The Flinches?

Point&Shoot

Point&Shoot

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I’m sure I’m not the only one but how do you account for twitching at the break and just being a tiny bit jumpy plinking at the range? It’s almost like you’ve powered down the Red Bulls. Sometimes it’s striking how I can shoot fine one day but can’t get my mojo on the next day. I’m not a tournament shooter so how does someone who needs to have their game face on when they shoot manage, or is it just what separates men from boys. I couldn’t hit the target yesterday but the day prior I went home thinking “not bad”. I find the psychological part of shooting is just as important as the shot itself.
 
It's normal. You need to build good habits, so it's something you want to crush right away.

One way is to have a friend randomly load a couple of snap caps into your mag.

Focus on keeping your eyes both open, looking at the threat.

Practice with a .22. It's easier to stay chill with a big heavy 22 like a smith 617

Dry fire! This really helped me with the flinch with my scandium 357.

Meditate! Part of the psychology of the flinch is being afraid of the massive pressure wave and sound. Take time during the day to think about how you want to fight. If someone throws a punch you don't want to get all worked up, stressed out. You just want to IMMEDIATELY get to work. Same thing with a gunfight. Just get to work now, shit your pants later.

And finally get your cardio up. The more in shape you are physically the better you'll be able to handle the stress.
 
You were let down by an instructor and/or friends who got you shooting centerfire before you were ready.

Get yourself a .22 so you can actually learn how to shoot properly. As someone who does instruction, I am constantly "fixing" people who moved onto centerfire too soon.
They flinch, or push or in some way anticipate recoil and it takes far far longer to fix than it would have to just work up to "normal" recoil naturally.
We all have a threshold. I can shoot my 6" .44 mag all day and not push or flinch.

But if I shoot my .454 Cassul Ruger Super Blackhawk, not a terribly heavy gun, I am good for ONLY one shot.

After that, the second shot goes 6" low as I push in anticipation of the recoil. My third shot will typically be off the bottom of the target at 25 yards. So this problem can happen to anyone and is a NORMAL human reaction.

I tell my students that if they actually want to learn to be good shooters, they should go out and get a .22 and 2 “bricks” of .22. That’s 1000 rounds. When the 1000 rounds are used up, start bringing your 9mm to the range.

Shoot the .22 primarily. Half way through the session, put 3 rounds in the 9mm and shoot them. Did the 2nd and 3rd round go below the first? If yes, you are anticipating the recoil.

Go back to the .22 and finish out the day. Shoot 2 or 3 more rounds out of the 9mm at the end of the session.

Every time you go shooting bring the 9mm and shoot it a bit more. Always use a fresh target so you can see if your rounds begin to impact low, a sure sign of you anticipating recoil with a “Push”. Then go back to the .22 for at least 20 rounds.

When I do introductory instruction, we shoot ONLY .22s with a silencer. With no recoil and no noise, that little tick of anxiety in the back of your head that you're not even aware of, disappears. At the end of the class, we take the cans off. If any students want to shoot centerfire pistols, we do it as just something to experience AFTER all the instruction is done.

You may also want to try the ball and dummy drill. Google it. It requires a helper for a semi-auto gun but can be done on your own with a revolver.
 
I was hired by a friend of a friend to correct a new shooters push. We spoke on the phone. He was a smart guy and we agreed to meet.

I forgot to ask what kind of gun he had. When we met, I saw that he was trying to shoot about the most difficult to shoot semi-auto you can buy.
The Kahr PM40.

This is a TINY and very light .40 cal that is based on the PM9. It recoils pretty seriously and is impossible for most people to shoot well. Very few people can shoot it without having to reset their grip between shots.

Check out this video. This guy is an idiot. He's shooting a PM40 and regripping every shot. He doesn't recognize that if you can't fire a string of shots without regripping you need to get either a gun that is either larger or softer shooting or both. Watch on for 30 sec, he switches to a G27 and experiences a misfire. We get to see an ENORMOUS push. Which explains partly why he is such an embarrassingly terrible shooter. (He's bad and he doesn't know he's bad)


View: https://youtu.be/h2svnO6oO-0?si=2-0egxsqc-_4imWz&t=31


So anyway, we started this student out on a .22 for roughly 100 rounds. I was loading mags and he was shooting 8" falling steel at roughly 15 ft. His instructions were to go slowly and not miss.

We then switched to a Glock 34 and then a 365 X Macro with a PMM comp. Both are soft shooting 9mms.

He was doing great. We shot my regular small 365 and he also managed it ok. He wasn't great but when I slipped some dummy rounds into the mags we saw he wasn't pushing too bad.

We talked about the fact that he didn't carry the PM40 in his pocket and the fact that it was unnecessarily small for IWB carry. In the end we agreed that he should get rid of his PM40 and switch to either a P9, if he wanted to stay with Kahr. Or a 365.

