Comman Shooting Error, the Fix Is....

[Defender00]

After returning from the range I looked at the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting book to see what the Misses might be doing wrong and it appears that she is "thumbing" the pistol. Might also be "heeling" it.

When shooting her .38 Spl she hits to the right (too far right for PP) and just a little high of center. When shooting my XD-9 she is right on center mass. I realize the trigger pull is very different and tried to help her but I just don't know what the fix is.

Any suggestions on how to correct "thumbing" and "heeling" the pistol?

TS

 

[SMLE]

Lots of dry fire practice under observation of a coach/instructor. Have her go slow and focus on exactly what her hand and forearm are doing as well as holding sight alignment on the target. Even a few minutes every evening will help. Dry firing is a very good exercise for shooting DA handguns, revolvers or autos.

 

[Dave T]

When shooting my XD-9 she is right on center mass.

...but I just don't know what the fix is.

Come on now, this really isn't that hard to figure out, is it? Loose the 38 and give her the XD-9.

 

[Trebor]

I believe the long double-action pull of a DA revolver is the hardest trigger to master. Notice that in her case she shoots the XD just fine. Is there a particular reason she can't switch to the XD? Can she chamber a round and work the controls OK?

If she does need to stick to the revolver, the best way to master the DA pull is to do a lot of dry-fire practice. Have her work on pulling through the long stroke without moving the sights off of the target. Consider buying a good .22 revovler for her to practice with as well. The only well to master the DA pull of a revolver is to practice.

I still think she might be better off with the XD though, if she's comfortable and confident with the gun.

 

[geekWithA.45]

The basic self feedback excercise:

Unload and dryfire while balancing a penny on the front sight. (If the sight isn't wide enough, as in a blade type sight, balance the penny on the barrel instead)

That'll get her going for starters.

Other things to reality check: The sights and flinching.


The sights:

Have her shoot the gun from a bench, with sandbags or a rest, to see if the sights are setup for her. Are the bullets hitting where the sights suggest they should?

Overall shooting consistency with that gun...is she grouping? If so, how consistently? How tightly?

Based on the outcome of the above, you might consider adjusting the sights so that they work for her.

Flinching:

.38 in a wheelgun has more perceived oomph than 9 in an autoloader. To test for flinching, secretly leave one chamber empty after she's fired a few cylinders, and see if the muzzle moves when she drops the hammer on it.

(Reason to wait for 2nd or 3rd loading: most people who do flinch tend not to for the first couple of rounds, but it get progressively worse until recognized and dealt with)

A similiar thing can be done with an autoloader with a little misdirection and sleight of hand, or a handy snap cap mixed into the mag.

 

[SMLE]

geekWithA.45
Unload and dryfire while balancing a penny on the front sight. (If the sight isn't wide enough, as in a blade type sight, balance the penny on the barrel instead)

The coin on the front sight is a good idea!
I'll have to try that one myself.

 

[Defender00]

Lots of good comments.

SMLE - I'll stop today and get some snap caps.

Dave T - Ya right, that's mine! Just joking. The XD was the first pistol I bought for PP. Since then I have purchased a small variety of weapons for this reason. Both of us carry Kel-Tec .32's but I wanted something with a little more power for her. We went to the gun store and tried a variety of pistols, even offered to get her a Compact XD9 but she wanted a wheel gun. She can handle the autoloaders but liked the idea of "pull trigger, wheel rotates, hammer drops, kaboom." It is a S&W 642 so it is a light gun and she added a Hogue grip that she really likes the feel of. Also I believe that getting used to one gun and only one gun can be a downfall. I want her and I to be able to pick up a handgun, shotgun, and be able to protect ourselves.

Trebor - Same as above and the smaller frame size makes it easier to carry for her. I wanted her to pick out what she wanted, a gun in the drawer while not at home does no good for PP.

geekWithA.45 - Will do the dry fire and penny exercise. Also next range trip I will have her do some supported firing and make sure the sight alignment is right. As for the grouping of the shots, the first one will be 2, maybe 3 inches right and each one after that is further right. At 7 yards (that is what we usually practice at, NC law says the BG must be at least that close) the last of five shots will graze the arm/shoulder of the target.

Being military I don't know how/why I didn't think of the penny drill????

Thanks folks. TS

 

[geekWithA.45]

Hmmm....shots walking right you say?


Well, like I said, validate the pistol and the sights from a sandbag, and see if it still does that from the bag. The only time I had that problem was when I forgot to lock my adjustable sights down...each shot whacked the sight a bit left. Other than that, I'm at a loss to explain it...especially since I'm not particularly a wheelgun guy.

If the pistol validates, but still does this when she's shooting unsupported, then it _might_ be she doesn't have the right grip, and each shot seats the gun further into her hand. Also, check that the add-on hogue grip is installed solidly, and isn't contributing to the problem.

 

[Defender00]

Was at a friend's house the other day and after some dry firing thought we would give it a try. Same thing, walking to the right but also walking high. Since the gun is for PP and that's the only type of shooting we do, I've taught her to shoot with both eyes open. After about 3 times of 5 shoots she fired the next 5 much closer to center mass? Ask her what she was doing different and she said she used only one eye! I prefer both eyes open but if you can't hit the BG that way it is not a benefit. She also has a habit of "re-gripping" the gun after each shot that I'm trying to break her of. Like everyone always says, practice, practice, ..... I am very comfortable that if every needed (God forbid) she will be able to handle herself. Take care, thanks for the help and a Happy New Year to all.

 

[Geezer]

VERY, VERY OLD ADVICE

The best way to teach your wife/girlfriend to shoot/drive is to have a professional do it.

God bless and y'all be careful out there.