jerry's secrets

Status
Not open for further replies.
murf

murf

Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Messages
5,664
Location
arizona
jerry miculek is finally revealing his method of shooting:

this is the most comprehensive "how to shoot fast" video to date. it is also the most comprehensive "how to shoot" video to date. i think everyone needs to incorporate these basic shooting skill lessons into their shooting. and the most important lesson is saved for last.

murf
 
I have a ton of respect for Jerry, Rob and all the champion shooters. I enjoy watching and, getting better from what I can learn from them.

They are just really gifted individuals. The right hand eye coordination, the right twitch muscles etc.

I can do everything “just like” Miculek and Leatham. And, they’re still beat me.

I can practice throwing a football for 8 hours a day and still won’t be Roger Staubach.

I learn what I can. I try and use it. Thanks for posting that video.
 
I'm not saying that a person can't learn something from Jerry, but from the people that have spent time with him in person, what I've heard is that his hands are gargantuan. That enables him to choose some techniques that are frankly impractical for most, even successful competitive shooters. For example, I've been told that he prefers a wide, serrated revolver trigger and that he uses the pad of his trigger finger on it like most people would shoot a pistol. For a lot of people, that's just not anatomically practical. I believe he has anatomical/physiological advantages. That doesn't negate the value of his technique or methods but I have to agree with sgt127 -- just because Michael Phelps shows me how to swim doesn't mean I'm going to swim like he does. It's not that I'm simply less fit. I'm very lean, muscular, athletic and fit, but I still don't have the enormous torso length that gives swimmers an advantage. Look at NBA basketball players. Not only are they 7 foot something, but they also have a vertical reach over 9 feet, a wingspan over 8 feet, and hand spans more than 12 inches. That game, at that level, is just not for everybody.
 
labnoti said:
I'm not saying that a person can't learn something from Jerry, but from the people that have spent time with him in person, what I've heard is that his hands are gargantuan. That enables him to choose some techniques that are frankly impractical for most, even successful competitive shooters. For example, I've been told that he prefers a wide, serrated revolver trigger and that he uses the pad of his trigger finger on it like most people would shoot a pistol. For a lot of people, that's just not anatomically practical. I believe he has anatomical/physiological advantages. That doesn't negate the value of his technique or methods but I have to agree with sgt127 -- just because Michael Phelps shows me how to swim doesn't mean I'm going to swim like he does. It's not that I'm simply less fit. I'm very lean, muscular, athletic and fit, but I still don't have the enormous torso length that gives swimmers an advantage. Look at NBA basketball players. Not only are they 7 foot something, but they also have a vertical reach over 9 feet, a wingspan over 8 feet, and hand spans more than 12 inches. That game, at that level, is just not for everybody.
Click to expand...
maybe you should focus more on the other two individuals in the video. that is what makes this video great, imo, is the fact that the g.o.a.t. of the shooting world can improve the shooting skills of a couple of neophytes. basic skills is where it's at according to the g.o.a.t.

murf
 
Jerry has always been willing to share from what I can tell. I can say that the two times I met him in person he listened to my questions and answered them carefully even though I was one of hundreds he saw those days and I'm sure he had answered those questions many times before.

I agree that he has some physical advantages over most folks, but understanding his techniques are still useful even if they can't all be adapted to one's particular physique.

I have improved my shooting by learning about what he does even though I will never be able to match him. Would never have been able to match him even if I had started shooting at the same age he did and had the same opportunity to shoot the volume he did. But getting better is still good, even if one can't be the best.
 
Some people definately have advantages over others. Not just physical size but fast twitch vs slow twitch muscle, muscle insertion points, joint locking positions, levers, reaction time, dexterity, coordination etc. I've seen 6ft+ guys train years squatting, plyometrics, box jumps, working with jump coaches to be able to dunk and never get there even with anabolics. I played with a college player who was probably 5 foot 10 and 135 lbs (not sure but I'm 6 3 and he was much shorter). He never touched a weight, never trained, no work ethic, and on top of that was a rather lazy stoner, meth user. He could dunk from nearly the foul line. Effortlessly. Life ain't fair. Wasnt supposed to be. Some people have the perfect combination of genetics for a particular activity and are blessed to actually find that activity. Training right will make you better than you were. It may not make you better than the lazy guy you wanted to beat though.

