Terrible shot!

[perfor8]

Start with a rifle, you can learn sight alignment and trigger control without as much tendency to anticipate recoil.

 

[SQLGeek]

eading your post it does seem like you are anticipating recoil

Agreed, that's what it sounds like to me as well.

I still have that issue at times, usually when I haven't had the chance to shoot in a long while.

The best ways I've found to overcome it is a lot of dry fire practice focusing on trigger and grip mechanics.

Shooting double action and heavy recoiling rounds also seems to help me but I don't know if that's a recommended practice. Consider it anecdotal.

 

[perfor8]

This will cause a bunch of whining, but dry-fire doesn't cure recoil anticipation. Anyone can overcome/avoid/cease recoil anticipation when they know the gun ain't loaded. It's useful for demonstrating (to yourself) what a trigger pull should look like, but as soon as the noise and recoil are reintroduced (BANG!), the anticipation will return.
We all call it recoil anticipation but that doesn't describe it well. What we call recoil anticipation is better described as a last moment (immediately before powder ignition) extra effort or push or stiffening of the arms or increase of applied grip strength in the mistaken belief that one can prevent the weapon from recoiling. Everyone anticipates that the weapon will recoil - because it will. It's good practice to prepare for that recoil statically (stance, grip). It's bad practice to prep for the recoil actively (push the weapon forward, or pull the muzzle down). We talk too much about "controlling" recoil as if we can keep it from occurring. The shooter cannot eliminate recoil. The weapon WILL recoil as it is subject to God's laws of physics. Prep statically, then allow it to recoil. You can't stop it. Let it happen.

 

[SQLGeek]

.

 

[TheDan]

Distinguished Pistol Shot.

Never heard of that. What's the process of obtaining that look like?

 

[t-astragal]

Never heard of that. What's the process of obtaining that look like?

It’s pretty complex. Google CMP Distinguished Pistol Shot. Basically it’s shot with a service pistol with 4 lb trigger and iron sights. One handed slow fire at 50 yards timed and rapid at 25 yards. The top 10% win 6 points top 5%
, 8 maybe 10 points. Once you have 30 points you achieve the award.

There are minimum scores and other constraints but essentially that’s the program.

Since 1891 there have been 1673 have done it. I am #1674.


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[popper]

Yup, pushing in anticipation. Not so much real recoil but the bang! Use muffs and plugs, as much noise reduction as you can get - see the difference. Try outdoors with out any protection and see what happens. Sound gets to the brain and is remembered much longer that the recoil. Why so many misses in a shootout? Noise!! Tense muscles before the bang and then immediate un-tensioning after trigger pull.

 

[Wiliamr]

I hate to tell you that it’s not quick or easy. Lots of dry fire lots of live fire. Get a 22 and learn to shoot it first. 3”-5” unsupported groups at 25 yards are very possible with a good pistol so don’t sell out and quit too early.

I just realized a personal goal this summer through similar training. Distinguished Pistol Shot.
View attachment 187030


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Congratulation on your Distinguished!

 

[CodyK]

I appreciate everyone’s help. I’m gonna pick up some snap caps today. And I’ll be back at the range Sunday (and hopefully Monday if I can get my day off work!) I was about 80% sure my problems were just because I’m brand new to guns. But there was a good 20% in the back of my mind telling me that I was just a terrible shot and maybe I should get rid of the gun and get a bat or something!!!!


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[TheDan]

It’s pretty complex. Google CMP Distinguished Pistol Shot. Basically it’s shot with a service pistol with 4 lb trigger and iron sights. One handed slow fire at 50 yards timed and rapid at 25 yards. The top 10% win 6 points top 5% , 8 maybe 10 points. Once you have 30 points you achieve the award.

Is there a time limit or number of matches it takes for you to get to 30? I guess it would help get you in the top 10% if the other people you were shooting with were terrible shots?

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I appreciate everyone’s help. I’m gonna pick up some snap caps today. And I’ll be back at the range Sunday (and hopefully Monday if I can get my day off work!) I was about 80% sure my problems were just because I’m brand new to guns. But there was a good 20% in the back of my mind telling me that I was just a terrible shot and maybe I should get rid of the gun and get a bat or something!!!!


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Nah.
Most everyone is a bad pistol shot when they start.
Of course, there are exceptions....

 

[Byrd666]

Just get a .22 da/sa revolver and learn the mechanics first. Slowly work your way up to X caliber. And .22lr is a whole ton cheaper too.

 

[t-astragal]

Just get a .22 da/sa revolver and learn the mechanics first. Slowly work your way up to X caliber. And .22lr is a whole ton cheaper too.

This is great advice. A solid semi auto is also good and probably better unless you’ll primarily shoot wheel guns.


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[t-astragal]

Is there a time limit or number of matches it takes for you to get to 30? I guess it would help get you in the top 10% if the other people you were shooting with were terrible shots?

There is a minimum qualifying score so no help there. Eventually you gotta shoot 270/300 to get a 8 or 10 point leg. Trust me any easy way is only easy for outstanding shooters. It took me 3 years. My young buddy Mason it took 4 matches in 6 months. He’s also the 2019 National Champion.


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[SQLGeek]

Bayou Rifles (Addicks Range)hosts a Precision Pistol match on the 4th Sunday of the month, be there around 8:30. Its $20 you get to shoot 270 shots. There are beginners and masters there and we all want to help. Start coming every month with a 22 (Buckmark, mk4, etc) and I guarantee within 3 months you’ll be twice as accurate. In a year you’ll be amazed at what you can do.


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Do you have to be a member to shoot the matches?

 

[t-astragal]

Do you have to be a member to shoot the matches?

No. That’s the cool part!


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[SQLGeek]

Very good. Maybe I'll check one out and find out just how humbled I can be. I've been wanting to see the Bayou Rifles club anyway.

 

[t-astragal]

John Herman <bullseye@bayourifles.org> This is the contact point. He doesn't always answer promptly so it you need more info you can email me too. steve@brazosprecision.com

Very good. Maybe I'll check one out and find out just how humbled I can be. I've been wanting to see the Bayou Rifles club anyway.

 

[SQLGeek]

Many thanks!

 

[easy rider]

Just to add, some guns shoot at 6:00 position and others at 12:00. Could be a matter of adjusting your sight line.