Source
r/guns•
fcman

Shot amazing today thanks to a video posted on here.

Just a quick note: I am not posting this to brag or say "OMG I am teh best shot in the world" because that is obviously not true. I wrote this to share my experience of how I made a small change that INSTANTLY and dramatically improved both my accuracy and consistency. I am officially swearing by the video posted further down. Hopefully it can help some others here struggling with pistol shooting.

Just went to the range this morning and was shooting a magazine or two and not doing too well, hitting all over the bottom right of a 12" one of these (at 15yrds I believe, may have been 10) http://sport.birchwoodcasey.com/Targets/TargetDetails.aspx?ProductID=8da382b3-5ad2-45ed-8c11-cecbe871b3e6

I have never been the best shot, always been able to keep it on the paper but that's about the best thing I can say about my shooting. So I took a step back and remembered a video I found on gunnit (not sure which post but here's the vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm9uG5bPubw)

I've watched plenty of videos about where to place my hands on the gun but this has never really made a noticeable improvement. Most of these instructional videos tell you to grip relatively lightly and that the thumbs forward grip is mostly about being able to quickly acquire your sights and retain consistency in your stance and how you don't want to put any pressure on the gun.

The thing that really made a difference in the Travis Haley video is the part where he talks about the how he uses a "100/100" grip to have full control of the gun, a stark contrast to the videos out there who tell you to not apply any real pressure.

So with this in mind I went back up to the booth loaded my pistol up (USPc in 9MM) and gripped firmly and as completely as I could while I pulled the trigger. No bullshit the first shot went dead center.

I continued this for the rest of the time I was there (only about 30 rounds or so, buddy had to get back to work) and I missed the red maybe 5 times out of 30. My buddy usually outshoots me and was dumbfounded so I told him to try it out and he instantly started shooting better as well.

The recoil suddenly felt like a .22 (maybe a bit of a exaggeration) and it was so easy to get the gun back on target for follow up shots. Much quicker and 10x more accurate than any tip I've tried before.

I am usually a supporter of "just do what's comfortable" and usually don't pay much attention to things like this (I play golf and know that most instructional vids and the like are a bunch of bs) but I just felt like I needed to share so hopefully others with similar issues can try it out.

Posted Feb 12, 2012, 4:09 AM UTC

2624
telvox•

I had the same thing happen to me the first time I went to a range after watching art of the dynamic handgun If you haven't had the chance to watch the entire video I highly recommend you watch it. This clip is just a small part of what they show in that video.

7
fcmanOP•

Wow didn't realize there was more, will definitely pick this up.

3
skunkwrxs•

The whole video is very, very informative. They try not to laser-focus on one technique, they are big on giving you guidance and letting you use what works for you. The CCW portion is also really helpful too. Certainly a great resource for any level of shooter, not just beginners. Cheers!

2
[deleted]•

If you think a video helped then you should consider taking a class from a well known, reputable trainer.

4
mahamoti•

No idea why you got any downvotes for this. Anyone can benefit from a good class.

2
[deleted]•

Dunno, don't care either. A dvd will never come close to matching the level of instruction that you can receive from a good trainer.

1
dimview•

Nah, I studied karate by watching Bruce Lee movies. Now I'll watch Magpul DVDs and become just as good at shooting.

0
Ag-E•

I've watched the entire Art of the Dynamic Handgun series (great series by the by) and that was pretty much the one thing that really stuck out to me.

3
flyingflopdoodle•

I have the complete video and I just want to say that this very segment as well as the "ball and dummy" drills have improved my pistol shooting substantially. After focusing on my grip and hiding snap-caps in my mags I was able to really see where my faults were. Very quickly I noticed that my groups became tighter, shots more consistent, and I am became significantly more comfortable with my pistol after just a few trips to the range.

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fcmanOP•

I need to start using hidden snap caps as well. Sometimes I get a bit excited and unfocused at the range and either slap the trigger or flinch on a couple shots. If anything the snap caps would help me to take a breath and calm down.

1
sewiv•

I am usually a supporter of "just do what's comfortable"

I've found that usually it's just the opposite. If you're new at something, and what you're doing "feels comfortable", you're almost certainly doing it wrong. I have a way I like to hold a golf club, because it's comfortable. My shots suck with it, though. If I hold it in the uncomfortable way that the pro showed me, they don't suck. Same thing with pretty much every other sport I've ever tried, and eventually it becomes "not as uncomfortable", then with enough practice it's just "normal". Same thing is DEFINITELY true of shooting, in spades.

3
fcmanOP•

I think I may have been a bit too ambiguous. I don't mean "do what's comfortable" as in put your hands wherever you want, and I definitely don't mean it for someone new to a sport. And I still think the golf analogy holds up here especially well, at least for me. Every single trainer I have talked to has told me something different, and every pro does something different. I find that when I just go out, and start to loosen up, my shots are just flat out better than when I try to focus on getting the grip exactly how the pro showed me. And I have found this to be true in every sport I have played. So perhaps we are just built differently.

When I have the basics down, I find it is usually best to make very minor adjustments to improve, rather than trying something drastic and completely opposite of what I am used to, which was the case here.

1
sewiv•

I'll have to respectfully disagree. I've made several LARGE changes in my shooting techniques and every one has paid off.

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fcmanOP•

That's what I'm saying, I'm usually opposed to large adjustments, but this time I went out on a limb and made a BIG change and it definitely paid off :)

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madcanuk•

Nice vid link. Been 30 years since the last time I had pistol training, best grip and mechanics explanation I've seen. I wish my instructors were that knowledgeable then.

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[deleted]•

I shoot like you. Usually on the paper but with no consistency. Here's to hoping you've solved both our problems! Thanks for sharing

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fcmanOP•

Good luck! I'm really curious to see if it works for others. Give us a range report next time you go!

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vokebot•

You've really opened up a can of worms for me here. I am watching youtube clips of his "Adaptive Kalash" videos right now and now I'm hooked. So much for sleep tonight O_O

2
BlackGhostPanda•

I've never seen those before. That was a very good instructional video. I liked the way he showed how different grips could affect your shot.

2
LogicalTingle•

That is cool. Thanks for sharing the video. I had burglar problems awhile back, and decided to get a gun. I had never shot anything bigger than a .22 before, and the .38 and 9mm I tried were hard to shoot accurately with. On a whim, I thought I would try using the strength in my arms to try keeping the pistol from jumping up or away too much. And then I was shooting much better. I like how the big caliber weapons require some man strength. Guns are awesome

2
JudgeWhoAllowsStuff•

Cool video - gonna have to try that next time.

1
atheist_verd•

Thank you for this! It might just be what will help my wife with her shooting.

1
maverickps•

I find it tough to get the 100/100 grip on my LCP with large mannish hands.

1
BeAtheistItsFun•

wow this is very good advice thank you for sharing with those who missed it the first time.

1