Accuracy question

[Confusedacorn]

Ever since I've seriously gotten into shooting handguns this past year or so I've noticed my accuracy leaves a bit to be desired. I've been target shooting ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper but now that I'm actually interested in grouping rather than sending lead down range I was curious if yall have any pointers.

See I was born left hand, left eye dominant but was raised to be a righty (cuz it's a right hand world). Whenever I shoot pistols I aim both thumbs at my target, squeeze the handle forward and backward w my right hand with the pad of my right index finger squeezing the trigger while stabilizing left and right by gently squeezing w my left hand. I noticed I tend to lock my right arm in order not to limp wrist and let my left arm go at a 30* angle or so while using my right eye to aim.

Any suggestions or improvements?

 

[retiree]

Where are your holes showing up? Low left; high right etc...?

 

[Confusedacorn]

When I'm concentrating its mainly low/center left, been trying to remedy this by using the pad of my trigger finger rather than the first joint. Also been trying to squeeze rather than pull as well.

 

[Ranger17]

as a 2 year shooter i am in no position to advise on the most efficient way others should shoot. I do know for me i actually noticed a definite improvement in my range accuracy (up to 10yds) with my 9c when i lock my right thumb over my left rather then have them "parallel" pointing in the same direction. I know, may not be optimal, but for some reason i equate it to my golf grip in that it felt more comfortable/natural and since I've been using it my groups are better. I'll add that i've been fine with my .22's, its the 9mm that made me work harder to gain some confidence.

So for me, it's been consistent range visits working with the same handgun (50-100+ rounds per visit), some tips from experienced range help, and honestly trying different forms to see what works for me.

 

[Confusedacorn]

^thats my problem, been shootin 22s in the bullseye my whole life w some random target practice w higher calibers, recently got a few 9s and have been using the same technique (locking the thumbs down range) and shooting about 60% in the bullseye lately. I'm mostly worried about my eye dominance and hand grip along w posture to start getting 1" groups at 25 yards with my LC9S, shield and m&p9

 

[Ranger17]

^thats my problem, been shootin 22s in the bullseye my whole life w some random target practice w higher calibers, recently got a few 9s and have been using the same technique (locking the thumbs down range) and shooting about 60% in the bullseye lately. I'm mostly worried about my eye dominance and hand grip along w posture to start getting 1" groups at 25 yards with my LC9S, shield and m&p9

my problems show up more when i'm going for those 25yd distances--my eyesight has me looking at a blur of a bullseye so i end up being content with a decent group rather than hitting at 25yds what i can do at 10. Especially with my 9c.

I should ask, have you noticed any difference in groups between your fs 9 and your smaller shield/LC9S models? Perhaps if the full size is better then it's maybe tied to the accuracy of the compact models with their shorter barrels and sightline more then your grip/etc (just thinking out loud there so can easily be wrong on it).

 

[Dave707]

1" groups at 25 yards? I guess if you were using a rest that might be possible. Perhaps you're expecting too much from the handguns you're shooting - they're not target pistols after all.

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[ChiefStealth]

With my Shield, I feel really good about keeping all of my slow-fire shots within a 4in. circle at 20 yards. With quick double-taps, at 10 yards, I feel good about the first one in a 6in. circle, and the second shot somewhere within a man-sized silhouette.

 

[Ranger17]

1" groups at 25 yards? I guess if you were using a rest that might be possible. Perhaps you're expecting too much from the handguns you're shooting - they're not target pistols after all.

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that's a good point to consider; for myself i may work to get a tight group with my buckmark .22 at say 20-25 yds but i understand that (speaking only for myself) due to variables i wont be as accurate with my 9c at same distances. But if up to 10 yds or so i'm in a tight group and consistent with it, then i'm happy as it is a defensive firearm. Now if i had years of experience and the eyesight of my youth, i'd have better expectations.
my .02

i wanted to add that I tend to think of my 9c practice as the same back when i bowhunted. It was the 1st shot that mattered the most, so i wanted to make sure my first shot then with the bow and now with the 9c is solid. If after 100 rounds at the range i'm not perfect, so be it as i dont plan on being in any extended shooting situation. I strive to get those first couple shots as close to POA as possible and they tend to be.

 

[ATF]

What are you worried about? Not getting into the Olympic shooting team?
Seriously though if you are are close to hitting 1" groups at 25 yards with 9mm there's not much anyone can teach you, it's just your concentration and breathing. As far as the type of grip you use it's really your choice and what works for you. I was taught to always use a combat grip and it's so ingrained I can't change it.

 

[cracker57]

my problems show up more when i'm going for those 25yd distances--my eyesight has me looking at a blur of a bullseye so i end up being content with a decent group rather than hitting at 25yds what i can do at 10. Especially with my 9c.

the only tip I can share and its worth what you paid for it. Your target or bullseye should always be a blur, hard focus on the front site.

 

[CaptRon956]

The Shield 9 is among my favorite pistols at the range & my EDC. I'm thinking about getting another one, this time in .40 cal.

I went to my local shooting range this morning to try out some
Freedom munitions I recieved the other day.....
Pistol used was my M&P Shield 9mm, The target was set back to 5 yards (15 feet)
Had one flier but that was because a guy 2 lanes over had a AR-15 that I wasnt ready for & it made me flinch...

 

[jehu1290]

A lot of good advice here, but I will add one more thing; find a small NRA pistol class where the instructor cares about helping his students refine their shooting ability. I am an instructor and I would much rather have a class of 3 rather than 10 because I like being able to give more personal attention to my students. This is how I was helped and I guess it just stayed with me.

 

[Rastoff]

I agree with the others. If you're getting close to 1" groups at 75', you're better than 98% of the shooters out there. In fact, that kind of accuracy is not likely because the gun isn't that good.

Also been trying to squeeze rather than pull as well.

Rather than thinking "squeeze" think "press" the trigger straight back. When we think about squeezing, we tend to squeeze the whole hand. This will pull your sights off target. By pressing straight back, it's easier to concentrate on just the trigger finger.

With quick double-taps, at 10 yards, I feel good about the first one in a 6in. circle, and the second shot somewhere within a man-sized silhouette.

With respect, you should not feel good about this.

Defensive accuracy means putting two rounds on target as quickly as possible, within a hand span of each other. If your hits are further than a hand span, your shooting too fast; slow down.

In a tense situation, like defending your life, you will not be as accurate as you are at the range. The first shot in the 6" circle, will likely be outside the vital area. That second shot that is "within a man-sized silhouette" will be a complete miss.

Please understand, I'm not trying to harshly critique your methodology. I want to help you get better so you can be more effective when it counts. At 10 yards, two hits in the vitals in 2.8 seconds is preferable over a wounding hit and a complete miss in 1 second.

 

[Big Cholla]

As mentioned; you are getting into the nuances of handgun shooting. We can second guess your techniques and what could be improved, BUT what you need is a good handgun instructor to stand at your side and watch you shoot. The instructor needs to see you shoot your choice of bigbores, then will switch you over to a similar 22LR to enable him/her to 'see' your actual trigger press and follow thru. The instructor will start at your feet while watching your entire presentation. He/she will end up at the handgun watching grip, trigger press and follow thru. Small simple corrections all the way up will give you the best presentation for YOU and can make considerable differences. You might have the ability to make an Olympic Team and you might not, but a good instructor can give you the tools to max out what you can do while using your equipment. ...... Big Cholla