Shooting Advice

[cactusbass]

So I am relatively new to shooting...My main handgun is a sig p228 (9mm) and I have taken it to the range a few times...needless to say I am not a great shot. I recently bought a browning challenger .22 off a member on here, and took it to the range for my first time today. I was shooting like never before, making most all of my shots within head target or the body target. I then alternated and was again pretty inaccurate and sporadic with my shooting with my sig. My question(s):

What is going wrong? My theory is that I am anticipating the bigger boom or recoil, and thats my biggest issue, but Im really not sure. How can I find out what I must improve upon? Another issue I experience is I find it very hard to steady my hands...any advice for this?

Appreciate any pointers, advice, or suggestions.

Thanks much!

[HighLander51]

The fundamentals, stance, grip, sight picture and trigger control. This is a reasonable explanation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCsktp0pO10

[cactusbass]

Not sure what to make of this video. My post is trying to determine why I would shoot so much better with one than the other....any thoughts?

[GM_77]

Well I ain't no pro at shooting either but here is my 2cents.

Since you said you shot well with the .22 that seems to me you know how to align your sights and when to pull the trigger when they are aligned. So it has to be trigger control.

(AT the Range) First you can check to see if you are anticipating recoil by mixing a dummy round in one of your magazines and shoot that magazine. When you come to the dummy round and don't flinch you aren't anticipating recoil. But if you do well you know one problem.

Did you have any issue with steady hand shooting the .22? If not then you might be gripping the Sig way too hard and that is what is causing the shaking. You need a firm grip not a vice grip.

Also when you are shooting the target you don't want to see where your bullets are going. Just concentrate on the sights and shoot your 10 rounds THEN look at the target. That help you figure out what you need to do next by studying the pattern and figuring out what would cause it.

Dry firing helps. First send all of your ammo to another zip code (you know what I mean), then try to replicate the trigger pull with your .22 on your Sig.

[corvetteguy]

Anticipation of recoil is pretty common. The triggers are different on those two guns. The best thing to do is take a class from a reputable instructor or school. There you will be able have very experienced shooters diagnose the problem and help you build strong fundamentals.

Just my take!

David

[cactusbass]

Planning on it, but not able until next month....the steady hand is an issue on both.

[adrenaline]

When I first started shooting, I was really bad. It was all about recoil anticipation and trigger pull.

With recoil anticipation, you can add a snap cap to your mix of rounds. You'll see yourself flinch even when there is no big bang. Once I mastered that, there was definite improvement.

My other problem was that my trigger pull wasn't smooth. I was jerking that trigger. To resolve that, I did way more dry fire practicing. I would balance a quarter on my pistol (sights aligned) and squeeze the trigger....release....repeat. My two goals....where to stay on target....and to keep the quarter steady (not shifting or falling).

I'm not a pro shooter. However, these two little things improved my skill greatly.

Also, youtube a bunch of videos on grip. A good grip is very important.

[adrenaline]

My post is trying to determine why I would shoot so much better with one than the other....any thoughts?

The .22lr is such a light shooter (really light) that you've established a confidence that doesn't result in you anticipating recoil....recoil is light and to me...practically non-existant.

[redcliff]

Some good advice I received when I was starting out was to wear earplugs under my ear muffs. Much of what we "perceive" as recoil is noise. Dampening the noise helps keep you from flinching as severely.

[epcii]

Practice, practice, practice. Dry-fire mainly, then go live. What you can try is dry-firing with a coin balanced on your front sight. Pull without making the coin fall.

[Psychadelica19]

I have a tendency to land a few inches lower than where I'm aiming. I can see know it's most likely the anticipation of the recoil. I always do better a few dozen rounds in than in the beginning. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[cactusbass]

WOW. First of all I will certainly be trying the coin drill/trigger pull thing. I will also be trying the snap cap thing....hope I dont make too much of an *** of myself at the range when I jump and nothing goes boom!

I will also do the earmuffs thing...probably good for my ears as well.

Its funny because as I am reading this I realized also part of my shaking is the environment (noise, the shock waves, guns going off etc.) Didn't grow up with firearms at all so I think I have a certain amount of fear associated with them which also causes some shaking. Thanks for the advice, and for making me fell not super abnormal in my problems!

[HighLander51]

Not sure what to make of this video. My post is trying to determine why I would shoot so much better with one than the other....any thoughts?

wrong link, try this one. Shooting a .22LR semi auto or a 44mag wheelgun is all about the fundamentals, stance, grip, sight picture and trigger control.

http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/TODD_JARRETT/todd_jarrett.html

[Matt P]

Cactus,
You are in an ideal position to benefit in a wonderfully great way from formal instruction.
Trying to learn off the infernal net, about shooting the one type of firearm that simply needs the most amount of technique to be not only safe, but also to allow for you to be accurate/effective/reliable. Without some hands on help from someone with a little background with handguns, may allow you to develop some poor habits, or struggle more.

You have invested several hundreds of dollars into this interest.
Firearms are unlike many, many other things.
There are few things in life one can decide to get active in, where formal instruction would be important. Not to say you do not need to, just that the price for an accident with my new tennis racket should not mean death.
Its amazing how new and old firearm owners are sooooo willing to have no formal instruction, when such a high potential for injury and death is possible.
Right now, there will be members reading this and thinking they do not need any instruction.
Good firearm instruction will allow for you and them to learn what you do not realize you do not know.
That is a fact.

You seem like a smart guy. Make that investment all that more valuable by seeking out some local firearm safety and training.

I have NEVER had a client regret getting trained.

[skosh69]

Alot of great advice given already...

Here's my .02