Lots of good ideas in the flinch thread.
Impressive results, matt!
I've been trying to become a better pistol shot for more than 40 years, and can offer the following observations.
Doing the wrong thing and expecting an improvement doesn't work (the first 20 years.)
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work on these first,
1. sight picture
Absolutely critical, for every shot. you should focus on the sights, particulary the front sight. If the sights are in perfect alignment, a shot a tiny bit out of the bull is just that. If the sights are not properly aligned, the shot can go anywhere. It's OK if the target looks a little blurred. Good sight alignment will keep you exactly in the center of the blur.
Don't worry too much if your group is not in the exact center of the target, as long as all of the shots are close together. Sights and loads can always be adjusted later.
2. grip
A CONSISTENT grip is very important to consistent results.
Why? The gun is moving in recoil before the bullet has left the muzzle.
If you change your grip from shot to shot, the point of impact will also change. Don't think of your gun as a handgun, think of it as an ARMGUN. It should be an extension of your arm, held as nearly parallel to your forearm, as reasonably possible. You actually are part of the handgun, during the recoil.
3. trigger control
Straight back and follow through. Same comments as above regarding consistency. Make sure to always put your finger on the trigger the same way. Most folks find the area between the ball of you trigger finger and the first joint gives the best results. You should also touch the trigger about at the center of its' curve.
It's sometimes useful to take a light grip on an UNLOADED gun, pull the trigger until the hammer drops, and then apply significantly more pressure to the trigger, while watching the sights carefully. If the sights move either left or right, you're not applying pressure straight back.
4. stance
After you've explored the first three points, on a range or other safe environment, set a target and asume your usual shooting stance. The gun should be unloaded but cocked and otherwise ready to fire. With the muzzle of the gun resting on the bench or pointed downwards about 45 degrees, direct you vision to the intended target and then close your eyes. Raise the gun to the firing position and them look carefully to see where the gun is pointed relative to the target. Vertical errors are due to muscle memory and can be ignored, for now. Horizonal error should be corrected by moving your feet. Your gun should be on line with your target when you are in a relaxed state. You will not shoot well if you are fighting your joints and muscles to maintain a position.
When you achieve consistent, predictable results, you can work on the other details. More than 90% of shooting, after you have mastered the fundamentals, is completely psychological.
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Above all, be safe and have fun.
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