Need some help sighting in a .22 Bersa Firestorm

[Country Boy]

I shot the gun for the first time yesterday at 25 yds. Couldn't even hit a 12x12 target, moved to 7 yds and hit low( looks like a shotgun pattern) I can move the rear sight for windage but there is no way to adjust the height, needs to come up about 6" at 7 yds. What can I do ? I guess I could file the front sight down a little but then it will rurin the satin nickol finish. Any suggestions ? I would like to hit the bull at 25 yds.

[Castaway]

Don't do any filing yet.  Next time you go to the range, place the pistol on sandbags and see what kind of shooting happens.  There's a tendency for handgun shooters to anticipate recoil and dip the muzzle downwards as they pull the trigger.  Granted, a 22 isn't what one would call heavy recoil, but the noise sometimes might cause a flinch.  Have another shooter try it also.  If after you sandbag the pistol and it still hits 6" low at 7 yards, you've got a major problem that Bersa should take care of, not you.

[mikedb]

If you have the gun I am thinking of you are expecting a lot from a smallish gun.  25 yds is more than this gun was meant for unless you are a real pistolaro.  More appropriate would be 7 yds.  Try different ammo and see where they hit.  From my experience there is a big difference in accuracy and point of impact amoung ammo types.  Also, high velocity stuff tend to be les accurate.

[Jerry Lester]

If you have the gun I am thinking of you are expecting a lot from a smallish gun.  25 yds is more than this gun was meant for unless you are a real pistolaro.  More appropriate would be 7 yds.  Try different ammo and see where they hit.  From my experience there is a big difference in accuracy and point of impact amoung ammo types.  Also, high velocity stuff tend to be les accurate.

This is exactly right.

Most of the Bersa's I've owned, and others I've seen fired have been regulated(the sights) to hit to POA at 20 feet or so depending on the load. This has been with not only the 22's, but also with their larger calibers. These pistols are designed as defensive handguns, and as such, they're not made for 25 yard shooting, although with the right hold, they're actually pretty accurate at the longer ranges.

With the little 22 Bersa's, try regular old 40g standard velocity ammo. That should get your shots hitting higher, and hopefully will solve your problem.

[coyotejoe]

That Bersa is not a tiny gun, pretty good size for a .22 and I would expect some sort of group from benchrest at 25 yards, 3-5" at the worst. If it shot center at 20 feet it should actually be high at 25 yards since the line of bore would be angled upward to meet the line of sight. I'd contact Bersa about that one, that's just not right.

[Country Boy]

Thanks guys those are very good suggestions and I will try them, then if it doesn't get better I will contact Bersa. I bought this pistol to shoot snakes when I'm fishing. But, with that kind of accuracy I would be better off with a long stick.  My neighbot bought the same gun yesterday in .380 and it is right on the mark at 25 yds. No, I'm not a great pistol shot but sometimes I get lucky and hit a snake or collect a few squirrels.

[dcewolf]

Don't do any filing yet.  Next time you go to the range, place the pistol on sandbags and see what kind of shooting happens.  There's a tendency for handgun shooters to anticipate recoil and dip the muzzle downwards as they pull the trigger.  Granted, a 22 isn't what one would call heavy recoil, but the noise sometimes might cause a flinch.  Have another shooter try it also.  If after you sandbag the pistol and it still hits 6" low at 7 yards, you've got a major problem that Bersa should take care of, not you.

I agree with Castaway....bag it first...maybe get someone else to shoot it....  I would definitely start around 7 yards and then open up the distance 5 yards at a time.  I have Bersas in .380 and .22.  They are more accurate than I am.  My wife has taken over the .22 and the last time at the range -- only her 4th time shooting anything --  all her shots were within 2" of bullseye at 15 yds.  All her shots were at proper elevation but off to the left...she uses too much trigger finger (she's a leftie).  So at least the one I have seems to be on the money, and has been since it came out of the box.  The .380 we only needed to drift the rear sight to the right a hair.

[Country Boy]

Thank you for the tips and encouragement. That was the first time I shot it. I'm sure with a little more pratice, I might do better before I send it to the factory. I don't expect it to be a target gun, just a fun plinker.  I read a lot of very good things about the firestorm before I bought it. It sure is a handy little thing.