Posted: 11/22/2024 3:37:08 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Network_Daddy][Edited]
|
I've come to the point where I realize that I need to tear down and change how I approach pistol shooting....at 51. Was down at the range and shooting my FN509C with dot on it and just SUCKING at the plate rack. For some reason when I shoot at smaller targets I get much worse than when I shoot at a silhouette target, where I can generally put my shots in the good rings, though I will find myself not putting all my shots in the X zone like I should. I've flopped back and forth with finger placement on the rigger, pad or joint, stance, grip, etc. I know my hands aren't the most steady due to carpel tunnel. Ands it seems like with a dot I tend to focus so much on making that dot totally still I end up losing sight on what I'm doing. But this isn't unique to a pistol with a dot or not. Just frustrated. But on a good note the 9x19 load I was testing was pretty decent in terms of SD and group. But when I moved over to the plates...garbage. Training is one thing I need to look into, but what are some good resources I can review and study before moving to that. |
My ports are firewalled
|
That book looks like something I need. thanks! Just ordered it and will be here Monday. |
My ports are firewalled
|
After beginning my change from irons to a red dot a few years ago, my most recent range trip was kind of a breakthrough for me. I quit worrying about trying 'stage' the trigger, like I am used to doing with 1911s and revolvers, and then hold the dot still on the target point when I finished the trigger pull. This time, when the dot passed through the target point, I just pulled the trigger. Totally different technique than I've been attempting for the past few years. And it seems to work. While the groups aren't as small as I used to shoot, now I at least have groups instead of the target looking like I was shooting a shotgun. I'm 71, I've been shooting handguns since I was 18, I have primarily shot revolvers for most of my life, and I finally got a dot on a handgun when I was 67, so I've had a lot of years worth of habits that worked against me. |
"The right to buy weapons is the right to be free"
|
This gun in question has an Apex trigger I put on it when I first got it. The trigger is nice and crisp with very little creep. Its strange though, it seems like as soon as I am focusing on the small plate...my brain starts to totally focus on making sure that dot does not move...at all. Which is impossible and I shouldn't be worrying about that. When the irons have a little jiggle i don't seem to care like I do with this but I still seem to get worse when shooting at a smaller target. When I can shoot at a small part of a larger target without near as much issue. But my shooting of a pistol lacks consistency with any sighting system. I will take a look at some of the other resources listed as well. Thanks for that. |
My ports are firewalled
|
Originally Posted By feudist: Try taping the dot and using target focus. Stoeger has some videos on that. I plan on looking at some of his videos and that book of his will be here Monday. I think its mostly a metal block I've built up. But I need to get rid of my bad habits, and create a new stronger foundation. |
My ports are firewalled
|
Originally Posted By lazyengineer: single most common "oh!" and sudden improvement I've seen of late, is incorrectly declared eye dominance. start there. That I do have figured out. I am right handed by left eye dominant. Took until I was in my 40's to find that out. |
My ports are firewalled
| I’ve always been a mediocre shot with a pistol. Putting a red dot on my guns and dry firing helped me a ton. |
"Now none of the frightened soldiers moved, for they saw that cowardice and valor purchased equal plots in the sniper's killing field."
"A great many men, on the point of taking to the sea, give no thought to storms."
"A great many men, on the point of taking to the sea, give no thought to storms."
|
It’s all about the stance . Then holding the weapon correctly then mastering the sights . And of course the trigger as well. I took a course years ago and improved immensely . Forget the old ways and unlearn what you have learned from watching cop movies and tv Shows . Modified weaver stance for me . |
|
My stance, grip, and entire approach to shooting is on the table. Some days I will do good, then do shitty. I think I just don't put enough thought into what and why I'm doing something. So I'm going to go back to the fundamentals and start from there. My goal is to be able to not embarrass myself in a match. I think next summer I will start taking some pistol training as well. |
My ports are firewalled
|
Originally Posted By Network_Daddy: I think next summer I will start taking some pistol training as well. Solid plan. The vast majority of shooters strongly benefit from hands on pistol training by a qualified instructor. Next time you are at the range, try the 5+1 drill. 5 dryfires for every live shot. After that have someone mix dummy rounds into your pistol mag. Most people have a flinch. This will show if you have a flinch. When shooting, double ear pro, hat with a brim (ie ballcap), and shooting outdoors will help minimize the flinch. |
per aspera ad astra
|
I definitely have a mental block. When I shoot at the X ring on a larger target its okay. but put a plate on a rack and suddenly I'm all over the place. But when I am doing dry fire I don't tend to jerk the pistol around much. And when shooting at a small part on a big target I don't ether. but give me a small target and its a mess. |
My ports are firewalled
|
What has helped me - - Dry fire practice while aiming ----> make sure the sight picture does NOT shift upon trigger pull - Front sight is the point of focus. Hopefully you're not too damn old and can still focus that close  - SLOW shooting at the range. Concentrate on accuracy. - Once consistent accuracy is achieved, increase speed. Most all handguns are mechanically more accurate than the person pulling the trigger. I have seen people at the range hit the ground in front of their target that is 7 yards away. - yes, they were flinching that bad and did not know it. Finger placement on the trigger is important. Lots of info to be found on this via the interwebs. |
There are many situations in life where there are valid arguments for different courses of action.
Choose the course of action that preserves (or restores!) the most individual freedom and Liberty.
Choose the course of action that preserves (or restores!) the most individual freedom and Liberty.
| That's not the issue as much, as I don't seem to have that issue in dry fire, but when I look at that small target its like my brain gets stupid and my motor skills go out the window. I just need to go slow, work on my shot, and then work on improving times. I need to make every shot a training event and not just sending it. |
My ports are firewalled