Improving ones ability to shoot

**Robot Jesus** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 12:08am

I went to a firing range and was unable to hit **** when I had the target at eight feet. Is there any advice you can give me other than shoot more.

**MEGA JESUS-SAMA** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 1:23am

Take classes from an instructor you know, for a fact, is qualified.

**vigilus** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 12:09pm

What type of gun were you using? Rifle pistol?

We used to use an acryonym (sp?) that we'd teach principals of marksmanship, HABIT.

Holding
Airway
Breathing
Instinctive positioning
Trigger control.

We just changed it to 4 new ones, I'll try and dig up my coaching stuff so I can give you the correct wording/explination.

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 12:46pm

One month ago today was my first time at a range (my first time shooting a hardgun), and by coincidence I have not been back. Apparently I shoot well innately (it just can't be the video games), the range officer was impressed. After I got home I found this thread which may help you:

Overview of Handgun Shooting Stances

Reading that, I learned that the stance I naturally took is the modified Weaver stance, though I wasn't utilizing much in the way of a push/pull grip. I fired a Glock 19 that day and the recoil of a 9mm is as much as my jumpy self can take. I was startled every time someone else on range fired, so I learned to steady myself before I learned any kind of marksmanship. Emotionally, I became absolutely relaxed because I knew that I was just going to be startled anyway. I focused on steadying the gun in my shaky hands, primarily using breath control. This is briefly described in The Markmanship Wikibook:

Originally Posted by The Markmanship Wikibook

Breath Control - The firer should squeeze the trigger during the natural pause after exhalation. The breathing sequence should be as follows: inhale, exhale, hold, squeeze.

My own method was: stance, aim, breath control, aim, fire. It also should be noted that I primarily used the first 10 shots to get used to the trigger pull.

Assuming you were firing a pistol, I imagine your problems stemmed from not taking your time. If you aim properly and take the shot when you're comfortable, you're bound to hit something at eight feet. I don't mean to claim some authority with this, I just think that if my spastic ass can do fairly well something in my experience may help you.

***Plasma*** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 3:19pm

Originally Posted by Robot Jesus

I went to a firing range and was unable to hit **** when I had the target at eight feet. Is there any advice you can give me other than shoot more.

Lessons.

You can't hit **** at 8 feet?! I hope you aren't CCW.

***Plasma*** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 3:21pm

Originally Posted by Robstafarian

I fired a Glock 19 that day and the recoil of a 9mm is as much as my jumpy self can take. I was startled every time someone else on range fired, so I learned to steady myself before I learned any kind of marksmanship. .

I think the only time I jumped was when the guy next to me shot his .44 magnum. I was like HOLY ****!!!

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 4:15pm

Originally Posted by pl4zM4

I think the only time I jumped was when the guy next to me shot his .44 magnum. I was like HOLY ****!!!

Internal cranial bleeding during the course of my premature birth has fucked me up in a number of ways, one of which is a hypersensitive startle reflex. As such, I hate horror movies, air brakes, haunted houses, and my older brother :cussing:

***Plasma*** · Posted On: 7/30/2006 4:20pm

Originally Posted by Robstafarian

Internal cranial bleeding during the course of my premature birth has fucked me up in a number of ways, one of which is a hypersensitive startle reflex. As such, I hate horror movies, air brakes, haunted houses, and my older brother :cussing:

well......................boo!