Last week I finally got to get my xdm 9 compact to the range for a good test run. It shot great except that[STRIKE] it[/STRIKE] I shoot about 3" lower than where I aim. This is my first pistol but I can't imagine that I'm aiming wrong. I just put the front white dot on the target. Any help would be awesome.
Empty the gun. Put a laser bore sight tool in the barrel and turn it on. Grip the pistol and run the trigger. It will probably show you that you are pulling the nose down at the end of the trigger take up stroke. This is a simple change of grip and trigger discipline. I did this with my Son, Daughter, Wife and son in law. It is the best way to see what you are doing. If you have the pistol you mention, it is you and not the gun. Try this. It does work and you can do it at home.
I'm thinking it could be bullet drop. Gravity still has an effect on those bullets even with how fast they are moving. Not to worry though, most self defense situations occur at 3-5 yards anyway.
I definitely won't rule out that it could be my fundamentals. I did have my brother at the range with me and he also shot low with it, but he is a relatively new shooter as well. I think I will take the advice to get formal training for sure. Does anyone have a preference on where to go for basic pistol training?
Bullet weight changes where the round will impact on all pistols. 115's will impact lower than 147's because of velocity and muzzle flip.
If it is important to you, experiment with various bullet weights so POA equals POI.
(gravity has nothing to do with it at 10Yards)
Jackson I am in northern Madison county.
Sloughfoot I was using 115 grain jacketed rounds. I read my manual cover to cover and it did not say anything about being set up for any particular bullet weight. The only thing it said was that the gun comes sighted for 25 yds. My thinking is that I should be shooting high at 10 yds if it is set up for 25 yds. Is my logic wrong on this?