[bnelson2943]

I would like some suggestions on how to train myself to shoot faster and still stay on target. I am police academy trained and shot just barely in the master category when I was on the job. My problem now is that I cannot seem to get any faster with follow up shots and keep anything close to a tight group. I am shooting pin competitions that are fun but I’m frustrated that I not getting any better. I shoot about 200 to 300 rounds every couple of weeks and would like some ideas on how to improve. What have ya got? I’ll listen to anything and try most things.

[slopemeno]

Find someone WAY better than you and chase their scores. It worked for me in cycling (THAT was a long time ago) and Action Shooting. Maybe you need to find a league where the competition is stiffer, as well.

[middy]

Without seeing you shoot...

You might try leaning forward a bit more, gripping harder with your support hand, adopt a "thumbs forward" grip, concentrate on keeping your pistol level and absorbing recoil horizontally rather than letting the muzzle climb.

Manhandle that thing, don't let it control you.

Get in a lot of practice with rapid fire and concentrate on not letting it string vertically, don't worry about accuracy until you have the feel of it down. I've found that rapid fire practice also helps with flinching, just concentrate on keeping your eyes open through the whole magazine.

I've found that by working on specific problems like vertical stringing and flinching without worrying about accuracy, one can correct those problems much more quickly. Otherwise, I just end up concentrating on the bullseye and forgetting about everything else. Once you have your basic technique down where you're comfortable, then you should start concentrating on groups.

[Camp David]

I would like some suggestions on how to train myself to shoot faster and still stay on target...

Two suggestions bnelson2943...

(1) To shoot faster, you need to know exactly how to point at target. Lay your handgun down and point your finger at target. Now put your hand down at your waist. Raise it up fast and point it at target quickly. Repeat. Now, grip handgun again, point at target, fire, repoint and shoot again, after re-aiming after recoil. What I am suggesting is have a mental image of target, in addition to real site picture, so you can readjust handgun after firing more quickly to shoot second or third shot. This process was taught to me at a range when I was firing a 1911 45ACP, as re-acquainting the site picture took me some time. However, by learning to point at target, with first my finger and next with the gun in hand, hastened follow-up shots.

(2) That said, all things being equal, shooting rapidly is less desirable than shooting accurately. Your first shot, as either a law enforcer or a homeowner, is much more important than follow-up shots. I would trade all second shots for more accurate first shots any day.

[bnelson2943]

Thanks Middy and Camp David. These are the kid of drills I was looking for to work on at the range. I need to do something different. Einstien once said "Insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results"

[middy]

That said, all things being equal, shooting rapidly is less desirable than shooting accurately.
Absolutely. Don't construe my advice to mean otherwise. Once your basic stance and grip (and recoil, trigger, and flinch control) are acceptable, accuracy should be your first priority at the range.

[HSMITH]

Read 'Practical Shooting - Beyond Fundamentals' by Brian Enos.

His cues on grip, timing, sight tracking, and follow-through are unbelievable.

If you read it, and don't improve you would be one of if not the first person to do so. To shoot quickly and accurately you have to know what the gun is going to do, and he tells you exactly how to find out how this happens with YOUR gun. You will be able to get all that you are going to get out of your gun and skillset quickly, and that is where the book gets really interesting. From there he takes you to levels of shooting you wouldn't believe you are capable of right now.

His book is aimed at competitive action shooting, but the principals and techniques of shooting as fast and as accurately as possible don't change.

http://www.brianenos.com/

[mpthole]

Also check out Matt Burkett's videos (http://www.burkettvideo.com/), or try to take one of his classes. He's a great instructor and a day with him will help your shooting tremendously! His class prices are reasonable and totally worth the effort, time and money.

[ChristopherG]

+1 on Brian Enos.

[JMusic]

May I add some other advise. Get your grip and forearms stronger. We use to grip motricians clay all day in classes to give us better grips. There are alot of stress reducer grip devises out there that work the same way. You may find that some simple strengh exercises help also. Good luck.
Jim

[OH25shooter]

I used to be fast. But now I'm older. Could that be your problem? It happens.