misANTHrope
Member
OK, so I decided about two months ago that it was time to get serious about developing handgun skills since I was interested in getting a CCW. I figure competency goes hand in hand with the responsibility of daily carry, but that's another story entirely. So I bought a membership at the local indoor range for unlimited range time, and go shoot on average once a week. I'm to the point now where I feel confident in the fundamentals of shooting mechanics. I had to overcome some old ingrained bad habits, particularly an inconsistent and incorrect grip that was hindering me along with a bad tendency to anticipate and dip the muzzle (something that still occasionally crops up if I get careless).
However, I knew I needed to add some dry-fire practice into this to get into a more practical and less "target-oriented" mindset. From the little experimentation I'd done at home (discliamer: quadruple-checked empty, no live ammo anywhere in the vicinity), I was aware that I still had to "think" a little too much to get my grip right, and it didn't work out when drawing from a holster.
Just now, I did what was really my first serious dry-fire practice session. I worked on the basics first, laying my pistol on the bed and picking it up with my right hand, feeling for the indexes that would indicate I was getting the proper grip. Once I was consistent there, I added the left hand, again finding the indexes on the gun and between my hands to indicate by touch when I had it right. Then it was picking the gun up and establishing the proper two-handed grip together.
Next, I moved on to the draw stroke. Back to the grip indexing again right first, left second. Figure out where on the draw stroke it works to get the left hand in. Work on target focus, shifting focus to the front sight as I got to full extension. Adding safety operation as I reached full extension. Finally, the whole stroke, including one dry-fire shot.
So the draw stroke goes as follows: RH on butt, establish grip and clear leather. About the time I get up to shoulder level, still in close to my body, I roll the barrel up to horizontal and get my LH grip. As I'm pushing out, I adjust focus from target to front sight and flick the safety off. As I reach full extension, the sights come into alignment, my finger goes into the trigger guard, and I squeeze off the shot. I practiced this entire draw stroke CORRECTLY (including calling the shot on-target) about 25 times.
I realize I also need to add in some other dry-fire practice like malf drills (move, tap, rack, bang) and reloads. What I'd like is some critique of how I'm doing things and what else I can add to better reinforce the skill sets. I intend to carry out the practice very similar to what I did today for the time being, to ensure I'm not cheating on the basics on my way to the full stroke.
Thanks for the help.
However, I knew I needed to add some dry-fire practice into this to get into a more practical and less "target-oriented" mindset. From the little experimentation I'd done at home (discliamer: quadruple-checked empty, no live ammo anywhere in the vicinity), I was aware that I still had to "think" a little too much to get my grip right, and it didn't work out when drawing from a holster.
Just now, I did what was really my first serious dry-fire practice session. I worked on the basics first, laying my pistol on the bed and picking it up with my right hand, feeling for the indexes that would indicate I was getting the proper grip. Once I was consistent there, I added the left hand, again finding the indexes on the gun and between my hands to indicate by touch when I had it right. Then it was picking the gun up and establishing the proper two-handed grip together.
Next, I moved on to the draw stroke. Back to the grip indexing again right first, left second. Figure out where on the draw stroke it works to get the left hand in. Work on target focus, shifting focus to the front sight as I got to full extension. Adding safety operation as I reached full extension. Finally, the whole stroke, including one dry-fire shot.
So the draw stroke goes as follows: RH on butt, establish grip and clear leather. About the time I get up to shoulder level, still in close to my body, I roll the barrel up to horizontal and get my LH grip. As I'm pushing out, I adjust focus from target to front sight and flick the safety off. As I reach full extension, the sights come into alignment, my finger goes into the trigger guard, and I squeeze off the shot. I practiced this entire draw stroke CORRECTLY (including calling the shot on-target) about 25 times.
I realize I also need to add in some other dry-fire practice like malf drills (move, tap, rack, bang) and reloads. What I'd like is some critique of how I'm doing things and what else I can add to better reinforce the skill sets. I intend to carry out the practice very similar to what I did today for the time being, to ensure I'm not cheating on the basics on my way to the full stroke.
Thanks for the help.
