Some Basic Shooting Tips
Correct "flinching" first
Probably the most common problem of inexperienced or untrained
shooters is the failure to understand the importance of following through
with the sight picture after the trigger is pulled. The habit of "flinching",
"jerking", "pushing" or whatever name it goes by will prevent the development
of true marksmanship ability. Dry firing or practice with dummy rounds while
practicing follow through will help but practicing with a pistol with poor
trigger action will make this bad habit almost impossible to overcome. If
you want to be a marksman you must have a good pistol.
Understanding Sight Picture and Alignment
The other misconception concerning extended arm or "Bullseye"
type shooting is that the sights are aligned on the target by moving the
wrist and arm. The proper method is to learn the best and most relaxed
position in which to hold the extended arm and the wrist for a correct eye
level sight picture. This is usually with the wrist locked in line with the
forearm and the bones of the forearm(radius and ulna for you techies)in
vertical alignment. The extended arm may be nearly in line with the shoulders
for the most steady hold. Fortunate shooters with the dominant eye and hand
on the same side seem to have a slight advantage. The gun should be held in
a high grip with the heel of the hand covering the backstrap. The grip should
be comfortable and memorized so that it can be repeated consistently. The
ability to quickly acquire and hold this steady sight picture will take
hours of practice.
Put The Sight Picture On The Bullseye
When the steady eye level sight picture is obtained The entire
body is then turned so that the extended arm will line up this eye level
sight picture on the target. The extended arm thus becomes part of a longer
sighting radius, improving accuracy. The aspiring shooter may find that
extended arm exercise with light weights will help to develop steadiness
through increased strength. Heavy weights are not necessary or recommended.
Developing a Relaxed but Steady Position
Each shooter must experiment to find the best position of foot
alignment and back posture which will contribute to a steady but relaxed hold.
Much has been written about breath control, suffice it to say that inhaling
usually raises point of aim and exhaling lowers it. The shot is best fired
on the exhaled breath, as holding the breath more than a few seconds will
cause jitters and affect vision. It is imperative that the trigger action of
the pistol be as faultless as possible so that the shooter has absolute
control over the timing and release of the shot.
Four Important parts of Good Shooting
First is to learn not to flinch, Second is to understand sight
alignment and Third is to develop a strong, steady, relaxed hold. The Fourth
part is the pistol. To develop a sure ability in the first three areas it
is necessary to practice with as good a gun as possible, especially one with
an excellent trigger action. There can be no compromise on this last point.
Even a Master Shooter will suffer with a poor trigger and a novice can only
improve with a better gun.
Understand How "Accuracy" Is Derived
Trigger and sight work is the most productive in terms of
human accuracy. Ergonomics of the grip, weight and balance contribute to
the human accuracy. Slide/barrel/frame/lockup work is productive of better
accuracy in the pistol itself. All three of these factors developed to
maximum advantage make an unbeatable team.