What Causes a Horizontal Shot Group?
A horizontally elongated group shows greater side-to-side variation than vertical variation. That can make grip consistency, trigger interaction, alignment and natural point of aim worth investigating, but horizontal shape alone does not prove any one cause. Confirm that the pattern repeats and compare it with what you felt and saw during the shots.
Where to look
- Natural point of aim: is your position pointing where you are trying to hold?
- Grip: does pressure change between shots or during the press?
- Trigger: does the finger move the pistol sideways as pressure builds?
- Alignment: are left and right shots called as such?
Try the natural point of aim check
Settle into position, close your eyes for a few seconds, then look. Where the sights have drifted to is your natural alignment. If it is consistently to one side, adjust your position rather than muscling the pistol back.
Glossary
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