Id say the POA was adjusted to the previous owners eyes, and your eyes are way off verses his. Also he maybe right eye dominant and you left or vice versa, JMHO
Adjustable sights on used guns
So I just got a very nice shooting little diamondback 2.5" in what I am sure is non original finish (looks to be chrome) and after taking it out I had to make major sight adjustments to get to center of target at 20 yards. Varience did not change very much with ammo change at this distance. This thing was 4" low and 3" left at that distance. I do not shoot other peoples firearms very often, and when I do it is generally a fixed sight/combat type (seems to be the rage these days) and with my own fixed sight pistols I hit very close to poa.
Here is my question, can technique and shooting habits change between two people so much that this possibly shot poa for him/her, or do you think it is possible he/she just never bothered to adjust them? The sights were not frozen at their current setting but it is obvious this wasn't a recent adjustment attributed to cleaning or maintenance. Just curious what other peoples experiences have been with receiving used firearms w/adjustable sights and whether you had to make major adjustments to hit poa.
Here is my question, can technique and shooting habits change between two people so much that this possibly shot poa for him/her, or do you think it is possible he/she just never bothered to adjust them? The sights were not frozen at their current setting but it is obvious this wasn't a recent adjustment attributed to cleaning or maintenance. Just curious what other peoples experiences have been with receiving used firearms w/adjustable sights and whether you had to make major adjustments to hit poa.
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Was he left-handed, right-handed? Did he shoot two handed? Right-eye, left-eye dominant? These are things to consider. I myself run into this problem everytime I shoot someone elses gun. I shoot only left hand, one handed, no matter the type or caliber of handgun. Makes for some interesting first couple of shots. I just adapt by adjusting my aim to where I would like the bullet to hit.
I notice my rear adjustable sight blades are all visably cranked over to the right.
I've been called a liar for this, but when I had cataract surgery several years ago, I had to re-sight in all of my revovlers.
And a friend of mine had his sights so adjusted that I could not shoot his guns with any degree of accuracy.
And, you will find a drastic change of ammunition will change your point of impact.
Bob Wright
And a friend of mine had his sights so adjusted that I could not shoot his guns with any degree of accuracy.
And, you will find a drastic change of ammunition will change your point of impact.
Bob Wright
Every time I wind up with something used, with adjustable sights - I re-center the rear sight blade, and usually drop the elevation, before I shoot it.
That way, it shoots well for 'me' - and not for the guy I'd gotten it from - who may grip the piece differently, or use different ammunition.
Doing that just seemed to be the right thing to do - figuring that that was how the piece was initially shipped.
That way, it shoots well for 'me' - and not for the guy I'd gotten it from - who may grip the piece differently, or use different ammunition.
Doing that just seemed to be the right thing to do - figuring that that was how the piece was initially shipped.
Thanks all. It seems most everything ships with fixed sights anymore so I wonder how some people get around that.
Everything? All Ruger Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks, most Ruger Bisleys, Colt New Frontiers and Gold Cups, L- and N- Framed Smith & Wessons, all come with fully adjustable sights.Thanks all. It seems most everything ships with fixed sights anymore so I wonder how some people get around that.
Bob Wright
Yes MOST everything does. Small examples of low number selling guns does not constitute most. I.e. MOST glocks, 1911's, and auto loaders in general have fixed sights. These far outsell revolvers and gold cup type pistolsEverything? All Ruger Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks, most Ruger Bisleys, Colt New Frontiers and Gold Cups, L- and N- Framed Smith & Wessons, all come with fully adjustable sights.Bob Wright
As far as "fixed sights" are concerned, these are adjustable, just not quite so easily. Your gunsmith can build up a too-short front sight, and the shooter can file down a too tall front sight.
Most auto loaders have a rear sight that is dovetailed into the slide, and this can be drifted left or right as required. And the rear sight blade can be filled down also. Even the channel groove in revolvers can be opened up on one side or the other to shift impact.
As to destroying the value by such changes, I've never taken a loss on any gun so modified then traded.
The very last thing a shooter wants is to guess where to aim so as to put his bullet where he wants it.
Bob Wright
Most auto loaders have a rear sight that is dovetailed into the slide, and this can be drifted left or right as required. And the rear sight blade can be filled down also. Even the channel groove in revolvers can be opened up on one side or the other to shift impact.
As to destroying the value by such changes, I've never taken a loss on any gun so modified then traded.
The very last thing a shooter wants is to guess where to aim so as to put his bullet where he wants it.
Bob Wright
I think that everyone knows that most sighting systems can be altered , or a gunsmith can adjust, or you can even take a punch and hammer if you want to. This has veered off course from my original question.
I think smokehaus and texasleaguer hit the nail on the head. Adjustable-sight settings can vary greatly from person to person due to the reasons mentioned above. Also, some people use a 6 o'clock hold (front sight sits under the bullseye) where as others put the front sight right on the bullseye. I believe that firmness of grip plays a factor as well.
CC3
CC3
I think you guys have answered my original question. Like I said I do not as a rule shoot other peoples guns so I was honestly curious. Thank you all for your inputI think smokehaus and texasleaguer hit the nail on the head. Adjustable-sight settings can vary greatly from person to person due to the reasons mentioned above. Also, some people use a 6 o'clock hold (front sight sits under the bullseye) where as others put the front sight right on the bullseye. I believe that firmness of grip plays a factor as well.
CC3
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