Need Help With Shooting A DA Revolver

[Synergy]

So I picked up a S&W Bodyguard 38 for a smaller carry gun. I have put a couple hundred rounds down range and am having a hard time getting my shots to tighten up and be consistent on target. It is my first revolver and I am trying to get used to the long heavy DA.

I did not take a pic of my target last night. The actual holes are from my XD9 sub at about 7 yards. The red dots are where my rounds were going at the same target/distance with my Bodyguard. I used the chart to try and adjust accordingly. I adjusted my grip trying to improve. Shots improved with slow steady squeeze of the trigger with a very loose grip. Having to draw and shoot faster really caused the accuracy to decrease.

Any other recommendations? I don't have gorilla hands but the grip feels so tiny in my hand. Could it just be too small?

20 rounds of 9mm


The tiny gun

[Fishslayer]

Shots improved with slow steady squeeze of the trigger with a very loose grip. Having to draw and shoot faster really caused the accuracy to decrease.

That's going to happen with any gun. Snubbies more so. Shooting a DA revolver briskly with accuracy takes practice. Looks like you're still gonna ruin a BG's day though.

Could it just be too small?

Might ask FP...

[Catch]

Ever squeeze the trigger on an empty case and flinch? Thats what you gotta get rid of.

[LCU1670]

Grip and finger strength, sight alignment, sight picture, supprise break (trigger control).

Squeeze a tennis ball for grip strength, then use a rubber band to pull your trigger finger and isolate and exercise it.

[4x4Trooper]

Shooting a DA revolver is hard, shooting a DA snub is even harder. The suggestions here are good, though. Dry fire practice is easy and free.

One thing I like to do to help avoid a flinch is Russian roulette: load just one round and spin the chamber. Dry fire at the target and when it actually does fire it will surprise you.

Sent from my enrc2b using Tapatalk

[ruchik]

Your shots are going left, which probably means one of two things. One, you've got too much finger on the trigger. Try backing your finger out so you're only pulling with the pad of your finger. Or two, your hand is too big for the gun. Try pulling your hand around towards the right, so your finger ends up backing out of the trigger guard more naturally.

[Hank15]

There's a really annoying thing that happens when the trigger pull weighs more than the gun: as you're pressing the trigger, your shooting hand will grip harder.

A good solid grip will improve your performance. I used this way back when I first learned how to shoot a revolver, but now I use it all the time for semiautomatics too: http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/ope...nsofcrush.html

Also check out Jerry's tips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEHNZFTfSD8

http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/MICULEK4/miculek4.html

I noticed that you mentioned drawing, so I would recommend you take that bad boy to a Bianchi Cup practice/match, since it's an accuracy oriented sport with a somewhat quick time limit.

Pocket revolvers are tough animals to tame, but it looks like you're doing well. Good luck and keep going!

[Mr357magnum]

revolvers are a bit hard to shoot right off the bat. I would recommend alot of dry firing at home. Aim at something like a doorknob and dry fire at it. Watch the barrel and see if it moves around when you pull the trigger. And also, it just takes practice. When I got my 686 I wasn't getting that great of groups but after taking it slow and really focusing on each shot, i got alot better and now I shoot really good groups using DA only. I actually rarely shoot SA when I shoot my revolvers.

[Synergy]

Thanks to everyone for the tips, I will be putting them to good use. One advantage the bodyguard has is the laser. It works well for dry fire practice on the wall.

Now I just need to find some Hornady 38 dies so I can load some ammo. I shot through all my factory stuff.

[BHP FAN]

ruchic said ''Try backing your finger out so you're only pulling with the pad of your finger''...this is the best advice for any handgun shooting, but especially DA revolvers. This gives you a precise ''break''...

['ol shooter]

I have a 442 PP, same issue, Solution is a lot of dry firing to loosen the gun up a bit, and teach trigger and grip control. Remember, this is basically a 7 yard gun, up close and personal. I used snap caps, can;t stand dry firing without them. Putting a Crimson Trace on mine helped a lot with control also, forces you to get smoother.

[Fishslayer]

Now I just need to find some Hornady 38 dies so I can load some ammo. I shot through all my factory stuff.

If your cardboard box is behind the AM/PM in Ramona gimme a holla. Might be able to help ya out.

[rcschummers]