First range trip results

[Ralffers]

This was my first target that I fired my first 15 rounds at two weeks ago, during my first ever trip to the range (shot from 22 feet out).  What do you think?  I know that my groupings are not great, but bear in mind that I was firing a .40 caliber [M&P], and the only "gun" I fired before this was my dad's BB gun – and that was 20 years ago.  

I talked to two friends of mine, one is in the army reserves, the other is a marine that now is an instructor.  The former thinks the problem is with my breathing, whereas the latter thinks the issue lies with my trigger squeeze.  I was aiming for dead center mass the whole time mind you, but as you can see, the rounds land down and to the right.  At least they're in the black though.

Can't wait to go back to the range tomorrow and fire off the 100 rounds I have ready and waiting!

 

[Llando88]

Hey, you only get better if you practice right.

Are you left handed?

Have your friends shot your pistol?

 

[JJEH]

Start at maybe 10 yards (or 7), take it easy and go slow. Your results will improve very fast. And never forget to have fun

 

[OKFC05]

Go to the fellow who thinks you need work on trigger control, and ask him to help you.

 

[Ralffers]

Hey, you only get better if you practice right.



Are you left handed?



Have your friends shot your pistol?

Left handed, which is the primary reason I bought the M&P). And yes, my friend did shoot my gun. Suffice it to say he is [obviously] much better than me. I have fun every time I go, and am really, really enjoying the learning process. I just wish I had a limitless amount of money (don't we all) and could go to the range 3-4 times a week.

 

[venomballistics]

looks like one classic stopper, a probably and one debilitating hit out of the string.
Slow down there Tex.
slow = precision
precision = smooth
smooth = speed
Just like a blistering guitar solo.

 

[Rastoff]

Are you left handed?

Ah, I see all those character I've typed were not wasted. You have learned well my young padowan.

Left handed, which is the primary reason I bought the M&P).

Yes, this is a common grouping for a lefty, shooting a new gun, with a stiff trigger, at about 7 yards. Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of here.

Next question:
What does your grip look like? How much of your trigger finger is on the trigger?

Take a look at this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...-coach-why-am-i-shooting-low-right-lefty.html My instruction on grip starts at post #11.

 

[Ralffers]

Ah, I see all those character I've typed were not wasted. You have learned well my young padowan.


Yes, this is a common grouping for a lefty, shooting a new gun, with a stiff trigger, at about 7 yards. Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of here.

Next question:
What does your grip look like? How much of your trigger finger is on the trigger?

Take a look at this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...-coach-why-am-i-shooting-low-right-lefty.html My instruction on grip starts at post #11.

Thanks for your input and posting a link to your instruction, I greatly appreciate it. I read your post and closely examined the pictures, and am willing to try it, however, it looks like you have your thumbs riding on the slide, and that would appear to be a very painful experience when firing. Now, if you have your thumbs up on the slide but are not touching it, it's an entirely different story.

 

[Llando88]

Ah, I see all those character I've typed were not wasted. You have learned well my young padowan.

Yes, Obi-wan.

Or, in the meme-vernacular of da interwebz:

 

[Llando88]

Ralffers - Picture of my grip below. My pistol is a FS9, pretty similar to your 40. (Note that my support hand thumb is not riding the slide, it is on the frame.)

When I started last year, my support hand was much farther back. I now find this works really well for me.

I use a modern isometric (like a triangle), relaxed stance, and just bring the gun up to my dominant eye (left), and shoot.

My hands are not huge, and I use the M backstrap. I use the M because it allows me to 'finish flat' on the trigger. Basically, I changed the amount of 'finger on the trigger' around, until I found the position that allows the trigger to 'click' with virtually no movement from the front sight. For me, the trigger lands right in the crease of my left index finger.

(You might find a change in backstrap size to help, so maybe experiment with that, too)

My only advice on trigger control is to read more about and practice, dry firing, a lot. It would also be great if you could get your Former Marine friend to help you.

Good luck and looking forward to your next range report!

