Why Can't I Shoot Handguns Well?

[Jackal]

The title pretty much sums it up. For some reason, I am totally pathetic when it comes to accurately shooting handguns. I own a S&W 586. Can I hit the same place twice, ever? Nope. This is at a range of about 20 yards. I have fired a Ruger P95 with the same results. I can rarely get my CZ-52 even on the paper, and let's not even get into how I do with my Kel-Tec P3AT. My problem isn't just with pistols I own, but also with most any I have tried. My groups at 20 yards look like buckshot patterns. Forget about 50 yard shots. I am lucky if I even hit the backstop at that distance. I have looked at the little circle/pie chart pistol shooting thing people are so fond of here on THR, but it doesnt help me at all. Funny thing is, my rifle shooting is often almost surgical. Surgical with irons or scope. With my Bushmaster or K31, I can usually cut nice 1 hole groups at 50yds with irons. So, whats wrong with me and handguns??? Its driving me crazy!

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Start at a closer distance. Adhere to the fundamentals strictly. Trigger control is the most critical. If you start flinching, stop for the day.

Dryfire practice is your best friend at this point.

 

[bakert]

Jackal, i've never been more than a mediocre handgun shooter but enjoy it anyway. Like Ben Shepherd said, start with a target closer, maybe about 7 yds at first and relax. Far too many people try shooting at too long a distance, especially at first. Practice, more practice and dry firing will help. At the indoor range where I do most of my shooting nowadays, there are a few really good shots but often when I glance at some of the other people's targets I find out I aint doing half as bad as I thought.

 

[tsalaf666]

well, i don't know how long you have been shooting, but it is always helpfull to go over the basic rules and stances of shooting to make sure you are doing everything rite. also, i don't know if you know this or not, but you may be flinching when you pull the trigger as a reflex to your knowlege of the upcoming recoil. so try adjusting your trigger pull a bit so that you don't know exactly when it is going to fire and you won't flinch. again, you may know this already, but you would be surprised at how many people don't.
good luck

 

[tank mechanic]

This is a pretty expensive option, but if you had a fire arm with a laser on it and slowly practiced dry fire, you would be able to watch where exactly you are pointing the gun through the entire firing process. I am thinking about this option for my wife because I think she has a very slight flinch. She would be able to see what exactly she is doing while she is practicing and be able to correct it.

 

[Jim K]

Assuming you don't have "the shakes" and don't go to the range after too too close an encounter with a bottle, the problem is likely to be flinching, The best cure is to concentrate on the sights and just squeeze the trigger. Squeezing the trigger slowly keeps you from knowing when the gun is going to go off, and concentrating on the sights keeps you from thinking about the noise or recoil.

Also, you might check your hearing protection. Almost all of us will flinch if we shoot without adequate hearing protection, even with a .22; remember a pistol muzzle is closer to the ear than the front end of a rifle barrel.

P.S. Just kidding about the bottle, but avoid caffeine (coffee or cola drinks) before shooting; one old trick of competitive shooters was to invite the competition to breakfast, and pour them full of coffee. If the opposing team fell for it, they would surely lose the match.

Jim

 

[ezypikns]

20 Yards?

Try shooting at 21 feet (7 yards). I don't know what you're shooting for. Simple plinking, serious target? If you're trying to train for a self defense situation, I believe a much closer distance would be more realistic. I will sometimes shoot a series of shots at 15 yards just to see how I do (usually not so good either).
When I qualified for my concealed handgun license, we were required to take all of our shots at 3, 7, and 15 yards.

Some (or many) will naturally disagree with me, I'm sure.

 

[Amanda357mag]

You may also want to try using a sandbag when shooting at close range, about 7-10 yds. Dry firing with snap caps is very helpful too. Are you shooting your gun or are you letting it fire. If your shooting it, you could be jerking the trigger. Look at where your shots are going, ex: if your shooting high and to the right, your pulling the trigger to the right and possibly not holding on to the gun tight enough with your left hand.

