So I suck with a pistol

mr00jimbo

mr00jimbo

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How do I fix this? I know more practice but I don't have any pro-gun friends or family who have experience to show me how to shoot properly

should I go with bigger targets (the silhouette ones?) and work down from there? Or?

Thanks

And I'm shootin' 9
 
What kind of handgun? What kind of shooting?

I would practice dryfire, while maintaining a correct sight picture. Focus on the front sight at all times, line it up with the rear sight and hold on target, operate trigger while maintaining correct sight picture and holding on target.

If its a revolver, practice at the range with just one cartridge in the cylinder. More dry firing than actual shooting. If you are flinching or pulling, you wll see it through the sights. You should focus on good technique and it will translate into accuracy.

Be patient, take plenty of rest during practice sessions. Don't let your arm get tired and shaky.
 
Dryfire sounds lame but it is the key to success. At home & at the range. When I'm working with novices, I have them dry fire between live fire strings, it works!
 
mr00jimbo,

What type of handgun you are attempting to shoot? If the weapon is a single action squeeze the trigger with the pad of your trigger finger. If it is a double action, use the first joint of your trigger finger and pull the trigger straight through; do not yank the trigger or stage it. What is staging a trigger? That is when you pull the trigger back, stop, and then pull the trigger.

In general, push out with your dominate hand and pull back with your weak hand. Squeeze the trigger, rather than jerking it. Center the front sight in the middle of the rear sight with the top of the front sight even with the top of the rear sight. Lastly, buy some snap caps and dry fire the handgun a lot; line up the sights, close your eyes, pull the trigger, open your eyes, and if the handgun is still in the beginning position you are on the right track.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Richard:D
 
Slavex said:
S&D nights dude.
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Slavex is right ... you can learn a lot at S&D and at the paltry price of a day card at most ranges. Last weekend there were only a half dozen of us, too ... lots of opportunity for individual instruction.
 
Richard, that is interesting technique, with eyes closing and all, I will try it tomorrow. I am back from outdoor pistol range and that was practically my first day shooting 45 cal. I am disappointed too, to say the least. After shooting 22 pistol reasonably well I thought I can shoot... I felt like I started developing flinch and anticipating recoil, all those bad things my mom told me not to do. Going back to dry firing I guess.
 
Don't shoot full power ammo initially. Get reduced loads that work the action on your gun reliably if you are shooting a semi-auto.

If you have a revolver load only four rounds in the cylinder in a random pattern then turn and close the cylinder without looking where it ends up. When you shoot you will not know when you are shooting a live round or an empty chamber. If you have a flinch or jerk the gun off target you will see it when you don't have a round go off.

If you have a semi auto you can use dummy rounds or snap caps. It works best if you have a number of magazines to use so you don't know the sequence of the live/dummy rounds.

Always use the same body position. Keep everything consistent. Don't squeeze the grip harder as you pull the trigger. Have your trigger finger pull back straight on the trigger.
 
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Straws are better to suck with... Pistols have a tendency to blow if loaded!

Practice Practice Practice...

Start close up and once you figure it out start to move back... Slow and steady...
 
How about this..

Try getting closer to the target initially. Handguns are not 300m projectile throwers. I see it all the time at the range. Maybe not 300 yards but guys that are new to handguns trying to shoot at 30 yards or so.

Get closer.

Gun fights usually happen at 7 yards or less. Now I know that you are not practicing for a gun fight but get up to that target and start practicing. Once you start like that, you will gain confidence and will be able to see where you are hitting and you can move back slowly.

Good luck. All the above advice applies too. Handguns are such short sight length that being a little off whether poor sight picture or jerking or whatever will move your shots off a lot at 15 -20 yard shots. And remember, focus on the front sight. Front sight, front sight, front sight!:cheers:
 
Interesting comments. Best idea from my perspective - go see a professional firearms instructor. Have your 'technique' assessed. The instructor will build a program, suggest some training aids such as, finger placement, the 'big 4' of shooting, aim point targets, and much more. It's more complicated than just "dry firing" or "standing closer to the target".

Competitions that have 50 yard target engagement (such as Police Pistol Combat) emphasize technique and accuracy. Consider joining a club that offers PPC activity - then get some professional instruction.

If you want to ski - go see a ski instructor. If you want to shoot properly - see a certified firearms instructor.
 
Let me tell you a story

Let me tell you a story. Donkey years ago I bought a 1911 Colt Government and I was prepared for the worst. I perceived the violence of the slide action to be recoil, I bought a shooting glove, and I shot the 1911 a lot more. The truth of the matter is the 45acp 1911 is a gentle giant. It is a cream puff to shoot. Go out and shoot it some more and you will agree with me. In the end, do not give up! Regards, Richard:D
 
thank-you guys
I am shooting a Sig P220 9-millimeter single-stack
Weirdly enough I have a break-action pellet pistol which i can shoot very accurately...but this nine, even though the recoil ain't nothin' to write home about...I can't seem to do it. I think I am just impatient to unload the mag and check the target, or self-conscious of other people watching behind me for some reason. :redface:
I gotta come to S&D night I suppose. details? :)
I don't know how to put my stance or anything...2 years ago I joined CGN and I had never even touched a firearm. So I have been trying to learn everything online because I don't have a lot of pro-gun family/friends who have the equipment and knowledge.
And for drills and whatnot, I have just picked it up off the bench [the pistol] and shot it, put it back down. I have never drawn from a holster or walked around with it. I'd imagine some training in that would be warranted before I took the plunge.
 
FWIW, I had a Sig P220 in 9mm that I couldn't shoot with any consistency. I have a Sig P220 in .45 ACP that's a laser I thought it was the gun until I had various people shoot it and proved to me that the pistol was very accurate in their hands. The other 9mm pistol I owned at the time was a Baby Eagle and that pistol was extremely accurate in my hands. I currently own a G17 and M&P 9 am relatively content with how they perform in my hands (in hindsight I should have never sold the Baby Eagle). Have you tried another 9mm pistol? Maybe the 9mm Sig P220 just isn't suited for you as mine wasn't for me..........
 
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mr00jimbo said:
thank-you guys
I am shooting a Sig P220 9-millimeter single-stack
Weirdly enough I have a break-action pellet pistol which i can shoot very accurately...but this nine, even though the recoil ain't nothin' to write home about...I can't seem to do it. I think I am just impatient to unload the mag and check the target, or self-conscious of other people watching behind me for some reason. :redface:
I gotta come to S&D night I suppose. details? :)
I don't know how to put my stance or anything...2 years ago I joined CGN and I had never even touched a firearm. So I have been trying to learn everything online because I don't have a lot of pro-gun family/friends who have the equipment and knowledge.
And for drills and whatnot, I have just picked it up off the bench [the pistol] and shot it, put it back down. I have never drawn from a holster or walked around with it. I'd imagine some training in that would be warranted before I took the plunge.
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Two words: DVC VENTURES
 
Next time you're at the range have someone load a mag for you, but put a snap cap randomly in the mag. You'll find out very quickly if you're anticipating recoil. Other than that, instruction is a good idea. Shooting a handgun well is not an easy task, and is very different from shooting a rifle well.
 
I was a terrible shot with a handgun when I started. Today I'm just mediocre, and it's all thanks to shooting many thousands of rounds at the range.

Instruction is important, good form is important, but practice practice practice and then practice some more if you want to see results.
 
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