shaking - pistol shooting

[altos]

I have had a 22lr Buckmark stuck in the cabinet, seldom used because I am not robust at shooting it. I finally got pissed off at myself and tried to get better. Still shooting the rifles but it irked me that I was so piss poor with a decent pistol. I can get 1/2 MOA with a rifle on bags, no issue. But a pistol standing, no bags... argh.

Having read a few posts on the board and being an ol gray far*, I decided to exercise my arms by hold 2 pound weights out in a pistol position while watching TV. After two weeks I went to range (today). The closest I can shoot at my range is 25 yards, 75 feet. I could previously hit a 5.5 inch shoot-n-c with consistency but it was not well grouped at all. I simply didn't have the ability to hold the pistol accurately. Well, today, I was grouping about 3.5 inches, consistently.

I know posture, squeeze and technique are important. But if your... ahhh... on the "other side of the hill" like me and shake when you shoot, consider a couple weights and simply hold them out in a shooting position while you watch a football game. Hold for 2 minutes, rest for 5, hold for two, rest for five. Do it for... oh, 1 football game. Do that once a day for 2 weeks watching whatever. You may fine the results... interesting.

enjoy in good health.

 

[David E]

One other thing you might try next time out is to squeeze the gun more with the SUPPORT hand. This frees up your gun hand to simply pull the trigger. When done correctly, it minimizes the movement transferred from the moving trigger finger to the gun.

But a 3.5" group at 25yds fired with shaking hands? Not too shabby !

 

[DFW1911]

Also, don't know if you are, but don't hold your aim for too long: that will get your arms shaking.

Acquire your target and fire. Don't over think it. You want this to become 2nd nature.

 

[M67]

hold 2 pound weights out in a pistol position while watching TV

Good advice.

But be careful. If you overdo it, that kind of training can lead to injuries, such as inflamed tendons in the shoulder. Think computer mouse syndrome. I would suggest stretching - before and after. And don't push it if it starts to hurt. I know real men laugh at pain, but sometimes it's a good idea to stop what you're doing and listen to your body.

 

[w_houle]

Essential tremor?
It's something I have to deal with... It's not the minuscule control of the movements of the sights, but looking for a larger pattern to emerge and controlling that... Okay, I'm still a crap shot, but I can shoot Minute of Scumbag with all of my guns.

 

[altos]

Support hand and timing (not too long), both great suggestions. Thank you!

I am at the point where as soon as I pull the trigger I KNOW where I hit almost all of the time. For better or worse. I use a red dot based on old eyes. I have found that if I don't set and shoot within 3 seconds it is better to stop, reset, start again. And then... always say "squeeeeeeeze".

Another note; a lesson learned during my "get off my as* and learn" mode...

I shot off of bags, firmly set, to verify my sights. I did this several weeks about, before the weight "training", something I had not done before. I found some error and corrected, but I still shook and didn't group well. The two lessons were... first... the Buckmark will shoot 1/2" all day long at 25 yards, on bags, once the sights were corrected. I couldn't duplicate while standing because I shook, but at least I knew where I was in a perfect scenario. Second... I used Eley Standard, CCI standard, CCI Mini-mag, Aguila match... Reminton something or another... it didn't matter, during the bag shoot. Results were, to my surprise, the same. I was amazed. It says something about the Buckmark. The only ammunition I know... is more accurate is Lapua Pistol King. I have a brick but won't shoot it for now as it is too expensive for a rookie in training. I have shot it in the past and it is always is tighter (albeit sloppy tighter in previous shooting, but tighter). In a couple of months I will try a box. Regardless, the Buckmark is incredibly uncaring about what ammunition is used, in MY experience. As always, "your mileage may vary".

There is a shooter at the range... she won the Bianchi Cup awhile back and is soooo good at the range... I watch her shoot for a couple minutes when I can and, yes, she has hand suport and timing. And she is awesome and a nice person, too. Absolutely amazing.

Hand support... timing... workin' it...

 

[gym]

Strength training at any age, combined with a little cardio, even walking, even rolling in a wheelchair, if you can't walk, will strenghten your entire body in a short amount of time.
If you need specific exercises, pm me and i'll customise a few exercises for you to do at home.

 

[BCRider]

Hey! If it was easy where would the challenge be? And it's why WE shoot the guns rather than just clamp them in some solid vises and see what the barrels are capable of doing.

At 56 I qualify as another old fossil. Or perhaps a fossil in training? I hear you on the ability or inability of the muscles to hold the gun without some shake. Since I retired 8 months back I've noticed that things seem to be getting worse. But then so is my waist line and cardio condition. Not enough of my usual bicycle riding since I stopped working. I commuted every day rain or shine you see. So your description about how even your casual training hit the nail on the head. I've already started on doing some more stuff and looking for more exercises that I can do in winter but your results just added one more plus to the list that had already convinced me that I gotta change my ways.

Keep on working out with your weights and getting into better shape. It's not JUST the shooting that will benefit.

 

[EAJ]

Also, don't know if you are, but don't hold your aim for too long: that will get your arms shaking.

In this instance I've found this shooting tip to be very helpful.