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shooting advice needed

mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
edited November 2001 in General Discussion
Holy smokes, an actual gun question: When I shoot, I have trouble quickly getting the gun back on target, the sights lined up, and the second shot off with a good chance of it hitting somewhere close to the first. In short, I can't "double tap" to save my life. I have this problem shooting my .40 SW Glock, with my AR, with my massive .44 magnum shooting light .44 specials, etc. I'm a big strong fellow and I've experimented with a number of different grips, but it still seems to take me three or more seconds between shots. Can someone suggest something? Should I do exercises to strengthen my wrists? Go with a new grip? Thanks for any and all advice you can offer.
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Comments

  • royc38royc38 Member Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What I am going to tell you is not scientific fact but it has worked for me and some others so here goes:First, you have to be aware of your mechanics on how you are shooting your pistols. I recomend that you start with the basics. Use a .22 pistol. Why? Because you can cut down on recoil and focus on how you are shooting. At this stage accuracy is not the main thing as much as: how you are holding the gun, etc. Make sure no bad habits have cropped in. With the recoil out of the way you can focus on this. When you have "studied" yourself then try double tapping with the .22. Right now you must forget that you have any other cal(s). When you can do this profeciently, then move up and make sure that you are doing the same thing. Basically boiled down this is all a mind thing. If you don't have a .22 pick the lightest pistol you have and work with it ONLY. It will come evidentually. Just take your time and practice. There may be a easier way I don't know about so watch for other posts. I have learned that there are some ingenius characters around here that know a lot more about guns than I will ever know in two lifetimes. Good luck.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    royc38 is absolutely correct in his advice to start with the .22. most trainers will give the same advice. The 22 pistol is one of the most efficient training tools available. One more thing you can try is to make sure your left hand, (if you are right handed) is wrapped around the right hand and your fingers are in the creases of the fingers on your right hand. Then wrap the left thumb around the web of the right hand, this will help to keep positive pressure on the gun from both front and rear.use the left wrist to bring the gun down after recoil and the thumb against the right hand to steady it. It should pivot on both wrists. remember, guns have to recoil, they were built to recoil, try to make it a fluid movement that is the same every time and you will be able to get back on target quicker.
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  • BlueTicBlueTic Member Posts: 4,072
    edited November -1
    Have you tried moving closer - lets say 15yrds from target - and actually watching where you hit -vs- your sites. I agree with the above about bad habbits and a lighter cal., but when it comes down to getting a perceived feel for on target (not always with eyes, but your whole body)it helps to be close enough to correct quikly. If it helps then move back a few yards at a time. I am not an instructer and only talking about what has helped me on my 45lc -vs- my 38, 357 and 9mm. Each one has it's own personality and takes adjustments in yours. I still need alot of practice with each, and adjustments when changing cal. My 45 is my worst since it is single action and you have to pull the hammer back which throws your sites off. 2 seconds on my 45 will let me hit the target but I'm going to move a little closer and work out my posture and movements while watching the results....
    IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
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  • oneshyoneshy Member Posts: 417 ✭
    edited November -1
    BlueTic is on my wavelength. Double-tap is not meant to be tack-driving accurate, and is most useful at ranges approaching real-life self defense ranges. Less than 7 yd. If you can double-tap into the chest area of a man-size silhouette at 15ft. and put both within 4in. of each other, you are doin' good.
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  • RedlegRedleg Member Posts: 417 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Or.....You can sit back 500 yards with your trusty 300 WinMag...No pressure
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  • 5db5db Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If I understand the principle behind the "Double Tap" it is to increase the odds of striking a deadly blow to a threatening target. This would indicate a Danger Close threat. Obviously if the range is greater, time should allow precise aiming or afford you the chance to RUN!. So get a standard "B27" (body silhouette) target and go after it. Always aiming at the center mass and as quick as you pick up the front site after recoil, put another round down range. Sight picture doesn't have to be pretty, certainly not perfect. One other thing, not knowing you, but mebee you are like me, not any too fast. If that's the case, Redleg is giving some righteous advise....
