Critique my shooting?

[gossamer]

I was wondering if anyone would care to take a look at my targets from today and tell me what you think I need to take some serious looks at. I'd really appreciate any feedback as this is only the third time I've shot a handgun and it's a little discouraging to be all over the map (or should I say target?). It's very new to me and I really want to improve. I plan to eventually find someone to be an instructor with me, but I want to get a few trips to the range under my belt first.

I'm shooting a new Sig P220 in 22lr.

This first one is my first 100 rounds today at 7-8 yards using Remmington target ammo.



This is my second 50 rounds of the same ammo at the same distance:



I shot another 50 rounds of the same ammo but the target fell off on the other side of the firing line so I couldn't retrieve it.

Finally, my last 40 rounds using Federal American Eagle. This ammo jammed almost every other round.



As I said above, I'm a total novice. I can read what the targets say I'm doing wrong (I'm right handed). But I don't know how to correct it. I know I need a good instructor, but for now I'd just like some feedback until I can find someone good to teach me.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

It's tough to critique from the targets it really needs to be an in person type of thing. It appears you need work on your stance, grip and trigger. It is complicated and you must also remember your breathing and sight alignment. No offense could be everything or any one thing.
You don't state were your from but I would suggest looking for an introductory pistol class offered by the NRA or similar in your area. It will give you a good starting point to help you improve while you find your final instructor or training class. Remember practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

 

[harrygunner]

You are beginning. As a goal, from 7-8 yards with a Sig, you should have all your shots in the black center ring.

 

[C-grunt]

I would suggest a good class. Like stated above, its hard to tell just from a target. But pistol shooting is not as easy as its made out to be in the movies and what not. Truthfully, Id say your not that bad at all, especially for someone barely starting. Ive seen people A LOT worse.

I think a good class to teach the fundamentals and practice would be great.

 

[chris in va]

Focus your mind *just* on your trigger finger. Block out everything else, concentrate on making that finger pull straight back. Visualize it bending.

Another thing, 'walk' the sights into the target. Don't try and hold the sight on the bullseye, it'll wander all over the freakin' place. Instead, start from the left or right and slowly bring it over to the intended spot while gently pressing the trigger, timing it so the sear releases right on the dot. Betcha that helps a ton. It's a technique that's been used for many years by olympians and target shooters.

 

[PT1911]

I am going to have to suggest you spend some quality time just "dry firing" the gun at a target paying attention to any movement that is taking place... there is little consistency with your shooting and as stated above, with that gun at that distance, they should be eating out the black area.. I would venture to say you are probably flinching pretty bad and need to refine your grip... meaning... grip firmly with your dominant hand, then grip your dominant hand with your non-dominant, this should result in covering all of both sides of the gun and lining your thumbs up on the same side of the gun (they should be pointed toward the target) after that.. you should square up your feet, control your breathing and squeeze each round making sure to stay calm while anticipating the shot.

 

[MrBorland]

IMO, those charts are only informative if you're good enough to group your shots into small enough areas to be meaningful. As it is, yours aren't - yet.

I agree with getting some initial instruction. It won't make you a marksman - you'll make yourself that - but it ought to help make you aware of the 2 fundamentals of good shooting. You'll make yourself a good shot by assiduously practicing these fundamentals.

Do a search here, too. There are a number of threads about improving one's marksmanship. I included a relevant thread from TFL below. Good info there, even if it gets testy at one point.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333810

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I suspect you are a trigger yanker like I am.

I tend to wrap too much triggerfinger all over my trigger and my stuff goes to the right a bit sometimes.

But your pattern is down and to left sort of at 7 o clock. You are a trigger jerker. (No offense, I do the same... sometimes)

Smooth and easy pull straight back, the gun firing should be a surprise to you and you will be fine.

Most of your hits are in the center. keep up doing whatever else you were doing.

One other thing. Leave that wrist alone. Just hold onto the gun with both hands, the gun will go against your wrist naturally. So mind off that wrist please.

I downloaded that chart off Lee elsewhere on this forum and it's the best tool I ever seen for shooting.

 

[gossamer]

Very helpful responses so far. I'm committed to future teaching and classes, so that's a for sure. The "walking" technique is new to me. (shows I need some instruction, eh?

The folks who taught my CCW class have an enhanced shooting class, but it focuses a lot on IDPA-type drills. I think I'm not quite there yet. I think I need some specific basic instruction. Day 1 of shooting at the academy/military or "so you've never shot a pistol and now you have to" type thing.

When I wanted to take NRA's First Steps, all the local instructors (KC, MO) said they no longer teach it and teach only the CCW class now.

so . . . . ?

