When it comes to shooting, specifically handgun shooting, I've found that with every trip to the range I learn something new, and whatever that new piece of information is, it usually helps me improve. I've learned alot in the last few years from talking with people at the range and online and my handgun shooting has drastically improved. While definitely no where near as good as some and undoubtedly no expert, it's substantial imrovement, and naturally I'm always looking to improve further. What's the phrase, 'sometimes a teacher, always a student'?
That being said, what's the best tip/instruction you've ever recieved or could give as far as ways to improve group size and consistency on paper at any range with a handgun? I know some of you have history with law enforcement and military service background, you guys have to have good info to share from your training right? 8)
Personally, the most impacting tip I ever recieved was from a guy that happened to be at the range one day when I showed up. First, when I pulled in I couldn't help but notice that he was the only one there and he'd brought an entire case of 9mm ammo with him that he was already 1/4 of the way through - this guy meant business. Once I got set up I shot a couple of poor groups on the 10yard mound (all the while this guy was 2 benches down going to town on his targets on the 25 and 50yard mounds with a gen3 g17). So we flip the light on and retrieve our targets, get back to the benches and he lays his 25 yarder down that has a 2inch ragged hole through the center, then throws the 50yarder down thats got about 50 holes in a 4inch circle. This might not be impressive to some of you but I was like :o :o So, while trying to hurry up and hide my target before he saw, I asked him where he learned to shoot like that!
I figured he'd be good and arrogant but I was pleasantly surprised to find that he was a hell of a nice guy and willing to share. He said he'd learned alot and shot alot in the Army but on the civilian side he worked 'security' where he also range shoots alot, regularly.
He mentioned that one thing he practices was something called the "Dime Drill." Some of you may have heard of it, goes something like this. With a 100% empty safety checked pistol, you take a dime or penny and balance it on the front sight blade. While you've got said coin balancing, slowly take aim on a safe target with your empty pistol, and practice pulling the trigger without the coin falling off. Some guns it's harder to do this because of the sight, BUT if your gun will balance a coin, I reccomend this little drill, Its free and it works. It forces you to be steady through the entire process, taking aim, through the whole tigger pull, and after the shot. It also gives you handling time with your pistol and you learn the quarks of your trigger. Give it a try!
That's the best and most effective tip/instruction I've ever gotten. After a couple of evenings sitting on the couch doing this drill, my groups have greatly improved. How about you, what's your best piece of info for more accurate handun shooting, anybody else know any little drills like this??
I was going to say trigger control after reading the first paragraph. Turns out that was already your tip.
Sight alignment, breathing, sight picture are all things most people do reasonably well. What almost everyone doesn't do well is pull the trigger.
I like the penny drill you describe. Meaningful dry fire using this type of drill is the single most important type of practice. Best of all, it is free and can be accomplished at home.
I also like to have some snap caps or dummy rounds mixed into my magazines. Really reveals flinch. Most people are sure they don't, and most people do.
Aim Small / Miss Small...if you are wanting to shoot like a target shooter your point of aim needs to be on a small point on the target.
But most semi auto guns are combat sights and center of mass is the drill. When you see where people put these small groups they are usually rested shots, possibly from a fixture like a Ransom Rest.
The best range tip I can give is always bring a range bag that includes a cleaning kit and tools, you would hate to get out there have an issue that can't be inspected and corrected so the day is lost. :o
Bring the correct ammo. :-X
for me it was - practice - practice - practice - and I did, got pretty good at instinctive point and shoot,at 10yds and less, now I'm having to do it all over again. I'm right handed and my right eye has become degraded to the point I have to use my left eye, for over 10 yds - what a pain. I have to correct my hand hold to correct for it while shooting left handed - practice - practice - practice, Range time is getting expensive, It might be cheaper to join a club. :-\
Doug
Shooting from the hip position on silhouette target close.
Rent or buy a .22 pistol to use to build muscle memory. Recoil is virtually eliminated with the .22, allowing one to focus on the fundamentals.
Quote from: sqlbullet on April 23 2014 08:01:55 AM MDT
I also like to have some snap caps or dummy rounds mixed into my magazines. Really reveals flinch. Most people are sure they don't, and most people do.
Im right there with you on this one, 100% agree that snap caps definitely give you that undeniable proof of flinching. When I was first learning to shoot rifle we used dummy rounds a lot, they without a doubt teach you to keep composure and focus on the other things you mentioned, specifically breathing and getting an even and precise trigger pull on traget without jumping around, be it rifle or pistol. A great training tool.
Quote from: The_Shadow on April 23 2014 09:36:52 AM MDT
Aim Small / Miss Small...if you are wanting to shoot like a target shooter your point of aim needs to be on a small point on the target.
But most semi auto guns are combat sights and center of mass is the drill. When you see where people put these small groups they are usually rested shots, possibly from a fixture like a Ransom Rest.