But either way, the PM40 was (and still isn't) a good gun for 95% of shooters. Because they simply can't shoot it fast with any kind of accuracy. aaaannndddd most people who shoot one develop a push.
 
dcmdon said:
I was hired by a friend of a friend to correct a new shooters push. We spoke on the phone. He was a smart guy and we agreed to meet.

I forgot to ask what kind of gun he had. When we met, I saw that he was trying to shoot about the most difficult to shoot semi-auto you can buy.
The Kahr PM40.

This is a TINY and very light .40 cal that is based on the PM9. It recoils pretty seriously and is impossible for most people to shoot well. Very few people can shoot it without having to reset their grip between shots.

Check out this video. This guy is an idiot. He's shooting a PM40 and regripping every shot. He doesn't recognize that if you can't fire a string of shots without regripping you need to get either a gun that is either larger or softer shooting or both. Watch on for 30 sec, he switches to a G27 and experiences a misfire. We get to see an ENORMOUS push. Which explains partly why he is such an embarrassingly terrible shooter. (He's bad and he doesn't know he's bad)


View: https://youtu.be/h2svnO6oO-0?si=2-0egxsqc-_4imWz&t=31


So anyway, we started this student out on a .22 for roughly 100 rounds. I was loading mags and he was shooting 8" falling steel at roughly 15 ft. His instructions were to go slowly and not miss.

We then switched to a Glock 34 and then a 365 X Macro with a PMM comp. Both are soft shooting 9mms.

He was doing great. We shot my regular small 365 and he also managed it ok. He wasn't great but when I slipped some dummy rounds into the mags we saw he wasn't pushing too bad.

We talked about the fact that he didn't carry the PM40 in his pocket and the fact that it was unnecessarily small for IWB carry. In the end we agreed that he should get rid of his PM40 and switch to either a P9, if he wanted to stay with Kahr. Or a 365.

But either way, the PM40 was (and still isn't) a good gun for 95% of shooters. Because they simply can't shoot it fast with any kind of accuracy. aaaannndddd most people who shoot one develop a push.
Click to expand...

And a long trigger on kahrs makes them harder to get that flinch out.
 
jkelly1229 said:
And a long trigger on kahrs makes them harder to get that flinch out.
Click to expand...
I don't agree with that. The trigger is very very smooth.

If the flinch is because of impatience (rushing the press), I agree. But that is usually the case with only very new shooters who haven't shot anything at all.

Dry firing can solve rushing things. It won't help a push developed by exposure to recoil.
 
dcmdon said:
I don't agree with that. The trigger is very very smooth.

If the flinch is because of impatience (rushing the press), I agree. But that is usually the case with only very new shooters who haven't shot anything at all.

Dry firing can solve rushing things. It won't help a push developed by exposure to recoil.
Click to expand...
I've had a lot of kahrs and put about 5k rounds through various models.

Idk maybe thats me but i was good for a flyer or 2 if i wasnt paying attention
 
I took a course at Sig School. . . . . . .20 years ago? Damn.

Anyhow, the first day of shooting (becuase day 1 was Mr. Miyagi telling us how great he was - ???) many of us discovered we were blinking like hell at the shot. By the end of that day, no more blinking. It was just being consciously aware of it.

I'm sure, 20 years and not nearly enough rounds later, I probably blink. I'm betting I could eliminate it in about 30 min.

that was a fun class. George the rifle guy. Bank (Banks?) Miller. I think I'd do much better this time despite having a LOT of range time back then and near zero now. Just because my mindset is better.
 
Ever watch a master carpenter drive huge framing nails? They're bored, something they've done a million times. The technique perfectly refined. Not even a thought goes into it. Just a single perfectly aimed strike at a time. So many repetitions its muscle memory. Pure confidence the technique plus equipment will give the desired result.

I call it the bored carpenter.
 
Cut out caffeine on the days you go shooting. Practice the "Wall" drill a few thousand times. Balance a penny on your muzzle as a test. There's a difference between a flinch before the shot and after the shot as we naturally re-align the sights when rapid firing. As we get older our ability to hold steady diminishes. Bullseye shooters use a figure 8 technique as the sights never really stay put for anyone.
 
Rick O'Shea said:
Cut out caffeine on the days you go shooting. Practice the "Wall" drill a few thousand times. Balance a penny on your muzzle as a test. There's a difference between a flinch before the shot and after the shot as we naturally re-align the sights when rapid firing. As we get older our ability to hold steady diminishes. Bullseye shooters use a figure 8 technique as the sights never really stay put for anyone.
Click to expand...
You are talking about follow through.