Rich

 

[Rastoff]

Yes, it looks like my thumbs are on the slide, but they are not. Even if they touch it a little, I don't feel it while shooting. Just keep your thumbs relaxed and it will be fine.

 

[bob98366]

Ralffers, here's a basic beginner's youtube video on pistol accuracy by Zack at triggercraft.com. Short version is the things to concentrate on are 1. firm grip, 2. sight alignment, 3. sight picture (focus your shooting eye on the front sight, no where else), and 4. smooth, steady trigger squeeze/press. Until they are all an engrained habit, think of each every time you fire a shot. Dry fire with an empty case balanced on the front of the slide is a good drill to develop a good trigger press.

How To Shoot a Handgun Accurately - YouTube

 

[ginzo]

Welcome and congratulations! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Here are more results of the Rastoff school of trigger control. Ignore the sight picture. You obviously have sight picture figured out. It's about flinching and trigger control We all have to start somewhere. I would heed his advice.

This is holding/setting up the .22 casing on the front sight, while having the camera hanging from a lanyard on my right wrist, then swinging the camera up and catching it in my hand, orienting it and then shooting the short video. All without dropping the casing (after about 6 attempts). Not to bad a result?

This kind of practice will have you proficient in no time flat!
I am also a lefty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyT97z8FRM&feature=youtu.be

 

[Ralffers]

Welcome and congratulations! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Here are more results of the Rastoff school of trigger control. Ignore the sight picture. You obviously have sight picture figured out. It's about flinching and trigger control We all have to start somewhere. I would heed his advice.

This is holding/setting up the .22 casing on the front sight, while having the camera hanging from a lanyard on my right wrist, then swinging the camera up and catching it in my hand, orienting it and then shooting the short video. All without dropping the casing (after about 6 attempts). Not to bad a result?

This kind of practice will have you proficient in no time flat!
I am also a lefty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyT97z8FRM&feature=youtu.be

I will definitely be doing this exercise, thanks for posting it!

Also a belated happy Thanksgiving to you and everyone else here!

 

[Ralffers]

Here are the results from my second trip to the range this past Wednesday. The first target is from my M&P .40, and the second is from a Glock 36 .9mm that my friend rented. As is clearly evident, my groupings are much tighter with the .9, however, the caveat is that I was intentionally moving around a bit when firing my .40. to see how well I could hit exactly where I was aiming. Nevertheless, the groupings shouldn't be this lose. That said, I still think that I did better than my first time out two weeks ago. Oh, and the three rounds that landed in the white were the result of trying to fire my M&P one-handed. Suffice it to say that a .40 isn't made to be fired using one hand... Not for me anyway, or at least not yet.

 

[ginzo]

Keep up the good work, don't be in a rush, time will be your friend. Personally, I "work" 1st at the range, then play at the end trying the 1 handed, off handed stuff etc.

Oh, I started with a penny/dime laying flat on the front sight, then graduated to the .22 casing. And I didn't mean to ignore the sight picture totally, only for the video purposes as it was a handful just trying to get it in frame. I always work on sight picture/trigger control but they are two separate items that once you get the hang of, then they come together naturally. You will be able to fire one handed soon enough. There is a lot to focus on for a new shooter.

Here are the results from my second trip to the range this past Wednesday. The first target is from my M&P .40, and the second is from a Glock 36 .9mm that my friend rented. As is clearly evident, my groupings are much tighter with the .9, however, the caveat is that I was intentionally moving around a bit when firing my .40. to see how well I could hit exactly where I was aiming. Nevertheless, the groupings shouldn't be this lose. That said, I still think that I did better than my first time out two weeks ago. Oh, and the three rounds that landed in the white were the result of trying to fire my M&P one-handed. Suffice it to say that a .40 isn't made to be fired using one hand... Not for me anyway, or at least not yet.

View attachment 175000

View attachment 175001

 

[Rastoff]

Yep, definite improvement. Take your time. As your groups get smaller, then speed up a little.