 

[XavierBreath]

Handgun shooting is all about trigger control. It's about being able to use your index finger to pull the trigger without moving any of the other fingers of your hand. Some handguns, such as 1911s are easier than others to do this with. DA revolvers demand a lot from a shooter, at least when shot DA.

My advice, if you want to become a proficient handgunner..... Buy a .22 target pistol, such as a Ruger MKII or a Browning Buckmark. Next, buy profession instruction. Buck up and do it, it's worth the money. Buy good instruction, not some yahoo who thinks he's the CCW king. Get good, professional handgun instruction from a qualified instructor who will watch you as you shoot, and who can tell you the little things that are causing you problems. Finally, put a lot of lead downrange with that .22 pistol.

 

[Jackal]

Ok, I guess I need to elaborate. All of this shooting is done sitting, rested on a towel. I am 21, have been a rifle shooter since I was 10, have no "shakes", hearing protection is 33NRR earplugs and I am mostly just plinking at paper. As for my P3AT, I just fired 50 rounds at varying distances. At about 20ft, I can get a whole magazine worth ammo onto a 8x11" paper. I think my problem with it is the fact that I know I'm gonna get the brass thrown into my face when I pull the trigger. The CZ-52, I just cannot shoot well with at all, and I accept that. The 586, now that bugs me. I know its a tack driver and yet, shooting SA, I can hardly keep my rounds on a 8x11" paper at 50ft. And that supported! I have measured all the distances, since I have my own 100yd range in my back field. I am sure its not my gun's fault, since I can hand the same pistol to my uncle and watch him roll a can at 20yds. I belive I need what most of you suggested...Practice. I'll also start shooting at a closer distance to build my confidence a little, because as of right now I'm about ready to quit the handgun scene and I need the confidence boost. One more thing. While I'm not sure if this is a fluke, I actually was able to hit paper with 4 out of 12 shots at 50yds with my P3AT. Most likely just luck.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Jackal,
Just a shot in the dark BUT.... Are you sure you aren't reverse eye dominant?

 

[Jackal]

Just a shot in the dark BUT.... Are you sure you aren't reverse eye dominant?

You mean, if I'm right handed and I was left eyed? No such luck. I do all my rifle shooting with my right eye. I am certain I will get to the bottom of this with THR member help.

 

[JohnKSa]

If you're thinking about anything but sight alignment and trigger control at the moment that the shot breaks, you might as well be doing something else.

Things not to think about while shooting:

1. Where the brass is going.
2. How the recoil is going to feel.
3. What the group will look like.
4. Why can't I make small groups?
5. (Pretty much anything other than sight alignment & trigger control.)

First of all, quit shooting at such long ranges. 50 yards with a P3AT? That's just crazy...SERIOUSLY! I have only very rarely shot a handgun at distances past 25 yards, and I've NEVER even considered shooting a pocket pistol past 15 yards.

Start out at 5 yards or even closer. Forget about the bench--stand up and shoot. If you can make paper-plate sized groups shooting pretty quickly then either try to go faster or move the target out a little farther.

And take a little pressure off yourself--shooting is supposed to be FUN.

 

[10-Ring]

Bring the target in and build confidence at a closer distance....say 25' and work your way out. Plus there is no substitute for practice...Get the trigger time in w/ good technique & you'll be fine

 

[ZeSpectre]

Ok, I guess I need to elaborate. All of this shooting is done sitting, rested on a towel.

Have you tried just standing up? Honestly, when I try to bench rest a pistol I can't hit crap. Two handed is coming to me but for whatever reason I do my best work "bullseye" style. Sounds completely wrong because of course a supported pistol should be making more accurate shots but for whatever reason single handed shooting works best for me.

