Range Jitters

[Wes Smith]

I had the same problem with my SW99.Lossen up on the grip I had a death grip and this was the cure

 

[MSG Glenn]

While I was always relatively calm at the range even when I had to qualify while in the military & for armed security where the job depends on it I find myself calmer with just casual SD shooting. I feel good if I can hit the target center mass & not worry about an X ring. If I say to myself that had the target been someone trying to take my life would he be incapacitated? I find that in almost every case the answer is yes & at that time I can start hitting the X ring more often & I'm even more relaxed since my doubts & fears are now gone.

Unless you plan on going into competition then don't worry about it for self defense training. Put enough rounds into a man sized target & he'll go down.

 

[moxie]

And eliminate any caffeine such as coffee, tea, or colas for a couple of hours prior to your range sessions.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

New shooters always jump from shots around them, but go away after awhile. Caffeine should be avoided before like stated above. Best thing is to go and pretend you're the only one at the range. I don't even think about the shooters around me when I go.

I've gotten so good at it that I've had a guy shoot a S&W 500 out of nowhere in the lane right next to me in the middle of shooting a magazine out of my M&P and I didn't even flinch. Relaxing and a good stable grip helps too.

 

[keithherrington]

Simple performance anxiety brought on by what you expect in the way of results. As mentioned by others above focus on the front sight, the trigger pull and the fundamentals. Ignore the results for a while. Shoot a group of 20 to 30 rounds on a blank target. Really watch that front sight. Focus on letting the shot go while maintaining good sight alignment. If shakes start, dry fire a few rounds then go back to shooting. The noise and concussion in the range is greatly amplified indoors. Your nervous system is just a bit more sensitive than you'd like. More exposure to the range would help.
Keith

 

[Claymore_Dude]

Thanks for the pointers and tips. As said, I've been around firearms for around 7 years and have a lot of exposure to the loud noises and booms so I don't think it's a sound thing. I also, have loosened my grip a lot, and do have a .22 (gotta love .05 compared to .27)! That being said, I will keep in mind what everyone has said, and apply to the next range time. On another note, maybe that bulls-eye circle is what gets me worked up like others have mentioned. Time to get a blank piece of paper like some have suggested.

 

[RB211]

I have a bad habit of not eating before I go (skipping breakfast or lunch) - every time I do that, I get the shakes. You would think I would know better, I've been shooting for 30 years. Now, I keep power bars or something of the like in my range bag. If I forget to eat or didn't have time, I'll just eat those and they usually hold me over.

 

[SpringGunTunes]

I shake because I'm worried the idiot in the next lane will shoot me. Some of them are very careless.
Rob

 

[Bkreutz]

I shake because I'm worried the idiot in the next lane will shoot me. Some of them are very careless.
Rob

If the range staff can't (or won't) control careless behavior, it's time to find another range. Have you told them your concern? Range officers can't always see everything. Voicing your concern may prevent some future mishap.

 

[BIGMAC116]

I shake because I'm worried the idiot in the next lane will shoot me. Some of them are very careless.
Rob

I've seen surveillance footage of a woman walking up behind a guy at an indoor range and putting one in the back of his head. Not pretty. You never know who's in there with you.

 

[Atticaz]

I believe it's just the excitement in anticipation of those first few rounds..I remember it well when I first began shooting.
I don't get the jitters anymore but I fog up my glasses in the beginning then it slowly subsides as the rounds add up...same thing happens before a fast drive or when I load my speargun before a dive.

+1 excitement and anticipation. It used to happen to me. I still get a tiny rush from time to time, of I've been away from the range for too long. But, then it goes away after 10-20 rounds.

 

[Rastoff]

If the range staff can't (or won't) control careless behavior, it's time to find another range. Have you told them your concern? Range officers can't always see everything. Voicing your concern may prevent some future mishap.

Some ranges don't have range officers.

 

[kodiakpb]

I shake because I'm worried the idiot in the next lane will shoot me. Some of them are very careless.
Rob

I would confront that careless behavior in the absence of RO's. I've done it before.