Problem Zeroing my PC9

[Jake-Gallows]

I have a PC9 carbine with ghost ring rear sights..I have two of these, and never got around to shooting this one yet...
Today I took it out to shoot it and it was shooting about 3 inches low and about 4 inches to the left...so I adjusted the elevation with zero issues. When working on the windage, I pushed the ghost ring as far to the left as it would go, and I am still shooting about 1 to 1 1/2" to the right....I know, its a 9mm carbine, but my life may depend on this one day, so I would like for it to shoot where I point it...not 2 to 3" off when I go to 50 yards.
So...my options are putting a red dot optic on it (would rather not if I do not have to), trying another ghost ring sight (do not think this will fix anything), or just ordering the rear sight blade assembly from midway for about 20.00. I would rather keep the peep sights as they are nice and fast, and I'm not sure if the blad sight would be able to be adjusted any farther or not....
Anyone have any advice, or know how to remedy this?
Thanks in advance guys!

 

[blume357]

First question I have is what distance are you shooting to sight in?

Usually when you have a problem like that it has to do with the barrel and the front sight being too far off the other way.

If I can hit within 2-3" at 50 yards with one of these, I'm happy.

 

[Jake-Gallows]

I am zeroing it at around 25 yards..and it is hitting about 1 to 1/2 inches to the right..but elevation is spot on

 

[Phila PD]

The PC-9 should be able to group dead center at 50yds without problem, most shooters do not know how to properly aligned the rear ghost ring sight with the front blade and in combination with a stiff trigger tend to shoot off to the left.

Not saying this is the cause of Jake-Gallows groups impacting left but I have seen several other PC-9 owners have the same problem.

Only three weeks ago my friend had this same issue with his just acquired PC-9 so I placed this PC-9 into a mechanical rest with remote trigger, Reset the sights to dead center and fired a group to see only that a very minor adjustment was needed to have perfect 50yd zero.

Handed that same PC-9 back to its owner to fire another group and found that he was pulling the groups way left again. Placed the PC-9 back into the mechanical rest and the groups were perfectly centered. I would suggest Jake-Gallows use a strap in gun rest to see if the group zero problem is a gun or shooter problem.

 

[blume357]

Personally, I can't shoot that good with a 9mm carbine at 50 yards.... if I could keep the shots with in 3" groups while shooting from a rest, that would be good enough for me.

 

[Jake-Gallows]

The PC-9 should be able to group dead center at 50yds without problem, most shooters do not know how to properly aligned the rear ghost ring sight with the front blade and in combination with a stiff trigger tend to shoot off to the left.

Not saying this is the cause of Jake-Gallows groups impacting left but I have seen several other PC-9 owners have the same problem.

Only three weeks ago my friend had this same issue with his just acquired PC-9 so I placed this PC-9 into a mechanical rest with remote trigger, Reset the sights to dead center and fired a group to see only that a very minor adjustment was needed to have perfect 50yd zero.

Handed that same PC-9 back to its owner to fire another group and found that he was pulling the groups way left again. Placed the PC-9 back into the mechanical rest and the groups were perfectly centered. I would suggest Jake-Gallows use a strap in gun rest to see if the group zero problem is a gun or shooter problem.

Carried an M16 A2 and an M4 carbine for years in the Army as an infantry soldier, never qualified less than expert....certified to carry patrol carbine at work (M4 or my other personally owned PC9) and am a state certified carbine instructor, and an NRA Law Enforcement Tactical Carbine instructor....I have many many thousands of rounds down range with rifles with peep sights/ghost ring sights. I know how to properly get a good zero on these weapons....it is not shooter error.
I did shoot the gun from a solid rest with no human contact...still groups to the right. from the rest and with me shooting from a supported shoulder fired position I still get the exact same nice, tiny, tight groups that are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches to the right. My other PC9 with ghost ring sights shoots point of aim/point of impact at the same, and longer distances
Thanks for the advice, but Im 99.99999% sure this is a mechanical issue.

 

[ac12]

Front sight not vertical or barrel "slightly" bent.

How is the trigger on your PC9? My PC4 has a HEAVY trigger, and I know the trigger weight hurts my accuracy, and my finger.

 

[Phila PD]

The PC-9 should be able to group dead center at 50yds without problem, most shooters do not know how to properly aligned the rear ghost ring sight with the front blade and in combination with a stiff trigger tend to shoot off to the left.

Not saying this is the cause of Jake-Gallows groups impacting left but I have seen several other PC-9 owners have the same problem.

