Thanks for the very timely (for me) post Ol' Scratch. I'd love to see a sticky just for "flinch".
The link you provided took me to a response to the thread, not the thread itself. Do you have another link?
Here is the best thread I turned up in my search:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=486908&highlight=flinch
My story (for those who care or are bored enough to read):
I finally today swallowed my pride and paid for a private lesson at my local range. I decided I'd gone long enough throwing lead downrange and reinforcing my self-taught bad habits. I knew I needed an experienced third party to evaluate what I was doing wrong. Much to my surprise, my stance, grip and presentation were all fine. The instructor shot many rounds through my 1911 (offhand and rested) and while tearing a ragged hole surmised that the pistol's accuracy was definitely not a factor. I came into the lesson with my assertion that "I shoot the 1911 low". During the lesson, we determined that I flinch (even from the rest
).
From what I've read so far, the "best" advise follows two main ideas:
1) Isolate the shooter from the "bang". Increased hearing protection is the first end. I'm going to get better muffs and double up with plugs. Reducing the power load is next (I'm already shooting "just" WWB target loads).
2) Dry fire. I've done this a lot, but certainly not enough. My instructor (as have many in threads I've read) suggest placing an object (coin/ empty casing) on the muzzle and practice firing without disturbing the object. Fine and dandy, but I know it ain't going to go bang when sitting "in front of the TV". It's easy to keep it flat when the ammo is (known to be) in the next room.
Snap caps and related ideas are often thrown in with this thought. But I don't need to demonstrate to myself I'm flinching- I know I am.
FWIW, and to avoid other guesses:
My flinch only causes me to miss low. At any given range, after a few shots, I can adjust for my flinch and put the rounds on target. The flinch does not seem to significantly move my shots left or right- at modest distances anyway.
I'm 6'5" and have proportionally large hands. This 1911 does have full sized panels, and an arched MSH, but has a short trigger. I'm currently shopping for a long, flat trigger.