I've watched many of Jerry's training videos. I find them very easy to watch and prefer them to most others. When someone starts getting into shooting I always send them a couple links to his videos. Not only is he humble and plain spoken he understands and expresses that not everything works for everybody and you need to adapt and do what works for you sometimes.

Excellent video
 
Last edited:
crestoncowboy said:
Some people definitely have advantages over others. <snip> I played with a college player who was probably 5 foot 10 and 135 lbs <snip> He could dunk from nearly the foul line. Effortlessly. Life ain't fair.
Click to expand...

Spud Web comes to mind, he was listed a 5' 7" Slam/Dunk champion in his day.
 
Whoever comes along that will be better than Jerry at his best, will not attempt to copy him. He’s definitely interesting to watch and hear his pointers but the next freaky good shooter will naturally go down a different path.
 
In the video I posted, there’s a discussion between Ronin and Rob. Ronin was one of Jeff Coopers original instructors at Gunsite.

When Rob won the IPSC Nationals, Mrs Cooper asked Ronin if this new fellow was using “ The Modern Technique”. Which is what Jeff Cooper called his style of shooting.

Ronin replies “He IS the modern technique”.

Whatever is winning, is what works. I started shooting Weaver. And still do a modified Weaver. A: I’m used to it. (And, as a uniformed cop, it’s natural to have my gun side turned away from a threat, I’ve stood that way for 35 years). B: I’ve screwed up my shoulders a bit and it’s more comfortable and C: I’ve shot thousands and thousands of rounds that way in a 1911. It’s not worth changing for me. I can beat the vast majority of shooters with my old school IPSC, Speed bullseye shooting technique.

If I were shooting competition, I’d do everything Rob does. Whatever I can glean from Jerry. And, try and figure out how to do it better. That’s the “new technique”. And, it constantly evolves.
 
Whoever comes along that will be better than Jerry at his best, will not attempt to copy him. He’s definitely interesting to watch and hear his pointers but the next freaky good shooter will naturally go down a different path.
Click to expand...
It's interesting to see how shooting technique has evolved. It's certainly true that what worked 30 years ago isn't what's being done today and I have to agree that it will continue to evolve. Also, what works for one shooter may not be exactly adaptable to another. The video clearly shows that the two different shooters couldn't use exactly the same techniques and had differing success even with the same instruction.

But there are basic principles that apply and that will still apply in a few years. It's possible to learn some of those by watching and learning from Jerry and then working from that foundation.

That said, yes, if someone thinks they can become the next Jerry Miculek by copying him exactly, they are extremely likely to be disappointed.

Fortunately, I seriously doubt anyone is watching a half hour video with the idea that what they learn is going to make them "the next freaky good shooter". That would be nearly as misguided as choosing to dismiss the video and its contents out of hand because it can't work magic.
 
A friend of mine wss in a league with Jerry years ago. My friend learned a lot from the top guys in that league, Jerry being only one of the instructors.

Jerry also would show up to the range with 2-3 5 gallon buckets full of ammo and would not leave until he ran out of ammo. He has a very unique skill set/physical attributes and a LARGE amount of practice.
 
WestKentucky said:
A former coworker shot amateur and was in squads with Jerry a few times. I have seen video of Jerry trying to straighten out the guys he is shooting against, no matter what division or skill level. It seems like he enjoys teaching as much as he enjoys shooting.
Click to expand...
I think anyone who is truly at the top of their competitive ladder wants the others to do as good as possible because it's more fun competing against someone who actually has a, pardon the pun, shot at beating you.
For example, how much satisfaction or fun can a Super Bowl winning football team get out of beating a high school team? If the competition isn't up to be able to mount a serious challenge then the winner is almost a forgone conclusion.
Jerry just strikes me as a guy who enjoys a good challenge. Take the already posted video of him shooting a 2" bbl fixed sight revolver upside down at 200 yards and ringing the bell (hitting the target) and his obvious giddyness at doing so as a clear example of the joy of meeting a challenge and succeeding.
 
Thanks for posting this video, murf. :thumbup:
I probably would have never seen it otherwise.

In the first 7 minutes I learned my “method” is not the latest and greatest method. Mine is the 30 year old method, but I no longer shoot in tactical style competitions but I can see where Jerry’s method may help me in Cowboy Action Shooting. I will have to try his methods and see.
 
