I was pretty happy coming back from the range today.
I bought the M&P9c 2 weeks ago, it's my first handgun.
Day after I got it, I went to the range....couldn't wait to try it out. Had great feelings about it, it felt great.
I shot ******!!
From 25ft my shots were mostly a foot to a foot and a half to the right, and a little low. Geez...
When I got home I researched firing technique.
Read different writings from 6 or 7 people.
Mostly they agreed on a few things:
1. Grip it TIGHT!
2. Focus on the front sight, even though the target is out of focus.
3. Use the Weaver stance.
With this newly acquired knowledge, I went to the range today and shot 200.
I focused on these things, and it was a BIG improvement for me.
Still not all that great, but definitely better. At least my rounds were around the circles, and some even hit near the center.
I was still trending low, even though I thought I had it sighted in. With one magazine left, I tried one last adjustment. I hit in the center circle with 4 out of 11. The rest were pretty close.
I'm hoping I can duplicate the magic I found in those last few shots.
Did you guys experience similar shooting your first time out?

Many shooters differ heavily on this topic and I won't try to tell you which one is better, but if you're not shooting high powered pistols or revolvers, and especially if you ever plan to shoot in competitions of any kind I'd highly recommend you read up on the modified isosceles stance before getting too used to shooting with the weaver stance. I don't think there are many left that teach weaver as a primary shooting stance.

Most of your difficulty will clear up with consistent practice, no matter what methods you use.

I'd highly recommend you checkout these two drills.

Ball and Dummy Drill
http://pistol-training.com/drills/ball-dummy-drill

Wall Drill
http://pistol-training.com/drills/wall-drill

Mas Ayoob has a great article entitled " How to Shoot a Handgun Accurately ". It's great for new and experienced shooters.

How to shoot a handgun accurately by Massad Ayoob Issue #85

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I like Ike.

After 35yrs I do pretty well, now if I can just keep the gun perfectly still.

Gripping too tight is not exactly recommended either. Ive read 35% of your grip pressure should be the trigger hand and 65% the offhand.

I've read that in various places as well but in a pressure situation how do you know how much grip pressure each hand is exerting?

I took the Magpul dynamic pistol training a couple of years ago and it was a eureka moment for me personally. I'm an old man at 62 but after having it drilled into my head for a few days to grip the **** outta that gun my proficiency improved 100%.

I'm not professional by any extent but I can tell you by constance practice and a lot of dry firing drills I am proficient enough to protect myself.

I'm not gonna tell you this method works for everyone but no matter which one you use you must practice, practice, practice.

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Get off my lawn.....

Yeah, when I got home from the range the first time, I did a lot dry firing aiming at the outlets and switches. I could see as I pulled the trigger the front sight moving to the right. Didn't see this at the range! Gripped it tight, and saw a LOT less movement. Worked for me.