Bench technique with a handgun

[vmwilson]

Haven't been on here in years but seemed to remember Massad Ayoob used to mention it. Being a fan of his, owning most of his books (I think) and 40+ years of American Handgunner and Combat Handguns until recently.

Seem to think I read him saying he had a method of benching that got him pretty much the same results that you'd get with a machine rest. I'd like to reread that but am a little too lazy ( & old) to go thru all that mentioned above.

Anyone have an idea where I might find that information?

 

[LiveLife]

Couldn't remember "bench" technique but recall this for shooting accurately - https://www.backwoodshome.com/how-to-shoot-a-handgun-accurately/

 

[vmwilson]

Thanks I'll double read that one for sure but what I'm thinking of likely involved sandbags and a bench.

 

[Thomas Mayberry]

IIRC Mas maintained that for him, his best three shots out of a five shot group would match a ransom rest group. In other words he would shoot a five shot group and "discard " the two worst hits, counting only the three rounds that formed the tightest group.

 

[vmwilson]

Thank you. Now seeing those words I remember them pretty much verbatim. I guess it comes down to I know the proper way to use sandbags with a rifle but obviously not with a handgun. Don't have any references to point me in that direction???

 

[Varminterror]

It’s not so complicated - the same principles apply as rifle benchrest. Build a stable and even position to let the table support the handgun without too much opportunity for shooter influence AND absorb the recoil. Support the handgun or your wrists sufficiently on bags or rests. Manage your trigger, period.

Trigger control is often the biggest divisor between benching a rifle and benching a handgun. A 3lb handgun with a 2lb trigger is begging for influence upon the handgun during the trigger stroke, far more than a 10lb rifle with a 4lb trigger, or a 22lb rifle with a 6oz trigger.

 

[243winxb]

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2014/10/massad-ayoobs-long-time-favorite-handguns/

Gun Frame on sand bags works for me. Do cover the bag with a heavy rag when firing a revolver. The butt should not contact anything. Imo. Use a bag, not a box of ammo, to support the wrists.

Not the article your looking for.

 

[Varminterror]

I might note - if you’re really wanting to learn how to shoot handguns from supports, Uncle Mas might not be the best resource. But we do have a highly experienced specialty pistol shooter and educator on this very forum - @xphunter does stuff with a handgun most guys wouldn’t dare try with a rifle. I fancy myself a long range handgunner, but Ernie has really mastered the art.

 

[tipoc]

Give these a read and see if they help.

https://www.friedmanhandguntraining.com/word/zeroing_in_your_gun.pdf

https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2019/4/3/pistol-shooting-positions-part-i/

There is a difference of opinion on whether to rest the frame of the pistol or the shooters hands on the sandbags or rest. Experiment and see what works best for you. Either way don't rush.

 

[98Redline]

If you do happen to shoot your revolver off of a bench DO NOT wrap your pinky under the butt of the gun when shooting off of a low bag in the front. My 44mag Bisley Hunter pounded my poor exposed pinky between the butt of the gun and the bench like the hammer of Thor when I touched off a 320gr full power hunting round. The pain was instant and exquisitely intense for about 10 minutes.

 

[dfariswheel]

I always had the best result test firing a repaired pistol by resting my wrists on the bags, with NO PART of the gun touching anything but my hands.

 

[tipoc]

Me also. Hands on the rest. It made for more consistency for me over semis and revolvers.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

When I test handguns for accuracy, and with any specific ammunition, I feel much, much better about my testing if I can remove my "influence" as best I can. That's why I use this contraption:

For me, it sets up a "benchmark" for what that particular handgun will do with whichever ammunition being tested. No influence on my part. After that, it's up to me to see if I can emulate what was produced with the mechanical rest. Now, I will do shooting over sandbags on a solidly anchored bench, but there are now some foibles that I do introduce with consistent sight alignment and some variation in trigger pull. I guess it's more of a test of what I do as to what's possible.

 

[xphunter]

Haven't been on here in years but seemed to remember Massad Ayoob used to mention it. Being a fan of his, owning most of his books (I think) and 40+ years of American Handgunner and Combat Handguns until recently.

Seem to think I read him saying he had a method of benching that got him pretty much the same results that you'd get with a machine rest. I'd like to reread that but am a little too lazy ( & old) to go thru all that mentioned above.

Anyone have an idea where I might find that information?

What type of handguns are talking about and at what distance?

 

[vmwilson]

SS Colt Govt & SS Colt Combat Commander. Seemed to have more trouble hitting with the Commander and was starting to wonder if it was me or the gun or the ammo. Looked into a rest and found one for $13 (MTM) but the shipping charges got my cheap side out so I built this setup. Adjustable to hold the sand bags and it works well though I think my wife's right. Spend a lot of time to save $12 shipping. Anyhow the problem wasn't the gun or the ammo. Apparently I need better trigger control. Groups at about 12-15 yards were a big hole with the rest. The tips I got on here definitely helped. The rest ain't pretty but it's stable.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

What type of handguns are talking about and at what distance?

Good question, and that does make a huge difference in various situations. The Remington XP 100 is close to being a "mini-rifle" that can hit targets out to 200 yards, and beyond, with a good optic attached over snub-nose revolver with basic sights. Or the Thompson/Center Contender. Stuff that nobody, 'cept for maybe Bob Munden, can even hit or see that far away.

 

[xphunter]

SS Colt Govt & SS Colt Combat Commander. Seemed to have more trouble hitting with the Commander and was starting to wonder if it was me or the gun or the ammo. Looked into a rest and found one for $13 (MTM) but the shipping charges got my cheap side out so I built this setup. Adjustable to hold the sand bags and it works well though I think my wife's right. Spend a lot of time to save $12 shipping. Anyhow the problem wasn't the gun or the ammo. Apparently I need better trigger control. Groups at about 12-15 yards were a big hole with the rest. The tips I got on here definitely helped. The rest ain't pretty but it's stable.
View attachment 862710

Glad you got things worked out.
E

 

[xphunter]

Good question, and that does make a huge difference in various situations. The Remington XP 100 is close to being a "mini-rifle" that can hit targets out to 200 yards, and beyond, with a good optic attached over snub-nose revolver with basic sights. Or the Thompson/Center Contender. Stuff that nobody, 'cept for maybe Bob Munden, can even hit or see that far away.

I typically don't shoot much more than a grand with my XP's, but I go and play with them beyond 1K out to beyond a mile every now and then

 

[xphunter]

I was able to spend a little bit a time out at Mac’s Gunworks last week.

I had not to zeroed my 44 Magnum Franken-Ruger. Using some Black Hills ammunition-240 grain JHP.

First two shots at 100 with me shooting from a standing position and the Bog-Gear on the bench were touching.

Other pic is me working my way (slowly moving it to the left) to getting it zeroed at 100 yards.

Center punched the 150 steel by using the Plex/Post at 8x. Puffcake to shoot.
I plan to get my drops out to 250 yards or so in the future. But I will be shooting from a seated position for the further distances.