Leaning how to shoot:

- We will discuss the proper way to hold your pistol and load your Firearm

Shooting in my opinion is very personal what might be right for me may not be exactly right for another. I have seen it over and over again new shooters putting to much emphasis on position, and posture, and choice of firearm rather than the manner in which the firearm is held. I can’t tell you the number of times I have been asked should I use the isosceles position or the weaver. My answer has always been, “why don’t you worry on how you should hold your gun first then worry about fancy positions.”
 
To many shooters are always ready to blame their firearm for shooting to low, to the right, to the left, to high, but they never stop and ask the question? Could it be that I am doing something wrong to cause this problem? 90 times out of a hundred it is the shooter not the gun.
 
I am always amazed with the novice shooter who barely knows how to hold the firearm, yet his target is at the end of the range while he blasts away into the backstop hardly hitting the target. His question is however, “ Am I doing something wrong?”  I believe that there will come a time when you will be able to impress others in the range, showing your skills hitting the  “x” at the end of the range but the fact that you have bought the fanciest, shiniest, most expensive gun on the market will not cut the mustard in this sport. Patience and self-discipline will allow you to become a marksman.
 
It is my opinion that a novice shooter should place his or her target at about 4 meters. This will allow you to instantly visualize where your bullets are hitting. You will at this distance instantly know if you are doing something wrong and return to your basics to prevent this problem.
 
Once you are able to place 90 percent of your shots in the bull’s-eye then and only then is it time to advance that target. This does not mean to advance your target at the end of the range. This means you will advance your target one meter bringing it at 5 meters. Once again when you are able to hit the black with 90 percent of the shots you advance one more meter.
 
Why one meter at a time? This will get you used to being stable with your firearm slowly one step at the time the distance being small will let you gradually get used to longer shots holding your gun more and more stable as you slowly advance your target. If your shots become erratic come back to the prior position and continue to practice there, and then advance again. Slowly you will find that you move further and further downrange. Before you notice it you will impress yourself on how good you are coming along.  This naturally takes time patience and determination. Take your advice from only one person and not from every Joe, Dick, or Harry who may have problems themselves.

Holding the firearm

Let us presume that you are a right handed shooter, left handed same applies just opposite sides. When holding a firearm your grip should be tight but not to tight that you shake. So how do you know how tight is tight enough. Well the way I have always done it is by holding the firearm with one hand at shoulder height and squeezing it as hard as you can. This will instantly cause you to shake. Slowly release your grip until you stop shaking. You will then feel that this grip is comfortable and thus this is how tight you should hold it.

Slowly placing the tip of your finger on the trigger. This is perfect if you are using a 1911, however some firearms may need you to place a little more  finger on the trigger.

Often than not we choose a fire arm for it’s looks or fame without giving a second thought if the firearm fits our hand. A pistol that fits you properly will not make miracle however it will enable you to hold the firearm properly and firmly in your hand. This will also allow you to maintain the proper posture when placing your finger on the trigger.

 With a proper fitted firearm when you have placed your finger on the trigger your finger should create close to a 90 degree angle in relation to the grip. As you see in the picture. Your finger achieving this angle should allow you to see daylight between the finger  and the frame. This will allow you to pull the trigger straight back and not pull the firearm to one side or the other, and this also means that you will not have to modify your grip to place your finger on the trigger. 

This proper fit can be achieved in various ways if your gun does not fit. You can change the grips for a thinner or thicker one depending on your needs. You can use a shorter or longer trigger or in some pistols a good gunsmith can go as far as modify the frame.

The right hand positioning and a good grip is essential to shoot well. Often we take for granted the proper grip and the positioning of the hands thus we notice that our shots are all over the target except where we want the shots to be.

Earlier we talked about a tight and comfortable grip with our right hand (if you are a right handed shooter) and the positioning of the trigger finger. Now we will talk about the right position of the left hand which in my position is extremely important.

 As you wrap your hand around the pistol grip the edge of your left palm should sit on the weak point of the pistol. The fingers of the left hand should wrap firmly around the fingers of the right hand this will prevent your left hand from slipping as you shoot. Notice picture “A”.  the left thumb could be placed firmly on your left index finger thus giving you the look of a closed fist. Or if you wish you can place it along the frame of the pistol. The right thumb should be placed piggyback on the left hand 

A good indication that the left hand is in the right position is the thumb of your left hand should be parallel with the barrel of your pistol when resting on the frame.

Unless you have a square serrated trigger guard you should avoid placing your left index finger on the trigger guard. Doing this, will allow your finger to slip off as you shoot making your shots erratic. New shooters should use the information above this will give you a tight firm grip on your pistol.

 As we see in picture “B” the trigger guard of your pistol should rest firmly on the index finger of your left hand. This anchoring down of the pistol will keep your gun steady as you shoot multiple rounds in the case of a PPC or IPSC match. In Figure “B” notice how the left fingers are wrapped firmly over the fingers of the right hand.

This should be practised at home over and over until the positioning of your hands is automatic.

From the side picture you can clearly understand the right positioning of your hands while holding your pistol.  Once again I cannot stress the importance of holding your pistol correctly. This combined with a well scheduled, well detailed routine, you will find will make you a great pistol or revolver shooter in no time. Remember it is very easy to pick up bad habits so make it a point to start right.

 Below I have placed a few pictures on how to reload your pistol the right and fast way. I think that the pictures are self-explanatory if not you can always look at the videos to see how it is done.

 I hope you enjoyed this tutorial if you need more information please feel free to email the Club

 

Jose Silva From FN Sports shows how it's done simple smooth and always maintaining the proper grip.

  Watch Jose do it slowly click here

  Watch it again a little faster