Aiming question - handguns

This was going to be what I was going to answer. I started working on my grip at the range and also with dry fire drills and it has improved a lot. My guess with the 686 you are getting a smoother direct trigger pull as opposed to the semi-autos. I find I do this same thing and shoot tight groups where I aim with my revolvers. Another funny thing with me is semi-autos I break off to the left. with revolvers if I stray it's to the right lol

:confused::shotgun:
merc said:
targetcorrectionchartusarmy.jpg
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One tip on fixing trigger pull.

Grab a Ninja Cool cheap NCstar laser beam for 12 bucks. Fix it to the pistol.
Point at the screw on a light switch on the other side of your house. Pull the trigger in DOUBLE ACTION.
Practice keeping the laser on that screw.
 
JoKa said:
One tip on fixing trigger pull.

Grab a Ninja Cool cheap NCstar laser beam for 12 bucks. Fix it to the pistol.
Point at the screw on a light switch on the other side of your house. Pull the trigger in DOUBLE ACTION.
Practice keeping the laser on that screw.
Click to expand...

I've actually got a bullet boresight for it, but didn't think of this. Good idea!
 
Yanking the trigger = low left
Hugging the trigger = group to the right

Be patient specially In double action, squeeze slowly until the gun goes bang, ride the reset then, do it again. You don't have to change any sights, when you purchase a handgun. Very rarely will the firearm be inaccurate, it's up to you the operator to get used to how the firearm shoots. Changing the sights without getting used to the firearm, and how it shoots is not a recommended thing.

What you should be doing with your trigger finger, is to stop hugging the trigger, just like when teasing your spouse in bed; use only the tip. Place only the part of your finger below your nail, on the trigger. Then SQUEEEZE slowly.

Remembering to squeeze, and proper placement of trigger finger are the two smallest things to remember. But make the biggest impacts in how your grouping is when you shoot.
 
All these things about buying lasers, and changing sights, and changing ammo. Have NOTHING to do with how you the operator; gets behind your firearm. Bring up the gun so your sights line with your shooting eye, then lining up your sights using perfect sight picture, placing the correct part of your finger on the trigger, squeezing slowly until it goes bang, riding the reset so you don't end up yanking or slapping the trigger. Then squeezing again, that's discipline. That's how you get used to the handguns you own, that's how you get used to any handgun you buy in the future. Not gadgets, not changing sights.

Patients and discipline.
 
This is all killer stuff, however if I don't improve a LOT the next time I head to the range I'm holding you all accountable. You will owe me beers and perhaps a sandwich.
 
merc said:
targetcorrectionchartusarmy.jpg
Click to expand...

Mind this is a correction target chart for right-handers.
There's another one for left-handers.

A piece of advice: rather than carrying this chart and comparing your shots on
target with the chart for a diagnosis. make tens, dozens, nay, hundreds of photocopies
and shoot at the chart. Never mind that the bullseye or the 10 or X rings are
not the same size as your regular targets. You want to see where each lands
while the memory of what you did is still fresh in your mind.
Just my $0.05 (They cancelled pennies.)
 
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Somerset I'm surprised that no one has suggested that you're missing because you have a nervous flinch. I may be that it's all just how you're pulling the trigger but low and left is classic flinch response.

Since you've got a nice 586 and you know it hits right where you aim in SA mode try shooting the 586 in double action mode. See if you get the same low and left hits. If you do then you either have a nervous anticipatory flinch issue or you're messing up the trigger pull.

As mentioned some dry firing will help to check and see if you're pulling the trigger in a nice neutral manner. Keep your eye on the sight picture as the trigger breaks. If the sight picture does anything other than stay still then you have issues with how you're pulling the trigger.

There's a good chance that you're snatching at the trigger. Slow down and instead of clutching at it put pressure on the trigger and build it up. Don't actually try to move the trigger. Just build up the pressure and let it move as it wants and when it wants. And learn to follow through on the trigger. Namely don't let go when the gun goes BANG! Hold the trigger back throughout the recoil. Only when the movement settles down then ease up on the pressure with the same degree of care. At first start off with this pressure build taking about a second from no pressure to having the trigger at the rear travel stop. Along the way the trigger will break. But don't focus on that. Your job is simply to pressure the trigger until it's at the rear travel limit and hold it there until all the jumping around is done.

Have someone look at your hands while you're shooting. If your knuckles are white and your tendons are standing out in some mad death grip on the gun then lighten up. You want to support the gun, not choke the gun until the magazine squirts out the bottom like a crushed banana. If you hold on too hard it becomes very difficult to isolate your trigger finger motion from the rest of your hand. You end up pulling the trigger with ALL of your hand and thus the gun moves around. You want to hold it about the same as you'd give a firm but friendly handshake where you're not trying to crush the other guy's knuckles.
 
BCRider said:
Somerset I'm surprised that no one has suggested that you're missing because you have a nervous flinch. I may be that it's all just how you're pulling the trigger but low and left is classic flinch response.

