Oh crap...I can't really shoot...

[Seedy]

Oh man did I get an eye opener today...

I've had my Sig P239 for a few years now, and THOUGHT I was a damn good shot with it.

...don't get me wrong, I can stand 25 yards away from a paper target and shoot a nice clean little group. This is what I'm used to, slowly shooting (NO rapid fire allowed!) at a stationary paper target at an indoor range in Tulsa.

...but I tried the reactive steel range at USSA for the 1st time today. For those who haven't tried it, it's a series of computer controlled steel targets that pop up at various distances and angles.

I'd swear that every bad habit a shooter can have came out, I was flinching, pulling and missing WAY too many times...but it was a helluva lotta fun!

The wife's not too happy about it though...cus I learned I need to get out and practice a whole bunch more (ammo aint cheap!)...and now I want a trigger job for the Sig...I'm pretty sure a "race ready" pistol is somewhere down the line too...

...I think I'm gonna have to get a second job!

 

[Glocktogo]

I'd spend some money on some quality USSA training. That will get you back on target quicker than a trigger job. Of course, you'll still have to spend money on ammo!

 

[bigdog]

Are you left eye dominant?

 

[Seedy]

Are you left eye dominant?

Nope.

...and yes, I'm thinking about a class, but in reality, neither a trigger job, a new gun, nor a class is really in my immediate budget. In truth, I'm lucky to be able to afford ammo. .........$$$

 

[RickN]

Are you left eye dominant?

I am and so is my wife. Talk about a pain in the rear.

I grew up with my father teaching me a little. Big problem is he only liked single actions and I was only allowed to use my right hand. I still have bad habits I have a very hard time trying to break including shooting most revolvers single action and cocking with my shooting hand.

 

[ninefan]

A person can definitely learn to shoot well without an instructor... but man, the road is a lot longer and more difficult than it needs to be.

That being said, there are some great videos out there that can help you with your shooting. Below is the little selection I picked out for a friend just getting into competitive shooting. Maybe some of you will find them useful.

Remember though, for something to come naturally you need to practice it over and over and over... and that's where dry firing comes in. BUT, if you aren't practicing it *right* then you are just wasting your time and ingraining bad habits. That's where instruction comes in.

Good luck!


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http://www.myoutdoortv.com/tactical/cpl-travis-tomasie-shot-calling-part-1-of-1-video-included.html
How to call your shots when firing a handgun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48
Todd Jarret instruction

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=shootingcoach#g/u
This guy has some good videos...
like... How to grip a pistol:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=shootingcoach#p/u/14/oQgLmQl1zDw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhveUOnkvc
Todd Jarrett Shooting Tips - Good stuff is about 4:00 into the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z37UWQ0DyWU
Bob Vogel #2 (Watch this before #1... also, 2:40 into the video is probably the best basic part)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVL3YIYNarc
Bob Vogel #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StXMHw32kjA
Travis Tomasie on speed reloading a gun

 

[andrsnsm]

Are you left eye dominant?

I am and while that may be good for my golf swing it is not for shooting, what's the best way to work with this?

 

[bigdog]

Try puting the pistol or rifle in front of your weaker eye and see how vthe range results go!

 

[Seedy]

Ninefan: thanks for the links, I'll check them out when I get home (I'm on my phone atm)

I don't think my issue is with acquiring the target. I normally shoot both eyes open, with a slight squint to my left eye, I focus on my front sight too... where I feel I'm having problems is with my trigger control. I get on target, I take up the slack in the trigger and I can't seem to get a clean "break"...this is where I'm flinching and pulling. It almost feels like my finger is "stuck" right before the break point. When it does "break" it doesn't feel "clean"...the trigger after taking up the slack doesn't feel like "a strand of glass" breaking, but more like a piece of plastic bending then breaking.

Does this make sense or help diagnose my issue?

 

[Ignored Member]

I know what you mean about the flinching and missing shots. I did a little steel plate thing down south of Norman earlier today and I couldn't beleive the shots I was missing because I was trying to get a good time.