How To Improve At Pistol Shooting?

DrSpaceJam

DrSpaceJam

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I just got back from a day at the range and shot pretty horrible groups all day. Inconsistent, wide, fliers... just bad work all around. I know some of it is rust. I haven't done any pistol work for a few weeks. I'm still a new shooter, too. But I'm looking for advice from some people on here with more experience, which is probably pretty much everyone.

Do you guys have any good resources you can point me to on improving my grip and stance, in particular? I'm learning to shoot by myself, so this stuff is kinda tricky. But help with pretty much anything is appreciated. I've seen some pistol group analysis charts which have been sort of helpful... but when I'm shooting, does anybody have particular ways of shooting that they find informative or revealing? Do you shoot in a specific pattern (like five shots at one target and five at another)?

What about dry fire drills you're doing? Right now the biggest thing for me is I try to pull my triggers with a snap cap sitting on top of the gun's frame without it tipping off. It's something I was told helps with trigger squeeze consistency, but it's kind of weird because I can't see my front sight.

In case this matters, I'm shooting a CZ-75B and S&W 686 in centrefire, and a Model 17 22 LR which is currently visiting the gunsmith unfortunately. I really like shooting the revolvers double-action, so any tips that would be great as well. I definitely shoot the .22 the most. I don't own a Kadet kit for my CZ yet, but I've used a friends and it's amazing. Next on my firearm purchase list for sure.

I am planning to get into IDPA this year but I want to have some more basic skills down pat before I throw moving around into the mix.

Thanks for any help.
 
One of the best bibles on hand gun shooting is the US Army Pistol Training Guide. It is in the public domain and available from download, just google it. It doesn't cover a two handed grip but that the only thing missing.

Another great resource is Guns and Ammo online. Their videos are great and they have a lot on hand gun technique.

Also, search youtube for "army pro shooting tips" and look for the guys in yellow and black shirts. They show grip techniques, stance, sight picture, rapid reloads...the works...and these guys are very very good.
 
Here's a target (and there are a few varieties just like 'em). Print a bunch of these and adjust your shooting accordingly.

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Here's a good book by a retired soldier.

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My two 'cherry picks' from this book are "follow through" and the explanation of 'positions'

Follow through refers to how you put your sights on the target, squeeze, and prepare for the next shot. One squeezes, +BANG+, one releases the trigger paying attention to the feel of the disconnector resetting, and prepare to follow up.

The elements of 'positions' refers to how to best move your pistol as to maintain a retention grip, and present the pistol to the threat in a natural and intuitive way.

Lots of good info in this book.
 
good guns you are shooting, did you tought to check what is your dominant eyes ? that could make the entire difference on been on the target or way off....
 
If you can get an experienced and skilled shooter to show you a few things you will save a lot of ammo. I tried to shoot .45ACP by my self and couldn't even hit the target, I got to know a skilled shooter and in half an hour I was on target... now I see improvements (almost) every range trip.
 
Buy a good .22 pistol, 5000 rounds of ammo and find a shooter who owns a .22 pistol. He gets to shoot for free, and you get to learn to shoot from someone who knows how. This concept usually results in making a few friends along the way.
 
Practice shooting with a good 22 and spend at least 15 minutes a day with dry firing exercises, you don’t need to go to the range for this type of practice. You seem to have the dry firing technique down just make sure you do at least 15 minutes a day. The 22’s from Ruger can be dry fired and are very inexpensive to purchase. A good book for beginners is the Gunner’s Bible and if you are more advance look at a course. If you’re more advanced try to shoot 10 times more with a 22 than centerfire as it is easy and helps with technique. One of the gun guru’s at my club suggests that newbies only shoot with a 22 for at least 6 months or until they don’t flinch to get the technique down.
It is a good idea to wait for IDPA or other shooting sports until you get the basics down.
 
I have had good success randomly loading the revolver with 2-3 spent casings to see if I am flinching.
That and working on the surprise break.
But I still suck, so take my advice for what it is worth.
 
Canuck223 said:
Front sight
trigger
press
repeat
Click to expand...


This

Front sight (crystal clear and completely in focus)
Trigger press (smooth, consistent, press, trigger should break like breaking a glass rod)
Repeat.

BTW, in my mind, I would stay away from .22 when learning to shoot a pistol. Learn to shoot with a quality pistol, in a larger caliber (9mm, 40, .45acp).
 
if you want to get good at shooting centerfire pistol, ditch the. 22 and shoot the ones you want to become proficient with

.22's are fun but its kinda like trying to learn to drive a race car by riding a red wagon down a hill

learn proper grip and trigger control and take single shots with a 10sec rest in between. once you get good at that try doubles

shoot as much as you can afford
 
I don't know guys. With a novice shooter I think it's best to start with an inexpensive firearm to learn the basics. Then gradute to something of higher power once one feels confident in thier own abilities. My best best day of informal shooting with my 1911 at the pistol range, was just after two days of rimfire match shooting in PA. Just one example of mine.

maybe.............
 
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broncoo said:
if you want to get good at shooting centerfire pistol, ditch the. 22 and shoot the ones you want to become proficient with

.22's are fun but its kinda like trying to learn to drive a race car by riding a red wagon down a hill

learn proper grip and trigger control and take single shots with a 10sec rest in between. once you get good at that try doubles

shoot as much as you can afford
Click to expand...

You need to learn the basics and you can't do that if your flinching from shooting a centerfire pistol. Start with a 22 pistol. You should join a bullseye league. I have been shooting bullseye for over twenty years now.
 
Get a good firm grip on the pistol (watch some YouTube vids for pointers), focus on the front sight, then sloowly squeeze the trigger while concentrating on keeping the front sight centered and level with the blur of the rear sights. Concentrate first on trying to keep your groups as small as possible, THEN worry about correcting any left/right/up/down bias. If you're really new, you're probably prone to flinching. If you start noticing you're hitting the bottom portion of the target (or missing it low completely), take your magazine out and try dry-firing. You'll notice immediately if you've adopted the dreaded flinch. With some practice you should develop a functional proficiency. From there, you can then try to develop more advanced skills.
 
Phase Line Green Tactical. Getting instruction from a professional instructor will get you better results more quickly and more positively than blowing 5,000 rounds on your own. It'll also teach you what you don't know, which is far more important than what you do know. Good instruction is the best deal (return on investment) in the firearms world - it's also a ton of fun.
 
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