There’s nothing more frustrating than getting a new gun to the range and realizing your shots are drifting high and left—even when your grip and stance are solid. While some of it can be the shooter, certain guns just seem to have this issue baked in. Whether it’s poor sight alignment, a stiff trigger, or odd ergonomics, here are 10 models that often hit high and left right out of the case.
Glock 17 Gen 5
Plenty of folks love the Glock 17, but it’s not rare to see new owners printing groups high and left. The heavy trigger pull and aggressive grip angle throw some people off.
You can train through it, but it still shows up a lot, especially with right-handed shooters. It’s not broken—just takes some dialing in.
Springfield XD-S
The XD-S has a snappy recoil and a trigger that breaks a little further back than most expect. That combo tends to send rounds up and to the left.
It’s especially noticeable in the 9mm and .45 models. You’ll need to really focus on trigger press and maybe tweak your grip to keep it centered.
Ruger LCP II
This little .380 isn’t exactly a precision tool. The short sight radius and light frame make it easy to flinch, even if you’re trying not to.
A lot of folks report their first few magazines grouping high and left. It’s manageable, but definitely noticeable without a solid grip and a steady trigger pull.
S&W M&P Shield
The Shield’s narrow frame and firm trigger reset can send shots off course, especially for new users. High-left groups are a frequent complaint.
Some adjust with practice, while others opt for aftermarket sights or a trigger job. Either way, the trend shows up more often than you’d think.
CZ P-10 C
Out of the box, the CZ P-10 C shoots well—but many users find themselves correcting for shots just a little high and to the left.
It’s not a huge shift, but it’s consistent enough to catch attention. It may come down to the trigger wall and break point, which take getting used to.
SIG Sauer P365
Some P365s tend to shoot a hair high and left unless the shooter adapts. It’s partly due to the high bore axis and short frame.
People with smaller hands usually adjust faster, but for others, it takes conscious effort on trigger control. A sight adjustment isn’t out of the question either.
Beretta PX4 Storm Compact
Beretta’s rotating barrel design is cool, but the sights on the PX4 Compact can run a little off for some shooters. High-left hits show up, especially early on.
It’s usually more of a trigger control issue caused by the long pull, but even experienced folks mention the same drift before they get used to it.
Taurus G3C
Affordable and functional, but many users find themselves chasing groups high and to the left with the G3C. The stock sights can be slightly off-center from the factory.
It doesn’t take much to adjust, but it’s something to be aware of if your first range trip looks like you’re aiming at a different target altogether.
Walther PPS M2
Walther makes smooth shooters, but the PPS M2’s grip angle and break point on the trigger can push rounds upward and left on first outings.
It’s not a deal-breaker by any stretch, but it happens enough to be worth noting. A sight adjustment or just more trigger time usually clears it up.
Kahr CW9
The long, heavy trigger pull on the CW9 is a common culprit for groups flying high and left. It’s not a fast trigger, and rushing it makes things worse.
Get used to the slow, steady press, and you’ll tighten it up. But expect a bit of wandering until you do.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