 

[zt77]

the first thing i was going to suggest was shoot a .22 lr but i see you are lol good job there.

you are getting very good advice so far, I shoot a little smaller a group at 25 yards with my model 18-3 s&w, no expert by any means, but I'm no "beginner"

the thing that makes the biggest difference for me between guns is the sights. i have a ruger mk 3 with the stupid hi viz sights and get 10" groups at 25 yards. then switch to my model 18 with the as usual super fine s&w sights and it halves it.

keep working at it, nothing will make you improve except practice.

oh,btw, if you do start shooting 25-50 yards with a .22, ammo selection can make about a 50% difference in group size, just remember that if you get a target pistol

 

[earlthegoat2]

Minute of bad guy accurate.

 

[gossamer]

earlthegoat2:
Minute of bid guy accurate.

I must confess I don't know what that means. Sorry. Can you explain?

Thanks.

 

[Deanimator]

Not concentrating on the front sight will cause your shots to be scattered.

If you're using iron sights, you MUST, MUST concentrate on the front sight.

The front sight should be in sharp focus, while the rear sight and the target should be fuzzy.

Without proper sight picture, everything else is irrelevant.

 

[DesmoDucRob]

7 oclock push

I have a bad "7 oclock push" that only presents itself with "hot" loads for my glock 9mm. I've noticed that when I slap on my advantage arms conversion kit (22 lr) the accuracy improves dramatically but only after I shoot the 22lr for a while. I wouldn't think flinching would be a contributing factor here, but if you listen to the "trigger pull" advice given above, and take from it what works for you, you should develope good habbits that will transfer to larger calibers later. Good luck.

 

[cactusgeorge]

target

You are not establishing any type of group on the paper, even at the short distance you claim you were shooting from. So it is difficult to identify the "offending techniques" you are doing or in this case, not doing..!! These types of impact patterns are usually indicative of the shooter engaged in improperly performing about three or four of the primary marksmanship techniques necessary to get a group location and being able to get consistent COM hits. I am referring to what I call SST..sight alignment, sight picture, TRIGGER CONTROL and a proper, strong Weaver agressive grip on your weapon. It I my sense that you maybe familiar with some of these and if so, you are doing none of them properly. When you are able to accomplish all of these techniques through obtaining professional instruction and hours upon hours of dry practice...you will be able to shoot 2-3" at those distances 99% of the time. At the distance you were firing from, a minimum of over 95% of the impact holes should have been "in the black". I would seek some professional instruction ASAP, before you start to ingrain all those bad habits and more time and dollars will be needed to undo them. Sorry for the grim "report card", but I see those type of targets all the time and can read them a well written book. Good luck on your journey.

 

[Steve C]

Your targets show improvement from top to bottom which is a good thing and should provide encouragement.

Its tempting and fun to shoot fast, esp with a .22 lr but it doesn't do much for learning. At 7 to 8 yards the groups should be dime/nickle size when you develop consistency in sight picture and trigger pull. Slow down and practice your breathing control, sight alignment and trigger squeeze. Shoot perhaps no more than one shot every 5 to 10 seconds, that means lowering the pistol between shots, taking a breath and then requiring your sight picture. Work slow fire first then as you improve your shooting move the target to greater distance. Get some bullseye targets and shoot them at their designated distance (50', 25yds, 50yds), keep score to gauge improvement.

For some good information on shooting you can go to http://www.bullseyepistol.com/ and read the articles under "Perfecting Technique", esp the Army Marksmanship training Guide.

Like any athletic skill it takes time and practice to get better. Keep challenging yourself and develop a good practice regimen because only perfect practice makes makes perfect.

 

[earlthegoat2]

gossamer, it is an old expression describing an AK-47s accuracy meaning it can shoot man sized groups at a given range.

 

[HB]

Another thing, 'walk' the sights into the target. Don't try and hold the sight on the bullseye, it'll wander all over the freakin' place. Instead, start from the left or right and slowly bring it over to the intended spot while gently pressing the trigger, timing it so the sear releases right on the dot. Betcha that helps a ton. It's a technique that's been used for many years by olympians and target shooters.

Semi-accurate advice??? You don't want to walk you sights onto the target, but you want to "shoot within your hold". If your hold bounces from 8 ring to 8 ring, shoot that hold. My guess is that it looks like your hold is fine to you, especially at 7 yards. I also assume that you are holding the gun up for an entire mag? I'd say shoot your shot, lower the gun, clear your head, and take another shot. Take your time and focus on the front sight.
It looks like trigger issues to me, but not that bad for your first time. Also, disregard the "combat accuracy" stuff. I like to hit what I'm aiming at, not next to it, or close enough to it. Just keep practicing.

HB

 

[zt77]

+1-as my wrestling coach said, close only counts for horse shoes and hand grenades