diff --git a/src/combat.c b/src/combat.c
index d1b11491c..9bea62390 100644
--- a/src/combat.c
+++ b/src/combat.c
@@ -276,19 +276,6 @@ void combFire(WEAPON *psWeap, BASE_OBJECT *psAttacker, BASE_OBJECT *psTarget, in
 		return;
 	}
 
-	// if target was in range deal with weapon fire
-	if(baseHitChance > 0)
-	{
-		/* note when the weapon fired */
-		psWeap->lastFired = gameTime;
-
-		/* reduce ammo if salvo */
-		if (psStats->reloadTime)
-		{
-			psWeap->ammo--;
-		}
-	}
-
 	// apply experience accuracy modifiers to the base
 	//hit chance, not to the final hit chance
 	resultHitChance = baseHitChance;
@@ -331,6 +318,19 @@ void combFire(WEAPON *psWeap, BASE_OBJECT *psAttacker, BASE_OBJECT *psTarget, in
 		}
 	}
 
+	// if target was in range deal with weapon fire
+	if(baseHitChance > 0)
+	{
+		/* note when the weapon fired */
+		psWeap->lastFired = gameTime;
+
+		/* reduce ammo if salvo */
+		if (psStats->reloadTime)
+		{
+			psWeap->ammo--;
+		}
+	}
+
 	// visibility modifiers
 	//if (psTarget->visible[psAttacker->player] < VIS_ATTACK_MOD_LEVEL)
 	if (psTarget->visible[psAttacker->player] == 0)		//not sure if this can ever be > 0 here