need some shooting advice

[spudwrench]

as an oldtimer I shot rifles and shotguns most of my shooting life. In the last couple of years I got interested in handgun shooting but I was trained in shooting that " perfect " poly pistol. I recently bought a 39-2 which is a pleasure to shoot except that first long pull heavy first DA shot. Is there any advice I can find on how to do this accurately or is it just a matter of basics and a lot of practice. SA I'm pretty good but I might as well shoot the first round in the ground and get it over with or manually cock the trigger. Any advice from you good pistoleros thanks

 

[ab4ka]

practice, practice, practice. Once you get used to it, it will become second nature.

 

[spudwrench]

I know Smith and Wesson has the reputation of having the best triggers but the 39 is actually new. Will the trigger get any smother or easier with use. I guess I'm looking for that magic solution but it's a good excuse to shoot more isn't it. Do like the pistol though, so much easier on the hand than the perfect pistol.

 

[mstuhr]

Rifleman

Howdy Spudwrench,
This month's RIFLEMAN has several good shooting drills that will help you.
If you do it some it can get to be very normal.
Good luck
Mike

 

[handgunner356]

There are several things that you can try, the main thing I find is to make sure I slow down that first shot before the transistion. You can always thumb cock the hammer for the first shot. A lighter hammer spring will help the DA pull, I usually stick with the 17#-18# in my guns.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

Part of it is also mental, as in your comment "as long as I put the first round in the dirt and get it over with" (which can be a pretty common sentiment with a lot of new shooters with DA/SA pistols so don't take it as a personal attack!)

Make sure you really focus on the first shot, and "shoot small" i.e., really aim at something small like the bullseye on the target or another dot on the target. Also, think like a marksman and squeeze the trigger until it breaks by itself.

Of course you want to be relaxed, in your favorite shooting stance, and use some breath control.

The point of this is just to get used to the DA pull and get over the "hump" that it will just always be a bad shot.

Another way to get more familiar with the DA triger pull is to shoot your pistol off a sandbag. This let's you really feel it without worrying about steadying, etc.

Then, shoot without the sandbag, and shoot a couple of magazines completely DA by lowering the hammer between each round.

By the way, some of my guns "shoot wild" a few inches on the first round if I've recently cleaned the barrel, no matter how many times I've swabbed it dry. After two or three shots those guns seem to settle in.

 

[spudwrench]

lots of good advice here. Wish you guys lived closer, nothing like having someone with knowledge standing there telling you first hand. You're absolutely right about the mental thing, I need to start slow with basics and as the man said practice, practice, practice. I'm considering steel target competition so I don't want to make the sidelines scatter my first time up so I see a lot of cheap ammo downrange before I try. Thanks again guys

Oh also is the lighter spring thing I can so or just go with what I've got till I get better ?

 

[handgunner356]

The springs are available from Wolff Gunsprings, stock is around 22#. I've had good luck with the 17-18# with no light strikes. Pretty easy change out on the 39, just press out the mainspring housing pin, pull out the housing and swap out the springs.

 

[Jim H]

You might consider buying a 'trainer' revolver, and practice DA with it. Even a relatively inexpensive-to-feed .22 can help build up those trigger finger muscles. Your DA 1st shot will feel much easier, and the SA follow-ups will just rock!

 

[Ken NC]

There is a slim book on DA/revolver target shooting by Charles Stephens titled "How to Become a Master Handgunner: The Mechanics of X-Count Shooting." Some of it is just basic stuff, but it does contain advice unique to DA trigger pull.

Come to think of it, the DA practice angle might be a reason to add a revolver to your collection!

 

[Jim H]

Come to think of it, the DA practice angle might be a reason to add a revolver to your collection!

If a 4" S&W 617 ever falls off the delivery truck, there's a good chance I'll get run over trying to scoop it off the road...

Otherwise, I guess I'll just have to save up my pennies...

 

[gunfish]

I'm no expert, I know what helped me.
1 Shooting a handgun is exciting. Get used to the blast and recoil.
2 After 200 rounds I get sloopy, don't practice sloppy.
3 If I shoot poorly, it is my fault not the gun.
4 This could take awhile.

I now hit a 12" disc at 25yds. Last year I shot auto pistols 10" left and 16" low. I could not believe that every one I owned was defective. After some 3000 rounds the blast and recoil are unnoticed. I shoot to practice a defensive style not a target style.

 

[spudwrench]

shooting advice update

I installed the 17# spring and ran four mags through it and was amazed at the difference. I took all the advice , new spring, better mental picture and am looking for the book . The pistol was good to shoot now it's a great shooter. Too bad the operator isn't as good as the pistol. Thanks again to all