Does it really matter how I hold the Gun?

Thank you for the photos and the video. The Weaver stance is the one I am working on. If it does not rain tomorrow, will give it another try.

By the way - the four shots that did not hit center were just a bit off, would not have hit a person but were close. Only one shot was too high and went overhead to the embankment. I was shooting fast, pretending it was an "emergency" situation - just to see how I would do when shooting fast.

Thank you!

I would recommend practicing some more like you sons' suggest. However, try this. Set yourself up in a Weaver stance or modified Weaver stance like shown above. If your right handed, as you grip the pistol, push out with your right hand and pull back with your left hand. Right arm should be fairly straight (but not any where close to locked) and left arm should be slightly bent. This will lock your arms into place. If you look at the Weaver stance above, you can tell he is pushing out with his right and pulling back with his left).

Shoot with both eyes open, and squeeze the trigger on the natural pause in your beath (either the end of the inhale or exhale). Also, I always shoot single action (cocking the hammer back) on any exposed trigger revolver.

Don't try to shoot fast. Shoot for accuracy. With enough practice, fast will come. When you learn to play an instrument you don't start out fast correct? You play at a very slow beat per minute. Same thing with shooting.

There is also a "FBI" stance that I personally dislike but you may find comfortable--it is basically arms straight out and locked, shoulders hunched, and your but stuck out behind you. Kind of a hunch stance.

If you aim to get in the first shot, you gotta shoot from the hip! Coming in second in a gun fight is not desirable. LOL

Hitting a running target shooting from the hip with a .22 rifle is just as easy or easier than shooting from the shoulder, for me

Consistency is the most important thing, IMO...I'd say it's good to start out learning proper technique and always try to hold the firearm in the same manner with the same stance. That not always being possible, esp. in a stressful situation...if you're happy with the results, keep at it as you're doing. If you want to really improve and get 9/10 or better, take some lessons from a pro and practice, practice, practice.

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"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow the fields of those who don't."-Thomas Jefferson

"Proper" stances come and go. This year, it seems to be the triangle fettish. OK.

Fundamentally, it's all about holding the gun steady, so you can hit what you're aiming at. Helpful things include being able to get on target quickly, and recover quickly for a second shot. All good things.

If what you are currently doing lets you do that well enough, all is fine. If you want better, you may need to improve what you are doing now.

A very good and easy to read article on how to shoot a handgun accurately is this one:
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html
No high handed "this way is the only way" or other nonsense or patronizing words.

I tend to favor the Weaver stance, myself.

How far away was your target?

Completely missing a man sized target at any reasonable distance is absolutely unacceptable.

I was thinking the same thing. I would also point out to the OP that hitting a target at a shooting range using poor technique when you have time and no pressure is one thing but since you want to know how to shoot for self defense you really need to take some instruction.

Almost every local NRA group has shooting courses that will teach you how to shoot safely and accurately and I highly encourage you to take some instruction. I found that when I was teaching my wife to shoot a pistol it was hard because we are so close and that she did much better when another instructor worked with her.

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I was in LE for 26 years, I can say the preferred (range recommended) stance probably changed 4 or more times during that time. But the grip on the weapon never did, although training in one handed shooting was done the best grip is as others have said, two hands. Keep practicing, very important, If you miss 4 times out of ten, thats 4 times that goes somewhere that can kill someone or something you may regret.

Yes! You definitely want the barrel pointing AWAY from you!

Again I reiterate, practice the fundamentals of marksmenship slowly and controlled and speed will come later.

I prefer a shotgun for nuts coming in the house...but that's off topic. My guess is you would get used to the different hold if you practiced a lot. I'd also guess that if wrist strength is an issue, holding the way your son's say would be better in the long run.

Do you have any idea - or guess - which movie star that was in the video?

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WIHH


~~ pelenaka ~~

I'd have to see that one. Hitting a target the size of a half dollar or smaller with a handgun at 200yds with one unsupported hand would probably make you the best handgun shooter in the world.

ETA: What do you mean by "dead on"? I took it as meaning hitting the center of the target, but then you said the other 4 completely missed. I don't see how 4 shots can completely miss when the others are "dead on". If the other are just hitting the target, that doesn't mean that its a good hit.

Hello everyone - We were able to get out on the Target Range for only a little while late yesterday. I did practice the Weaver position but seem to prefer the Triangle too. But - I agree with those here who pointed out I need to keep practicing.

My Target was 18 feet away. We decided to use 18 feet since it is the distance from my Bedroom door to the doorway where a "Nut" would be if the "Nut" were to try to enter the house. The other doors are blocked fairly well and this one door would be the first and easiest way in the house. Since we are "pretending" I need to shoot from my bedroom, we put the Target at 18 feet.

What I did was to run down the Target range.......probably about 100 feet downhill and i had to partly jump over a piece of wood, then stop and shoot at the Target. The Targets were a piece of paper in a Human size torso.......and then a smaller piece of paper (8.5 by 11 inches) and I was trying to hit in the Center. I did this several times........shooting two times FAST at the larger target ........then taking a bit more time and shooting 3 times at the smaller target.........

My main problem is poor eye sight.......I tend to shoot too high....and my weak wrists. I do have two rubber balls and am working on the wrists. Also, I plain ole need to practice more.

When I said "dead on" - then I meant that I hit the center of the Targets.......which would have been hitting the Chest of the "Nut"........when I missed the target.........it was because we use a wood pallet to hold the target and my bullets when either in the pallet but not hitting the paper Target or in one case I shot completely over the wood pallet - way too high........

I count a good hit as hitting the center of the torso target since that would mean hitting the "Nut".......I was trying to hit the "Nut" in the chest two times........then I took my time to just practice on the other target.......I need to practice more!

Cabin Fever: The Movie Star is Wind-in-her-Hair! And thank you for the video. Also - thanks for the tip about the Scamp people. I called and talked to them and they sent a price list plus more photos. Thanks.

Any hit to the "Nut" should slow him down for a while.

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- Douglas William Jerrold

Real is Beautiful -Sherry in Maine

I am 47

No, Fowler, I do not look like that guy!

Point shooting...

http://www.bobtuley.com/pointshooting.htm