I hit the range twice this week - 250 rounds total - and I'm shooting a lot better than I used to - tight groupings go where I want them - even with rental guns I've never used before (this week a Beretta 9200 - couldn't miss with it - and a Taurus something or other - didn't hate it but don't love it).

I tried single-handing with my strong hand, my weak hand, isosceles and variations on Weaver - at 3 distances.

This may be premature but I think I might benefit from having a coach.

My timetable is end-of-summer. As an editor/reviewer, I have 4 full-size 9mm handguns coming or requested in for review: a Glock 34, a Beretta PX4 Storm, a Walther PPQ and an M&P Pro. I can use my current skill level to range-test the first three, but I want to improve once I get the M&P.

I noticed, for example, that the curve at the top of the grip would bring a tiny pain to the web between my right thumb and forefinger if I got too tight with any two-handed hold; that's something I think a coach could help me understand. I'm never sure that I'm pressing the trigger with the most productive part of my forefinger. I notice that I sometimes let the gun drift to +/- 15-20 degrees from plumb. I probably still blink a little at the muzzle flash. I'd like to improve my groupings at longer distances. And I'd very much like to build enough skill with (not-sighted) instinct "point & shoot" aiming that I can feel confident in a situation that compels me to get a shot off that way.

(Let me hereby anticipate the replies that say something to the effect that you can't miss fast enough to win a gunfight; please note that this is specifically about not missing).

For now, this is all about a fixed-position paper target at an indoor range - not about tactical shooting or combat shooting or hunting or cowboy shooting or anything else. You guys have been very helpful in my other quests here, but I've also learned that the more specific I can be, the easier it is to get great responses.

I'm in northeast Ohio, about 40 minutes east of Cleveland, about 40 minutes south of Lake Erie, about an hour west of Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Kent State, about 3 minutes away from a small village called Chagrin Falls.

If anybody can suggest a specific coach, I would be thrilled.

Absent that, I'd be delighted for any starting threads that might help me find one.

Thanks.

martywinston,
Here's a suggestion that I think would be beneficial to you. Look up IDPA, they are an organization that allows one to hone his skills with regards to carry concealed. Find out who the local contact is and find out when and where they are going to hold a shoot and go and observe to see if it would be something that you could benefit from. This a great group and if your interested they will help you get started and there is a knowledge base at their shoots that are second to none.

Thanks - I looked them up and dropped them a note.

You might also check local gun clubs/ranges for coaches and the NRA website can refer you to local coaches. They provide instruction, not indoctrination into a cult, if that's a concern.

Tactical Defense Institute, West Union, OH is your best bet.

S/F,

RAS

Thanks for the recommendation, but they're a little over 4 hours from here - I'm one county east of Cleveland and they're 250 miles down-state.

But I did drop them a note to ask if they plan any "traveling" courses or if they new a resource closer to me.

Honestly, I'm not sure you need an instructor from what you've posted. You have a pretty good understanding of exactly what you ARE doing, and what is not working for you with regards. It sounds more like you just need extended practice on the foundation you have. As for blinking, flinching etc during live fire, there are several things you can do to counter that habit. Lots of dry fire is a MUST. dry fire to boredom, then dry fire some more. It will improve trigger control and help eliminate the dreaded flinch of recoil. also, concentrate on just the trigger finger muscle control. You want just the pad of your index finger on the trigger. Do not wrap your finger through the trigger guard. just the pad of the finger everytime and press straight back through the motion. putting your finger through and around the trigger will cause you to pull the trigger and most likely pull the guns muzzle off target to boot. You want the gun as high up in your grip as possible keeping the bore as low as possible and deep into your hand as you can. You do not need a death grip but firm. You sound as if you know different shooting stances, so again, I would say just practice a lot more. An instructor will tell you much the same if you have pain in the web of your hand from shooting. modify your grip slightly without compromising the grip or comfort, but keep shooting. Some guns just aren't as comfy to shoot and your hand will let you know, but being consistent on your technique requires lots of shooting and practice.

btw, love Chagrin falls...what a quaint place. I am not far from you in Cuyahoga falls, and if push came to shove, you are in a pretty central location to Cleveland where there are lots of gun ranges and can easily secure some shooting instruction from one. I for one say keep on shooting and dry fire a lot to help with anticipation of the recoil/muzzle blast. FWIW.

__________________
God Bless Our Troops.

What a wonderful, supportive message - thanks.

My neighbor has a backyard range - obviously, with weather like today's (horizontal snow) even he won't be out in it - but it will let me increase my practice from a few hundred rounds a month (up in Eastlake) to more rounds more often - and I just found a great price on 1000 rounds of factory ball ammo.

I've been shooting whatever 9mm I could rent at the range, which let me try a lot of guns. I'm a few weeks short of having 4 new guns in for review: a Glock G34, a Beretta Px4 Storm, a Walther PPQ and an S&W M&P Pro.

I do some dry fire practice with an M&P replica BB gun, I have a couple dozen Snap Caps and I have a bore laser that I can use with either the replica or a live gun to double check my aiming skills (which is really helping me improve my instinct point-shooting).

I think you're quite perceptive - I can probably improve what I need to improve just by working on it more.

I hope the planned range in Newbury comes true. I would have no problem (other than paying for them) working through a thousand rounds a week.

Thanks for an inspired and inspirational message.