Since you've got a nice 586 and you know it hits right where you aim in SA mode try shooting the 586 in double action mode. See if you get the same low and left hits. If you do then you either have a nervous anticipatory flinch issue or you're messing up the trigger pull.

As mentioned some dry firing will help to check and see if you're pulling the trigger in a nice neutral manner. Keep your eye on the sight picture as the trigger breaks. If the sight picture does anything other than stay still then you have issues with how you're pulling the trigger.

There's a good chance that you're snatching at the trigger. Slow down and instead of clutching at it put pressure on the trigger and build it up. Don't actually try to move the trigger. Just build up the pressure and let it move as it wants and when it wants. And learn to follow through on the trigger. Namely don't let go when the gun goes BANG! Hold the trigger back throughout the recoil. Only when the movement settles down then ease up on the pressure with the same degree of care. At first start off with this pressure build taking about a second from no pressure to having the trigger at the rear travel stop. Along the way the trigger will break. But don't focus on that. Your job is simply to pressure the trigger until it's at the rear travel limit and hold it there until all the jumping around is done.

Have someone look at your hands while you're shooting. If your knuckles are white and your tendons are standing out in some mad death grip on the gun then lighten up. You want to support the gun, not choke the gun until the magazine squirts out the bottom like a crushed banana. If you hold on too hard it becomes very difficult to isolate your trigger finger motion from the rest of your hand. You end up pulling the trigger with ALL of your hand and thus the gun moves around. You want to hold it about the same as you'd give a firm but friendly handshake where you're not trying to crush the other guy's knuckles.
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Perhaps, although I'm not new to shooting handguns, but I'm newly -back- to shooting handguns. I know I don't death grip, I'm not a weak guy so I am somewhat relaxed with the grip, and aware of, but not worried about recoil. In fact the 226 has barely any recoil compared to the kick of a .357 or even a .45

I used to be able to shoot a 92f quite well, just not in as ideal conditions as I can shoot now. I don't recall having difficulty correcting a badly placed grouping, especially when consciously trying to shoot on target. However my ego may be rearranging my accuracy as I look back on it :)
 
I don't know if anyone mentioned this & don't be offended with my suggestion, but how about finding yourself a decent .22 LR semi-auto to help you identify your shooting issue?

maybe

Edit: Actually mikethebike also mentioned this in Post #18.
 
What results do you get shooting the 686 in DA? SA with a smooth wheel gun is a lot easier than DA and semi.
 
I had the exact same problem and shot hundreds of rounds until it disappeared.

Repetition is key. In an IPSC match I got one of the highest number of alphas. In other words, after I got rid of the problem, the muscle memory remained.
 
pistol-trainingdotcom - loads of drills to improve your shooting. I'd suggest the wall drill for a dry fire drill.

Incidentally, you'd be amazed at how many really serious handgun guys show up on that sight and at pistol-forumsdotcom
 
Brutus said:
I don't know if anyone mentioned this & don't be offended with my suggestion, but how about finding yourself a decent .22 LR semi-auto to help you identify your shooting issue?

maybe

Edit: Actually mikethebike also mentioned this in Post #18.
Click to expand...

My same buddy brings his remington .22 to the course, I don't have any problem with it, but it's a totally different monster (smooth trigger, 0 recoil and a red dot on it).
 
Somerset Bar said:
Perhaps, although I'm not new to shooting handguns, but I'm newly -back- to shooting handguns. I know I don't death grip, I'm not a weak guy so I am somewhat relaxed with the grip, and aware of, but not worried about recoil. In fact the 226 has barely any recoil compared to the kick of a .357 or even a .45

I used to be able to shoot a 92f quite well, just not in as ideal conditions as I can shoot now. I don't recall having difficulty correcting a badly placed grouping, especially when consciously trying to shoot on target. However my ego may be rearranging my accuracy as I look back on it :)
Click to expand...

Almost everytime i have ever said to someone "Your anticipating recoil" they usually respond with a comment that says they are strong and not afraid.
Just like your "I'm not a weak guy so I am somewhat relaxed with the grip, and aware of, but not worried about recoil. "

I shot about 20K rounds in 2013 and I still catch myself flinching occationally. Fact is somethings pushing you and you push back. Someone did already suggest loading a dummy round into your wheel gun, spin the chamber without looking and CAREFULLY CLOSE it, (Not snap it like the movies) and shoot as normal. You should find the empty chamber thinking it is live.... this will show you if flinch is a factor.
 
CashMonkey said:
All these things about buying lasers, and changing sights, and changing ammo. Have NOTHING to do with how you the operator; gets behind your firearm.
Click to expand...

Hey, My comment about buying a Ninja Cool Laser system for 12bucks was not circled around using it at the range. It was a simple cheap way to help practice and perform dry fire exercises at home. And it does help, both seasoned and new shooters because it shows the very slight movements in the trigger pull.
 
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