Shooting/ Aiming Tips

lhgdale · 01-28-2006, 02:50 PM

I am a new handgun owner. I have a couple rifles and shotguns, and am a pretty good shot. But with a pistol i am running into some problems I can't seem to fingure out where to aim on the target. Do you aim over, under or right on? I have been practicing with 20oz coke bottles. Now let me make myself clear, at about 5 to 8 yards i can hit them pretty easy. It is when i try to go back farther that i can't seem to hit them. Also should i be practicing with this type target, or should i get some targets from the shooting range? Thanks for any info!! (I am shooting a Glock 17)

Oxford · 01-28-2006, 03:08 PM

I'm not an expert handgun shooter by any means...but here's a great article on the subject of how to improve your shots:
http://www.self-defender.net/article17.htm

Bull Barrel · 01-28-2006, 03:16 PM

Sighting in, ah yes--I've expended over 500 rounds this weekend doing just that.

For iron sights pick the furthest you are likely to be shooting (and can see well)--and try to work from a table and towel or benchrest of some sort. After sighting in you can shoot from a more usual position (i.e. standing)

Shoot groups of 3 into paper targets to see if you are all over the place or putting the rounds in the same place. Draw a triangle between the 3 holes--the center of that triangle is your P.O.A.

You may find that you need to adjust elevation or windage (if possible) to move the P.O.A. onto what you are targetting.

Groups of three on paper targets are the best way to see what you are really doing.

How you hold the pistol and how you stand are important. If shooting righty wrap your left hand over the knuckles of yout right, left index over the outside of the front of the trigger guard and left thumb beside and parallel to your right thumb.

Introduce a little dynamic tension into your stance by adopting a slight crouch and by pulling in with your left hand/arm against the push of your right hand/arm. This will look you in solid. Keep the front sight in the notch of the rear sight and level witht he top of the rear blades, place the target like a lollipop on top of that front blade.

Breathe in and on the exhale acquire your sight picture and squeeze the trigger (not really a squeeze, but ceratinly not a pull). As the weapon recoils use your form and grip to bring the target back into view for the next round.

Good luck--

FutureMarine · 01-28-2006, 05:29 PM

maybe its trigger pull...breathe relax aim slack squeeze......Maybe get snap caps and practice and home with trigger squeeze.mashing STRAIGHT back. Dont dryfire without snap caps a lot. It is BAD for the firearm

Outriderdark · 01-28-2006, 10:49 PM

I have a certain amount of trouble with handguns, too. I recently realized I'm cross dominant (no - it doesn't involve a dress and a whip). This means that I am right handed but with a dominant left eye.
here is a link to help you determine your eye dominance.
http://archeryweb.com/archery/eyedom.htm

it's a good thing to check if your having problems.

I'm still working on my handgun skills in light of this....it's a pain.

Bull Barrel · 01-28-2006, 11:27 PM

"I'm still working on my handgun skills in light of this....it's a pain."

Try shooting lefty--it's good to know how to do for lots of reasons. Shooting with both eyes open using optics is fun....but not as fun as shooting with both hands at once, John Woo style....or SASS style for that matter.

Running rounds through the gun is not the same as getting better at shooting unfortunately. Kinda like fishing versus catching...but it sure is fun!

Outriderdark · 01-28-2006, 11:40 PM

Gotta love Chow Yun Fat :gangster:

Shaun · 01-29-2006, 01:26 AM

visit the range and pick up some expended shotgun shells, bring them home and put the so you only see the end in a piece of junk plywook or OSB go to the range and put the target at 15 yards and try to shoot each expended case in the primer when all ar gone you will find that your skills have improved -- then move the plywood to 25 and do it again.

Troy · 01-29-2006, 01:43 AM

hey ox, i just finished reading the page you put the link too. excellent info, thanks.

Bull Barrel · 01-29-2006, 10:21 AM

I'll second that--well worded and easy to understand. Great link!

I like the shotshell target idea--nice and shiny--good for night shooting...

I'm finding that the ammo I use makes a lot of difference too. Cheap .22 LR seems to go all over the place.

WetKnife · 01-29-2006, 05:33 PM

Dry shooting ? Best thing is to get to the range and fire 50 rounds per. Pistol marksmanship is an aquired ability and only bears fruit when you practice. A Glock 17 ? Maybe pickup a lazer site .

