Dry Fire Exercises

[FriedRice]

So I've conceded that I need to shoot less and save my hands. Instead of going to the range yesterday, I spent parts of the day dry firing. I awoke to find my hands are sore. Muscle sore, not like they took a beating when I shoot sometimes. Maybe this is the equivalent of "grip exercises" others have recommended.

What kind of dry fire routines do you all do? I already have holster, draw, fire, reholster exercises to do. What about when you're sitting around watching the tube?

I'm big on safety so no live ammo in the room, triple checking to make sure the gun is unloaded and all the others are in the safe. I've got a safe backstop to point at. I can do the dime exercise without problems. I just changed grip to both thumbs forward from a revolver grip. Getting used to the DAO trigger on the Kahr K9, no problem. Working on not milking the grip. Now that I know I only need to rack the slide 3/8" (thanks usp9), this is not boring. Feels like I'm working on my skills set, so it's fun.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I hate to say it, but it sounds like you're gripping too hard...either that or you could check your vitamin B and potassium levels

Your strong hand should not be gripping tighter than a normal handshake...you have to figure out what normal is...it is easier to demonstrate. The strong hand doesn't hold the gun down (although that is still taught), it's purpose is to steer the gun, toward and between targets, and manage the trigger...your fingers pull the butt of the gun into the pocket of your hand. Your support hand does most of the work of holding the gun. If you relax your strong thumb, you won't milk the grip.

There are two things to remember about managing a DAO trigger like on the Kahr.
1. the trigger moves smoothly to the rear...straight back and without hesitation
2. the trigger needs to be reset, released to the full forward position, at the same speed as it is pressed to the rear.

 

[Walkalong]

I hate to say it, but it sounds like you're gripping too hard.

Yep.

 

[10-96]

Not a bad thing to do at all! And, with the sore hands- you've identified one possible issue. Do you think maybe you're gripping too hard? Do you end up getting the shakes because of the sore hand thing? This is where bullseye type shooting can tell you a wee bit more than the 2-handed run-n-gun sports.

Here's something an old-timer taught me about grip consistency and milking: Sit in a chair, couch, whatever, with your strong hand casually laying across your stong side thigh- palm up. You should be relaxed with no muscle influence to keep your arm in place or anything else. Form your hand into a grip- as you would be gripping your firearm with your finger on the trigger. Now, either out loud or in you mind, say the word "sque-e-eze" (slowly) and as you do- move your trigger finger towards the rear. I know, it sounds stupid- but you can tell if you naturally influence any other fingers or thumb, you can tell one day to the next what your focus/clamness is. It's not always easy to only move the trigger finger. When I first started doing this, I noticed my 2nd and 3rd fingers would move. Now, it seems to be my thumb- but at least I know where I need to concentrate. Doing this 5 or 10 minutes a day before a match does help at least in my mind. And, if you do something that YOU truly feel is beneficial- then it will likely will as long as it follows good form and practice- and does not distract from any progress you've already made.

Also, ponder on something a minute: Does your grip increase to the point of soreness as your hand sweats? If sweating is an issue (some guys just have hands that are naturally sweatier than others), stop by a pharmacy and pick up a roll of Coban Tape. It's that kinda spongy tan stuff with no stickum, but it's not ace bandage stuff. Make no more than two wraps around the grip of your pistol, then do your dry-fires or actual range time and see if that is a issue that can be ruled out.

 

[MrBorland]

There are a metric boatload of dry fire drills online. Ben Stoeger's 15 minute Program comes to mind:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=96029

Check out Steve Anderson's book, Refinement & Repetition, as well. It's got quite a following, for good reason:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/reviews.html#steve

What about when you're sitting around watching the tube?

Nothing. It's one or the other, IMHO.

 

[FriedRice]

Good points. Yes, I would conclude I'm gripping the gun too tightly. It can be hard to tell because it probably *looks* right to an instructor and I shoot tight groups. They don't see me the next day when I'm complaining about my hand.

9mmepiphany, you do an excellent job of breaking down the mechanics. On the support hand, where am I exerting most of the pressure? As it is now, with the dominant hand more relaxed, the squeeze from the support hand is fingers to palm, so gripping the gun from the sides. Does that sound right to you? Also I notice in your one handed pic, your fingertips are a bit white with gripping, which implies a fair amount of force. Is that what my dominant hand should be doing under there? If so, still unclear why I'm sore. Several hours after getting up, the soreness is gone already. I probably did 100 dry fires yesterday.