The best range tip I can give is always bring a range bag that includes a cleaning kit and tools, you would hate to get out there have an issue that can't be inspected and corrected so the day is lost. :o
Great advice Shadow. Just looked up those Ransom Rests, dang they're nice, the price tag - not so much :o I don't shoot much off of a rest but when I do its a a goofy looking old-jeans-sandbag I made, not a very visually appealing unit but functional for the most part. I agree on bringing tools along, since starting reloading I take so much more gear along to the range but it's proven worth it no doubt. I'd be lost shooting reloads without my calipers, oil, dowel rod, and notebook!
Quote from: ShadeTreeVTX on April 23 2014 01:29:22 PM MDT
for me it was - practice - practice - practice - and I did, got pretty good at instinctive point and shoot,at 10yds and less, now I'm having to do it all over again. I'm right handed and my right eye has become degraded to the point I have to use my left eye, for over 10 yds - what a pain. I have to correct my hand hold to correct for it while shooting left handed - practice - practice - practice, Range time is getting expensive, It might be cheaper to join a club. :-\
Doug
Practice, yes sir! It's noticable how much shooting once a week vs once a month will help. Expensive, yes sir!! Wouldn't it be nice to be some sort of sponsored shooter and get to say 'yeah, I shot 75,000 rounds last year' LOL! Reloading definitely helps get the cost down but free would be better! I'm sorry to hear about your eyesight, I'm sure it is trouble some but sounds like you're adapting well and not letting it keep you from the hobby.
Quote from: pacapcop on April 23 2014 02:03:54 PM MDT
Shooting from the hip position on silhouette target close.
This is something I haven't tried much of for anything more than fun but I can see how it would make a more diverse shooter, and would help in a true combat situation, for sure. I bet it also helps you get a feel for 'point shooting'.
Spend money on ammo before tricking out a handgun ... Shoot a lot first.. Mods later. :)
When people ask me about shooting competition I tell them I learn something at every shoot. And its true.
Some issues required several competitions to resolve. Other issues were simply "do not repeat this action". And others I'm still working on.
These are not all the issues I've faced, just the top 20 that I learned the hard way.
1. Type of gun that works best for me
2. Gun add-ons that work/don't work (grip tape, extended controls, etc.)
3. Caliber that works best for me (recoil/blast and cost)
4. Stance (try them all)
5. Grip (Use what works for you)
6. Sight picture
7. Trigger control
8. Type of sights that work best for me
9. Best eyeglasses for me (Reading/Driving or plain glass)
10. Dark glasses for bright days (also hat) and vice versa
11. Reliable ammo (reloads vs factory)
12. Reliable magazines
13. Dress for the conditions
14. Creature comforts (chair, bottle of water, hard candies for dry-mouth)
15. Slow down (when shooting for low score)
16. Don't shoot too slow (when shooting for high score)
17. Test the gun and ammo before a shoot
18. Between shots I say to myself, "Sight picture - trigger control!".
19. Eat before a shoot. The "shakes" are not conducive to a good score
20. Have fun. When I get too serious I get tense
Reload them and shoot more for less?
Quote from: bustedknee on April 25 2014 05:16:46 PM MDT
say to myself, "Sight picture - trigger control!".
This is a good one.
I think flinching completely dwarfs all other sources of inaccuracy ... every thing else is minor by comparison. You can of course avoid flinching by pulling the trigger so slowly that you are truly surprised when the shot goes off. But the problem comes when you try to get the shot off quickly ... in self defense, you don't have all day to get it done. It's not easy to avoid a flinch when you know when the gun is going to go bang. I think it's basically a mind game ... somehow convincing yourself that you don't care if you're getting walloped or not. "Relish Recoil".
Quote from: ShadeTreeVTX on April 23 2014 01:29:22 PM MDT
[...] I'm right handed and my right eye has become degraded to the point I have to use my left eye, for over 10 yds - what a pain.
Both of my eyes SEE ok (so far), but I'm left-eyed and right-handed. I always close my left eye as I'm coming onto target, because I don't want the additional "wrist-bend" that using my left eye would require.
I know most people on this site are pretty good shooters so I can give an advanced tip. When you want to check your stance, shoot with your eyes closed. See where you hit on the target and adjust accordingly. When I used to teach advanced shooting back when dinosaurs were running around, I would do a demonstration on how important trigger control was and not flinching, even over a slightly incorrect sight picture. poiint the gun at the target and intentionallly move it around in a small 1 to 1.5 inch circle. While doing this fire five shots about one every three to four seconds. When you check your target you will find that you still shot a fairly decent group. So, with your aiming point 1.5 inches off at say 30 feet and it moving all around you still shot good! Again you can even do this with your eyes closed. Hip shooting can be learned fairly easily if you practice it. I'd say don't go over 15 feet though. Anyway good luck and keep shooting!