Only three weeks ago my friend had this same issue with his just acquired PC-9 so I placed this PC-9 into a mechanical rest with remote trigger, Reset the sights to dead center and fired a group to see only that a very minor adjustment was needed to have perfect 50yd zero.

Handed that same PC-9 back to its owner to fire another group and found that he was pulling the groups way left again. Placed the PC-9 back into the mechanical rest and the groups were perfectly centered. I would suggest Jake-Gallows use a strap in gun rest to see if the group zero problem is a gun or shooter problem.

Carried an M16 A2 and an M4 carbine for years in the Army as an infantry soldier, never qualified less than expert....certified to carry patrol carbine at work (M4 or my other personally owned PC9) and am a state certified carbine instructor, and an NRA Law Enforcement Tactical Carbine instructor....I have many many thousands of rounds down range with rifles with peep sights/ghost ring sights. I know how to properly get a good zero on these weapons....it is not shooter error.
I did shoot the gun from a solid rest with no human contact...still groups to the right. from the rest and with me shooting from a supported shoulder fired position I still get the exact same nice, tiny, tight groups that are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches to the right. My other PC9 with ghost ring sights shoots point of aim/point of impact at the same, and longer distances
Thanks for the advice, but Im 99.99999% sure this is a mechanical issue.

I would have to ship that carbine back to Ruger to see were the problem is but be warned they will charge you for the repairs and parts are running very scarce these days. I placed a parts order last year for my PC-9's to have replacements for some high wear items and was told by Ruger I received the last of a few different parts. Its a shame the PC-9 and PC-40 are some solid little shooters but once the few remaining parts dry up these guns will start fading away.

 

[scuffler]

The PC-9 should be able to group dead center at 50yds without problem, most shooters do not know how to properly aligned the rear ghost ring sight with the front blade and in combination with a stiff trigger tend to shoot off to the left.

Not saying this is the cause of Jake-Gallows groups impacting left but I have seen several other PC-9 owners have the same problem.

Only three weeks ago my friend had this same issue with his just acquired PC-9 so I placed this PC-9 into a mechanical rest with remote trigger, Reset the sights to dead center and fired a group to see only that a very minor adjustment was needed to have perfect 50yd zero.

Handed that same PC-9 back to its owner to fire another group and found that he was pulling the groups way left again. Placed the PC-9 back into the mechanical rest and the groups were perfectly centered. I would suggest Jake-Gallows use a strap in gun rest to see if the group zero problem is a gun or shooter problem.

Carried an M16 A2 and an M4 carbine for years in the Army as an infantry soldier, never qualified less than expert....certified to carry patrol carbine at work (M4 or my other personally owned PC9) and am a state certified carbine instructor, and an NRA Law Enforcement Tactical Carbine instructor....I have many many thousands of rounds down range with rifles with peep sights/ghost ring sights. I know how to properly get a good zero on these weapons....it is not shooter error.
I did shoot the gun from a solid rest with no human contact...still groups to the right. from the rest and with me shooting from a supported shoulder fired position I still get the exact same nice, tiny, tight groups that are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches to the right. My other PC9 with ghost ring sights shoots point of aim/point of impact at the same, and longer distances
Thanks for the advice, but Im 99.99999% sure this is a mechanical issue.

I would have to ship that carbine back to Ruger to see were the problem is but be warned they will charge you for the repairs and parts are running very scarce these days. I placed a parts order last year for my PC-9's to have replacements for some high wear items and was told by Ruger I received the last of a few different parts. Its a shame the PC-9 and PC-40 are some solid little shooters but once the few remaining parts dry up these guns will start fading away.

What are the high wear parts? Does anyone know the expected longevity of these guns?

 

[blume357]

personally I doubt that you can wear one out with normal use.... and the bottom line is just about anything can be fixed, just because Ruger does not still have the factory part doesn't mean you can't have it made.

 

[wixedmords]

It looks like you will need to look into what part of the PC9 is causing the accuracy issues Jake as most claim their PC's to be decently accurate. If you are looking for that one "problem" area that others have run into I don't think there is one.

I'd first look to see if there is anything obvious, which you have likely done. Look for scratches or bumps that could be tell-tale signs of abuse. I'd look down that barrel and take a good look at the crown also. Does the barrel look like it has been taken off?

What I am getting to is that there is usually something right there under ones nose in these type of situations, it is just a matter of finding it. Sometimes it helps to actually have another "set of eyes" looking at the situation.

A definite unfortunate part of home gunsmithing is that we sometimes have to buy parts to troubleshoot. Can you swap sights between your PC's?

If you take that rear sight off and make sure it is free moving, I'd go back to that front sight and barrel.

I wish you continued luck in trying to diagnose the issue.