Shooting Low Left

Welcome to Fixing Low and To The Left Shots

Are you finding your shots are consistently landing low-left (or low-right as a left handed shooter), don’t worry—you’re not alone! This is one of the more common habits we see, even among seasoned shooters. The good news? It’s fixable with the right training, practice, and mindset. FYI: Great chance the issue is probably not your firearm.

In this section, we’ll walk you through effective drills that you can practice both on and off the range to correct this issue quickly and efficiently. To get the most out of your training, we’ll also highlight a few affordable devices that can make a huge difference. These tools aren’t just budget-friendly—they’ll enhance your progress and become essential parts of your shooting routine on a normal basis.

Let’s get started on turning those low-left misses into dead-center hits!

Laser Cartridge For Your Pistol(s) HERE on Amazon Be sure to get your correct caliber for the Pistol you are working with.

A Target for these Drills can be Printed for Free on our Site HERE

Problem #1: Recoil Anticipation
One of the most common reasons shooters miss low and to the left is recoil anticipation. This happens when you instinctively flinch to counter the gun’s recoil, causing your shots to dip. It’s a natural response—after all, you’re controlling a mini-explosion in your hands. The key to mastering this issue is understanding that recoil can’t be stopped; it can only be managed. Even seasoned shooters experience this from time to time, so don’t be too hard on yourself!

How to Fix Recoil Anticipation

Overcoming recoil anticipation takes focused practice with live fire, not just dry fire however dryfire drills can still help but combined with live fire. While dry fire helps build muscle memory, it doesn’t fully prepare you for the real thing. That’s where the Ball and Dummy Drill comes in—a simple yet powerful training tool.

Ball and Dummy Drill Steps

Get a Training Buddy: Ask a friend to load your magazine with a mix of live rounds and dummy rounds (snap caps) in random order. This ensures you won’t know when the gun will actually fire.
Set Up Your Phone: If you can set up your phone to video record yourself or have that training buddy do it for you that would be great for this drill!
Watch for the Flinch: When you hit a dummy round, the gun will click instead of firing. If you flinch, the gun will dip, giving you a clear visual of the movement causing your shots to go off target.
Focus on Improvement: Each time you catch yourself flinching, reset and focus on staying steady through the trigger pull.

This drill helps you break the habit by teaching you to manage your natural reactions. With consistent practice, you’ll develop smoother, more controlled shooting mechanics.

Problem #2: Not Using Your Trigger Finger Independently
Another common reason for shooting low and to the left is failing to move your trigger finger independently. Instead, you might be squeezing or curling your entire hand as you pull the trigger. This happens because our hands are designed with interconnected muscles, which makes isolating one finger tricky. While this is a challenging issue, it can be overcome with awareness and practice.

How to Fix Trigger Finger Independence

The good news is that this problem is highly fixable. Dry-fire practice is one of the best tools to help you improve. Here’s how:

Step 1: Diagnose the Problem

Dry Fire Test: Keep your focus on the front sight as you pull the trigger. Does the sight move off target? If it does, your whole hand may be involved instead of just your trigger finger.
Use a Laser Device: Equip your firearm with a simple laser cartridge. If the laser creates a dash instead of a dot as you pull the trigger, that’s a clear sign your hand isn’t staying steady.
Setup Your Phone: Video record you performing this dryfire a few times. Play it back and watch closely to see what the laser is doing on the target.

Step 2: Practice for Precision

Dry-Fire Until Steady: Practice pressing the trigger without causing the gun or sight to move. Repeat until your sight stays stable every time.
Laser Feedback: If you’re using a laser cartridge or SIRT pistol, aim for a clean dot with every trigger pull. Keep practicing until you eliminate the “dash.”
Grip Adjustments: Your grip plays a critical role. Avoid gripping the gun too tightly with your dominant hand, as this can make your trigger finger tense. Instead, apply more grip pressure with your support hand. This keeps your trigger finger loose and easier to isolate.

Bonus Tip: Practice With Your Own Gun

Using a laser cartridge in your personal firearm gives you the advantage of training with the same tool you’ll use in live fire. While SIRT pistols are great for feedback, practicing with your gun builds familiarity and consistency.

With consistent dry-fire practice and a mindful focus on grip control, you’ll train your trigger finger to move independently and see real improvements in your accuracy.

Keep practicing, and watch your shots stay on target!

Problem #3: Trigger Pull Direction
Shooting low and to the left can also happen when your trigger pull isn’t straight back. If you’re pressing the trigger at an angle—because there’s too much or too little of your finger on it—your shots can veer off course. The goal is simple: the trigger should move directly backward for a clean, accurate shot.

Don’t worry—this is a common challenge but can be overcome with practice, Lets fix it!

How to Fix Trigger Pull Direction

The best way to correct this issue is through focused dry-fire practice. (Noticing a trend? Dry fire is a shooter’s best friend!) Here’s how to improve your trigger pull direction:

Step 1: Find the Right Finger Placement

Start by placing the first pad of your index finger (the flat part just before the joint) on the trigger. This position works well for most people.
Remember: Finger placement might vary depending on your hand size and the type of firearm you’re using. Experiment until you find what feels comfortable and natural.

Step 2: Visualize the Perfect Pull

Imagine this: When you’re aiming at your target, picture the front sight attached to the trigger. As you pull the trigger, focus on “pulling” the front sight straight through the rear sight notch. This visualization keeps your focus on maintaining a straight, controlled trigger pull.

Step 3: Use a Laser and Video Record With Your Phone

Equip your firearm with a laser cartridge to get instant feedback. If the laser creates a clean, steady dot when you pull the trigger, you’re on the right track.
If the laser dashes or veers off target, adjust your finger placement and try again. Practicing with a laser cartridge in your own firearm allows you to build muscle memory with the gun you actually use. This is important to us!

Pro Tip: Consistency is Key

Fixing trigger direction is all about developing consistent habits. With regular dry-fire practice and a focus on straight, controlled trigger pulls, you’ll see dramatic improvements in your accuracy. This can be and should be practiced very often.

Keep training, stay focused, and make every shot count. Your target won’t know what hit it—literally!