 

[isp2605]

Just as Michael Jordon didn't pick up a basketball and the next year was playing for Chicago or Barry Bonds didn't hit home runs his entire career, shooting is a skill that requires lots and lots of practice. That's good practice, not just tossing rds downrange and making empty brass. It takes work and lots of it. You have to have the fundamentals down first before you play in the big leagues. Get some coaching from someone who really knows how to shoot. That's not some range rat or couch potato commando. Find someone who shoots competition at a high level and see if they will give you pointers. Then practice, practice, practice. To make competition level expect to run thousands and thousands of rds over a long period of time. It's a commitment. And even after all that, remember that just like not everyone will be a Michael Jordon or a Barry Bonds, not everyone is capable of shooting those tight groups. No matter how much practice, some people are good at it and some aren't. Just keep striving to improve but don't expect to be a high level shooter if it's not in the stars.

 

[mio]

not to be a jack*** but maybe youre one of those people who will never be a good pistol shot. i know that im not above avg and its not from a lack of shooting ive come to the conclusion that the best i can do is my best and that all i can do is keep practicing and not worry about what other people are doing.

keep shooting keep practicing im guessing youll get better over time and get your groups down to where you can live with them even though they arent what you want.

 

[Chris Rhines]

There is no such thing as a "natural" shooter. The only way that you can get good is by frequent practice.

First - lose the bench. It's teaching you bad habits.

Second - give yourself a chance. Start with a fairly large target at close range, something you know that you can hit every time. A 9" paper plate at ten feet is a good start. Focus on the basics - sight alignment, trigger press, and follow-through. Practice the basics until you can keep all your shots in a nice tight group. Then move the target back a few feet, and repeat.

- Chris

 

[44AMP]

Consistancy

not speed. Speed comes later. Forget about the range, find a dirt bank (safe backstop) and just plink. Pop can/plastic bottle, clay pigdeon, what ever, just somewhere you can see your hits, and your misses.

I urge you to get a .22 "sport" pistol. Semi auto or revolver, your choice. adjustable sights preferred, but not a necessity.

Relax. Forget "combat" shooting, forget everything except safety. Just stand, raise the gun, line up the sights, target on top of the front sight and squeeze. Lower the gun. Where did you hit? Do it again. Slowly, without rushing, no pressure, just plinking. One handed, or two, one eye or both, whatever feels comfortable.

Your question could be interpreted as performance anxiety, along with curiousity. Worry profits you nothing. Some people are naturally gifted, and learn easily. Others of us aren't. For us it takes time, and practice. Unless your livelyhood depends on it (LEO) you have time go get skilled without pressuring yourself.

Play games. Put up a paper plate at across the room distance, point, like a shotgun. Shoot. Hit? Miss? Where? Always missing the same way? We can do something with that.

If a .22 isn't in the future, practice with .38 Special. Not as cheap, but very mild in the recoil and blast dept.

Practice, have fun, and don't worry. One day, like magic, things will come together. Just don't get torqued waiting for that day. That just puts it off.

 

[Baba Louie]

Also try the odd empty round in the cylinder, like 4 live rounds w/ 2 empties interspersed. Shoot slowly, one round DA. Watch for flinching and front sight wandering around (actually you watch the front sight only... a friend or coach should watch to see if you're muzzle's meandering.)
Shoot slowly. V e r y S l o w l y. Steady. As others have said, close in.
.22's... good.
Dryfire... good (snap caps in centerfires... I won't dryfire .22's)
Have fun... very good.

What kinda grips on the 586?

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I am going to take a shot at this and guess that because you are an excellent rifle shooter you hunker your head down to the rifle to achieve what they call " stock weld". This is pressing your cheek into the stock to fix your line of sight to the gun. Problem is when you try to apply those same skills unintentionally to a pistol it doesn't work. Bring up the pistol to eye level and stop bringing your head down to the pistol. Big common mistake that's hard to break and has to be unlearned when pistol shooting. Bring up the pistol to eye level and aim for the target. I repeat do not bring your head down to the pistol.. Doing so causes unsteadiness, unbalance, inconsistancy to your shooting. a large part of Pistol Shooting is balance and you it's difficult to balance when your head is hunkered forward and down. Your head has to be in the same position every time, "its natural position" for consistancy.

 

[Jackal]

Bring up the pistol to eye level and aim for the target. I repeat do not bring your head down to the pistol..

