Why do mini's seem to shoot low

[keith44]

A fairly common comment I see (here and other boards) is that the NAA Mini Revolvers shoot below point of aim.  I am experiencing this myself.  Is it just the grip and different angle between the eye and the sights or is there something else going on here??

[grayelky]

Just my guess: The grip angle will have some to do with it. I suspect the front sight is way too high. If you ignore the front sight, and look across the top of the frame/barrel, under about 7-8 yards, you will hit much closer to point of aim. I have noticed the ones with the bead sight (Black Jack, Wasp) shoot much closer to point of aim for me.

[louiethelump]

What he said.  They have no rear sight.  Normally a rear sight would move your aim point up.  You use the tip of the front sight on the top of the frame and you are pointing the gun at the ground.  

   

   this is why I like the 1860 frame. (Earl and Sheriff) It has a rear sight notch that is raised on the back of the frame so the gun shoots closer to where it should.

[keith44]

so it is the way I am sighting hmm...

   

   Thanks guys!!

[donk]

When holding a mini and squeezing the trigger where my finger wraps around the gun at nearly the big knuckle will cause the muzzle to rise alot. But if i place my finger tip on the trigger it stays steady. The others are right about the sights, this finger placement has been my observation.

[keith44]

I am thinking about trimming the front sight down a little, after some measuring and calculator work, then we'll see how it places the shots.

   

   Thanks Donk,  I already figured out I needed to use the pad on the tip of my trigger finger.  I was pushing shots off to the left when I would try to use the almost big knuckle part of my finger.  Besides that it pinched me

[blitzkrieger]

Reshaped my front sight and love the results.

   You can find what I did here:

   

    ./discus/messages/670/35329.html?1329615416

[keith44]

nicely done!!  That is the profile I was thinking of.  What was the final height of your front sight??

[blitzkrieger]

That at the moment I could not tell you as I am currently  (temporarily) one of those low life truck drivers and dont have anything with me that could give an accurate measurement.

[keith44]

LOL at least you have a good view of the world while at work.

[millsriver]

I believe any sights on a mini are for show. It is strictly a point-and-shoot proposition.

[keith44]

Ok you are correct Millsriver, pocket pistols, in general, are "belly guns" when deployed against two legged vermin.  Consider though that some of us live in very rural areas and demand that any handgun in our arsenal be capable of stopping 4 legged aggressors of all sizes and those without legs.  So sights on any gun must be usable.

[RogueTS1]

The sights can work very well once you figure out how to work them.

[blitzkrieger]

"nicely done!! That is the profile I was thinking of. What was the final height of your front sight??"  

   

   Actually the final height of the front sight matters none for aiming puropses, that lies at the base of the fiber optic piece I custom crafted. Carefully measured out and straight lined across the top of hammer blade (lr model only since hammer blade protrudes above top of frame while cocked) to the front sight to find line of aim. So, in the case of my modification, top of hammer blade to bottom of fiber optic piece = sighted in. That way, I can still see the orange on the front sight while carefully aiming to make that 100 yd kill with my 1 1/8 hand cannon. lol

[blitzkrieger]

Ok, final height of front sight is 5/64.  

   Fiber optic piece is at base 1/32 and at top is 1/16

[keith44]

Thank You!  The base of 1/32 is lower than I guessed but the 5/64 top is close to my 1/16 guess

[Bubba]

I just end up taping my targets a little lower on the target stand

[taseal]

mine shoot way high! must be just how you hold it.

[gtgoldsmith]

The pistol must become an extension of your hand and arm.  It should be done by instinct not forced.  Do not look down the sights this will usually move your point of aim (these are not long range weapons – no shooting someone off a horse at a 100 yards – unless, of course, you are James Bond).  Besides in a real world situation you will not have time to concentrate on a sight picture – if you are defending yourself with a mini it will be up close and personal.  Keep both eyes open, breath control (take a breath and let half of it out, hold the rest), bring the weapon into battery, squeeze the trigger (you will not know when it will fire – it just goes bang at the correct time).  Practice makes perfect – start at 10 to 15 feet - get good there and then move out slowly until you reach about 20 plus feet (most rooms are not 20 feet wide).  Again, these are not offensive weapons nor are they meant for competitive target shooting.  You will be surprised at how good you may become with practice - letting your instinct take over.  Note: A good aftermarket grip (like Chong's or NAA's Boot Grips) that enable you to have a better more comfortable hold on the Mini is a definite plus.

[gunr]

"Why do mini's seem to shoot low"

   Maybe it's because a lot of "short" people own them!

   

   Try standing on a box!

[keith44]

GET ON A STEP LADDER AND SAY THAT TO MY FACE