Accurate Pistol Shooting For the Novice
Accurate pistol shooting can be hard for anyone, and it takes a lot of work and practice to become good. However, there are a couple of tips and tricks you can use to jump-start your success at shooting. While nothing can beat “practice, practice, practice,” fixing your form and nailing down the basics can really help you. Here are 6 ways you can have accurate pistol shooting next time you hit the range.
- Diagnosing your problem
- Find your stance
- Fix your grip
- Keep your eyes on the sights
- Trigger pull
- Practice
Diagnosing your problem
Accurate pistol shooting doesn’t have to be hard! However, it can be frustrating for new gun owners. Small grip issues or flinching while firing can cause you to be wildly inaccurate. Even the way that you position your feet can make a big difference when it comes to accurate pistol shooting. Here is a video by the NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) to break down some common causes of pistol shooting that you may experience. Down below you’ll find some helpful tips on how to solve these problems and more.
Find your stance
When it comes to firing a pistol, shotgun, rifle, or bazooka, your stance matters a ton. Without the proper solid base to start with your body cannot absorb the force of the recoil. Furthermore, without the proper stance, you’ll be less accurate and more prone to flinching when firing. There are two main types of shooting stances, however, more are becoming popular. These are Isosceles and Weaver.
The Isosceles is about squaring up to your opponent with outstretched arms and bended knees. It will give you side-to-side balance but may make recoil not as easy to maintain. You form an isosceles triangle with the points of your shoulders connected by the single point of your gun.
The Weaver method causes you to effectively control recoil and sure up your shooting side by blading the body. You place one foot behind your dominant side and shoot at an angle.
For a more visual example check out this guide as well:
Fix your grip
Your grip is also very important when it comes to accurate pistol shooting. Without a forceful grip, you can’t control the recoil as easily. Additionally, this also causes your trigger pull to be off as well. For the best results when shooting, you want to grip your pistol as high and as firm as you can. Don’t block the slide with your shooting hand, but place it directly underneath. Grip as firm as possible while placing your other hand on the side of the gun as high you can. If your hand starts to tremor, then you are gripping too hard. Make sure your grip is secure, and that your arm is in line with the direction of the barrel.
For a more visual aid check out this example by a former navy seal:
Keep your eyes on the sights
One of the most common mistakes that will lead you not to be accurate is focusing on the target instead of your sights. Before buying any accessories to help with aiming, make sure you are focused on your sights when looking at a target. Staring at the target instead won’t give you an accurate view of what you are pointing your gun at. If you only look at your target you will always be off your mark.
Trigger pull
Basic trigger pull can take a long time to learn because it is different for every gun. Trigger pull is defined as “ the pressure applied to a trigger to fire a firearm” by Merriam-Webster. Being too forceful with your trigger pull can result in you moving the gun as you fire causing your aim to be off. To counteract this, start slowly pulling your trigger when you want to take a shot. Don’t try to time your shot, slowly line up your shot and slowly pull the trigger. You can also do this when your gun is unloaded and get a feel of how that gun fires, without dealing with recoil. Familiarity with your gun will help you above all else.
Practice
While all of these tips are worth implementing for accurate pistol shooting, practice with your gun will always help you become a better shooter. Consider becoming a member at your local range to get in extra practice or take extra training. If you are looking for a gun store and range that help you select a gun, train you, and more then you should consider Spring Guns and Ammo! With exceptional customer service and a top-notch facility, you can improve your shooting in no time! Contact us today to find out how you can become a better shooter.
