Sights have a purpose. Shots are not all at close range. I always begin shooting a new gun with the sights. After a while muscle memory kicks in and sights are no longer utilized to hit up close. My very first handgun had sights so bad I learned instinct shooting with it from the get go. Later I fixed the sights for long shots. The handgun I've shot the most is a 3" bbl. Chief's special. I started out with its sights and I could consistently hit out to 75 yds with that little gun. Up close and personal, no need for sights. Being able to use sights well, I was able to, most every time, shoot a tighter group, than they could, with all my friend's guns. Instinct, point, muscle memory shooting, takes time to develop. But once you have gained that skill you really never lose it. After having not been shooting for a long while you lose some, but not all of that muscle memory. Its just like riding a bicycle.
I read up on that P229 and it has 3 dot Combat Sights that are intended for the front dot to cover the intended target. I was aiming as if the dots didn't exist and instead that the sights were "Patridge" sights. That should explain my shooting low. It's most likely all me that I'm pulling the group to the left. I need to focus on my grip and trigger pull. Not used to DAO yet.