Best How to book?

[Franco2shoot]

Over the weekend I saw a History channel piece that was talking about some shooters paperback on how to keep it in the 10 ring... Since TV is not my favorite place to get solid information, thought this astute bunch might have some reading recommendations that could help me cure my flinch, nasty trigger pull habits and make me a better shooter.... with practice that is..

So whats the best read to help a novice become a better shooter?

PS. I tried the balancing of a quarter on the barrel of my 44 mag Ruger, but I must be doing something wrong. I can keep the quarter on the barrel while pulling the hammer back, let alone pulling the trigger, so the barrel must be too big for this trick to be an effective teacher. Was I suppose to stand a nickel on edge?

KKKKFL

[Waywatcher]

I learned a lot from Massad Ayoob's Combat Handgunnery, followed by Brian Eno's book, Beyond Fundamentals.

Reading to learn is one of many types of learning. If you're the type who reads manuals and can retain the info, a book is great. If you're a hands-on learner a class is the only way to go.

I rest a penny or dime flat-wise on the front sight for that type of exercise, but to be honest regular dry-firing and lower recoil live-firing will help you better cure your flinch.

However do not, I repeat--do not, mix empties and live cartidges to try to fix a flinch. A truly good shooter will indeed push the gun after he pulls the trigger... this is different than a flinch or a a trigger jerk, although it will look the same to an untrained eye. (The difference is that a flinch will be before or during the trigger break--a push will be after the round exits the barrel) I have a good friend who is an IPSC Grand-Master and he looks like he has a flinch if you give him a dud round, but he obviously doesnt flinch because he hits what he aims at--and that is the true test of a flinch. This will come naturally after shooting many, many thousands of rounds though--do not try to make it happen.

[Franco2shoot]

I tried both a dime and a penny, but got the same result. I think the barrel on the .44 magnum must be just too stinking big for this exercise. The Ruger has the nicest break of any of my hand guns, and no surprise here it is the one I am most accurate with. Small "A" in accurate, my pattern is about a foot wide. I'm usually low and to the left, but consistantly so.

I drifted the sights to see if I could start placing them in the center, but even that didn't really help, and it's a cheezy way, plus the pattern was still fairly wide. Half my problem is the new glasses I just got. At 62, my vision is not as sharp as it used to be, so glasses are a necessary item. Problem is that STYLES being what they are, you can't get lenses that are even up/down left/right size wise. This means that the part of the glass that actually aids vision is very narrow and you have to tilt your head back a little to have a sharp image( they're optimized for reading a book). Even tilting my head, the front sight is slightly blurred, and the rear sight is worse so I don't know which part of the ramp to use since there are two, one higher than the other.

To make matters worse in my younger days, I developed a habit of pulling my chin towards my chest( from hunting with a shotgun). Today that has me looking throught the tops of the glasses, and I'm pretty sure that part is purely ornimental. I'ld like to take the Ruger to the Eye exam and say "Hey Doc" make em so I can dot the middle of an "O" in your eye chart, while extending my arm out with a 44 in my hand. Nice idea, but here in Northern Virginia, it wouldn't be but a few minutes before the sirens would be whaling outside his door.

Anyhow, I'm open to suggestions, especially from some Senior Citizens that are shooters wearing glasses.

KKKKFL

[JoeHatley]

How To Become A Master Handgunner: The Mechanics Of X-Count Shooting, Charles Stephens. Around $12.

Short paperback that is full of great info.

Joe

[Don Lu]

I have gotten alot of useful info for free right here on THR !!! Also there is a lady here named pax who has a website that has excellent tips, I cant find the site right now but ill post it if I find it !

[ClarkEMyers]

For handguns I start with Paul Weston - there's a lot of material in Gil Hebard's Handgunner material. I learned a lot from Don Nygord's occasional posts - don't know if they are still on the web.

[Sunray]

You can't learn to shoot from a book. Take some lessons or join a shooting club. The club will likely be less expensive and a whole lot more fun.
"...cure my flinch..." Quit using hot or factory .44 mag ammo. Use .44 Special cast bullet loads in magnum cases. Lighter loads will be far more comfortable to shoot.
"...nasty trigger pull habits..." Dry firing practice. Empty revolver, of course. Then, in a safe place with good lighting, put up a target and practice your keeping your sight picture and trigger control. Mind you, if the trigger is a stock factory trigger, have a trigger job done. All factory firearms come with poor triggers due to frivolous law suits. A good trigger is as essential as good ammo.
"...I'm usually low and to the left, but consistantly so..." Try changing the grips.