I'm a terrible shot!

[Lead Waster]

OK, yeah yeah, I know, go get some lessons! But just let me rant a bit!

I think I may be over thinking when I shoot. I can shoot my CZ-75b the best of my small stable, and occassionally I can shoot my RIA Tactical well, but I can't hit the side of a barn with my Glock21 (So I don't shoot it much).

I decided to go to the Yolo USPSA shoot this weekend, and use my 1911. I bought some more mags for it (Chip McCormick 10 rounders, one of which fell on the concrete range floor and disassembled itself on the spot! The follower seemed to have flipped out the top and barfed out its spring).

So I went to the range today and shot about 150 rounds (man, it goes fast!), partly to test the mags, partly to help break in the RIA Tac (It has total maybe 300 rounds through it, so not totally broken in I guess, as far as 1911's go).

The odd thing is that at one point I shot a ragged hole with 8 rounds ONCE, but then I got all over the place (at around 9 yards or so).

I was concentrating on the front sight. I was concentrating on pulling the trigger back straight. I did not consciously hold my breath though I'm not sure if that matters. I might be flinching.

I was trying specifically to do a thumbs high (riding safety) grip. I wasn't sure if my left thumb should then ride the slide release or not. I found riding it was not comfortable when the slide moved.

I was shooting low, maybe I'm anticipating recoil?

In anycase, I was quite disappointed my own performance. I won't fault the gun because I know that, even though I can't hit the side of a barn with my glock, my buddy can easily make nice groups on target with it, and I know in the past that I've shot pretty well with this gun. I doubt it's my reloads as I did have that one nice 8 round string that grouped nice and tight.

Maybe I was trying too many things at once?

I was considering going back to the CZ for the USPSA match, but my friend has convinced me to just go and shoot the 1911, because ... it's just for fun and what better way to get some constructive feedback?! He's got a good point there. If I have trouble with the 1911, then the other shooters might be able to help me, but only if I shoot it!

Anyway, that was my rant.

I have no idea what it takes to get good at this. Maybe I will one day save up some cash for a good basic lesson (even though I've been wasting lead for 12 years on and off!)

Thanks for reading!

And yeah, feel free to post that picture of the target with the diagnostic comments on it! (the pie chart thingy!)

[zfields]

Sounds like just a bad day.

[jonzer77]

I usually put my first shot dead center in the bullseye, and then it is usually down hill from there lol.

[scamp62]

Try a different load, and a different bullet.

[JTROKS]

I usually fire the pistol over a bench with sandbag support to keep the gun as steady as possible. If I can get a 1" group with a given load fired from a bench then I'll strive for that off hand. If I can get 2" groups off hand I'm halfway smiling.

[Revoman]

It sounds like you are anticipating for sure, that will produce low shots.

Concentrating on the front site is good, pulling straight back on the trigger is good. Those things you are doing correctly.

The best advise that I can give over the web is to
1. Allow the gun to go off, don't anticipate the recoil or noise, it would help loads to have good/best ear protection as just the noise is sometimes enough to 'anticipate'. When the trigger breaks it should be somewhat of a surprise.
2. Relax your gun hand, the gun isn't going anywhere, it will recoil into your hand, not out of it. No death grip needed.
It does no good to pull the trigger straight back if it's done jerkily, (is that a word?) a smooth steady pull is what is required.

Dry-firing is the BEST practice one can do to get the basics down.

Don't try to do too much at once, get the basics down, concentrate on a few issues at a time and it will eventually come. Books have been written about shooting, it takes a little time to absorb the entire scene. It's like anything else, to be really good at it, it takes practice and time. Very few are naturals at most endeavors. Cut yourself a little slack.

[Snapping Twig]

Not trying to be a smart-Alec, but try this analogy...

Owning a fine set of golf clubs doesn't make you a golfer.

Owning a guitar doesn't make you a musician.

What does then?

PRACTICE.

Take a course, Gunsite or some other. If not, then keep banging away at it and reading about different ways of presenting and holding a handgun. Practice some more and then practice again.

You've already crossed the first barrier, getting the gun in the first place, now don't let a bad day at the range hold you back. Believe in yourself and keep at it.

Took me 20 years, no joke, but now I can shoot OK. I always got the first couple where I wanted them, OK for hunting, but terrible at the range. Now my friends ask me how I do it and I tell them what I told you - practice.

Good reason to cast and reload.

[Voo]

You are on the right track man! Just dont' lose patience or give up.. It's always a bit tough at first, but if you're willing to learn then you're already much further than many of the shooters i've come across in my time..

It takes a lot to admit your shortcomings, but now you just need to set some goals and find ways to accomplish them.

USPSA isn't the same as bullseye or shooting static. So try not to mix the two right away. Just remember to use technique. It really behooves you to understand the mechanics of what you're doing.

Start off with your static drills and work on your accuracy. All the other stuff is pretty basic and relies on you being able to accurately hit targets on demand.

Shooting is almost entirely mental. By the time you experience any recoil, the bullet has already left the gun.. It's up to you to not disturb the sights during the trigger press.

Some tricks would be the ball/dummy drill.. The other would be to have people focus on the trigger reset.. One of the best shooters I know told me he sometimes tells himself that there's "no bullet in the gun" when shooting for accuracy...

I would take people who were missing the whole silouhuette at 7 yards and press the trigger from them.. Almost everyone would be able to make ragged one when I did this. It wasn't their lack of sight alignment or grip or stance or breathing. These things are very easy to learn with and when shooting handguns, aren't as critical as most people think. What I removed from the equation was their anticipation of the recoil.

Just a mental thing. They didnt know the gun was going to fire so they didnt' flinch.

Try finding something similar and see if it helps. Good luck..

[WallyWong]

I have the same problem my friend. I shot low and still do... but you know, I've gotten better with practice.

[capitol]

Your on the internets. Nobody and I mean nobody shoots poorly here

[whipkiller]

When you say you've been wasting lead "off and on" for 12 years, is it more off than on? How often do you practice?

I don't get to shoot nearly as often as I'd like, and if I don't go for awhile it usually takes a little bit to relax and find my groove, & there's some flinching and the classic low-lefts in those first few mags.
I've also found it takes me a little longer to relax at an indoor range than it does in the great outdoors; probably because of all the people I don't know around me, and all those pockmarks I see from people shooting the freaking ceiling!

It is definitely a perishable skill,use it or lose it. Sounds like a good excuse to shoot more.

[sammy]

I have a system that will help you get on target very quickly. If you are willing to meet up with me at USI in Concord, in about an hour we can get you shooting 4" groups at 15 yards. All you need is 100 rounds, 2 magazines and an open mind. PM me if interested. Sammy

[drunktank]

Unless I misse someone already posting it, but have you tried snap caps to see if you are flinching for sure? Maybe throw a snap cap in with a loaded mag to test yourself?

[ckprax]

It's ok, most people at the range are. Some days i am too. Practice the fundamentals and you should improve. A class never hurts.

[jimster716]

I usually put my first shot dead center in the bullseye, and then it is usually down hill from there lol.

I can relate with my Sig P229.