what A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE!!

[skywarrior]

So I have owned a Sigma and an Airweight 642 for about six months but haven't gotten around to shooting either one of them until today. Having aquired my ccp getting used to both guns is a priority with me. I bought some pretty good ammo for both when it was on sale and gathered up around 100 rounds for both. We have an indoor range where I live so I went out today to fling some lead. Man, did I ever leave there amazed! With the Sigma, I was shooting about 6-8 inches low at 10 yards and with the snubbie I was kind of all over the place at 5 yards. I tried different grips, different stances, different arm positions etc. I changed everything but my underwear to no avail. I am 64 years old and have shot every kind of firearm there is but have very limited experience with handguns. I also have shot competitive archery for the past fifteen years. This is no joke, I can hit a target the size of a baseball consistently at twenty yards with a bow, and I can't hit a target the size of a SOFTBALL consistently at five yards with either handgun. As disappointed as I was, I thought back to the first time I tried to shoot a bow and couldn't even pull it back. Kind of made me laugh at myself. Anyway, any suggestions on practice methods, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I won't give up. I have a "stick to it" attitude but right now I am at a complete loss as to knowing how to get more accurate. I am wondering if laser sights would help.

 

[PDL]

Mamma said there'd be days like that.

With the Sigma remember the sights are regulated to be covering the target, not lollipop like we were all taught.

It does take several hundred rounds thru the gun to break them in as well.

You'll get used to both the guns. But like anything else, it all comes with practice.

Looks like you post count is low, so I'll say welcome to the forum. Enjoy shooting both of your new firearms.

 

[OKFC05]

In bow terms, you have a release problem, moving the gun just as you pull the trigger, it sounds like.

Dryfiring with close attention to a smooth pull and loading some dummy cartridges alone with the real ones will help. Put a quarter on the gun when dryfiring and send me the quarters you knock off.

PS: laser sights are for after you learn trigger control; seriouslydoubt your problem is sight alignment.

 

[nicky4968]

Plus 1 on the dry fire. When you start getting a verticle string, you'll know you're getting somewhere. Start with slow fire (literally 10 shots in 10 minutes) for two or three strings. Many books by Ayoob, Jordan, Keith, and many others.
Focus, focus, focus. As Willie Hoppe would say, you could be the world champion at billiards, but, when you bent over and your mind started jumping fences, that's when the real pressure came.
PS: Welcome to forum.

 

[Zebra365]

Here is something that helped me. I was always told to "squeeze the trigger". Well, I didn't get it.

If I give you a tennis ball and say "squeeze it", you won't just push on it with your index finger, you will tighten on it with all fingers and your thumb.

Yet people think that they are "squeezing" a trigger when they are just pushing on it with their index finger. This can work on a single-action pistol with a crisp trigger. It is a disaster on a double action revolver or DAO pistol like the Sigma.

When you practice dry-firing your Sigma, try thinking of the circle of your thumb and index finger. Try making that circle smaller and smaller until the striker trips (fires).

I have found that this helps keep me from pulling the gun off-target while firing in double action. And it has improved my single action trigger / aim control as well.

 

[leejack]

Stick with it, you'll get it.

 

[mtngunr]

Just dryfire and watch the sights and squelch movement all the way through trigger release...practice with one hand will make two-hand shooting all the easier...ditto on one hand with live ammo, when you go back to two hands it will be like shooting with training wheels....as for the Sigma, i am known as a fair shot, and my first several shots through the gun had me wondering if i was really having that much problem with the trigger, or had i bought the turkey of turkeys....a goodly amount of dryfire and daily shooting quickly showed it wasn't the gun....as for where it hits, that will vary with practice until hold is consistant, and also vary with ammo...this particular gun shot to sights with AE 115gr ball at the start, then with more practice showed it really was dialed in with 147grHPs and shooting quite low with the AE ball, but shooting high and right with Remington ball, while all over the place and low with BlazerBrass 115grFMJ....

 

[goldenbb]

It's not like the trigger on the Sigma is helping either...

 

[skywarrior]

Humbling

Thanks to all of you who contributed ideas. I will start working on what I have read from all of you. I know archery shooting employees some of the same principles. Back tension release will greatly improve accuracy. It is a surprise firing of the bow which allows you to give 100% concentration to the target. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[mtngunr]

very much same concept in bows....notice i said squelch all movement THROUGH trigger release....follow-through is everything....

 

[keyguy]

Mamma said there'd be days like that.

With the Sigma remember the sights are regulated to be covering the target, not lollipop like we were all taught.

It does take several hundred rounds thru the gun to break them in as well.

You'll get used to both the guns. But like anything else, it all comes with practice.

Looks like you post count is low, so I'll say welcome to the forum. Enjoy shooting both of your new firearms.

Like this?

Proper Sight Picture And Target Mistakes!

Mike