How to practice?

[woolfam]

I've been shooting handguns for about 10 years now - used to shoot about 3-4 times / year, now about 8-10 times a year. I shoot at an indoor range (Crossfire in the Independence, MO area - great place!) and have a Buckmark w/ red dot scope, a GP100, and a new P93. I usually shoot some from a rest and some from a Weaver stance. From a Weaver stance, at 10 yards, taking my time, I can keep my .22s in a 1.5" circle, my .357s in a 3" circle, and my (new) 9mm in a 8" circle.

My question is, what / how should I practice to become a "better" shooter? Techniques? Things to watch for? Routines? Goals to set?

I know "it's all about" sight picture (front sight), consistent trigger pull, and lots of practice. What else do I need to learn / know / do?

 

[J Miller]

I know "it's all about" sight picture (front sight), consistent trigger pull, and lots of practice. What else do I need to learn / know / do?

I think you said it all right there. Use quality ammo in your guns and practice, practice, practice.

I would just keep doing what you are doing and you'll be where you want to be.

 

[Zak Smith]

For me, I found that once I got some ergonomic things fixed - can't have the gun hurting you - and the gun has a decent trigger, it basically comes down to putting lots of rounds downrange.

Make each shot count. Notice where each shot goes and figure out why it went where it did.

Stop for the day when you are too mentally or physically tired to make progress.

-z

 

[CWL]

My suggestion would be for you to make an effort to visit the range at least every month. Repetition of practice in many ways can make up for other weaknesses.

If you keep practicing, you should get your 9mm grouping down.

Work on what you list. If you can take a weekend SD training course. This will give you the foundation of tailoring a practical training schedule.

If you enjoy this, you will probably make the effort to get even more involved in the shooting arts and your improvement will grow as a result of this.

 

[SnWnMe]

Don't forget another very important aspect of training: Dry firing.

Make sure all the ammo is locked up and you have your snap caps. I got better with taking flash sight pictures and developed good muscle memory for fast draw/aim/fire/reload by dry firing alot. By practicing in front of a mirror I can correct my "point" and stance.

Murphy's Law says: The one time you dry fire at your plasma TV, the gun will be loaded...

 

[Majic]

Fundamentally sounds like you are not doing to bad (1.5" @10yd w/.22lr). Recoil maybe a factor with the .357mag and more practice will solve that. The 9mm could be you haven't yet learned the pistol or it maybe ammo. Try an assortment of brands and bullet weights to see if your pistol has a certain preference. The trigger maybe affecting your shooting of the 9mm.
Are you shooting the revolver DA or SA for each shot?
Which model P93 do you have? The decocker or the DAO? If it's the decocker model do you shoot the first shot DA or cock the pistol for SA? If DA does the shot fall in the group or the following shots?
Answers to these questions may help solve the mystery of the poor grouping of the 9mm. Additional hand strength maybe needed.

 

[Graystar]

Probably the most important part of getting the most out of practice is understanding what you are trying to accomplish.

Go to http://www.bullseyepistol.com/ Under "Perfecting Technique" there's a link to the Army Marksmanship Training Guide. Download the guide and look it over. Also look over the other information in that category. That should give you a better idea of all the factors involved in getting off a good shot.

When you're shooting, review each shot to see how you applied the fundamentals, and try to make specific adjustments.

Also, don't be hesitant to blame the pistol. For example, I find the standard Glock sights are horrible and can't be used for anything more than a combat type situation at close range. Once you understand what you are trying to accomplish, review your weapons to see what it is about them that help or hinder your efforts.

Finally, remember that shooting for points and shooting to save your life are completely different. The website listed above is for shooting for points and not really valid for shooting to save your life. That really is a different skill.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If you dry-fire fifty rounds a night, you'll see an improvement in your scores in a month's time. I didn't think it would make a difference, either.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Crossfire in the Independence, MO area - great place!

I have never shot there! Been there a few times, and I need to get out there to see if they are still doing bowling pin shoots since no one else in town is.

I currently shoot at the Bullet Hole in OPKS. Before that my home was up in Kearney at JR's. Too bad they closed down. At least they still sell guns, just no range.

As far as practice goes, sounds like you're doing okay. Depends on what you're trying to accomplish, but I usually shoot slow aimed fire at various ranges, then try one handed and weak hand shooting.

I find shooting at bull's eyes instead of sillohetts(sp) helps, and I shoot at the numbers on the bull's, not just the center.

And don't forget every now and then to just blast away a few rounds for the heck of it, just for fun and stress relief!!

 

[robear]

Another page I found with some good practice drills...

http://www.kuci.uci.edu/~dany/firearms/drills.html

enjoy..

R

 

[woolfam]

Wow! All kinds of great information. Thank you very much!

My P93 is the decocker model. I have tried shooting it DA first and then SA after that, and SA all the time. I would like to learn to use it primarily as a home defense weapon. I've only put about a hundred rounds through it, so I know I'm still learning. Thanks for the encouragement. The trigger pull is a little hard to get used to - especially after shooting my smooth-triggered GP100 for a year or so (and a S&W 686 for five or six years before that). Can I expect the P93's trigger to ever feel like the GP100's trigger?

I'll have a look at the suggested web sites.

Does anyone know of a good, reasonably-priced SD class offered around the Kansas City area?

Thanks, again, for all the good input. I have learned much from reading here.