Thread: Shooting Practice

Assuming you are aware of the safety procedures, and your handgun is for self defense/target practice/plinking, etc. Don't do what I see so many handgunners doing with a handgun. Shooting targets at 75 feet to start. Keep your target close. Start at the 7 yard line. I shoot from 20-25 feet. Then move out to 35 feet and finally 50 feet. Oh sure, some will say they can hit a quarter at 100 feet...BS! For handguns I think 75 feet is a good max distance.

Trigger control, trigger control, trigger control. At 15 or 20 feet, take all the time you need to put all your shots into one ragged hole. Really feel the trigger, every microscopic scrape and tick. After you have pressed the trigger and the gun has fired, continue to hold the trigger back. Then slowly release the trigger, so that you can feel the click when it resets. Become one with the trigger.

When all your shots are going into one ragged hole, fire one-handed (strong hand), and try to keep all of those shots in the same hole that you made shooting two-handed. The point is not necessarily to learn to shoot one-handed, but to learn to control your trigger. Then, when all your shots are going into one hole, do it again, this time with your weak hand.

Nickster, I am not a target/bullseye shooter. My interest is speed-shooting, pure self-defense. But, to learn how to shoot fast, you have to start with trigger control, and then keep speeding up your accuracy drills until you can shoot accurately a little faster each time.

The trick to shooting fast is to present the gun fast as hell, then press the trigger carefully. The mistake most people make is drawing fast as hell, then pressing the trigger fast as hell. That gets you misses. Out and up fast, then slam on the brakes and press the trigger light as a feather.

Learn the drawing stroke from a qualified instructor or videotapes. Most important is to KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL THE SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET.

A common beginner mistake is to raise the gun up above the line of sight, and then settle back down on the target. (They used to do that in the old cowboy movies -- point at the sky, and then lower the muzzle. Sabrina and the other Angels did the same thing.) Waste of time. Don't think of raising the gun "up" to firing position. Bring the gun from your belt buckle "forward" to point at the target.

Have fun at the range.

+1 with Sig as most defence shooting happens with in 20' not yards. It's fun to go out and shoot her but start getting serious when inside 50'. I paractice at 7',15',& 25'. I use sets of three. That is 2 to the body and 1 to the head. I shoot this one hand and two hand. I also do a little point shooting where I don't use the sights at all. Good luck in how ever you do it.

My suggestion is to learn different styles then use what works for you. You must learn safety first, trigger control, drawing, full site shooting, front site, point shooting. Once that is done you'll need to be able to clearing jams, and FTE's, changing mags or reloading quickly. Welcome to the shooting world where the lessons never end and no one knows it all.

Originally Posted by milquetoast

Become one with the trigger.

Yes Master, I think that's the best advice I ever got and improved my shooting a lot.

Focus on the front sight. Front sight crisp, rear sight and target fuzzy.

Squeeze the trigger. Do not ever pull the trigger. Trigger stroke should be smooth and consistent and not jerky.

Get as much palm on that pistol grip as possible. Assuming you're right handed, place right thumb against the frame on the left of the pistol and left thumb on top of right thumb. This ensures you get your left thumb out of the way so your left palm can get a piece of the action.

Most of all be patient and burn through as much ammunition as you can afford.

yes be patient take your time start with one shot then advance to 2 shots ect...
i see people that rapid fire 15 rounds and hit the target twice cuz they saw it on tv. TV sucks you dont learn anything on tv but how to get hurt or waste ammo.
i've been shooting for years and i'm still learning everyday. SO TAKE YOUR TIME!!
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT ALL

+1 on 7 yards

+1000 on trigger control

A good grip and foot positioning are also critical.

Dry fire a lot.

Release the unloaded magazine and put it out of the room. Rack open the slide, feel the inside of the barrel to make sure NOTHTING is in there. Rack open the slide again to make sure NOTHING is in there and....rack open the slide to make sure NOTHING is in there.

Close the slide and dry fire away. Set up little targets on the wall (light switch, door knob, picture of your mother-in-law, etc.) and practice aiming.

Depending on your gun, you can use snap caps.

Then go to the range!

When shooting, I learn where the trigger breaks. I bring it to that point and stop. Then, again make sure my aim is true before squeezing it that final portion to fire it. U will hit better doing this than just yanking the trigger.

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

When shooting, I learn where the trigger breaks. I bring it to that point and stop. Then, again make sure my aim is true before squeezing it that final portion to fire it. U will hit better doing this than just yanking the trigger.

I do that double action. "Staging" the trigger. With the 1911 I just get surprised.