10-96, good tip on the no gun in hand practice with the trigger finger. My middle finger wants to move. I can train that out. Without hurting myself, too!

MrBorland, I'll check out those books and links. I've only been shooting for 9 months so things that makes sense to the average shooter on this forum are still things I'm learning.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I was afraid you were going to see that, it was because my daughter was taking so long trying the frame the shot, with the zoom, and allowing the auto focus to do it's work before snapping the shot...before that we spent several shots with her jerking the shutter

You shouldn't be gripping that tight with you finger tips at all. The rearward pressure should be coming from the 2nd joints and directed straight rearwards.

With your dominate hand applying front to rear pressure, your support hand should apply lateral pressure...clamping the dominate hand into the sides of the grip.

You should be able to open you dominate palm, not the fingers, take your thumb out from behind the backstrap and still hold the gun with the pressure of your support hand...Do Not fire the gun like this

With that kind of dedication to dry fire, you might be ready for this:
1. go to www.graygunstraining.com
2. go to the tab Dry Fire Packet
3. ping the link and send a blank e-mail
4. you'll receive a free packet explaining visualization and dry fire

Ignore the dates of training classes, I haven't updated it in a while

 

[tex45]

I use an airsoft 1911 clone, with accurate safeties, hammer, racking, and trigger (sort of). Weight is pretty close to an alloy pistol.

 

[Zerodefect]

You don't have to grip hard for target shooting.

But action shooting like Uspsa and Idpa require a strong grip especially 1911's. The key to useing the high thumb over the safety grip on a 1911 requires you to squeeze hard to deactivate that safety and pull your gun in some more.

Most who have the dreaded problem with 1911's not firing after a draw are because they are rushing to get the gun out and don't have a good grip to deactivate the grip safety. Making an effort to squeeze the tar out of a 1911 as you turn the safety off after drawing helps that alot.

I use the grip things to strengthen my hands, it helped my action shooting alot. If you look at the top competitors they all have one thing in common:
really ripped forearms.

Even the fatties have tough looking forearms. Strengthening your grip will help your shooting alot.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I use an airsoft 1911 clone, with accurate safeties, hammer, racking, and trigger (sort of). Weight is pretty close to an alloy pistol.

I use an airsoft Sig 226 to work on my presentations from the holster, press outs and mag changes. I can also use it for SA practice, but it's hard to duplicate the DA trigger feel.

The OP was saying that they were getting used to a Kahr...I don't think they make an airsoft Kahr yet

 

[FriedRice]

I'm doing the dry fire holster work from my normal carry position. It isn't easy to not sweep some part of my body but it's getting easier. When I holster and unholster with live ammo loaded, it's in front of a mirror at this point. I'm thinking to build upon my work at home I may change my OWB range work position. Would it make sense to put that holster at 1200 or 100 given that I carry midline? Defensive Handgun is in two weeks and I should have a steady draw and fire by then without sweeping from my dry fire work. Drawing and shooting from an OWB holster at 200 is useful but shouldn't I try for as close to real as possible? 1200 may not make it safe for the shooter to my left, but 100 might. Maybe a high low ready position would be good as well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've seen some very fast work from a holster carried at the 0100 position...appendix...just in front of the hip.

It was an IWB holster carrying a Colt Commander under an un-tucked shirt...the classic Bruce Nelson carry (yes the person who designed the original Summer Special for this carry)...the left hand pulls up the shirttail while the right hand withdraws the gun, up and back to the right hip (retention position)

 

[possum]

grip the gun like you were holding a baby chicken. Firm enough to keep you from dropping it, but not to firm that you hurt it.

i dry fire everything i possibly can
1) 2 hands,
2) weapon hand only
3) reaction hand only
4) malfunction clearance
5) speed reloads


also there is a program on Tom Given's Rangemaster sight that is for dry fire. You use your computer and dots pop up on the screen at various intervals and speeds.

dry fire can help you way more than most people think.

I don't use a laser for defense, however i do use one at times to work on dry firing. it helps.