No, actually stevo is correct. Lasers are a crutch often selected by novice shooters. They fail, they require too much f**king around to zero and they aren't that accurate. Shots fired low right for a right handed shooter is a flinch. Some folks would have you believe its bullet, its powder charge, its casing material, muzzle flip or some other gimmick. Bottom line is that the shooter is the primary f**k up in nearly all cases. Buy lots and lots of ammo, somewhere in the 3000+ category and shoot. If you are an LE "hopeful" you really need to understand the physiological and psychological effects of a lethal force encounter. There's more to engaging your target than the fundamentals of marksmanship. If we're talking about sport shooting then we can focus more on mechanics.
I don't care what people call it but a positive stance for shooting a handgun is a must, atleast in the beginning. Take it or leave it, this is what I know, this is what I've had training in. Keep your feet square to the target, usually your non dominant foot will lead slightly. Keep both arms at arms length but without locking out your elbows. Bend at the waist and KEEP YOUR NOSE OVER YOUR TOES. Your knees should be slightly bent as well. 60% or more pressure should come from your support hand. Your dominant hand, the one holding the firearm does two things. It directs the pistol and depresses the trigger. Your support hand should be doing EVERYTHING ELSE. Adopt a "leading thumbs" grip. It feels like crap in the beginning but it will become more natural.
Your trigger finger needs to be placed with only the centre of the first digit/pad on the trigger. If you have proper trigger position you should be able to pinch the pistol with only your thumb and trigger finger(finger on trigger so do this with an unloaded pistol.) and see daylight between the frame and your trigger finger. If you rest your finger against the frame or shoot with the first joint, you're going to pull your shots to the right by impeding some torque on the pistol. Your trigger finger needs room to move and bend while depressing the trigger to the rear.
For Glocks, spend a lot of time dry firing the pistol. The first 3/5th of the trigger pull comprises of slack or take up. After the slack you will feel a distinct point where the pressure required to complete a trigger pull increases. This is where you want to squeeze the trigger as opposed to slapping it.
Most people pull(slap) the trigger then remove their finger from the trigger only to pull(slap) the trigger again on consecutive shots. This action is aggravated with increased tempo. To combat this slapping, you need to find the reset and "work the reset" This can be done both live on the range and at home with dry fire practice. Following the steps to a smooth squeeze you should have a steady sight picture and practically nil movement of your sights as you hear the striker snap forward. DO NOT release the trigger, keep it depressed. While holding the trigger to the rear, cycle the slide thus recharging the striker. Now, slowly let the trigger go forward until you hear a "click". Once you hear the click do not let the trigger travel any further forward. This is the minimum amount of reset required to reset or recharge the striker. This is also the same point where the trigger pressure increases on your very first pull. Conincidence?? I think not. Practice a solid sight picture as well as your trigger slack take-up. Dry fire the pistol with the goal of keeping the pistol steady and the sight picture on your intended target. Then cycle the slide and "work the reset".
The only difference between dry fire practice and live is the addition of you having to cycle the slide. Shoot slow and often. Your speed with increase as your muscle memory increases.
For stationary target shooting and some action sports you can afford to correct your stance before firing. As an LEO in a lethal force encounter, I doubt you'll have time nor care. For building the basics it is best to remain consistent.
TDC
I don't care what people call it but a positive stance for shooting a handgun is a must, atleast in the beginning. Take it or leave it, this is what I know, this is what I've had training in. Keep your feet square to the target, usually your non dominant foot will lead slightly. Keep both arms at arms length but without locking out your elbows. Bend at the waist and KEEP YOUR NOSE OVER YOUR TOES. Your knees should be slightly bent as well. 60% or more pressure should come from your support hand. Your dominant hand, the one holding the firearm does two things. It directs the pistol and depresses the trigger. Your support hand should be doing EVERYTHING ELSE. Adopt a "leading thumbs" grip. It feels like crap in the beginning but it will become more natural.
Your trigger finger needs to be placed with only the centre of the first digit/pad on the trigger. If you have proper trigger position you should be able to pinch the pistol with only your thumb and trigger finger(finger on trigger so do this with an unloaded pistol.) and see daylight between the frame and your trigger finger. If you rest your finger against the frame or shoot with the first joint, you're going to pull your shots to the right by impeding some torque on the pistol. Your trigger finger needs room to move and bend while depressing the trigger to the rear.
For Glocks, spend a lot of time dry firing the pistol. The first 3/5th of the trigger pull comprises of slack or take up. After the slack you will feel a distinct point where the pressure required to complete a trigger pull increases. This is where you want to squeeze the trigger as opposed to slapping it.
Most people pull(slap) the trigger then remove their finger from the trigger only to pull(slap) the trigger again on consecutive shots. This action is aggravated with increased tempo. To combat this slapping, you need to find the reset and "work the reset" This can be done both live on the range and at home with dry fire practice. Following the steps to a smooth squeeze you should have a steady sight picture and practically nil movement of your sights as you hear the striker snap forward. DO NOT release the trigger, keep it depressed. While holding the trigger to the rear, cycle the slide thus recharging the striker. Now, slowly let the trigger go forward until you hear a "click". Once you hear the click do not let the trigger travel any further forward. This is the minimum amount of reset required to reset or recharge the striker. This is also the same point where the trigger pressure increases on your very first pull. Conincidence?? I think not. Practice a solid sight picture as well as your trigger slack take-up. Dry fire the pistol with the goal of keeping the pistol steady and the sight picture on your intended target. Then cycle the slide and "work the reset".
The only difference between dry fire practice and live is the addition of you having to cycle the slide. Shoot slow and often. Your speed with increase as your muscle memory increases.
For stationary target shooting and some action sports you can afford to correct your stance before firing. As an LEO in a lethal force encounter, I doubt you'll have time nor care. For building the basics it is best to remain consistent.
TDC
Last edited:
