Struggling with accuracy with CM9

[sturg]

Hello everyone. This is probably my 5th trip to the range with my CM9. Really loving it, especially the reliability. But I am struggling with accuracy. Shooting at 8 inch targets from 21 feet, 60% of my shots are within 3 inches of center, but the others are sometimes WAY off, like at the bottom of the target or even off the target onto the cardboard.
Now I have only been shooting handguns for a year, but I just think I should be doing better. Especially when I read about others accuracy claims made on this forum, and watching Hickok45 bang the gong at 80 yards!!

It seems that trigger control is very important, and I feel like when I slowly squeeze the trigger I am more accurate, but I don't know. I am hoping others with more experience will offer some guidance here.

My other gun is a full size CZ and I am much more accurate with it. Thanks for any and all help/advice.

[Ed M]

Sounds like you're anticipating recoil.

This video may help.....

[yqtszhj]

Hello everyone. This is probably my 5th trip to the range with my CM9. Really loving it, especially the reliability. But I am struggling with accuracy. Shooting at 8 inch targets from 21 feet, 60% of my shots are within 3 inches of center, but the others are sometimes WAY off, like at the bottom of the target or even off the target onto the cardboard.
Now I have only been shooting handguns for a year, but I just think I should be doing better. Especially when I read about others accuracy claims made on this forum, and watching Hickok45 bang the gong at 80 yards!!

It seems that trigger control is very important, and I feel like when I slowly squeeze the trigger I am more accurate, but I don't know. I am hoping others with more experience will offer some guidance here.

My other gun is a full size CZ and I am much more accurate with it. Thanks for any and all help/advice.

I think Ed M nailed it.
Don't feel too bad. I'm the same way many times and I really have to focus with my CM9. I can shoot it well but it takes real focus and also really moving my trigger finger independability of the rest of my hand. The short sight radius is part of it too.

As for your other gun you have a good one. I got on the CZ band wagon little over a year ago and have aquired 6 of them now. We'll always shoot those much better I think. I recently bought a SP-01 and I have never shot any other pistol as well.

Stick with it and you'll get it down.

[CPTKILLER]

Practice and even more practice.

[gb6491]

I think Ed M nailed it.
Don't feel too bad. I'm the same way many times and I really have to focus with my CM9. I can shoot it well but it takes real focus and also really moving my trigger finger independability of the rest of my hand. The short sight radius is part of it too.

As for your other gun you have a good one. I got on the CZ band wagon little over a year ago and have aquired 6 of them now. We'll always shoot those much better I think. I recently bought a SP-01 and I have never shot any other pistol as well.

Stick with it and you'll get it down.

[pyrobooster]

You really hit the nail on the head in regards to trigger control. Its the long trigger pull that most people aren't expecting, but no reason anyone cant be just as capable with it than another. I think I read somewhere on here the NYPD stopped issuing one of the steel framed Kahrs to their officers as the trigger was "too light". Google it for the article if you are interested.

[bugs]

front sight, press, front sight, press, repeat as many times as possible! then dry fire at home, focus on FRONT SIGHT while learning to "stage" the trigger ( the point just before the trigger breaks) front sight should NOT DIP when trigger breaks. the smaller the gun the more work required for skills. believe me when I say these skills will come if you do it; if I can do it at 71 yrs. anyone can. part of my live practice is 18 rnds., 9 controled pairs (not double taps) fired freestyle, on a IDPA target @75ft ; thru practice, I consistantly hold the -1, sometimes -0 on the target. but you gotta practice. the CM9 will out shoot the average schmos like me every time. P.S. don't give up on the CM9!

NRA LIFER

IDPA BELEIVER

[Bawanna]

Find what works and stick with it. For me I've found that I do better with a smooth pull through rather than trying to stage the trigger.

Surprisingly enough I go from 1911 to PM45 back and forth during practice and do just fine with both even though the triggers are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

[sturg]

Thanks to all of you all for the information. I will keep working at it. As I said, I am very new to handguns. Learning more each day.

"Bugs" - will dry firing the gun destroy the trigger?? Should I purchase a snap cap first?
"yqtszhj" - I have a CZ SP-01 Tactical in 9mm. It was my very first handgun purchase and boy is it wonderful. It's heavy. It's easy to control. It has very little recoil. It is extremely reliable and accurate, too.

[Bawanna]

Dry firing will not harm the Kahr. Purchasing some snap caps and having someone else load your magazines is good practice to determine if you flinch.

Watching Ed's video a person could also have someone else chamber a round. Either for real or just not quite. Same effect. You don't know if it will go bang or not.

[yqtszhj]

"yqtszhj" - I have a CZ SP-01 Tactical in 9mm. It was my very first handgun purchase and boy is it wonderful. It's heavy. It's easy to control. It has very little recoil. It is extremely reliable and accurate, too.

Thats tactical is the last cz I picked up (I think). You messed up (in a good way) and started with one of the best in my opinion. I tell you, you going to be hard pressed to find one that shoots better, but like you said it's probably one of the heaviest too. But I think most all pistols are fun. You got yourself an addictive hobby now, or at least thats how it worked out for me. I shot a WHOLE LOT of 9mm last year.

[yqtszhj]

Well I'm working toward my aspirations of being like Greg when I grow up.

[lantern]

Everybody has nailed the trigger pull part. I'll add that your FINGER placement on the trigger makes a fairly large difference especially a long double action pull like the Kahr. I practice a smooth pull letting the break surprise me(but that's what works for me.).

I saw a good picture the other day somewhere and found it on the web that'll explain what I'm talking about.

[bugs]

IMHO dry firing will not damage the trigger or striker of a center fire pistol (not sure about a firing PIN though) ; a lot of people use snap caps, I do not, and haven't had any problems over the years. I'm too anal that I don't want anything that remotely looks like a round, no matter what color it is, around when I'm dry firing, but that's just me. also I do not drop the slide on a empty chamber, drawing the slide back just far enough to reset the trigger. as a bonus drill to further enhance your skills, as you're progressing with your freestyle dry fire, try some reps strong hand only then switch to some reps weak hand only; don't forget to try some while releasing trigger to reset point. sadistic SOB ain't I.

NRA LIFER

IDPA BELEIVER

[skiflydive]

This laser cartridge + your CM9 + CNN on the TV can make for some very interesting practice shooting. This target is lots of fun too.