    If you have one shot...Accu-Shot Website
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  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, if you're a big sreong guy, this might help: Use a stance where (if you'tr right handed), you stand with your left side towards your target, cross your right arm over your chest, using your chest muscles as well as your arms. It's a much steadier position than a regular Weaver stance, and if you practice practice practice, it is just as fast and will be instinctive. It lessens muzzle flip quite a bit, and is quite convenient if your strong eye is the left.
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    It's also very important to keep focused on the target and not let your eyes or head follow the gun barrel through the recoil. If you are prone to watching the gun and not the target you have to re-focus for each shot.If you can, in your mind's eye, keep that sight picture you had when you fired the first shot. Then it's easier to bring the barrel back into line. I kind of imagine a laser beam from my eyes to the spot I want to hit. Then after each shot I just bring the barrel back into the beam.I'm no expert pistol shot but I can rapid fire with pretty much the same accuracy as when I fire single rounds.
    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lowrider,Thanks for that very good advice.I find myself following the sights.I will try your lazer tip.Another thing I find myself doing,Is trying to force the gun back down.This usualy leads to over compensation.
    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.
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  • stanmanstanman Member Posts: 3,052
    edited November -1
    Better to under compensate than to over do it.If the bore line hasn't quite returned to center of mass, and the shooter has already touched off the next round, he or she has a good chance of scoring a head shot with round two.Thats how the Portland police do it and it's generally quite fatal.Problem is, when THEY do it, the other guy is usually unarmed.
    My wife?.........Sure!My dog?..........Maybe!MY GUNS??........NEVER!!!
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  • mudgemudge Member Posts: 4,225 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    All of the above... Except maybe the .22 advice.As oneshy said, the "double tap" is to get two shots off QUICKLY at CLOSE range. 7 yds or less. The farther away your target (read threat)the more time you'll have to get your sight picture back.If you haven't already done so, I suggest you find an advanced handgun course. Don't let the "advanced" intimidate you. It's just the next course to take after you take the "basic" course which doesn't do much more than tell you which end the round comes out.Mrs. Mudge took the "advanced" without going thru "basic" and had a ball. She used her brand new Glock 30 (.45) and was able to do very well without ever having fired a .22.She is, needless to say, an exceptional woman!!!Mudge
    I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!
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  • mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all the excellent advice. I think the smartest thing for me to do would be to save up some cash and take a class. Nothing beats professional instruction. Now, hears the question. Do I take the class and training with my S&W Model 19 .357 or my Glock 19. I DO NOT carry but do keep a pistol available at home in case something goes bump in the night.
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  • concealedG36concealedG36 Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just C, I have one question about your left-hand placement in your grip suggestion. How do you keep your left thumb from getting whacked by the slide during recoil? I use a similar grip, but I place my left thumb under the right thumb on the left side of the pistol.
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  • ironsitesironsites Member Posts: 97 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your best bet is to begin by making two shots (3 yards) as fast as you can and hit the target with 2" groups. Do this until it is easy. Then begin shooting a little faster until this is easy. Then faster and faster until you acheive the speed you want. This takes time and patience.It took me many weeks to be able to group 2" or less at 3 yards making two shots (approx. 1/4 sec.) with a glock 26. It is then can start over at a different distance, but anything over 7 yards isn't needed. It's a lot of fun setting up two targets at 5 yards and making a two quick shot at each-targets at about 7 feet apart.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I place it just behind the last joint of my thumb. It is kinda to the left of the slide and down slightly. I grip tight with the thumb (left one) to keep from coming into the danger zone, this also helps to push the wrist back down into straight on position. I am not a pistol expert by any strech but I think I can do good enough at realistic distances. My hands are probably smaller than some folks and not real thick. This way gives me a feel of some control. I
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