Posted: 5/24/2010 11:39:26 PM EDT
| Currently my only handgun is an HK USP in 9mm and I'm having some problems shooting it. I believe I'm using proper grip (thumbs forward, as high up on the grip as possible, wrists extended), and I don't really have a problem making decently accurate single shots. However, whenever I shoot, the firearm ends up in a tilted up position, and I have to consciously bring it back down to align the sights back on target, if that makes any sense. While obviously handguns will torque up when fired, it seems that for other people, handguns naturally come back down to line back up with the target. As you can imagine, because of this issue, it's nearly impossible for me to shoot accurately at any rapid rate. I do have pretty small hands so maybe that's the issue? Is this natural and just something everyone has to learn to deal with? If not, what am I doing wrong? |
| Since you have small hands, you might not be able to get enough of your finger on the trigger to pull it straight back. And possibly as you pull the trigger you're pulling it slightly to the side. A friend of mine switched to a long trigger with an arched mainspring housing on his 1911 and had this problem. He switched it back to a short trigger and installed a flat mainspring housing and his accuracy improved as well as is rate of accurate fire. just a theory |
| you will have to deal with it. part of training with your weapon is learning its patterns, how high the muzzle will flip and how to get back on target. every pistol will be different. try shooting a friend's to see how that goes. you will learn to make adjustments. go buy some ammo and shoot a bunch in a row. |
|
It sounds like you are breaking your wrists in anticipation of the recoil. You really need to concentrate on locking your wrists and learning a sound shooting technique that works best for you.
Another thing is the grip on the USP may just be too big or the wrong shape for your hands. I'd suggest holding other guns and possibly finding something that works better for you. Signing up for a class to learn how to shoot properly might not be a bad idea either. Good luck. 
|
| Your wrist should not break up. It should be rigid. Keep your wrist rigid and allow the recoil to be felt back into your shoulder. The 'U' from your thumb to your index finger should be completely up against the top of the pistol grip. ( your hand as high as possible ) |
|
Sounds like your hands don't fit your gun. I have small hands too and I shoot low/left with most larger auto's (G21, M92, P226, etc), they are just too big for my hands. A pistol/revolver that fits my hand, I am dead center with good groups rapid fire. I learned this the hard way, owned a whole bunch of handguns that were too big for my hands... now I only buy handguns/revolvers that fit my hand. Saves me a lot of frustration.
|
|
Quoted:
However, whenever I shoot, the firearm ends up in a tilted up position, and I have to consciously bring it back down to align the sights back on target, if that makes any sense. To be honest, it sounds like you are gripping the thing too hard and trying to overcome the recoil instead of managing the recoil. Good recoil management will have the front sight going up and down like a sewing machine needle, not moving diagonally, moving in a circle or hanging up high. You need to relax your grip and make it balanced so the gun rises up in recoil and drops back down on target. You don't need to gorilla grip it. A 9mm USP should be pretty soft shooting anyway. If you have small hands, you may be gripping too hard trying to compensate. Try shooting some 6 round strings while just aiming into the berm, not at any specific target. Watch your sight and how it tracks. You don't have to lock your wrists to handle the recoil, just keep them firm enough to manage it. Relaxed and in control is good. Tense and squeezing the crap out of the grip is bad. Gringop |