[Mark F]

Before you get all bogged down with lots of advise, suggestions, and opinions, go to your local gun range. Ask if there's a Certified handgun Instuuctor available. If so, get with the Instructor and schedule some quality hands-on range time.

All the internet advise in the world won't make up for one hour with a good Instructor...

If you were here, I'd spend several hours with you (free of charge) just to make sure you can safely handle & shoot a handgun.

[falseharmonix]

Originally Posted by Mark F

Before you get all bogged down with lots of advise, suggestions, and opinions, go to your local gun range. Ask if there's a Certified handgun Instuuctor available. If so, get with the Instructor and schedule some quality hands-on range time.

All the internet advise in the world won't make up for one hour with a good Instructor...

If you were here, I'd spend several hours with you (free of charge) just to make sure you can safely handle & shoot a handgun.

My local shooting range is owned by a police officer, and run by current officers and military personnel while they are not in the sand box. I feel extremely safe and comfortable there. Thank goodness, as Illinois does not allow CCW....stupid laws....As far as safety is concerned on my part, I may not be the most accurate shooter, but I do pay close attention to how I am handling my weapon at all times...Never un-attended, barrel always down range, finger off trigger until ready to fire, you know the drill....the LAST thing I need is to end up in jail, dead (or worse) for being careless.

They also offer instruction, which I plan on taking full advantage of. In addition to the lessons offered, every tuesday night is 'fight night'. They close the range to the public, set up shooting scenarios, and let members come and show off their skills . I've never been to one personally, but I imagine once I get a little more capable I will be having some fun.

I bought my gun from there, so I've already got a membership. It gives greatly reduced prices on ammo, guns, and range fees. Personally I think the range fees should be waved, but I'll gladly pay a few bucks to help keep the lights on.

Sarge, I suppose I keep my wrists stiff enough to help keep the gun in my hands while firing, but not so stiff that it doesn't recoil....so, I'm not totally sure if its too stiff, or not stiff enough. Again, I'm going to be getting some 1-on-1 instruction, just as soon as that thumb is healed...stupid razor knife....

[Mark F]

It appears as though you have a grip on the basics, so keep up the practice!

[flbandit]

Good stuff. I see better with my left eye as well. I shoot right handed but sight with my left eye. Weird, I know. I haven't tried keeping both eyes open, but will have to give it a go. I don't really have any advice other than practice as my groups hardly qualify me to instruct anyone! The more familiar you get with the pistol, the better you will get!

[robocop10mm]

DRY FIRE!
Right handed shooters routinely shoot low left with a Glock and Lefties shoot low right. The cause is generally getting too much finger in the trigger guard. Work on putting just the pad of the index finger on the trigger.

[dnthmn2004]

One thing that helped me when I first started shooting handguns, was using snap caps. Have someone else load them randomly in your magazines so you don't know when they are coming up. The first thing they will help you with, is realize if you have a flinch (the most common problem for first time shooters, including me). Even if you don't have a flinch, the second thing they help with is to learn to clear misfires.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=15&Categoryid=17595&categorystring=10 615***10558***

[ranger_sxt]

You are not keeping your eyes on the front sight, and are looking at the target to determine where your bullets went. Concentrate on your front sight...

[sgtdeath66]

Originally Posted by robocop10mm

DRY FIRE!
Right handed shooters routinely shoot low left with a Glock and Lefties shoot low right. The cause is generally getting too much finger in the trigger guard. Work on putting just the pad of the index finger on the trigger.

i forgot totally about finger/ trigger placement. another thing i forgot was jerking the trigger as opposed to sqeezing the trigger

[falseharmonix]

Thought I would post an update for the new year.

I still haven't been able to get some 1-on-1 instruction, but I have made quite a few more trips to the range and have been dry firing daily. Also have been doing a lot of research on grips and stance, and have been practicing those as well.

My groups are both more consistent and much tighter, but still down to the right slightly. I've been noticing a few things about my sessions at the range that may be causing some of these issues.

1) I tend to get 'excited' when some rounds land in the X and begin to fire faster out of rhythm (thus causing inaccuracy).

2) I also find when I'm excited that I squeeze with my firing hand much tighter, almost to the point of discomfort, without realizing it.

3) A bit too much finger on the trigger at times.

All in all, I'm happy with my progress. I wish I had more time and money to be at the range more. As soon as I get some training I'll report back with (hopefully) the good news

[Dillinger]

Thanks for posting the update - I imagine it will be useful to some of the new members as they move along the same path.

As I am sure you are learning, the more comfortable you become with your pistol, and the more you practice with it, the better you will get. It would appear that you are making great progress over the first post - keep it up.

One tool that might help is a product called the Rovatec Bullite Training System

It allows you to dry fire and train at home, while still seeing where your "rounds" hit on the target. I have two for my .45 and my 9mm and it has made a WORLD of difference in the dry fire training that my fiancee' was doing, which has led to drastic improvement in her live fire groups.

Just a thought...

JD