Before starting the class I made sure to have my stock barrel and stock recoil spring in my Glock 17. I did not want to give myself any advantages in order to learn how to better manipulate the gun with my stance, grip, and trigger control. The following two modifications were determined to be needed after the zeroing process, under the watchful eye of my shooting instructor, Kyle Defoor.
Replace front sight with a taller front site for POA/POI (point of aim/point of impact). The standard sights (.165) required a 6 O’ clock hold to hit center mass. By installing a taller front sight (.180) I was able to achieve POA/POI. Point of Aim Point of Impact in laymen’s terms means that you will hit where you aim with the front sight. This is important when you start shooting out at 25 yards (25 yards is where it’s at). Zeroing your pistol at 25 yards is pretty damn important when you’re dealing with accuracy. By zeroing at 25 yards you will be able to determine if you need to drift your rear sight to the left or right, or get a taller front sight (in my case). Being able to hit with consistent accuracy at 25 will condition you for making head shots at that distance. When dealing with a threat wearing body armor, as we’ve seen more and more with recent attacks, being able to confidently take a head shot at distance may be the only way to neutralize the threat.
Stippling high on the frame where the support hand thumb rests. This will allow you to index your thumb for the highest possible grip on the gun giving you greater control. With the Glock pistol the frame is wider than the slide allowing you to achieve a much higher grip. My instructor told me to try and push my thumb into the crack between the frame and slide when doing this. Now you would think this would interfere with the slide operating normally during shooting, but that is not the case. Not once did I have an issue after adjusting my grip.
Only through consistent training and practice will you determine these factors. Get some quality training and get to your local range to put your reps in. Shooting is a perishable skill.
