioned covering up the desired POI with the front sight. Ran right out to the range and tried it. Lifted my shots right up to about where they need to be. Now I have to work on pulling them to the left.

 

[Guest]

low left is common trigger finger placement problem for right handed shooters.

i dumped an entire mag on one piece of steel. they kept saying "low left".
when i had to reload and retake my grip i knocked the next 4 pieces down one shot each, and i could tell i was on the pad of my finger then (didn't pay attention previous mag).

they said i had beautiful groups as i was kicking up dirt in the EXACT same spot. Man i was trying to get that picture perfect like i was bulsseye shooting after the first few misses.

did you shoot it from the rest? are you using the pad of your finger or the first joint?

 

[Guest]

I'm not shooting from the rest. And I am using the pad of my finger. I think I'm still suffering from my Glock and might not be gripping the pistol correctly. I'll be checking on that this afternoon.

 

[uncle_walty]

Try dry firing to see if you are maintaining your sight alignment when the trigger breaks. Practice until you can maintain the proper sight alignment for the entire trigger travel. This really helps when you are getting used to a new trigger. Another test is to have your buddy load your gun for you and sometimes he leaves the chamber empty (don't peek at the LCI). You can really tell if you are jerking your trigger or anticipating the shot.

Don't worry too much if you're using your finger pad or the first joint on the trigger as long as you're consistent. Find a finger position and grip (check out IDPASteyr's tutorial) that you like that lets you maintain you sight alignment. The traditional method of using the center of finger pad does provide the best trigger feel and contorl for slow fire target shooting using nice target guns with light crisp triggers and sometimes adjustable triggers and grips to assure that trigger finger alignment. But with heavier DA triggers (my Steyr trigger is heavy at 7+lbs, even the spec weight of 5.5 lbs is relatively heavy) and during rapid fire such as IPSC/IDPA shooting with a draw, some people find the first joint gives them the most consistent trigger control.