Best ways to improve accuracy

[louderthangod]

Quite simply, I'm inconsistent at the range. Sometimes I'll have a good run of things and get decent groups and even with the errant shots I can tell what went wrong. Even on my best days though my groups at 7-yards are still too big (I don't measure but I'd say around 3") and at 25yards it's just a mess. I'm still new to shooting and obviously more trigger time is key but are the shooting classes and clinics all that useful? The only class I've taken was the beginners handgun safety class. I've gotten a lot of info from the interwebs but they don't provide constructive feedback.

If classes are the best route and you know of some good ones in the bay area then I'd appreciate your insight. Thanks!

[wu_dot_com]

classes are useful, but not necessary for everyone. research and the ability to isolate your errors and correct the errors will help you improve your grouping.

[CK_32]

when you shoot say the words... "Nu nu nu nu nu nu nu" "nu nu nu nu nu nu" should hit bull every time.

[Bryansix]

I doubt anybody here will take this advice seriously but what I did was to set up an at home range for my airsoft handgun. Its semi-auto gas powered but fires the light plastic BBs. Then I went through the steps just like I was at the range with my 9mm and took time to focus on every single shot. Because the airsoft has no recoil you can see what you are doing when you squeeze the trigger. You can get this with snapcaps in your real gun too but the Airsoft has the added benefit of showing you where the shot landed. If you can't get every shot in the bullzeye at 7 yards with the airsoft then you will have a heck of a time at the range.

[locosway]

Quite simply, I'm inconsistent at the range. Sometimes I'll have a good run of things and get decent groups and even with the errant shots I can tell what went wrong. Even on my best days though my groups at 7-yards are still too big (I don't measure but I'd say around 3") and at 25yards it's just a mess. I'm still new to shooting and obviously more trigger time is key but are the shooting classes and clinics all that useful? The only class I've taken was the beginners handgun safety class. I've gotten a lot of info from the interwebs but they don't provide constructive feedback.

If classes are the best route and you know of some good ones in the bay area then I'd appreciate your insight. Thanks!

Slow and smooth is the key here, along with a lot of dry practice. Once you're able to be consistent slowly you can start speeding up. Dry practice is essential to building good trigger control. Without it you'll end up slapping the trigger and pulling the gun all over the place. When you run dry you can focus on trigger pull and nothing else. You can even try placing a penny/dime on the front of the slide which will tell you if you're dipping your gun when pulling the trigger.

[9mmepiphany]

If you decide to go the class route...which I highly recommend...don't take a Tactical class or Defensive class. What you need is a shooting class to get all the basics of grip, stance, sight alignment and trigger management correct. Once you have learned how to do it correctly, you'll be able to self-correct on your own.

I teach a lot of 1:1, so it is a bit more expensive per hour, but the focus is completely on you. I can usually get brand new students shooting well into 2" at 5-7 yards in less than half a day.

A group class is nice if you like to be around people all learning together. Most classes run 2 days, but you'll get into the draw and mag changes...my goal in a 2 day class is to get students shooting accurately at about 4 shots a sec.

[louderthangod]

What kind of price ranges are typical for 1 on 1 lessons compared to group lessons?

[KandyRedCoi]

www.glockfaq.com click shooting and trigger control

i think the steps outlined there helps more than just the average glock shooter but all new shooters alike

[41M]

In addition to the benefits of basic handgun shooting instruction as mentioned above I would recommend getting a friend or family member involved in shooting and to accompany you on range sessions. Take turns shootings and observe each other's technique to help spot problem areas.

[cineski]

Classes will help. It's all about trigger and brain control. Buy some snap caps and load your gun with half live bullets and half snap caps. Trigger control and taking control of the anticipation your brain is going through before the gun goes off means your brain is telling your hands to move to protect itself from the jump of the recoil. Using snap caps will help train your brain to not flinch when you pull the trigger because you'll see just how much you're flinching which in turn will help you control it. What caliber are you shooting?

[HighLander51]

What you need is a shooting class to get all the basics of grip, stance, sight alignment and trigger management correct, what 9mm said.

95% of shooting problems are caused by lack of proper fundamentals, the last 5% is mental.

Post up a video and we can get about 75% of that corrected right away.

[USMC 82-86]

Alternating snap caps with live rounds as mentioned will help pick up any trigger control issues. I also suggest a lot of dry fire with snap caps. I had a guy at the range fighting the same problem at 7 yards, I told him to bring the target back to about 3-4 yards and get comfortable with the basics. You can get a very clear sight picture at 3-4 yards and you will see any movement of the muzzle at that distance. I practice my stance, posture, grip on the gun, as well as grip pressure. Breathing, sight picture and trigger press are also a very important factor. Elbows out, elbows down can make a difference in recoil management, that can effect accuracy. A good teacher goes a long way in helping with establishing a solid foundation to build upon.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

what we did was to place an empty casing on your front sight, typ need 2 people for this though and a flat front sight, and fire snap caps you should be able to fire a round and not ahve the casing fall off.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

What are you shooting and is this your first handgun?

The most common problem I see in handgunners is they start out too big and don't learn the fundamentals of good markmanship. I started my kids with 22 revolvers. I loaded them and every chamber did not have a live round in it. Quickest way to pick up a flinch I know of. If the hammer falls and the muzzle drops, you got a flinch. You can mix in snap caps in a semi auto and accomplish the same thing I suppose. Once you recognize that, you can work on it. It is entirely normal to flinch. It requires training and practice to have something explode 2 feet in front of your face and not flinch.

Learn to call your shots. If the sights are properly aligned and the bang is a surprise, you should have a real good idea when the hole will show up. Key to this is when the sights are lined up, squeeze. When they are not, stop squeezing but don't let off. Repeat until the bang occurs. Also, focus is always on the front sight, never the rear; never the target. Your target should have a high viz aiming point. Put the top of the front sight right under it; like you are balancing that little round ball on your front sight.

Quality not quantity is important. If you shoot 50 well aimed shots you will be much better off than 500 not so well aimed shots.

Most of this can be accomplished without ever firing a live round. Use Snap Caps, concentrate on sight alignment through the squeeze and when the hammer falls, the sights should still be where you want them to be.

Rest between shots. So many people I see load up, hold that pistol out there and won't put it down until they have fired every round. Their targets tend to look like they've been sprayed with a shotgun.

I've rambled enough...

[Shady]

trigger control

doing dry press drills helps alot too