Why are you shooting at 5 yards in the first place? Unless you're doing rapid fire drills, you shouldn't be shooting at such a short distance. Try moving the target at least 10 yards away and focus on getting decent groups at that range.
Pistol Lessons
- Thread starter ReloaderRick
- Start date
Most people need lessons whether they know it or not. I hear there will be an article popping up in the CFJ that will have some pointers for folks.
If you are having troubles, you want to trouble shoot:
Are you using two eyes or one? Either can work, but sometimes only one works well.
Make sure to keep your eyes focused on your front sight, NOT the target.
Ensure your sights are aligned, level, and on target the entire time you squeeze the trigger. (notice I said squeeze not pull).
Make sure to hold the gun properly, search "proper way to hold a pistol", and make sure your grip is only firm enough to keep control of the firearm and no more.
Squeeze the trigger with the middle of the tip of your trigger finger (NOT in the joint).
DO NOT try to compensate for the recoil, just let it happen.
Make sure to dry fire practice using all of these techniques and see if you are still pulling to one side, or pulling down before the pistol goes off and adjust your shooting technique accordingly to compensate.
If you are having troubles, you want to trouble shoot:
Are you using two eyes or one? Either can work, but sometimes only one works well.
Make sure to keep your eyes focused on your front sight, NOT the target.
Ensure your sights are aligned, level, and on target the entire time you squeeze the trigger. (notice I said squeeze not pull).
Make sure to hold the gun properly, search "proper way to hold a pistol", and make sure your grip is only firm enough to keep control of the firearm and no more.
Squeeze the trigger with the middle of the tip of your trigger finger (NOT in the joint).
DO NOT try to compensate for the recoil, just let it happen.
Make sure to dry fire practice using all of these techniques and see if you are still pulling to one side, or pulling down before the pistol goes off and adjust your shooting technique accordingly to compensate.
Practice the fundamentals but make sure you're constantly pushing yourself. Accuracy and acceptable accuracy (especially at speed) are two different things. For example; driller212 has listed some very helpful tips but at speed I'm target focused (or somewhere between target and front sight focused) and I won't focus on my front sight unless I need extreme precision or the shot is more than 20 yards out.
I think the most important shooting concept in terms of accuracy would be learning to manipulate the trigger without pushing/pulling the firearm off target.
I think the most important shooting concept in terms of accuracy would be learning to manipulate the trigger without pushing/pulling the firearm off target.
Yea, if they are having trouble with simple stuff I wouldn't focus on speed just yet. They will get there in time. Things change a bit once you are confident and familiar, but until then I would just focus on the things I mentioned. I have taught a lot of people how to shoot pistols, and teaching the things I have listed has worked very well for beginners. Once they are more confident then they can move on to working on speed etc (if they want to).
I disagree. Distance amplifies shooting errors. At 5 yards, you could be jerking the trigger or compensating for recoil and still getting acceptable groups because the distance is so short. There is simply no point in shooting slow fire at 5 yards. It's like driving at 20 km/h.
I wasn't suggesting speed to start, just pointing out how things change with speed. If a shooter doesn't eventually gain speed then they've plateaued. It shouldn't take 20 seconds to press off a shot. New shooters waste their time holding until everything is aligned perfectly when all they should strive for is good trigger manipulation and acceptable accuracy (which will change depending on the goal).
He has already stated that the 2" groups he's getting at 5 yds aren't acceptable to him. I recently taught someone how to shoot and she was an excellent student. She shot a toonie sized group at 5 yds. So yes, there is work to be done, and it can still easily be done at 5 yds.
For good groups, something that really helps is a proper target, one that allows for a pinpoint, consistent point of aim. No giant black bullseye for the FSP to wander around in. You want something that is easy to align in a rock solid place, while focusing on that FSP. Then it's up to the fundamentals.
I agree with Kidd X. Proper, in-person instruction is well worth it. If anyone isn't sure, consider the cost of ammo spent while trying to climb that learning curve on their own. What's that going to cost? Laser cartridges for dry-fire at home are also well worth it. Cheaper than live ammo, and it's great to practice what the instructor will show you.
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Do I know you jimbo14?
We teach and think the same! I use the DOT Torture targets at 3-5yds for new shooters. It’s perfect as there are 10 2” circles to put 3-5 rounds each into. If they can put all 50 rds into the 2” circles, then we move the targets back or we go into more advanced drills.
We teach and think the same! I use the DOT Torture targets at 3-5yds for new shooters. It’s perfect as there are 10 2” circles to put 3-5 rounds each into. If they can put all 50 rds into the 2” circles, then we move the targets back or we go into more advanced drills.
Like making us shoot dot torture support hand only
Seriously, a good teacher is priceless and without a doubt the best way to advance your skill set. I have no doubt it has advanced my learning curve substantially
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Like making us shoot dot torture support hand only
Seriously, a good teacher is priceless and without a doubt the best way to advance your skill set. I have no doubt it has advanced my learning curve substantially
Support hand isn't so easy, is it? I firmly believe that there should be no "weak" hand, only a support side. One should be able to shoot their handgun and rifle proficiently from both sides.
As a lefty, you have an advantage shooting support side as it's a right handed world. And your improvements have been astounding!!
I made friends with a member of my range who used to be an instructor and shoots a lot of IPSC. We would go and set up the range and run through drills. I also have had the pleasure of shooting with a few members of Canada’s elite military shooters. Practicing with people who are better than you in a non classroom style environment is a great time and a great way to improve your skills.
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Our paths may have crossed somewhere.
Dot Torture is awesome! There is a lot to be learned from that exercise. I haven't tried to do it all with one hand..... yet.
Me neither! I always heave a big sigh of relief when I shoot clean one handed on the support side circle! I've done it clean with DA/SA guns, starting DA on each circle and in .45. But every time you get cocky is when you shank one!!
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The Kidd may scare the wife away, if he teaches like he talks here! LOL!!!!
Sorry Kidd! Too funny!
Get her help right away. If her frustration is noticeable, it needs to be dealt with now, before she says "#### it!" and walks away.
Stance is easy to fix. Quicker acquisition can wait until later. What pistol is she shooting, where her anticipation of recoil is taking over?
fwiw, some of my students have a highly sensitive trigger finger, that makes most regular methods of dealing with that 7-o'clock shot, a little harder. Pulling slowly doesn't help much because they feel every uneven undulation in the trigger mechanism and have a hard time pulling smoothly. Once they sense a little resistance, they will pull harder to get past that rough edge, and end up yanking the shot. This is made worse with a loose grip, which allows the sights to move off target when the shot goes off. For these people, picking up the speed of pulling the trigger can help; really focus on a consistent pulling speed, ignoring any grit. Or polishing the trigger so it's smooth. They don't need a 2-lb trigger, just a smooth trigger. There is a big difference.
Or come to Vancouver over the holidays and I'll give her a hand.