I was waiting for a wise sage to inform me on a mistake I could be making. You my friend have just described exactly what I do every time I shoot a handgun. I just tested with two different pistols and yes, I drop my head every time:banghead: . D'oh. Ok, that is one thing I shall soon rectify and I thank you for bringing it to my attention. I have also noticed that I never seem to grip a gun the same way twice. That may also be contributing to my troubles. I shall try improving upon both of these things tomorrow.

 

[Jomax]

From the peanut gallery here.

Start and think small. Then, work up. Buy a few Center-of-Mass paper targets and from 12' or 15' away - not more than that - try to group two successive shots within 3" or 4" of each other.

Then, deliberately aim for a shoulder, arm, neck, head, abdomen, etc. and see if you can get two successive shots in each area and within 3" or 4" of each other. If you can't and if you're not flinching, then shoot 100 practice rounds solely for the purpose of zeroing in on your particular gun's sights and establishing the correct line of sight to shoot along. You may be guessing your aim more than actually visualizing it.

All of this should eventually help to allay your more immediate concerns over reasonably good accuracy in a self-defense situation. Practice beyond that to tighten the groups, increase the distance, shoot faster, etc., etc.

 

[slocum]

An instrtuctor once gave me an interesting tip. It's helped me with focus.

What he did was he asked me if I was seeing the muzzle flash with each shot. I tried a couple more rounds and realized that I was not. To shoot accurately you must focus on the front sight. If you don't see the flash you also cannot be observing the sight at the most critical moment. The deal is you MUST focus so intently on the front sight that you literally "forget" to startle and blink. To know that you've reached this level of focus you will see the muzzle flash with every shot.

Trigger control is the most important thing to learn though. Dry firing is the key to that.

I also think it's important to make sure you understand what your standard of accuracy evaluation is. If you're shooting at 20 yards you're shooting at things too far to be considered viable targets with a handgun. A handgun is a defensive weapon. That, by definition, means close quarters. Long range shots are risky and generally not advisable unless you're just blowing up cans of chili.

Get proficient at 7 yards. Work it out to 10 and then maybe 15.

HTH

s

 

[Cousin Mike]

Shooting a handgun well is not an easy thing to do.

Shooting well is easy, in theory. All you have to do is keep the sights perfectly aligned on the target, and pull the trigger straight back without disturbing your perfect sight alignment.

Of course, that's easier said than done. So it takes practice. Dry-firing is an excellent way to develop trigger control. Once again, the point is to pull the trigger without disturbing sight alignment.

Every shot should surprise you. If you know exactly when the shot is going to go off, you're going to flinch - plain and simple. You flinch with every shot anyways. The difference between a good and bad shot is this: When you anticipate the recoil, your subconscious braces your body for the explosion before you shoot - resulting in an off-target shot. When you pull the trigger slowly and let the shot surprise you, your body will brace for the shot after the bullet has left the barrel. This is also a part of trigger control. You also want to follow through (maintain your grip) with every shot.

Grip should be uniform throughout... Never change your grip while shooting. Also, proper grip is just as important as uniformity. You should grip the pistol about as tight as a firm handshake. Hold your empty hand out like you're holding a gun. Cant your wrist upwards at about a 45 degree angle. See that dent in your wrist, right behind the web of your hand? Your sights should be lined up with that dent. The pistol then becomes an extension of your arm.

Front sight focus is paramount. DO NOT look back and forth between the target and your sights. DO NOT focus on the target... let it blur, and focus on the front sight, and keeping it perfectly centered between the rear sight notches.

I'd recommend a book called The Pistol Shooter's Treasury. And a .22LR pistol - those 2 tools will have you on your way to getting better in no time. And as has been said before, move your targets in to a reasonable distance, and STAND UP. 50 yards is nice if you have the skill and experience to shoot well at that distance, but most of us can't shoot well at that distance. Personally, I've never tried it with a pistol.

I'm of the opinion that benchrest shooting is just as (if not more) difficult than standing. You have to know what you're doing, and if you're moving your head or hands around to find the sight picture then you might as well just close your eyes and shoot.