Pistol training questions

[kungfuhippie]

Went to the pistol range today Rented a Beretta 92 in 9mm. Tried double taps for the first time. I saw that the double tap shots gave me two holes about 2" apart at 30 feet, first shot below the second. As long as the first was well placed the second was too. Also noticed that while taking head shots I got tighter groups that aiming at torsos (sillouette targets).

Two questions

1. Is there anything special to know when doing double taps? (besides not shooting the target apparatis)

2. Why am I getting tighter groups on the "head shots" I'm aiming the same best I can tell, is this normal? I'm not just point in the general direction (vitals, head). I don't do this with a rifle...

It's all 15 rds. inside the #8 ring at 30 feet vs. all 15 rds. in the head at 30ft.

Thanks

 

[GoRon]

Is there anything special to know when doing double taps?

Are you aiming the second shot are just trying to get it off in rapid succession?

Why am I getting tighter groups on the "head shots"

Reminds me of the old quote, "aim small miss small".

 

[kungfuhippie]

question 1.
yes to both meaning I shoot and as soon as the sights hit target again second shot.

question/statement 2.
Aiming "small" on both, center of head and center of the "X" zone on chest. I though that too but even after several trips shooting with my pistol and rented/borrowed pistols same thing happens. Even put an orange sticky on the center as a aim-reinforcer. I'll on good days keep it all in the 9 ring or a sillouette but the head is only slightly larget than the X ring. Any other possibilites?

 

[El Tejon]

1. Yes, the term "double tap" is vague, it is derived from the olden days of IPSC when Brits were allowed pistols and double tapped people to ask where the WC was. It's use will send an ancient, uptight shooter rolling on his home office floors and curling up into the fetal position. (O.K., I'm better now).

Do you mean controlled pair or hammer? CP=one shot for each depression of the trigger with three sight pictures, hammer=two shots for each sight picture.

2. Head shots can be explained by the fact that you are slowing down and looking at your sights.

kungfu, you're doing great. Get a dry practice routine going. Buy more ammo and get a class or two scheduled.

 

[strambo]

Second shot, flash front sight picture just like in your description. You are doing good. If you were doing a true "double tap" (sight picture for 1st shot/fire next as fast as you can) you likely wouldn't have them 2" apart at 30 feet. More like 4-6" probably.

You are no doubt pausing an extra millisecond for the head shot/more concentration. It is a smaller target. This is good though, you want to dump rounds into the torso faster, then go head or hip if that doesn't work. Those require more precision.

 

[kevin387]

another vote for "aim small, miss small"

I think that subconciously your not shooting as strict because it doesn't matter as much. Anywhere in the torso will still be center mass and the energy will be dumped into the target. The same shot to the head will be a miss and have no effect. In other words your making the shot count more when it has to.

 

[kungfuhippie]

All advise apreciated, i'm a sponge. Yes, I will be trying both described methods next time I've got access to a working pistol. I'll be taking some classes next year. I realize I'm at the end of the road for much of the self teaching and an instructor will really help. I also give credit to subconsciously being sloppy in aiming with a bigger buffer, reason to go to the range more.