People, new shooters especially, tend to IMMEDIATELY lift their head off the sights to see where they hit and rapidly release the trigger. This lack of follow through can spread out groups. But not usually consistently downwards.

It's one of those types of things. If you hear hoofbeats, you shouldn't think of Zebras.

If a newish pistol shooter is finding their shots going low. 9 times out of 10, it's a push.
 
I shoot primarily 9mm and .45 and I reload my own. I’ve been shooting for decades and the flinches as I call it are periodic and are not usually an issue. It may only last a single session but may impact a few trips to the range. Sometimes I know right out of the gate that it’s going to be a tough day and pack it up and go home. I can’t be the only one who has days that they just don’t shoot as well as they are capable of. I usually shoot pretty well especially with the 1911s but consistently is what I’m looking for so a day of throwing bricks is a drag. I’m not recoil shy and I’ve loaded mouse farts to confirm. I’m probably whining. Maybe I need some time with someone who can point out my flaws that I’m missing. Maybe I’m giving too much thought to having a bad day. I think I will spend some more time with the Mark III which I sure don’t do much of anymore. I forgot how enjoyable it is. Thanks for the input my friends. I guess we all know how to get to Carnegie Hall. I think I’ll go to the range.
 
Flinching is a natural reaction. It's your brain trying to protect you. It's no different from ducking if someone throws a punch at you or throwing your arms out if you slip and fall. It must be overcome or you'll never be a good shot. Physically, it's easy but mentally, it's quite difficult. It requires concentration and practice. My godson flinched so badly, I called him the rototiller. We made it go away.
 
I shoot mostly 9 mm. I prefer hammer-fired guns (CZ 75s) but I also shoot striker fired. Hammer guns tend to have smoother triggers, striker guns generally have longer grittier triggers.
Think of your trigger finger like a bulldozer. Moving at a steady pace. When a bulldozer encounters an obstacle (trigger stacking) it just keeps moving. Doesn't speed up, doesn't rev the engine, just goes all the way through the trigger pull.
Another thing I do is push the gun forward with my shooting hand while pulling in with my support hand. Equal tension. Helps me keep the gun from moving as I pull the trigger.
Don't wait for the "bang". The gunshot should always come as a surprise. As said previously do not anticipate the shot.
Keep practicing and you will get better.
 
I saw my buddy try to shoot his Keltec PF9 at the range and he would get startled by the huge recoil on that ultralight nine. Watched him pull the long trigger back and towards the wall, his hands were spazzing out so bad it was shaking like parkinson's. Solution is to stop being a pussy. Recoil's gonna happen. Just let it happen and don't try to 'predict' it.
 
Lots of great advice in here.

I think part of it is also muscle strength and endurance. A lot of people don't need a firm grip beyond a quarter-second handshake here or there, so gripping a gun properly is a big change, especially for longer periods. That muscle fatigue and loss of control will definitely contribute to flinching as a protection mechanism. This was an issue for me at the start
 
pewpewpew said:
Lots of great advice in here.

I think part of it is also muscle strength and endurance. A lot of people don't need a firm grip beyond a quarter-second handshake here or there, so gripping a gun properly is a big change, especially for longer periods. That muscle fatigue and loss of control will definitely contribute to flinching as a protection mechanism. This was an issue for me at the start
Click to expand...

Captain crush grip strengtheners are awesome. I'm up to 195 lbs for 1 rep. I don't really hold a gun super hard though, especially when I'm going for accuracy. A lot of the time when I shoot at 25 yards I just let the gun sit in my hands and let it recoil as much as it wants. With good technique the gun recoils straight up and settles back on the exact same spot. No need to grip like hell unless you're going for fast split times. Or if you're shooting something silly like .460 mag.

I really try to think of pulling my finger back and touching my nose. I get the idea of the trigger mechanism out of my head and just move ONLY my index finger and usually I'm surprised by the recoil, which is what you want.
 
whatluck said:
One way is to have a friend randomly load a couple of snap caps into your mag.
Click to expand...

THIS. Also, just buy several magazines for practice and load them the night before including some snap-caps (make sure you denote which mags you do this with, I put painter's tape on the baseplate etc.). I do this and by the time I'm at the range I have forgotten where the snap caps are in the magazines.
 
Load dummy rounds in with the real rounds until you train your brain to expect the lack of recoil of a dummy round.

No idea if that’s an “official” training concept. But it worked for me when I first started.
 
With my godson, I layed out several semi-auto pistols with 1 round in each. Some had the round in the chamber and some in the magazine. He was not allowed to rack the slide. Just cock the hammer and pull the trigger. Shooting the bad guys on T.V. may aggravate the shit out of your wife but it won't cure your flinch. Your brain knows the gun is empty (hopefully) and you won't flinch.
 

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