Handgun accuracy

[gophergunner]

I've never done any serious handgun shooting, but now that I've got a little more time, I'm realizing how much practice one needs to show any improvement.  My wife and I will be going for our concealed carry permits, and there's work to do. 
The first thing I've learned is that I consistently shoot to the left, even at self defense range. I'm running a S&W Shield and a FEG clone of a Browning Hi Power.  I shoot both of these guns to the left.  I'm going to have to drift the sights a bit.  I also have noticed that a smooth trigger pull is important (imagine that) and it all applies just like it does with a rifle. 
Practice, practice, practice.  I've been shooting over at the Burnsville Pistol Range.  I think I'll get a membership somewhere and make this a once a week training.
My wife is doing pretty good, for someone that's never shot before.  She likes my Shield, so I'm thinking the little Taurus .380 I bought her is destined to be a tackle box gun.  I'm looking at another Shield, maybe from the Performance Shop.  I reallly like the Shields. What's everyone else running?

[Rebel SS]

I love my Shield, have a .40 one. GG...the probable reason you shoot to the left is called "Milking it''  (low and to the left).....and it's usually caused by jerking the trigger or improper placement of yer finger on the trigger. Consistent 9 o'clock shot hole patterns are problems with trigger finger placement. Been there, done that. Check out the numerous sites that give the cure for this BEFORE ya go whonking on yer pistol sights...most are 99% right on outta da box.  Easiest cure is a LOT more shooting, take yer time, and learn to control yer BREATHING. Reb's tips.


This was a right out-of-the box 3 shot rapid fire of 15 rds of my .40 cal Springfield XDm with the 3.8" barrel and grooved trigger at 21 ft. You can see it's consistent patterning, which is what matters, with just a tad of "milking".  I date and keep all my targets. 

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[gophergunner]

Thanks Rebs-I'll look up those videos.

[Rebel SS]

Also line up a ways away parallel from a mirror....and draw and point yer gun 4 or 5 times. Look in the mirror each time...bet yer not in a straight parallel line with the gun bore/tip level, and the gun 90* from yer body, are ya? 

[glenn57]

I love my Shield, have a .40 one. GG...the probable reason you shoot to the left is called "Milking it''  (low and to the left).....and it's usually caused by jerking the trigger or improper placement of yer finger on the trigger. Consistent 9 o'clock shot hole patterns are problems with trigger finger placement. Been there, done that. Check out the numerous sites that give the cure for this BEFORE ya go whonking on yer pistol sights...most are 99% right on outta da box.  Easiest cure is a LOT more shooting, take yer time, and learn to control yer BREATHING. Reb's tips.


This was a right out-of-the box 3 shot rapid fire of 15 rds of my .40 cal Springfield XDm with the 3.8" barrel and grooved trigger at 21 ft. You can see it's consistent patterning, which is what matters, with just a tad of "milking".  I date and keep all my targets. 

and none hit da bullseye!!

Miss me Reb??!

[Rebel SS]

 

Ya, I missed ya like a bed fulla thumbtacks!!!   

[glenn57]

 

[Rebel SS]

      

[Boar]

Havi.g gon thru cc clas and the range, no doubt reb has the experience on accura y for sure, trigver placement is a biggie, i was to the left myself, that had alot to do with equal prssure from my hands on the gun, and smoofh trigver l
Pull

[deadeye]

I will admit I'm really an inaccurate handgun shooter.  I like to make up for it by sending more bullets down range.  I'm not sure where to start as I miss on all sides.  But, don't test me because at close range, I'm pretty good. 

[Rebel SS]

They do make shotgun pellet shells for handgun calibers too...

The only difference between me and you guys is that I had a job where I had to be good with my sidearm, and had to shoot monthly to maintain. That turned into 'Fun shooting" weekly. Practice/shoot more, get some good instruction, and you'll be shooting like a pro in no time.
One of my carry guns is a Ruger 9mm  LC9S ....and although it's not a "target gun", I can do better throwing the damned thing at the target. 

[glenn57]

Havi.g gon thru cc clas and the range, no doubt reb has the experience on accura y for sure, trigver placement is a biggie, i was to the left myself, that had alot to do with equal prssure from my hands on the gun, and smoofh trigver l
Pull

oh sure boar................give reb a big head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rebel SS]

dnot gp pikcng onn boar...he kowns wut heez tkling abtou.   

[JohnWester]

i have a SW MP shield... 9mm... they are C&C guns, they're nice to shoot... but they are not very accurate past 15 feet.  great gun for C&C though.

I'm looking for something else for more of a longer range shooter

[Rebel SS]

i have a SW MP shield... 9mm... they are C&C guns, they're nice to shoot... but they are not very accurate past 15 feet.  great gun for C&C though.

I'm looking for something else for more of a longer range shooter

Seriously? Sorry, I heartily disagree with that one. I can put mine in the center ring at 7 yds consistently, using plain old Winnie 180 Gr. JHP's. I find them very accurate for a slim SS gun. If you were talking an LC9, I could see that; smaller, lighter thin ones have too much kickback for consistent accuracy, but the Shield? Not an issue...for me anyway, and I'm not an expert rated shot.
More of a target gun? Try out one of the Springfield XDm's in 4.5", or the 4.5" with threaded barrel and comp sights....superb accuracy, IMO, and a DS at that, holding 16 rds. That should get ya on target. 

[JohnWester]

lol, maybe i need to practice more

[Rebel SS]

Practice makes perfect. Usually. Sorta. After the first few times out paper target shooting at combat distance with that LC9S of mine, someone brought up later that day at the clubhouse there sure were a lot of dead birds laying around for some reason...  I've improved with it to the point I can now throw it and hit the target from 10" away with it.     

[ray634]

If you keep missing to the left an easy way to correct the problem is to move the target to where the bullets are hitting.

[glenn57]

If you keep missing to the left an easy way to correct the problem is to move the target to where the bullets are hitting.

[mike89]

now dats funny ray634!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rebel SS]

Shouldn't you be pouring stop-leak in yer Harley?? 

[mike89]

Shouldn't you be pouring stop-leak in yer Harley?? 

she's sleeping for the winter!!!!

[gophergunner]

If you keep missing to the left an easy way to correct the problem is to move the target to where the bullets are hitting.

WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?????

[gophergunner]

Excuse me Mr. Robber-could you please move to the left about 5 inches and hold the f*ck still?!

[Rebel SS]

Ya need one of these that was actually made for a bit early in WWII......

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[gophergunner]

Ya need one of these that was actually made for a bit early in WWII......

The Krauts made those for their tankers to hose down the outside of their tanks when they had enemy soldiers climbing on them to drop grenades or molotov cocktails down the hatches.  'Cant imagine what the bullets looked like after snaking around the bend in that barrel.

[glenn57]

  handgun accuracy... I thought that was just a firm steady grip???

[Rebel SS]

handgun accuracy... I thought that was just a firm steady grip???

That's a big part of it! Works on those red pop guns too! 

[Gunner55]

Yeah glenn, just like you have when you hold your........................................................... oh, never mind.

[Rebel SS]

Yeah glenn, just like you have when you hold your........................................................... oh, never mind.

Proper gun grip takes more than a thumb and forefinger, Gunner.