How to stop flinching

[dshuf118]

How do you stop flinching? Other than man up!!! 357 (rarely 38) and 44 mag is what I'm shooting.

I've shot mostly Glocks and other semi-autos most of my life and now that I'm getting into revolvers, I flinch more than I want to. Especially double action.

I bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk years ago and developed a terrible flinch shooting factory 240g SWC. I started using the load three in the cylinder, close my eyes, spin it and shoot. It was very obvious when I flinched. With repeated practice over the course of several months I was able to train the flinch away.

 

[chief38]

Anyone ever balance a coin on the barrel while dry firing?

I used to use an empty cartridge case - same principle.

 

[chief38]

If one wants to shoot well enough for self defense, practicing with a flinch should still get you accurate enough to get the job done if controlled. If one is to excel at accuracy and target shooting the flinch must to be tamed.

 

[44MOshooter]

Get some snap caps for your revolvers and practice both SA/DA

I also have a 22 revolver I take a long with me on long range trips with, the 44 magnum and 460 magnum.
If I start feeling a bit flinchy, which isn't often. I set the magnums to the side and pick up the 22 revolver, and concentrate on trigger control and front blade placement.

 

[Tabby Lynn]

I forgot about that but yes, I used that method with my 642 to get rid of my flinch. If you can pull the double action trigger on a gun that light without dropping quarters, you're fine IMHO.

Yes, quite a good training method if your front sight has a flat top. Works really well with a Colt Gold Cup.

 

[RebCop]

I would help other shooters by putting a snap cap into the mag or cylinder. When they flinched on that round they realized what they were doing and were able to correct it.

 

[RebCop]

A flinch in combat shooting is just as bad as bullseye shooting. Gunfights are dynamic with the participants usually moving and to hit them requires concentration and a good flash sight picture.

 

[dsf]

A fellow once told me "you know, flinching doesn't make the gun recoil less" and that pretty much did it for me.

 

[Hand Ejector 32]

I learned with a Glock 40 and 1000 rounds, the gun has an internal laser and I could see the point of impact moving as I tensed up preparing for the recoil. After about 500 rounds in a day or two and a teacher like the ones already mentioned I finally got it through my head it wasn't going to hurt me and to relax. Have fun and enjoy yourself, you will shoot better.

 

[gwpercle]

I will flinch with a .22 pistol, and that's why I say a lot of it is the noise, because there is no recoil or kicking going on.

I Agree 100% ... that was why I said to wear Good Hearing Protection when trying to beat a flinching problem ... the noise can be a part of the flinch inducing equation .
Gary

 

[Jay Dee]

I like to use a laser cartridge to reduce flinching. You can see the laser travel across the target when you pull the trigger. A few sessions soon has you holding the gun on target when you pull the trigger.

 

[chief38]

A flinch in combat shooting is just as bad as bullseye shooting. Gunfights are dynamic with the participants usually moving and to hit them requires concentration and a good flash sight picture.

Yup - agreed! That said, in combat shooting at a few feet, you should still be able to hit a vital area. If a flinch is that bad, get a Pit Bull Dog! lol

 

[Darryl Z]

5 Cent Solution!
I know I'm late to this party, but except for one other response, nobody else touched on this effective technique.

Take your gun. Clear it and the room of all ammo. Double-check that it's clear of all ammo.
OK, now find a TV Show (Like Great British Bake-Off on Netflix) or a fun Colion Noir YouTube Video and sit down.
Place a nickel on the flat space just behind your front sight.
Press play on your show, sit back, and extend your gun in an isosceles grip toward the TV.
Begin slowly dry-firing your gun, double-action, only. Don't let the nickel fall off. If it does, pick it up, replace it, and do it again.
This will be harder than you think unless you have a PC action job or the gun is well-worn.
Do this for the duration of the show or at least 25 minutes. Don't worry so much about aiming, for now. Just keep that nickel on the barrel.
What this does...
It is an incredibly effective way of teaching perfect trigger control. This learned trigger control will jump your accuracy across the board from .22 plinkers to long-range rifles.
By focusing on a smooth and consistent trigger press, you will become more fluid and eventually faster without dropping the nickel.
Before you next go to the range, repeat this for about 15 minutes.
At the range, use your sights and your newfound trigger mastery. After your first perfect shot, you may begin anticipating the recoil. I do recommend target .38 rounds (at least a box or two) to do your initial practice. Verbally (Yes, out loud) say, "I know you will recoil. That's OK" (I know this sounds stupid, but everyone is wearing earmuffs and can't hear you.) Doing this audibly tells your brain, in your own voice, that it's OK and not to worry about it. As many others have suggested, you can intersperse an empty cylinder or spent shell so you don't see when it's up next.

BTW, this also works flawlessly on double-action pistols. For Glocks, you have to reset the trigger while holding the nickel each time, so it's a little more cumbersome, but it also works.

I'd love to hear your feedback on this simple but highly effective technique.

This

 

[aware3218]

I am going to offer a suggestion that I rarely hear, but it has worked well for me and for others.

Use earplugs AND ear muffs. You would be surprised at the amount of people that flinch because they are anticipating the muzzle blast, NOT the recoil.

THEN work on some of the other techniques listed here.

 

[Shibadog]

Try this. Take your VERY Unloaded revolver. Place a penny flat on the top of the frame and pull the trigger. Repeat, a lot, until the only thing dislodging the penny it the blow from the hammer (not You pulling the trigger). I've got several folks to be able to shoot a bunch better using this trick. Also shoot a lot of mild "specials". More than likely you are flinching because you're anticipating the recoil