01-28-2006, 02:50 PM	#1
lhgdale Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8	Shooting/ Aiming Tips I am a new handgun owner. I have a couple rifles and shotguns, and am a pretty good shot. But with a pistol i am running into some problems I can't seem to fingure out where to aim on the target. Do you aim over, under or right on? I have been practicing with 20oz coke bottles. Now let me make myself clear, at about 5 to 8 yards i can hit them pretty easy. It is when i try to go back farther that i can't seem to hit them. Also should i be practicing with this type target, or should i get some targets from the shooting range? Thanks for any info!! (I am shooting a Glock 17)

01-28-2006, 03:08 PM	#2
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,110 Blog Entries: 4	I'm not an expert handgun shooter by any means...but here's a great article on the subject of how to improve your shots: http://www.self-defender.net/article17.htm __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

01-28-2006, 03:16 PM	#3
Bull Barrel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 239	Sighting in, ah yes--I've expended over 500 rounds this weekend doing just that. For iron sights pick the furthest you are likely to be shooting (and can see well)--and try to work from a table and towel or benchrest of some sort. After sighting in you can shoot from a more usual position (i.e. standing) Shoot groups of 3 into paper targets to see if you are all over the place or putting the rounds in the same place. Draw a triangle between the 3 holes--the center of that triangle is your P.O.A. You may find that you need to adjust elevation or windage (if possible) to move the P.O.A. onto what you are targetting. Groups of three on paper targets are the best way to see what you are really doing. How you hold the pistol and how you stand are important. If shooting righty wrap your left hand over the knuckles of yout right, left index over the outside of the front of the trigger guard and left thumb beside and parallel to your right thumb. Introduce a little dynamic tension into your stance by adopting a slight crouch and by pulling in with your left hand/arm against the push of your right hand/arm. This will look you in solid. Keep the front sight in the notch of the rear sight and level witht he top of the rear blades, place the target like a lollipop on top of that front blade. Breathe in and on the exhale acquire your sight picture and squeeze the trigger (not really a squeeze, but ceratinly not a pull). As the weapon recoils use your form and grip to bring the target back into view for the next round. Good luck-- __________________ Beautiful Noisy Deadly Machines--What's Not to Like? :assult:

01-28-2006, 10:49 PM	#5
Outriderdark Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 1,125	I have a certain amount of trouble with handguns, too. I recently realized I'm cross dominant (no - it doesn't involve a dress and a whip). This means that I am right handed but with a dominant left eye. here is a link to help you determine your eye dominance. http://archeryweb.com/archery/eyedom.htm it's a good thing to check if your having problems. I'm still working on my handgun skills in light of this....it's a pain. __________________ "Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker

01-28-2006, 11:27 PM	#6
Bull Barrel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 239	"I'm still working on my handgun skills in light of this....it's a pain." Try shooting lefty--it's good to know how to do for lots of reasons. Shooting with both eyes open using optics is fun....but not as fun as shooting with both hands at once, John Woo style....or SASS style for that matter. Running rounds through the gun is not the same as getting better at shooting unfortunately. Kinda like fishing versus catching...but it sure is fun! __________________ Beautiful Noisy Deadly Machines--What's Not to Like? :assult:

01-28-2006, 05:29 PM	#4
FutureMarine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PRK Posts: 1,952	maybe its trigger pull...breathe relax aim slack squeeze......Maybe get snap caps and practice and home with trigger squeeze.mashing STRAIGHT back. Dont dryfire without snap caps a lot. It is BAD for the firearm

01-28-2006, 11:40 PM	#7
Outriderdark Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 1,125	Gotta love Chow Yun Fat :gangster: __________________ "Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker

01-29-2006, 01:26 AM	#8
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,623 Images: 1	visit the range and pick up some expended shotgun shells, bring them home and put the so you only see the end in a piece of junk plywook or OSB go to the range and put the target at 15 yards and try to shoot each expended case in the primer when all ar gone you will find that your skills have improved -- then move the plywood to 25 and do it again. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

01-29-2006, 01:43 AM	#9
Troy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 2,505 Images: 3	hey ox, i just finished reading the page you put the link too. excellent info, thanks.

01-29-2006, 10:21 AM	#10
Bull Barrel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 239	I'll second that--well worded and easy to understand. Great link! I like the shotshell target idea--nice and shiny--good for night shooting... I'm finding that the ammo I use makes a lot of difference too. Cheap .22 LR seems to go all over the place. __________________ Beautiful Noisy Deadly Machines--What's Not to Like? :assult:

01-29-2006, 05:33 PM	#11
WetKnife Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 239	Dry shooting ? Best thing is to get to the range and fire 50 rounds per. Pistol marksmanship is an aquired ability and only bears fruit when you practice. A Glock 17 ? Maybe pickup a lazer site .