My groupings are finally getting better

[ShooterMcGavin]

I am happy about this last range trip, so I had to share. Each grouping is from 14 shots at 7 yards (S&W M&P40). I am open to comments or critiques if you have them.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

congrats.
It took awhile til I could get a grouping with my browning hi-power. It just takes practice. I do have some advice and you are free to take it or leave it. I shoot handguns at 25 yards and seldom at any shorter range. It is more difficult starting off, but you really learn how to properly shoot. Anything you can do at 25, you are going to do better at 7.

 

[righteousbarbarian]

I'm no expert buy I've taken the opposite approach. I start close and slowly move back.

 

[bluto]

My approach to marksmanship was also to start at 7 yards and gradually work back to longer distances. The philosophy behind being able to shoot accurately at distance making short ranges easier works well for some. And while I shoot 80% of the time now at 25 yards, personally I found it easier to work on different mechanics (sight alignment, trigger control, grip, stance, *flinch*, sight picture, breathing, follow-up) when you could see where the shot was hitting each time.

You might try 5 shots for grouping until you're satisfied with the results then move back to 10 yards, 15 yards, and finally 25 yards. Eventually you can try shooting 10 shot strings because it offers a greater challenge at any distance.

I'm probably a bit extreme, but I saved my targets from each range session when I was starting out to compare from outing to outing. It helped me spot bad tendencies and weaknesses so I could isolate them. I'd work on changing one thing each time to see the results.

Keep up the good work. You're doing fine.

 

[Bula]

Lookin' good. The one thing that really helped me was learning to slowly squeeze the trigger and let the drop surprise you. And I always keep the trigger down through the recoil. An experienced shooter told me follow through "wasn't only for golf". keep up the good work.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I do have some advice and you are free to take it or leave it. I shoot handguns at 25 yards and seldom at any shorter range. It is more difficult starting off, but you really learn how to properly shoot. Anything you can do at 25, you are going to do better at 7.

I am happy to hear any advice I can get. Thanks.
Is your advice aimed towards those who are planning on competing in the future? My main goal, at the moment, is competency for self defense. I think the range I shoot at probably only goes out to 25 yards (at the most), but I will give your advice a try

I'm probably a bit extreme, but I saved my targets from each range session when I was starting out to compare from outing to outing. It helped me spot bad tendencies and weaknesses so I could isolate them. I'd work on changing one thing each time to see the results.

I do bring the target in closer after each string of shots, in order to analyze the placement.

For those shots, I was squeezing slowly, working on letting the break surprise me. I continued to hold the trigger through the recoil, and released slowly. I would load my mags (4 of them available) with 1 snap-cap somewhere in the mix, and try to convince myself that "this is the dud". It also gave me a chance to see my flinch, which is getting smaller.

 

[CountGlockula]

Great job. All it takes is some extra range time.

 

[10-Ring]

There is no substitue for practice...it's all about quality time & maintaining good form. Be patient and shoot only this pistol until you've gotten to that point your meeting your expections on a consistent basis
Oh, & have fun!

 

[Action_Can_Do]

ShooterMcGavin
I'm happy to help if I can. I don't compete in shooting (though me and my friends are very competitive). I've always found 25 yards to be a good distance to shoot at. When I start with a new gun, I usually do very poorly. Then, by the second or third trip, I start to improve considerably. You can start at shorter ranges and move back, but I prefer to start further back. The only exception to this rule for me is snub noses.