Yesterday, I got to shoot what was on me (Glock 19 and 65 rounds), after watching this video, and I gave the drill a try on steel but without my shot timer -- so a practice in mechanics without that benchmark.

I was taught not to shoot with the death-grip because of the possible effects on the trigger pull, and so I've done my share of noodling, but as my trigger pull as improved over the years, I've been able to firm up my grip. I tried to increase the grip another increment yesterday (from firm to death-grip). There seemed an improvement in my return to target, though I need to time it.

Still, speed drills sure do magnify sloppiness and help you check whether you are really combining all the parts of good pistol form.
 
I met Jerry on a couple of occasions. Helped set up the range when he shot the 10 gun, 60shot speed record at the 1999 (iirc) NRA NPSC, that was filmed by/for the NRA.

I had a brief conversation with him. Didn’t get any “secrets” (Hint: there aren’t any), but I did glean some interesting details.
-His ammo is nothing special. 148gr double end wadcutters cast from range scrap; assorted, mixed but tumbled brass; 3.0gr of Bullseye, and whatever small pistol primers.
-His guns, other than “blue-print” fitted, are as stock, or have EXTRA power springs for 100% ignition and trigger return.
-He shoots near daily, 75,000-150,000rds a year or more...

Ed McGivorn’s “FAST AND FANCY SHOOTING” is essentially the Bible on shooting a revolver fast... Like Jerry and Elmer Keith, he had meaty hands.
I also recommend Bill Jordan’s book, “NO SECOND PLACE WINNER”.
Bill, Skeeter Skelton, and Jim Collins were my “hero’s” of revolver shooting. Got to meet Bill, and shot with Jim Collins in several matches.
 
GooseGestapo said:
I met Jerry on a couple of occasions. Helped set up the range when he shot the 10 gun, 60shot speed record at the 1994 (iirc) NRA NPSC, that was filmed by/for the NRA.

I had a brief conversation with him. Didn’t get any “secrets” (Hint: there aren’t any),
Click to expand...
And that's the truth!

but I did glean some interesting details.
-His ammo is nothing special. 148gr double end wadcutters cast from range scrap; assorted, mixed but tumbled brass; 3.0gr of Bullseye, and whatever small pistol primers.
-His guns, other than “blue-print” fitted, are as stock, or have EXTRA power springs for 100% ignition and trigger return.
-He shoots near daily, 75,000-150,000rds a year or more...
Click to expand...
The last is the big "hint".
From Jerry's various youtube videos I get the impression he's a very down to earth fellow. When he famously shot the grape he seemed genuinely tickled that the shot went well.
Ed McGivorn’s “FAST AND FANCY SHOOTING” is essentially the Bible on shooting a revolver fast... Like Jerry and Elmer Keith, he had meaty hands.
I also recommend Bill Jordan’s book, “NO SECOND PLACE WINNER”.
Bill, Skeeter Skelton, and Jim Collins were my “hero’s” of revolver shooting. Got to meet Bill, and shot with Jim Collins in several matches.
Click to expand...
I could picture a conversation happening with Jerry over coffee in some chance roadside dinner or quite a few other places, but my dream, "never had, never will" conversation with Skeeter Skelton would have to be around a campfire.
 
Personally, I’d rather patrol the “Ditch” with Bill and Skeeter!
I’d get to read about some of our escapades, then write my memoirs: “#311, I was there TOO!”, to borrow from Elmer Keith.
 
Wow! What an improvement!
When I shoot two handed (I shoot one handed “Duelist” in CAS) I have always shot in a Weaver or Modified Weaver stance. I just watched part of that video and just for kicks tried out Jerry’s method of shooting, more of an Isosceles stance, I guess, and just changing my grip using a wider stance and bringing my sights in line with my eye vs moving my head to meet the sight alignment, I shot much better.

I will have to watch the full video now. :thumbup:

Thank you for posting that @murf :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Miculek shooting the AR
Replies
7
Views
870
gcrookston
G
B
  • Locked
Jerry Miculek
Replies
11
Views
3K
.44 Associate
4
J
  • Locked
Miculek or AGI?
Replies
2
Views
507
juggler
J
U
  • Locked
"Old" Python trigger + Bill Wilson
Replies
1
Views
251
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
B
  • Locked
Bore axis height bores me.
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
albanian
A
Back
Top