Can't hit anything with my Shield!

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

Must be a Cali resident.

Now, now everyone knows we don't have CCW in California.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Stand 11 yards from the side of a barn. I'm pretty sure you won't miss it. Good luck.

That one caused me to laugh out loud!!

 

[Maddmax]

I am in Rhode Island (RIDavid)..lol You don't have to carry what you qualify with. You can only carry whatever caliber you qualify with and under. So I would be better of using the .45 because I can carry above 9mm. With the shield it would be 9mm and under only.

Now that we know "the rest of the story"... Forget the Shield to qualify with (way too short a barrel and sight radius) and go with your friends 45's longer barrel and sight radius. Or at least a FS handgun with a long sight radius.

 

[snubbyfan]

A smaller gun is a bit trickier to shoot than a full size one. I was used to shooting a 4 inch model 66-3 loaded with 38 specials. I got a carry permit and a model 442 to go with it. Took lotsa practice to get where I felt comfortable shooting a snubby. I invested in a laserlyte side mount laser so I can easily see how my trigger press affected my aim.
I do a lot of dry fire practice at home putting a red dot on my wife's stuffed Pooh bear's tummy set down the hall and practicing my trigger press to keep it there.
I now prefer shooting my snubby. It feels natural and comfortable in my hand.
Stick with it, practice that trigger press and don't get discouraged.

 

[warbird]

Reading this thread ........Glad I'm in Sweet Home Alabama! Takes 20 minutes, $20 and a background check.

 

[scooter123]

I do have limited shooting experience.

This is the answer. The solution is to shoot more and take formal lessons if you aren't showing improvement. Because it's quite possible that you've picked up some bad habits that can impede improving.

One other tip is to purchase a good revolver and take the time to learn how to shoot it properly in double action. Because IMO nothing will teach a good trigger stroke better than learning how to shoot a revolver properly in double action. BTW, Properly in double action means pulling the trigger in one continuous motion because Staging (stoping just sort of the break) the trigger is cheating and won't lead to any real improvement.

 

[edslow]

In Tennessee to qualify you shoot 18 rounds at 3 yards (9 feet) 18 rounds at 7 yards (21 feet) and 18 rounds at 15 yards (45 feet) you must hit the paper (not the bullseye) but it is 2' X 3' 33 out of those 48 rounds, I think you need to look into your CCW quals more closely. 25 yards is 75 feet and unless you are an expert or at least a sharpshooter you will not be able to ever qualify.

Most self defense situations are less than 21 feet or seven yards if I lived somewhere that they expected me to be proficient shooting any handgun at 75 feet I would either practice like hell or move out of state, that is an unrealistic range for most handguns!

Yes I also agree your sound much more reasonable.

 

[oldguyshoot]

...I know in Texas if you qualify with a revolver you are not allowed to carry a semi auto..(someone please correct me if I have the wrong info on this).

They did away with the distinction recently. You can qualify with either and you're legal to carry both.

 

[jfbradfield]

thanks for link

I think you need to use the diagnosis target for some self-evaluation...

That's awesome! Thanks for the link. --JFB

 

[Don 73]

While I agree that 25 yards is unrealistic for a subcompact handgun, I DO believe in practicing farther away than you are likely to have to shoot. The greater distance magnifies shooting errors enabling you to see exactly what you are doing wrong AND by practicing at a greater distance, your close up shooting will be vastly improved.

 

[forrestinmathews]

In this case I'd advocate getting the largest sight radius that you can. Smith and Wesson 460xvr using .45LC cowboy loads would be what I would take to the test with a scope if I could get away with it. The recoil is nonexistent and the gun will punch a series of big holes in the paper at 25y. The test is set up to be a target shoot, so bring a target pistol or revolver of large caliber. Best of luck!

 

[RobzGuns]

If yer gonna go with a handgun with a longer sight radius, I recomment using the Colt Buntline.

 

[k31scout]

David,
Have someone load your mags with a couple of snap caps mixed in. You'll know if you flinch when you get to a snap cap. Dry fire practice a 100 times a day. Shoot a few mags into a close target with your eyes closed to just feel the recoil and that there's nothing to be afraid of and no reason to flinch.

FOCUS on the front sight before you press the trigger, see the muzzle flash, see the sight ride up and back down to the target. Focus focus focus on that front sight.

Use the pad of your finger on the trigger. It should get lighter after a bunch of rounds.

I had trouble with my Shield 9 but never thought of getting rid of it because of the way it rides IWB. Sooooo much better than my full size pistols!

 

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

Most likely it is your grip and release. If it is going over the target, your releasing to early. If it hits the ground first, your holding on too long. I loose grip can cause loss of velocity complicating all of the above. Maybe a sideways, homey, grip is what you need. I have seen some have better accuracy with the "boomerang" toss also. If none of these tips help, you might look at getting another, different sidearm!