Advice for a novice

[JC2020]

[theLBC]

probably anticipation or flinch.

were the first shots near the bull, and then you started shooting low left?
this is natural for many. it is your mind anticipating the shot and trying to fight the recoil before it happens.

[JC2020]

probably anticipation or flinch.

were the first shots near the bull, and then you started shooting low left?
this is natural for many. it is your mind anticipating the shot and trying to fight the recoil before it happens.

Yes! I got worse after the first shots. So I should work on avoiding flinch. Is there a dry fire drill to work on that? Thanks!

[theLBC]

there are lots of different ways to try to fix this.


if you can afford the ammo, go back to the range and shot a whole lot more without really caring where the shots go (as long as they are on paper).
you can try to fix it, but if you haven't shot a lot, nothing will replace shooting so it becomes more normal to your entire body.

[Rifle ronin]

Dry fire practice.
Gun unloaded, no ammo anywhere near you! Be safe.
Use a bright background in your house/ apt.
Examine you sights closely as you (very slowly) squeeze the trigger. No need right now to focus on any target, just focus on the sights.
You will see them slightly wiggle back and fourth as you pull the trigger. Practice to minimize this.

[aca72]

Low and Left?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jjMwOoLeGw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAqA_nEP3-o

[Garv]

Take it a bit slower maybe.

Shoot a couple hundred more and you will improve as you get used to it.

(Dry fire is a lot cheaper though.)

[JC2020]

if you can afford the ammo, go back to the range and shot a whole lot more without really caring where the shots go (as long as they are on paper).
you can try to fix it, but if you haven't shot a lot, nothing will replace shooting so it becomes more normal to your entire body.

[JC2020]

Dry fire practice.
Gun unloaded, no ammo anywhere near you! Be safe.
Use a bright background in your house/ apt.
Examine you sights closely as you (very slowly) squeeze the trigger. No need right now to focus on any target, just focus on the sights.
You will see them slightly wiggle back and fourth as you pull the trigger. Practice to minimize this.

[JC2020]

Take it a bit slower maybe.

Shoot a couple hundred more and you will improve as you get used to it.

(Dry fire is a lot cheaper though.)

[Powder_Keg]

Low and left is common for right handed new shooters.

Shooting low is usually a flinch reflex. You are anticipating the recoil/muzzle flip.

Shooting left is usually trigger control. On your trigger finger, use the pad of your finger and not the joint of the first knuckle. Practice dry firing and pulling the trigger straight back and not across the face of the trigger. When you pull across the face of the trigger right to left, that slight movement is pulling you off target and pushing the muzzle to the left.

It will take time, so just practice practice practice.

[Calier]

I think it is the Glock, if you want to sell it I will give you $400. Glocks are terrible guns for new shooter, they will shoot that way unless you have years of experience. Kidding, you picked a great gun and are most likely just flinching in anticipation of the shot. Very common thing that happens to most new shoots, myself included. Try mixing a couple of dummy rounds/snap caps into the mag next range trip. I would bet you'll catch yourself flinching that way. Dry fire helps too.

[Skip_Dog]

You have a glock. No need to clean every trip. Maybe every 3erd. My first dry fire training tool was g-sight (you can google it) Worked well for me. I paid for the "grouping" feature in the app. About $5. I still use it from time to time. Welcome aboard, be safe, pass along your new hobby, join the NRA or CRPA and get out and enjoy the 2 A.

[mtenenhaus]

JC2020, glad you're enjoying the sport.

I would very strongly advocate taking a class with an experienced instructor. I was very fortunate to do so very early on and it proved invaluable. The classes are not only very informative, they're also a lot of fun. In the long run it will save you a lot of time and effort while efficiently getting you closer to where you want to be.

Many shooters purchase their ammunition online and in California have it shipped to an FFL. Sites like TargetSportsUSA and Brownells are awesome to deal with (there are many others as well).

Where are you located? It might be easier to more specifically recommend options.

There might be a slightly higher risk of CTS, trigger finger, cubital tunnel, hypothenar hammer and other associated repetitive stress injuries with long term shooting but i don't believe that it's proven particularly worrisome for most particularly if the fundamentals are well established early on. Developing a solid and appropriate foundation will likely prevent many future challenges.....as seen in so many competitive sports.

A lot of surgeons shoot and enjoy the camaraderie and stress release. From an academic perspective, you might enjoy learning more about ballistics, trajectory etc.

[JC2020]

Low and left is common for right handed new shooters.

Shooting low is usually a flinch reflex. You are anticipating the recoil/muzzle flip.

Shooting left is usually trigger control. On your trigger finger, use the pad of your finger and not the joint of the first knuckle. Practice dry firing and pulling the trigger straight back and not across the face of the trigger. When you pull across the face of the trigger right to left, that slight movement is pulling you off target and pushing the muzzle to the left.

It will take time, so just practice practice practice.

I see. Makes sense. I think I was definitely pushing to the left when pulling the trigger. I will flatten out my pull and try relaxing so as not to flinch.

I think it is the Glock, if you want to sell it I will give you $400. Glocks are terrible guns for new shooter, they will shoot that way unless you have years of experience. Kidding, you picked a great gun and are most likely just flinching in anticipation of the shot. Very common thing that happens to most new shoots, myself included. Try mixing a couple of dummy rounds/snap caps into the mag next range trip. I would bet you'll catch yourself flinching that way. Dry fire helps too.

Haha! It took me a lot of sweet talking at my LGS to get the last 19 he had a few weeks ago. I wish I had started last year, and stocked up on a few thousand rounds of ammo.

You have a glock. No need to clean every trip. Maybe every 3erd. My first dry fire training tool was g-sight (you can google it) Worked well for me. I paid for the "grouping" feature in the app. About $5. I still use it from time to time. Welcome aboard, be safe, pass along your new hobby, join the NRA or CRPA and get out and enjoy the 2 A.