The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: MLC on December 23, 2008, 07:56:52 AM
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I thought some of my fellow "problem shooters" might enjoy this story...
I'm a fairly good shot with a rifle, but not so much with the pistol. I recently had the opportunity to spend some range time with some Marine shooter types. They were running some basic drills, and there was much jovial banter and laughing for those not on the firing line. The first drill I participated in was one where you advance 5 yards, and fire 2 rounds. These guys are teasing each other if the shots weren't in one of the A-zones. I got up there on the firing line, advanced the requisite five yards, and fired on the target twice. The range all of a sudden got very quiet. Embarrassed doesn't begin to cover it.
Both shots were very low on the paper,and the group was more hour-of-angle than minute-of-angle. Yes, I've got the flinch. The anticipation of recoil, incurable by dry fire. One of the gentlemen took me aside, and showed me proper grip technique, and showed me some mistakes that I didn't even know I was making. Total instruction time was about 10 minutes.
Back to the firing line we went, to the 10 yard line. After a few more minutes of putting empty magazines in the pistol, or only putting one round in, combined with actual proper grip, I was able to actually hit what I aimed at, and managed to shoot a group where the holes touched each other.
I realize amongst the majority of shooters, this isn't that impressive. I tell this story to give hope to my fellow flinchers, trigger jerkers, and other non-good shooters. A little instruction can go a heck of a long way, and can fix even the worst of us.
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Hey, we all have our problems and we all need help, you were just lucky enough to get it from a Marine! ;D
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More important than the instruction is the willingness to LEARN!! Shooting should be a continous learning environment.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE and more PRACTICE.
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Excellent story.
I know some of the guys I have shot with over the years were, and are, eager to help anyone needing advice. The problem is that sometimes one doesn't know how exactly to approach it. We had a guy on the line once who was obviously jerking the trigger and printing all over the target (a big target). One of the RO's went over to strike up a conversation and try to find a way to offer some help (much like in your story). The shooter got all flustered and irate saying that he knew what the hell he was doing and that he had been shooting for x number of years and so on. However, for every one fellow like this, we have had a half-dozen or more be very receptive to advice.
I guess my point is, never be afraid to ask for or offer help.
Needing or getting help is not a sign of weakness, it seems to me to be a sign of good common sense.
And, if a shooter learns to enjoy the sport more because they are better shooters, then we are all better off.
There's my pennies.
8)